Town Manager Report

It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year and a half since I assumed my post here in Bristol as your Town Manager. This past year has been a busy but productive year. Someone asked me recently what my biggest success story as town manager has been over the last year. First and foremost, my success is dependent upon the leadership and support of a very progressive Selectboard and the dedication of a skilled team of employees and volunteers-all of which we are very fortunate to have! I have had the privilege to work with a great group of people all year. Some of the highlights of this past year include working with the police building committee to design a plan to “re-use” two existing town buildings instead of building new structures. This plan will meet the needs of both the police department and the town office but will do so more economically than building new. A great amount of time and effort was also expended this past year to bring long awaited internal and external equity to the town’s pay structure. Capital improvement planning is another area of great success this past year. Through a great deal of work with department heads and the capital improvements planning committee Bristol has its first capital improvements plan! This year we saw ten years worth of effort pay off with beginning of construction of the new Central Street Bridge. Lastly, with the addition of our newest department head- Police Chief John Clark, our police department has seen great changes. The department has begun to address a long standing drug issue in the community-follow the press releases we are making a difference one person at a time!!

My main goal for the upcoming year is to continue to implement the goals and objectives of the Selectboard and the town’s master plan. The year 2008 will bring all sorts of exciting progress to the Town of Bristol. The Selectboard and master plan calls for downtown economic development and revitalization efforts. In the upcoming budget there are funds being requested for a downtown plan, a part time economic development person, as well as other ideas to help us bring people to the downtown. There will also be a focus on increasing revenues for the upcoming year (which includes getting more grants- this year there is a proposed contracted grant writer to be shared with the Town of Hill). The Selectboard also continues to pursue an opportunity to both generate revenue and improve communications with the addition of a cell tower. The upcoming year will see the efforts of the recycling committee come to the surface as we begin to evaluate changes for the transfer station-including but not limited to- evaluating a possible redesign of the facility and changes in policies (Recycle- Recycle- Recycle-it is not only good for the environment it saves you money !!). This year we will be reviewing life safety service costs and meeting with area towns to determine a new billing formula for the ambulance service. With the recent adoption of a cable franchise fee we will be creating a local broadcasting system to improve public access programming.  We will continue to evaluate the sewer to the lake project phase potentials. Lastly, as always we will continue to review town ordinances & regulations and make changes as necessary.

Thank you for your continued vote of confidence and support. I look forward to another busy but productive year!

Elizabeth A. Corrow

Bristol Town Manager