Eight candidates tackled the issues of the day at the Bristol Town Council Candidates Forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the East Bay Media Group, and moderated by Ethan Hartley, editor of the Bristol Phoenix and Warren Times-Gazette, last Thursday night. Oct. 6, at Roger Williams University.

Participants included Nathan Calouro (I), current Council Chairman; Andrew Broten (D); Mary Parella (R), incumbent; Edward Stuart, Jr. (I), former councilor; Tony Teixeira (I), incumbent; Bethany Sousa Foster (D); Aaron Ley (D), incumbent; and Timothy Sweeney (D), incumbent.

The theme of the night? Affordability. Regardless of the questions posed by Hartley, most roads seemed to lead back to affordability.

The road ahead
Asked what they think will be the most significant challenge in the next five years, Calouro talked of school funding and keeping Bristol affordable, while highlighting the accomplishments of the current Council, including the fact that Bristol’s tax rate is among the lowest third in the state. “This is tremendous, and it’s not by accident,” he said. “None of this happens by itself.”

Newcomer Andrew Broten disputed that success, citing Bristol as one of three towns in Rhode Island that lost population in the past year. Business development, he said, should be more of a priority for the Council.

Parella said she was very concerned about keeping Bristol affordable, and thinks it will take bold action on the part of the Council. Stuart echoed those concerns about affordable housing.

Tony Teixiera cited schools, the elderly, affordability, and stormwater management as his areas of greatest concern in the next five years. Foster mentioned the squeeze being put on the housing stock by short-term rentals, driven by college students and the proliferation of vacation rentals.

Ley expressed a different concern: rising bond rates. Noting the town’s reliance on affordable bond rates to complete the many important infrastructure projects that have been going on of late, he’s concerned that less favorable rates will impact Bristol’s ability to borrow affordably.

Sweeney also mentioned housing affordability but pointed out that the Council recently acted in favor of that, mandating that 20% of the units at the pending Yarn Mill development are earmarked for affordable housing, as well as planned units at the former Oliver School, but he conceded that the Council needs to do more. He also noted that trash tipping fees are about to go up, and that, too, will be a concern.

Empty downtown storefronts
Asked if they thought there was anything that could be done about the number of empty storefronts downtown, Teixeira cited Unity Park as an example of what a private citizen can do with the support of town government. “We can engage in conversation and work with property owners,” he said.

Foster cited Rhode Island’s persistent reputation as not being good for business, saying she would like to provide more resources and supports for small business; Ley agreed they should keep lines of communication open, while Sweeney agreed that the partnership with Unity Park is a model that needs to be continued. Stuart suggested more roundtables that would allow the Council to hear the perspectives of business owners.

Asked about how COVID challenged already-considerable strains on small business, Calouro pointed out that the town removed a lot of their normal processes to help keep local businesses, particularly restaurants, afloat. “They’re not looking for us to run their businesses, they want clean streets and a responsive government,” he said.

Support for seniors
Both Foster and Ley agreed expanded property tax exemptions for seniors should be on the table, and Ley noted that the Council passed a greater exemption for disabled vets. Sweeney agreed but, noting that Bristol is an aging town, he said “If we increase the tax exemptions we need to know where that money is going to come from.” Sweeney also mentioned the importance of continuing to add senior supports as Bristol’s population ages.

The conversation returned to affordable housing, as Calouro noted that the Yarn Mill will provide housing for downsizing seniors as well as other populations. “We did advocate and approve 20% affordable housing…the developer and owner has created an opportunity for 100 new families to live downtown. It’s going to be a tremendous boon.”

Sweeney agreed about the benefits of that recently greenlighted development, saying the the Tourister development has helped infuse downtown Warren’s small businesses. He suggested the Yan Mill will have the same impact on Bristol.

Climate change and cannabis
Hartley asked the candidates if they thought Bristol was doing enough to mitigate climate change. Citing the redeveloped golf course and the watershed it sits on, Ley said he’s proud of the work the town has done on that project.

Sweeney also mentioned seawall work, strict zoning, the Tanyard Brook project, and green initiatives like composting and LED lighting as steps in the right direction.

Asked how they personally plan to vote on cannabis sales in Bristol, the group was split. Sweeney, Sousa, Ley, and Broten said they will be voting yes, in the interest of keeping that tax revenue in Bristol. Stuart, Parella, and Calouro, citing the concerns and recommendations of local law enforcement, said they are not in favor. Teixeira is undecided.

“Selling in town is not necessary,” said Calouro. “I’m glad to give up revenues for a safer community.” Noting that the decision is not the Council’s (the question of whether to allow recreational cannabis sales in town, with zoning restrictions, will be put to all voters on the November ballot), Calouro said, “If the public says yes, we will take the next steps.”