The library has an interesting post on its blog (!) about all the career materials it has to share. Check out the link -- http://bristollib.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/career-center-coming/
-- and leave comments for the good folks who are trying to do this right. It's a great thing to see the library embracing technology and searching for public input.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
August 31, 2009
April 29, 2009
Library remembers Daisy
The library is putting up a special display in honor of the late Daisy, "our beloved friend."
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 19, 2009
Library project comes in $303K under budget
The city closed the books this month on the $12 million expansion of the Main Library and determined that it not only got done on schedule, it also came in $303,000 under budget.
“I’ve never seen that before,” said city Councilor Frank Nicastro, liaison to the library. “What a great job they did.”
Longtime Library Director Francine Petosa said the expansion, which doubled the library’s space and vastly increased its parking, has proven a hit for the community and “a highlight of my career” as well.
“The community embraced this project and continues to do so,” Petosa said.
Finance Chairman Rich Miecznikowski said he’s heard “nothing but good comments” about the work.
The result is “a beautiful, beautiful facility,” Mayor Art Ward said. “It is definitely a part of the community. It is definitely being used.”
He called it “a tremendous project” and commended all of the officials involved in it.
City Comptroller Glenn Klocko said the excess money for the project is pumped back into supporting the debt service on the bonds that were sold to pay for the expansion.
The city cut an $8.5 million deal in 2004 with W.J. Mountford Co. of South Windsor to carry out the bulk of the construction work, which was largely finished within a couple of years.
Since then, the city has been tying up loose ends on the project, a process that is typical of large construction jobs.
In addition to the construction costs, the city spent about $3.5 million on architects, overseers and other project expenses, including property acquisition.
Petosa said she’s happy that it all came together so well.
“Our expectations have been exceeded in so many ways,” Petosa said.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 17, 2008
No more Sunday hours at the library
One cost-cutting step the city has decided to take is to eliminate Sunday hours at the Main Library.
The library has been opening on Sunday afternoons from autumn until spring for a number of years, but slicing out the extra hours will help officials deal with rising costs and the prospect of sinking revenues.
The library has traditionally seen heavier use during recessions, perhaps because people can't afford to buy books or possibly because it offers something free for families trying to stretch strained budgets.
Mayor Art Ward said the move is one of a number of steps he's taking to hold the line on spending.
I'll have more on the issue tomorrow.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The library has been opening on Sunday afternoons from autumn until spring for a number of years, but slicing out the extra hours will help officials deal with rising costs and the prospect of sinking revenues.
The library has traditionally seen heavier use during recessions, perhaps because people can't afford to buy books or possibly because it offers something free for families trying to stretch strained budgets.
Mayor Art Ward said the move is one of a number of steps he's taking to hold the line on spending.
I'll have more on the issue tomorrow.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 6, 2008
Historic photos grace library walls thanks to generous donors
With boxes and boxes full of historic photos in the Bristol Room collection, it didn't seem right to historical research librarian Jay Manewitz that the walls of the research area were bare.
So Manewitz enlisted the help of Tom La Porte, a dedicated library patron, with the task of getting long ago images of local scenes on display.
"I was staring at four blank walls," said Manewitz. "Why not fill them with historical pictures of Bristol?"
Manewitz, who staffs the Bristol Room at the main library downtown, counts La Porte among the "very generous people" who donated money to pay for a new group of enlarged photos now hanging in the Bristol Room.
La Porte, a photo and history buff, also gave of his time, said Manewitz, helping to select just the right pictures for poster-sized prints that everyone can enjoy.
"He and I went through the photographs," said La Porte, who said he is "delighted" with the outcome.
It wasn't easy to choose which photos to display from the Bristol Room's collection of 50 boxes of pictures, but it was part of the fun of the project, said Manewitz said.
"Some just stood out as interesting," said Manewitz.
