A new year is a time for new beginnings. As we look ahead to 2014, here's our short wish list for the coming year:

• Closure for the victims and families affected by alleged sexual molestation by the Perry brothers over a couple of decades.
• A public/private partnership to manage the newly-created community center near the entrance of Colt State Park. We fear the pitfalls and cost of a municipally-run facility.
• A clean town beach, open for everyone's enjoyment all summer long, without a closure, like last year.
• A doubling of Bristol's recycling rate.
• Continued growth in the real estate market, with brisk sales at reasonable prices.
• An animal shelter that opens for business.
• A decent water supply for residents of the Poppasquash peninsula, to protect their homes from fire.
• Professional management for any leased town facility, such as the empty downtown school buildings.
• Continued success for Explore Bristol and its efforts to boost tourism, commerce and collaboration in Bristol.
• Breakthroughs in understanding why Bristol Warren teenagers have some of the highest drug and alcohol use rates in Rhode Island — and leadership from all corners to confront the issues head-on.
• Fiscal sanity when considering a maritime center for the old armory building off Thames Street.
• Fiscal conservatism when setting new spending levels for 2014-2015; a tax cut would be a great way to start a political campaign.
• Another successful, safe and dry week for the oldest Independence Day celebration in the nation.
• And health and happiness for all.