By TAYLOR HARTZ
STAFF WRITER
Last Tuesday, the Bristol City Council held its first meeting since the election that saw a change in personnel on the council but not in the mayoral seat.
Mayor Ken Cockayne led the council in his second term as Mayor of the City of Bristol, after winning the election by a slim majority of 128 votes.
Councilors Calvin Brown (D), and Mary Fortier (D), were re-elected, joined by newcomers Anthony D’Amato (R), Dave Mills (R), Jodi Zils Gagne (R), and David Preleski (D).
Finishing business started by the previous City Council, the council adopted a pilot program for Senior Volunteer Tax Relief during this first meeting. The program was discussed during an October meeting of the previous council, and has now gone into effect. Although it is a pilot program, Fortier noted that the city did take part in this program last year.
Councilor Brown read the resolution of the program, which outlined a plan for the city to begin “drawing upon the skills knowledge and experiences of its senior citizens,” and provide tax relief to those 65-years and older who “donate their time, talent, and experience,” to the community. The program will provide individuals who dedicate a minimum of 50 hours to a qualified volunteer service with a $300 tax credit.
Back on the agenda under this council is the issue of roosters in the city. The council introduced new amendments to the city’s Code of Ordinances, regarding penalties issued to individuals who violate city code in terms of rooster ownership. A public hearing on the issue was scheduled for Nov. 18, 2015.
Cockayne announced appointments for City Council Boards and Committees.
Newcomers will serve as liasons for the council on five boards – Zils Gagne for the Park Board, D’Amato for the Bristol Housing Authority, David Mills for the Board of Education and Marketing Committee, and Preleski for the Board of Fire Commissioners.
Fortier will serve as liason with the Bristol Community Organization, the Commission on Aging, Commission on Disabilities, and Cemetery Commission.
Brown will serve as liaison with the Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS, Library Board, Bristol Downtown Development, and Board of Water Commissioners.
On city committees, the mayor will serve as chairman of the Salary Committee.
Councilor Mills will serve as Acting Mayor.
Mills also wil serve as the chairman of three committees — Real Estate Committee, Building Committee, and the School Readiness Committee.
Chairing five committees, Fortier will serve the Capital Improvement Committee, the Hearing and Assessment Committee, the Pine Lake Committee, and the Public Works and Transportation committees.
Brown will chair the Northeast Roof Building Committee, the Energy Task Force, and the Youth Committee.
Zils Gagne will serve as the chair of the Memorial Boulevard Building Committee, the Hoppers-Birge Pond Commission, and the Police Committee.
Preleski will chair four committees – the Ordinance Committee, Bristol Development Authority, Retirement Committee, and Engine 4 Renovations.
Anthony D’Amato will serve as chair of the Hubble Roof Building Committee and Economic Development Committee.