Manewitz spoke with La Porte about getting some of the pictures enlarged and La Porte, who had experience with historic photos, stepped up to help. There wasn't money in the budget to pay for the work, Manewitz said, so he told some of the people who regularly use the Bristol Room about his idea.
"Luckily, I have a cadre of regulars who come in and do research," said Manewitz. "They were the basis for the original donations."
Once word got out about the picture project – and library users saw some of the results on the walls – donations picked up.
"Within the first month, I collected $700," said Manewitz. "I'm amazed. It's $1,200 now and counting."
Deanne Levesque, a frequent user of the Bristol Room, who contributed to the picture project, said it is a "fantastic idea."
The room now is a showcase for images from Bristol's past.
"I think it'll get people into the room," said Levesque, even if they're not doing local research.
Along one wall – Manewitz calls it his "hall of memories" – are photos of elegant homes such as Page Mansion on Grove Street that once graced the streets of Bristol but have since fallen to demolition.
Other photos show the Watson Giddings carriage and blacksmith shop, which Manewitz said was later the site of the Endee Inn.
One photo shows workers at a copper mine in Bristol near the border with Burlington. In it, people are standing in what looks like a sandy pit, with horses hitched to carts on a rail track.
Another is a shot of Down's Mill at the eastern end of Memorial Boulevard.
Some of the original photos in the Bristol Room's collection have dates scrawled on the back, but others are undated, said Manewitz.
As visitors enter the room, their eyes would naturally light on a large color photo, made from a postcard of Main Street from around 1960.
It is, said Manewitz, "the last view of Bristol before redevelopment."
On the same wall, on the opposite side of the room, is a much earlier view of Main Street. It shows a trolley line, horse drawn carriages, and men wearing moustaches and bowler hats. The road is dirt, and the railroad crossing is at the street level in that photo, taken in the 1890s.
A great favorite, said Manewitz, is a large blow up of the 1913 post office, which was torn down during redevelopment in 1970, to the eternal consternation of many locals who remember it fondly. In the picture, a trolley car is passing the building.
"We miss that one the most," said Levesque, who said the photo of the old post office is her favorite.
Levesque and La Porte had high praise for Manewitz.
"He's fantastic," said Levesque. "He can come up with a book that is quite a bit of help."
La Porte said the photo project was all Manewitz' doing. He said the historical research librarian goes out of his way to help people who come to the Bristol Room.
La Porte said he got to know Manewitz because he spent months visiting the Bristol Room a couple times a week, researching 19th century Bristol photographers. Manewitz is helpful and friendly, he said, going out of his way to lend a hand.
"He's really an asset to that library," said La Porte, who said Manewitz "makes people feel at home."
Levesque, who belongs to both the Bristol Genealogical Society and the Bristol chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, convinced both organizations to make donations to the photo project in the Bristol Room.
Manewitz said he hopes the photos might inspire those who are working on the next chapter of the city's downtown.
"Bristol at one time had a vibrant downtown," said Manewitz. "There was a downtown Bristol worth going to."
There are also several photos that show early views of the Bristol Public Library, at its current home on High Street, and in earlier locations, like the original space in the Ebers Block on the old North Main Street.
There's a shot of the old railroad station on Prospect Street, which was torn down in 1976.
"A lot of Bristolites remember that station," said Manewitz.
The walls are largely filled now, but Manewitz said if donations continue, he would like to create a revolving historic photo gallery, where pictures are displayed for awhile and then changed to show new ones.
Joseph Biron of Bristol said he's visited the Bristol Room a few times, but donated to the photo project in honor of La Porte, a good friend.
La Porte did a great job restoring an old family photo for him, Biron said, and he wanted to do something in return.
"I knew he wouldn't accept any payment for his work, so I sent a check to the library," Biron said.
The historic photos are appropriate for the Bristol Room, said Biron, who said they bring "a little life" to the research room.
The picture project should be expanded, said Biron. "When they fill all the walls in the Bristol Room, then they should extend it out into the library proper."
