Letter: Bristol’s council is hurting our quality of life

Posted 6/5/18

I, Pat McCarthy, am today declaring my candidacy for the Bristol Town Council, and do respectfully ask for your vote this Nov. 6. My reasons are many …

Our Senior Citizens have been …

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Letter: Bristol’s council is hurting our quality of life

Posted

I, Pat McCarthy, am today declaring my candidacy for the Bristol Town Council, and do respectfully ask for your vote this Nov. 6. My reasons are many …

Our Senior Citizens have been disgraced and disrespected, property taxpayers’ dollars are being wasted, and property tax increases have exceeded 20 percent since 2013, our closed landfill has not been converted into a revenue-generating solar field, small businesses are not welcome, the Marina Expansion Capital Project (another revenue source) remains stalled, a lack of transparency and the “status quo,” my friends, are harming Bristol’s Quality of Life. Let’s review:

  1. The years-long resentful treatment, by the Town Council, of the Benjamin Church Senior Center and its employees is inexcusable, and I intend to increase the town’s support.

  2. Last September, our town council authorized a payment of $3.0 million to the Town of Warren, as a result of a legal judgement, who, now will have no property tax increase this year. An additional $112,000 was spent, er wasted, on legal fees. How did this happen? From 2012 to 2017, the Joint Finance Committee chairman was Nathan Calouro, and from 2014 to present, he continues as the town council chairman. Mr. Calouro was quoted in the Jan. 26 issue of the Bristol Phoenix, “I think the JFC makes decisions based on not enough information. I’m part of that problem … I haven’t asked enough questions.” Remember, our property taxes have increased over 20 percent during his tenure. Councilman Ed Stuart often mentions how the property reevaluation process underway will be the solution. That’s also very troubling.

  3. I’ve reviewed all proposals which were received by our town, back in November of 2016, yes 2016, to convert our closed landfill into a solar field. One proposal would pay an upfront fee of $1.5 million and $200,000 per year for 20 years in rent payments to Bristol. To have not moved forward on this is simply unacceptable, in my opinion. The town council is not even considering our many schools with flat roofs for solar. Unbelievable mistake.

  4. Regarding anti-small business and the stalled Marina Expansion Project; It, when built, will be an economic development engine. The town council disbanded the Economic Development Commission (EDC) last year, of which I was a long-term member, without explanation. They are also undermining the will of the voters who approved the marina. Why?

  5. The town council has not been transparent and has overused the “Executive Session” statute. Too much of our town’s business is conducted behind closed doors, in secrecy. Why?

I have years of leadership experience, in government and business. I project-managed an award-winning Solar Panel Project, now operating for three years, at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. I served as your public ambassador — Solarize Bristol — at the request of the town council; EDC and Bristol Harbor Commission AC member and have advised both the Rhode Island governor’s and lieutenant governor’s offices on Energy, Emergency Management and Small Business (many of you will remember that my wife Nina (Squatrito) and I owned a small business and local favorite, the Oliver Street Bakery and Deli).

I have leadership and experience.

Patrick “Pat” M. McCarthy

4 Maple Shade Court, Bristol

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