A group of residents determined to keep the Bristol Fourth of July concerts in the same place as they been for the past decade, formally filed a petition to codify their desires, along with two other desires. On Tuesday, petitioners submitted three sets of paperwork to Bristol Town Hall.

The first petition would create a town law specifying that the Fourth of July concert series must take place exclusively at the waterfront Independence Park, located along Thames Street, where it has been held since moving from the steps of Colt Elementary School, a block away. That initiative, as expressed in what would become town ordinance, goes further and states that the only way the town could move the concert venue would be at the polls, with a majority vote of Bristol voters during a general or special election.

The location of the annual summer concert series has been the subject of controversy for months, since the organizing Bristol Fourth of July Committee revealed it will be changing the venue due to safety and capacity concerns. The new location is slated to be on the campus of Roger Williams University. That decision did not sit well with many longtime fans.

“The Fourth of July really is the heart and soul of Bristol,” said resident Allison Borges of Bristol. “It was heartbreaking that the decision to relocate it was intentionally left confidential, and there was no attempt to let the people of Bristol know.”

Borges is one of the vocal leaders of the citizens group, spearheading months of efforts to meet with town officials, raise money to enhance security measures, and now petition the town to codify the concert location and parade route in town law. Borges grew up in Bristol, and though she lived in California for a decade before returning back to her hometown two years ago, she often returned home for the Fourth, usually bringing back friends to enjoy the historic celebration. Like many in town, she feels an emotional attachment to the parade, the concerts and the celebration.

Don’t change the route

The second petition filed on Tuesday also targets the nation’s oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration, but takes aim at the parade itself. It would codify that the current parade route is the official July 4 route, beginning at the corner of Hope and Chestnut streets, continuing south through the downtown district to High Street, before turning left and continuing back north on High Street, until it concludes at the intersection of High and Congregational streets. Like the first initiative, the official ordinance would not allow the route to be changed, unless by a majority vote of Bristol voters during a general or special election.

Asked about the parade petition, Borges referred to an attempt to shorten the parade route back in 2016 because of safety concerns. That idea was abandoned after significant objections from the public, which Borges views as a precedent for today. “The decision to shorten the parade was overturned back then, so there is precedent if the public feels strongly, it can change,” she said. She’s hoping for a similar outcome with the concerts. The parade petition is a preemptive move to make sure the town government never tries to change the parade route again without citizen support.

“We’re putting that in place because we don’t want the parade to be jeopardized too,” Borges said.

The third initiative would force the Bristol Town Council or a Bristol Charter Review Commission to consider establishing term limits for Bristol’s elected officials. This initiative is expected to be rejected by the town without moving forward, because voter initiative cannot be used to alter the Bristol Town Charter.

On to the Council

On Tuesday, the Bristol Town Clerk’s office began reviewing the petitions to certify the lists of names, to be sure there are at least 150 qualified Bristol electors. If those first two petitions are determined to have the required signatures, then both measures will be placed before the Bristol Town Council, and the council will have 40 days to officially consider the two proposed ordinances.

If the council approves either the concert ordinance or the parade ordinance, it would immediately become town law. If it rejects either or both petitions, then the citizen organizers can choose whether to push the issues further. They would have 90 days to obtain another 1,000 signatures, also subject to review and certification, to force a ballot referendum and put those issues before the entire Bristol electorate.

About a year ago, a separate voter initiative was presented to the council regarding banning deer hunting in Bristol. The matter went in front of the council and the council chose not to enact the ordinance.  The petitioners never pursed a voter referendum after that.

Borges is adamant that she and others will take that next step, if necessary. “Yes, that is something we plan to go forward with,” she said.