La Porte said he would like to see more photos added. He said they're looking for any good historic photos of Bristol, but especially of any of the old theaters that once operated there – the Bristol Theater on old North Main Street, the Cameo Theater on Main Street or the Carberry Theater on Prospect Street.
La Porte said anyone who has photos to share can bring them to the Bristol Room, where they'll be scanned and returned to the owner. La Porte said he spends a few hours a week scanning the fragile original photos and then printing them. That way the public can handle a copy and the original can be stored separately.
Donations came from individuals and organizations, and the largest, for $500, was from the Bristol Senior Citizens Association, Manewitz said.
The largest photos on display cost about $300 to reproduce at that size, Manewitz said, and the smaller ones are about $75.
The Bristol Room is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 25, 2008
State may help pay for library repairs
The state may pick up more than $30,000 worth of maintenance costs for the city’s two libraries.
Library Director Francine Petosa said that a state program for “distressed communities” will pay for a third of the cost for expanding existing library space or maintaining libraries.
With several major repairs needed at the Manross branch in Forestville that will total about $100,000, the city’s Board of Finance agreed this week to try to secure state help for the projects.
The most pressing need is to fix a leaking roof at Manross that is currently covered with a tarp, officials said.
With a 21-year-old roof on the building, the repair is only buying time for the city to replace the entire roof, officials said, but there’s no choice about doing it.
“The need is still going to exist” whether the city tries to snag state cash to help or not, Mayor Art Ward said.
Petosa said there isn’t any danger that the leak will damage books or other materials, but she said she is concerned that other problems could develop that might pose a threat.
The complication with seeking state aid is that project may be delayed into the second half of next year, officials said, in order to line up the required approvals from the State Library and the State Bond Commission.
The roof, at least, may have to be dealt with sooner than that.
But the other two projects at Manross – resurfacing the lower parking lot and retrofitting three parking lot lights – can wait for a green light from the state, Petosa said.
Petosa has to apply for the maintenance money by August 29. The city should hear in November whether the State Library agrees to pay a portion of the cost.
If the state backs the spending, the city would include its share in the next municipal budget so that it can be done after July 1, 2009, which allows time for the bond commission to take action as well.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Library Director Francine Petosa said that a state program for “distressed communities” will pay for a third of the cost for expanding existing library space or maintaining libraries.
With several major repairs needed at the Manross branch in Forestville that will total about $100,000, the city’s Board of Finance agreed this week to try to secure state help for the projects.
The most pressing need is to fix a leaking roof at Manross that is currently covered with a tarp, officials said.
With a 21-year-old roof on the building, the repair is only buying time for the city to replace the entire roof, officials said, but there’s no choice about doing it.
“The need is still going to exist” whether the city tries to snag state cash to help or not, Mayor Art Ward said.
Petosa said there isn’t any danger that the leak will damage books or other materials, but she said she is concerned that other problems could develop that might pose a threat.
The complication with seeking state aid is that project may be delayed into the second half of next year, officials said, in order to line up the required approvals from the State Library and the State Bond Commission.
The roof, at least, may have to be dealt with sooner than that.
But the other two projects at Manross – resurfacing the lower parking lot and retrofitting three parking lot lights – can wait for a green light from the state, Petosa said.
Petosa has to apply for the maintenance money by August 29. The city should hear in November whether the State Library agrees to pay a portion of the cost.
If the state backs the spending, the city would include its share in the next municipal budget so that it can be done after July 1, 2009, which allows time for the bond commission to take action as well.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 19, 2008
Name the mall site something, well, nice
Instead of calling the 17-acre, city-owned parcel in the middle of downtown “the failed mall site” or some variation on the phrase, city leaders are hoping to come up with a new name with a more positive spin.
They look at Adraien’s Landing in Hartford, named for an early Dutch explorer, and Blue Back Square in West Hartford, named for a Noah Webster book, and figure that Bristol ought to be able to come up with something unique as well.
