I was shocked by how many people I spoke to who are opposed to this but afraid to speak up against it.”

Nick Puniello

Bristol resident Rob Hancock and many others spoke at length at last Wednesday night’s Bristol Town Council meeting regarding the establishment of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in Bristol. Many others spoke in opposition — and the councilor’s packets contained several letters both in favor and against, Ultimately, the nays had it, as the motion to establish the diversity committee failed, with Aaron Ley and Tim Sweeney voting in favor, and Nate Calouro, Tony Teixeira, and Mary Parella voting against.

The issue was proposed by a group of about 17 residents, who had consulted with the Town Solicitor, in an effort to create a mission statement and governing rules for a body that would both advise the town council on diversity issues and work to plan public-facing events.

Speaking for the group, Mr. Hancock noted that he was grateful for an initial vote, last fall, that greenlighted the group’s efforts to consult with the town’s attorney. “I believe it confirmed that our town values diversity, equity and inclusion, and that we believe, as a community, and as a town, they we should work to ensure that everyone feels welcome and included here,” he said.

“And I hope that the recommendation that we have provided demonstrates the seriousness and thoughtfulness with which we approached this work, even as you consider your vote on whether we should move forward with creating this committee.”

Describing their process in detail, Mr. Hancock said they researched similar committees in other communities, as well as mission statements, documents, and initiatives.

He noted that their proposal is “…written on paper. It’s not chiseled in stone,” and expressed the hope that the group could continue the dialogue with the council, saying that, “If created, this committee will serve at the pleasure of the elected representatives in town.”

In the end, however, the devil wasn’t in the details. It appears it was actually the big picture that failed to capture the support of the majority.

Aaron Ley was the first to voice his support, making a motion to move forward and refer the matter to the town clerk to receive applications so that the council could select nine to 15 candidates for this committee.

Councilor Mary Parella’s initial reaction gave an early indication as to which side her vote was likely to land. “There are many, many, many groups in town that this work can be folded into,” she said, “and they’re not town-sponsored committees or commissions.

“The issue is not about whether or not we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s whether or not it needs to be a town-sponsored committee or whether it can go along as a community group, and link to the other work that goes on in the community already.”

Ms. Parella also noted that the functions of other town committees, such as the Fourth of July and Bristol Festival Committees, are highly specific. “So I don’t think it’s similar to the Fourth of July, the Christmas festival,” she said. “I think that the work that [they] do could be easily intertwined; incorporated into some of those committees by adding a multicultural component.”

Council Chairman Nathan Calouro opened the floor to public comment.

Nick Puniello of Kingswood Road spoke against the committee. “This committee would be divisive rather than inclusive,” he said. “I know a number of Bristol residents and business owners who would not participate in tonight’s meeting and make their positions public because they’re afraid of the repercussions from those with opposing views.”

Adam Ramos of Bayview Avenue had a very different perspective. “I believe that this is an opportunity for us to bring everybody together after a period of time that, both in the country and here in our local community, there has been a great deal of division,” he said.

Bethany Souza Foster of Roma Street agreed, saying that this committee would “… show the town’s commitment to making sure that we are inclusive, whether it’s on race or socio-economic class or ability, any of the issues that may arise. The town [would have] a way of addressing those issues.”

Gina Macdonald of Ferry Road spoke in opposition. “I think the ambitions of this group are terrific … But I don’t think that it should be a town council approved committee, and in doing so I think would conflict with the town Charter, which sets the council up to be in charge of policy matters.”

Ms. Macdonald also echoed a concern expressed by Mr. Puniello. “I was shocked by how many people I spoke to who are opposed to this but afraid to speak up against it,” she said.

Joseph Lero of Forest Road spoke against establishing the group within the structure of the town government. “This committee should be established as a private concerned citizens committee, and I strongly believe that it does not have any place within the political or official structure of the town of Bristol. If approved, more and more committees will come before this council for approval with their own objectives.”

Many more citizens spoke, both in support and against the establishment of the diversity committee, with several of the opponents indicating that their objections were not so much with the group itself as with the act of formalizing it within the structure of the town’s government, suggesting that the group would have more support if established as an autonomous citizens organization.

Following public comment, Ms. Parella again spoke at length, specifically noting the many existing organizations and how the goals of a proponent of a diversity committee could effectively be put into action through serving on an existing town government board or commission.

“….Many people that are proponents of this and who want to have a ‘seat at the table’ are people who have never applied, that I know of, to any of our boards or commissions, and we’re always looking for members, we’re always open for membership to new people coming on board,” she said.

“Is it best at this point to be a arm of the town council or official committee, or is it better to just start off as a citizens group?”

One particularly persuasive letter was sent to the council by Bristol resident and attorney Diane Messere Magee, of High Street. She wrote, “The proposed establishment of a DEIC is inconsistent with the Bristol Government Structure established in the Town Charter of Bristol. Any acceptance or establishment of an ‘advisory committee,’ like a DEIC, destabilizes our government structure by giving unelected individuals, not provided for in Article 2, Section 207, of the Bristol Town Charter, a recognized say in the administration of the town….Tacitly ceding any policy-making authority, specifically granted by Town Charter to the Town Council, sets a dangerous legal precedent for other groups to eventually usurp the powers of the duly elected officials that the Bristol Town Charter mandates govern this Town … Raising those well-intentioned unelected citizens to the status of some DEIC ‘advisory committee,’ however, implicitly and impermissibly changes the structure of the Bristol Town Government, itself.” An abridged version of the letter can be found in this week’s Opinion section.

Speaking in opposition prior to casting his vote, Chairman Calouro said, “Look at the time that we’ve spent on this item; we are willing to listen and we will take in all thoughts on it and we will continue to do that … This Council has been open and will continue to be open … [but] I’m concerned about where [this] goes."

“Perfection is a journey you never get right. We’re always trying to be better and better.”