Response to racist leaflets to be among topics at City Council meeting this evening

Posted By: David Fortier July 12, 2022

A proclamation promoting anti-racism that was proposed by two local activists at a July 5 meeting of the activists, the mayor, police chief and officers of the local NAACP chapter will be among the issues raised at tonight’s city council meeting.

The activists, Adam Antar and Camelia Lopez, presented the proclamation, along with other recommendations, in response to the distribution of white supremacist leaflets in the northeast section of the city. For the TBE story covering the meeting, click here.

The two intend to be among those at the meeting. The local NAACP has also encouraged its members to attend.

Prior to the council meeting, the Joint Board will meet at 6:45 p.m. The council and the joint board will be meeting at their temporary meeting quarters in the auditorium at the Bristol Board of Education. The council meeting follows the Joint Board.

In addition to the response to racism, the council will be considering the 2022-2023 Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Fund for a vote. The plan was approved at the Economic & Community Development Board at its July 7 meeting. The plan involves $633,730 of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Among those local organizations being recommended for funding are the following: $420,165 for residential rehabilitation and support staff for rehabilitation projects and projects; $21,000 for the St. Vincent de Paul Mission and $18,000 for the Bristol Boys and Girls Club outreach at Cambridge Park, among others. If approved, it will be moved to the Board of Finance for further approval.

Among the items slated for a vote by the Joint Board is the approval of a request by the Finance Board for an additional appropriation from Coronavirus funds of $972,500 approved at its June 28 meeting. If approved, the funds will be distributed as follows: $800,000 to downtown infrastructure; $150,000 for the UHY accounting consultant contract; and $22,500 for the Water/Fire Hydrant Route 6 development project.

The comptroller’s earnings and revenue report shows that as of June 30, 99.51 percent of real estate taxes, totaling $124,657,233.32 have been collected; 98.95 percent of personal property taxes, totaling $14,252,635.63 have been collected; and 94.42 percent of motor vehicles taxes, totaling $15,049,645.19 have been collected.

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