To narrow it down, the Bristol Public Library is sponsoring a naming contest for children to come up with a trio of possibilities for the nonprofit downtown corporation to consider.
The youngster whose project name gets picked will walk away with $200 and the two runners-up will each get $100.
“This is going to be excellent,” said Frank Johnson, chairman of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp.
Generally, officials want to bury the negative feelings the community has for its failed mall, which is in the process of being demolished, by using a new name to symbolize a new, fresh beginning for the property.
Library Director Francine Petosa said the library agreed to take responsibility for running the contest. “We thought we could do it,” she said.
Contest forms and boxes are available at both of the city’s libraries. The deadline for entries is March 15.
John Leone, president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, said the downtown corporation would like to have a name picked out before the pre-bidding session with developers at the end of March.
Officials admit, though, that a developer might well choose a different name for the project.
Leone said that young people might want to do some historical research on downtown to get some ideas.
“This would be a good family project,” Petosa said.
Gardner Wright, a member of the BDDC board, said he would like those putting in entries to explain why they chose the names they did.
“They could write a sentence or two about why they think it would be a good name,” Johnson said.
An anonymous donor is chipping in $200 for the contest and the chamber is tossing in $100 in “chamber bucks” that can be spent at establishments that belong to the Bristol chamber.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said he was so pleased with the idea that he donated $100 to the contest as well. The lawyer for the BDDC also offered to give $100, which leaves it a little unclear where the extra $100 that was pledged is going.
The BDDC will consider the three top picks forwarded by the library, officials said, and then pick one of them.
“There’s only one winner,” said John Lodovico, a BDDC board member.
Johnson said it’s great that the library took on the assignment to run the contest.
He said it is “part of the heart of downtown” so it’s appropriate to have the library involved in something as important as naming the site.
For more information, call the Children’s Department at the Bristol Public Library at (860) 584-7787 ext. 2021.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
They look at Adraien’s Landing in Hartford, named for an early Dutch explorer, and Blue Back Square in West Hartford, named for a Noah Webster book, and figure that Bristol ought to be able to come up with something unique as well.
To narrow it down, the Bristol Public Library is sponsoring a naming contest for children to come up with a trio of possibilities for the nonprofit downtown corporation to consider.
The youngster whose project name gets picked will walk away with $200 and the two runners-up will each get $100.
“This is going to be excellent,” said Frank Johnson, chairman of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp.
Generally, officials want to bury the negative feelings the community has for its failed mall, which is in the process of being demolished, by using a new name to symbolize a new, fresh beginning for the property.
Library Director Francine Petosa said the library agreed to take responsibility for running the contest. “We thought we could do it,” she said.
Contest forms and boxes are available at both of the city’s libraries. The deadline for entries is March 15.
John Leone, president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, said the downtown corporation would like to have a name picked out before the pre-bidding session with developers at the end of March.
Officials admit, though, that a developer might well choose a different name for the project.
Leone said that young people might want to do some historical research on downtown to get some ideas.
“This would be a good family project,” Petosa said.
Gardner Wright, a member of the BDDC board, said he would like those putting in entries to explain why they chose the names they did.
“They could write a sentence or two about why they think it would be a good name,” Johnson said.
An anonymous donor is chipping in $200 for the contest and the chamber is tossing in $100 in “chamber bucks” that can be spent at establishments that belong to the Bristol chamber.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said he was so pleased with the idea that he donated $100 to the contest as well. The lawyer for the BDDC also offered to give $100, which leaves it a little unclear where the extra $100 that was pledged is going.
The BDDC will consider the three top picks forwarded by the library, officials said, and then pick one of them.
“There’s only one winner,” said John Lodovico, a BDDC board member.
Johnson said it’s great that the library took on the assignment to run the contest.
He said it is “part of the heart of downtown” so it’s appropriate to have the library involved in something as important as naming the site.
