Letter: Council Will Advertise Open Seat on BCWA Board of Directors

I attended last night's Bristol Town Council meeting and submitted a written request to speak on the agenda item to reappoint Mr. Sylvia to the Board of Directors. 

Prior to the meeting I was asked by Mr. Marshall what I wished to speak about. I asked if they would be voting on the reappointment or was it just for discussion. He said they would be voting, so I told him I wished to speak on the process of selection without advertising for other applicants and about getting recommendations from the leaders of the town's political parties.    

When that agenda item came up, Mr. Barboza immediately made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Mr. Marshall. Mr. Teixeira spoke up stating that he felt based on the BCWA Legislation Review Committee's recommendation and for transparency, the position should be advertised.

I was allowed to speak my concerns about not advertising that position and requested they get away from the political recommendation policy and why. Ms. Parella and Mr. Herreshoff also spoke up to support for advertisement as did others from the audience, including the Chairman of the Bristol Republican Party. Surprisingly, even Mr. Sylvia, to his credit, got up and supported advertising the position.

So, the position will be advertised and voted on in April. As far as I'm concerned if Mr. Sylvia gets reappointed that's fine, as long as it was done in an open and transparent process.

Just another small step in moving forward to build a better BCWA operation.    

Raymond Palmieri Sr.