For more information, call the Children’s Department at the Bristol Public Library at (860) 584-7787 ext. 2021.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 10, 2007
Fortier defends Zoppo
The chairman of the library's board of director, David Fortier, sent this to me last night after reading the stories in Friday's paper about Democratic mayoral nominee Ellen Zoppo's problems in 2004 with Library Director Francine Petosa:
Speaking as a private citizen about my experience with the library board, of which I am now chairman, I can say, if there was some trouble between Ellen Zoppo and Francine Petosa, I was not aware of it, and I certainly donʼt see any evidence of it now. There have been disagreements, of course, but that is part of the give and take of public life. You might not think discussions about a library would generate such give and take, but our conversations can be lively ones.
We meet the first Monday of the month. This monthʼs meeting, however, is the second Monday.
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Speaking as a private citizen about my experience with the library board, of which I am now chairman, I can say, if there was some trouble between Ellen Zoppo and Francine Petosa, I was not aware of it, and I certainly donʼt see any evidence of it now. There have been disagreements, of course, but that is part of the give and take of public life. You might not think discussions about a library would generate such give and take, but our conversations can be lively ones.
We meet the first Monday of the month. This monthʼs meeting, however, is the second Monday.
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 6, 2007
Zoppo eyed library director last winter, too
At the end of January, city Councilor Ellen Zoppo sent the mayor an email saying "there were issues" raised about Library Director Francine Petosa at a Friends of the Bristol Public Library meeting the night before.
"Have you picked up any intelligence on this from your sources?" Zoppo asked Mayor William Stortz.
Stortz wrote back two days later saying that he did not know the source of Zoppo's information but he spoke with three members of the group "and they did not feel there were any issues."
Zoppo quickly responded to the mayor in another email to tell him that his questions "had somewhat of a chilling effect, so I will take it from here."
It's unclear what, if anything, happened after that.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
"Have you picked up any intelligence on this from your sources?" Zoppo asked Mayor William Stortz.
Stortz wrote back two days later saying that he did not know the source of Zoppo's information but he spoke with three members of the group "and they did not feel there were any issues."
Zoppo quickly responded to the mayor in another email to tell him that his questions "had somewhat of a chilling effect, so I will take it from here."
It's unclear what, if anything, happened after that.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Zoppo 'created a threatening environment' for library director in 2004
Several years ago, city Councilor Ellen Zoppo allegedly threatened the library's director.Zoppo told Library Director Francine Petosa in the winter of 2004 "something to the effect that she could be your best ally or your worst nightmare," according to an email sent by a union official to Petosa.
George Wallace, vice president of the Bristol Professionals and Supervisors Association, wrote in the Feb. 10, 2004 email that Petosa "felt that Councilwoman Zoppo was creating a threatening environment" for the library chief.
Zoppo said Thursday that "unfortunately, communication is not one of the library director's strong skills, so while there has been frustration with her handling of matters, I don't recall any situation which would have warranted her going to her union for protection."
Zoppo played a key role in overseeing the $12 million library expansion project that was finished last year, a project that obviously required her to work closely with Petosa.
Asked about what prompted the complaint in 2004, Petosa said Thursday, "I really don't want to get into it at this point."
She said that Zoppo "was asking something that I felt was inappropriate in her role as a councilwoman as far as library business was concerned."
"I felt very uncomfortable with the situation," Petosa said.
The 2004 flap led to discussions between the union, former Mayor Gerard Couture, city Councilor Art Ward, Zoppo and others after Wallace said he "went to see" the mayor to relay Petosa's concerns about Zoppo's treatment of her.
Ward, who is challenging Zoppo in Tuesday's Democratic mayoral primary, said he "vaguely" remembered being in Couture's office when Wallace came in. He said he stuck around for the conversation because he was deputy mayor at the time.
Ward said he thinks it's the job of elected officials to initiate policy and then let city workers do their jobs.
"The day-to-day operations should be left to the professionals that are charged with that responsibility," said Ward.
Petosa said the situation was resolved after the discussions and never arose again.
Asked if she's gotten along with Zoppo since, Petosa said, "Councilwoman Zoppo and I, I'm trying to be very delicate in my wording, we can at times agree to disagree."
She said that she's worked well with Zoppo on the library's building committee and that Zoppo has "been supportive" on some issues as the council's library liaison.
"I run the library," Petosa said. "I try not to get involved in the politics that goes on in this community."
"There have been many incidents over the last five years that have been a concern to me and others on the library board about the management of the library," Zoppo said.
" In my role as liaison, I have raised these issues and tried to get them resolved, whether they were on behalf of staff, library patrons or others," she said. "That is my role as the council liaison."
"All I expect from department heads is for them to do their jobs for the salaries they are paid, and for the most part, all of them do," Zoppo said.
According to Wallace's email, Couture told Zoppo "she had to work with" Petosa and communicate with her.
Couture agreed that Zoppo was "basically not to be involved with day-to-day operations" at the library, the email said.
"The mayor felt that as a result of his discussion, things should work out better in the library," Wallace wrote.
Both Wallace and Petosa confirmed that the email provided anonymously to the Press was real.
Ward said he had nothing to do with the release of the email. He said he thinks he had a copy of Wallace's email back at the time, but said he no longer has it.
"That's about six computers ago," said Ward, adding that every time he has to get a new computer, he loses documents.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
August 14, 2007
100th birthday party at the Main Library
Just a quick note before I run over to the City Council meeting to say how pleasant it was to hear the music and see all the people who turned out for the 100 birthday party at the Main Library on High Street.
It wasn't so many years ago that the old library was crowded and ill-equipped. It took a few pushy people -- Linda Libbey, for example -- to get officials moving. But once they did, the plans turned into reality. The difference between what Bristol had there a decade ago and what it has now are amazing.
Anyway, it was all very nice. Kudos to those who put it together.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
It wasn't so many years ago that the old library was crowded and ill-equipped. It took a few pushy people -- Linda Libbey, for example -- to get officials moving. But once they did, the plans turned into reality. The difference between what Bristol had there a decade ago and what it has now are amazing.
Anyway, it was all very nice. Kudos to those who put it together.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 22, 2007
Minutes for Federal Hill revitalization committee
Neighborhood Revitalization Committee Meeting Minutes from May 30,2007
Attendees: David Fortier, Detective Bill Kenney, Francine Petosa, Jessica Dumont, Bonnie Lodovico, Debie Alos, Susan Roesch, Pat Marchand, Ken Hicks, Mark Federchuck, Michelle Curry, Ed D’Amato, Olare Swe’va, Councilperson Craig Minor
Call to Meeting: Meeting was called to order by Library Board Chair David Fortier at 5:35PM
New Business
Opened the meeting with talk led by Pat Marchand of the Bristol Garden Club. Ms. Marchand provided practical advice on urban landscape improvements. Some suggestions were for container planting and perennial planting suggestions. One notable suggestion for possible future neighborhood event is a “plant swap” whereby neighbors swap perennial plantings when they thin-out their garden beds. Ms. Marchand finished the talk with a question/answer period.
Reports
Report from Councilperson Minor was given on the status of the Main Street streetscape proposal. He reported that the Board of Finance approved the funding for the design of a new streetscape. He added that this is a very hopeful sign that the actual work will be approved eventually. The plan as it stands will only reach up Main St. as far as the library. A discussion ensued on the possibility of requesting approval for a design that would include the remainder of Main up to Center St. Chairman Dave Fortier offered to write a letter to request consideration for such a plan. It was suggested to Sue Roesch that The Federal Hill Association may also send a letter. PC Tech owner, Ken Hicks, asked about angle parking and plans for community parking of some type to encourage people to use the Main St. businesses. He was told by Councilperson Minor that parking would be in the plan but angle parking may not be feasible given the width of the street.
Old Business
267-269 Main St. property and HUD status was discussed. Jessica Dumont provided a link to Multi-Family Clearing House at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/hc/mfhc.cfm as suggested by Noel Miller at HUD’s legal department. Mr. Swe’va, the manager of the property, was in attendance and offered that he and the owners continue to work on improving the property and cooperating with the Bristol Police Department.
Police call procedures were discussed. Ken Hicks relayed a good response to a call into the police department. Michelle Curry reported a disappointing response to a suspected break-in of her car. Detective Kenney spoke with the group on calling back into the police department when you do not get an initial response. He reiterated Captain McIntyre’s advice to ask for the shift manager if it does not appear that your complaint is not responded to in a timely manner.
Chamber’s Clean-Up Day was discussed. Sue Roesch reported a response of 12-13 people, most of whom were Federal Hill Association members. She further reported that the brick building at 165 Riverside Ave had the largest problem with litter. Ocean State Job Lot and McDonald’s have both appeared to have improved their efforts to keep their properties/parking lots litter free. David Fortier offered to send them a thank-you in recognition of responsible property upkeep.
City of Bristol garbage cans request was discussed. Jessica Dumont enquired of Sue Roesch the addresses where there might be the greatest need. Sue responded that the convenience store on High Street was a good candidate for the garbage can request, pending owner agreement. She will report back with owner response. Jessica Dumont agreed to write the letter to the Public Works requesting a garbage can for that corner and for the corner of the 165 Riverside Ave property.
The status of the missing fence panel located on Bristol Public Library property bordering the property directly behind the library. Dave Fortier reported that this issue had been referred to the Property Committee of the Library Board for consideration.
Any other matters
Litter prevention signs were discussed. The merits of a reminder sign as opposed to a sign warning of fines were discussed. Detective Bill Kenney said that those signs would have to be requested from the Public Works not the Police Department. Det. Kenney also made the interesting suggestion of “Adopt a Neighborhood” idea. Perhaps a more positive and more effective way to get residents to treat the downtown area with respect.
Captain McIntyre reiterated the police department’s commitment to public safety. He went on to outline the importance of giving the police detailed information on any suspect persons, if possible, to keep the dispatcher on the line until police arrive.
Police bike patrols are scheduled to begin in May.
Next meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2007 at 5:30
Meeting was adjourned at 6:30
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Attendees: David Fortier, Detective Bill Kenney, Francine Petosa, Jessica Dumont, Bonnie Lodovico, Debie Alos, Susan Roesch, Pat Marchand, Ken Hicks, Mark Federchuck, Michelle Curry, Ed D’Amato, Olare Swe’va, Councilperson Craig Minor
Call to Meeting: Meeting was called to order by Library Board Chair David Fortier at 5:35PM
New Business
Opened the meeting with talk led by Pat Marchand of the Bristol Garden Club. Ms. Marchand provided practical advice on urban landscape improvements. Some suggestions were for container planting and perennial planting suggestions. One notable suggestion for possible future neighborhood event is a “plant swap” whereby neighbors swap perennial plantings when they thin-out their garden beds. Ms. Marchand finished the talk with a question/answer period.
Reports
Report from Councilperson Minor was given on the status of the Main Street streetscape proposal. He reported that the Board of Finance approved the funding for the design of a new streetscape. He added that this is a very hopeful sign that the actual work will be approved eventually. The plan as it stands will only reach up Main St. as far as the library. A discussion ensued on the possibility of requesting approval for a design that would include the remainder of Main up to Center St. Chairman Dave Fortier offered to write a letter to request consideration for such a plan. It was suggested to Sue Roesch that The Federal Hill Association may also send a letter. PC Tech owner, Ken Hicks, asked about angle parking and plans for community parking of some type to encourage people to use the Main St. businesses. He was told by Councilperson Minor that parking would be in the plan but angle parking may not be feasible given the width of the street.
Old Business
267-269 Main St. property and HUD status was discussed. Jessica Dumont provided a link to Multi-Family Clearing House at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/hc/mfhc.cfm as suggested by Noel Miller at HUD’s legal department. Mr. Swe’va, the manager of the property, was in attendance and offered that he and the owners continue to work on improving the property and cooperating with the Bristol Police Department.
Police call procedures were discussed. Ken Hicks relayed a good response to a call into the police department. Michelle Curry reported a disappointing response to a suspected break-in of her car. Detective Kenney spoke with the group on calling back into the police department when you do not get an initial response. He reiterated Captain McIntyre’s advice to ask for the shift manager if it does not appear that your complaint is not responded to in a timely manner.
Chamber’s Clean-Up Day was discussed. Sue Roesch reported a response of 12-13 people, most of whom were Federal Hill Association members. She further reported that the brick building at 165 Riverside Ave had the largest problem with litter. Ocean State Job Lot and McDonald’s have both appeared to have improved their efforts to keep their properties/parking lots litter free. David Fortier offered to send them a thank-you in recognition of responsible property upkeep.
City of Bristol garbage cans request was discussed. Jessica Dumont enquired of Sue Roesch the addresses where there might be the greatest need. Sue responded that the convenience store on High Street was a good candidate for the garbage can request, pending owner agreement. She will report back with owner response. Jessica Dumont agreed to write the letter to the Public Works requesting a garbage can for that corner and for the corner of the 165 Riverside Ave property.
The status of the missing fence panel located on Bristol Public Library property bordering the property directly behind the library. Dave Fortier reported that this issue had been referred to the Property Committee of the Library Board for consideration.
Any other matters
Litter prevention signs were discussed. The merits of a reminder sign as opposed to a sign warning of fines were discussed. Detective Bill Kenney said that those signs would have to be requested from the Public Works not the Police Department. Det. Kenney also made the interesting suggestion of “Adopt a Neighborhood” idea. Perhaps a more positive and more effective way to get residents to treat the downtown area with respect.
Captain McIntyre reiterated the police department’s commitment to public safety. He went on to outline the importance of giving the police detailed information on any suspect persons, if possible, to keep the dispatcher on the line until police arrive.
Police bike patrols are scheduled to begin in May.
Next meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2007 at 5:30
Meeting was adjourned at 6:30
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 14, 2007
Zoppo criticizes Stortz on Federal Hill security issue
One thing about this little blog is that the news moves faster.
Here we are, only an hour after the mayor issued his press release calling for a police substation, and already the responses are starting to come in.
Councilor Ellen Zoppo, a Democrat running for mayor, said that is "unfortunate that the mayor is using this very serious issue, which has been festering for years, as a written press release, as opposed to having a constructive dialogue on this issue Tuesday night."
"Leadership is needed when the issue is at hand, not when you have a few days to compose a written press release," Zoppo said.
Zoppo, of course, is unhappy that Mayor William Stortz failed Tuesday to support a move to at least consider buying the 303 Main St. house that library directors had asked the city to purchase to start cleaning up the problems in that area of Federal Hill.
With Bristol Hospital asking for help in improving the area's security as well, some city officials, not just Zoppo, were surprised that the council did nothing at all at its meeting to lend a hand.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Here we are, only an hour after the mayor issued his press release calling for a police substation, and already the responses are starting to come in.
Councilor Ellen Zoppo, a Democrat running for mayor, said that is "unfortunate that the mayor is using this very serious issue, which has been festering for years, as a written press release, as opposed to having a constructive dialogue on this issue Tuesday night."
"Leadership is needed when the issue is at hand, not when you have a few days to compose a written press release," Zoppo said.
Zoppo, of course, is unhappy that Mayor William Stortz failed Tuesday to support a move to at least consider buying the 303 Main St. house that library directors had asked the city to purchase to start cleaning up the problems in that area of Federal Hill.
With Bristol Hospital asking for help in improving the area's security as well, some city officials, not just Zoppo, were surprised that the council did nothing at all at its meeting to lend a hand.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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