BRISTOL TOWN PLAN UPDATE

Construction on Pleasant Street will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Work will progress on Pleasant Street from North Street in a westerly direction between North Street and Liberty Street over the next few weeks.

TRAFFIC AND ACCESS

• Individual blocks along Pleasant Street will be open to local traffic only as construction progresses.
• Please pay attention to the construction signage.
• Traffic control personnel will be available to assist residents with access from 7am to 5 pm while construction is occurring.

WATER SERVICE

We are not anticipating impacts to water services this coming week. However, residents should be aware that we are working with 121 year old infrastructure so unknown emergency situations can and do occur. If unexpected circumstances do arise and water service is impacted, we will post a front porch forum update as quickly as possible.

Questions or concerns can be directed to Greg Faust, Town Administrator, at TownAdmin@BristolVT.org or (802) 453-2410.

Thank you for your continued patience as we replace Bristol’s water infrastructure.

Two bacteria samples collected September 1, 2026 returned clean results. The water system meets all state and federal drinking water standards, and water is safe to drink and use for all normal purposes.

The notice was issued as a precautionary measure in connection with the Bristol West water system project, during tie-in of the new waterlines on Elm and Taylor Streets. That tie-in work is complete, and no further service interruptions are scheduled for these streets.

Residents in the affected area may wish to run cold water taps for several minutes to clear standing water from household plumbing, and to remove and rinse faucet screens if sediment is present.

The Town thanks residents for their patience and cooperation during the notice period.

Questions may be directed to Greg Faust, Town Administrator, TownAdmin@BristolVT.org, 802-453-2410 ext. 1.

From the Selectboard Chair

There has been a good deal of coverage and comment about Lord’s Prayer Rock over the past few weeks, and some of it has left the impression that the Town is considering moving or removing it. I want to set out what the record actually shows.

The rock is a listed historic site. The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation evaluated it in 1977 and added it to the State Historic Sites and Structures list in 1980. The Division’s own statement of significance reads: “To the people of Bristol, this is the central landmark in town and is something for which the town is known.” The inscription dates to 1891, commissioned by Dr. Joseph C. Greene of South Starksboro, who paid William McGee and a second man to carve it.

Bristol chose to look after it, by a vote. Dr. Greene maintained the rock himself until he died in 1899. In 1908 the citizens of Bristol voted at town meeting to assume stewardship of it. The Village bought the surrounding land in 1941, and the Town has owned it since the village and town merged in 1995. For most of the time since, the park has been cared for by volunteers: the Boy Scouts, the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Home Demonstration Club, and more recently Eagle Scout projects.

This question is not new, and it has always been answered the same way. Proposals to move the rock, cut a section from it, or blast it away have come before this town in 1941, 1957, 1958, 1974 and 1985. Voters rejected them at village meetings in 1957 and 1974. The others were dropped. In 2011 a bicycle and pedestrian study looked at two sidewalk alignments through the corridor and neither was pursued. The State evaluated the rock in 1977, at a time when road safety at the site was already under discussion, and listed it anyway three years later. In eighty-five years, no board and no vote has ever gone the other way.

Nothing before the Selectboard proposes to change that. A resident raised road-safety concerns at the Board’s meeting of July 13, 2026. A letter asking that the rock be removed was received into the record at the meeting of August 10, 2026. On August 24, 2026, the Conservation Commission presented its draft management plan for Lord’s Prayer Rock Park. No action was taken on the rock at any of the three, and there is no proposal before the Board to alter, move, or remove it.

On safety, here is what the records actually show. At my request, Police Chief Bruce Nason searched the Town’s crash records for the area at and around the rock going back to 2009. He found nine reported crashes in seventeen years. In one of them a vehicle struck the rock. That was in 2012, and the cause recorded by the department was driver inattention: the driver reached for something in the glove compartment and drifted right.

In none of the nine was the rock a contributing factor. That is the Bristol Police Department’s finding, from its own files. The other eight involved backing out of a driveway, following too closely, unsafe passing, a deer in the road, driving too fast for conditions, and, in 2010, a pedestrian in dark clothing whom a driver could not see because of an oncoming vehicle’s headlights.

For context, state crash data for VT 116 in Bristol from 2010 onward records thirty-four crashes in the downtown core, eighteen at the Lincoln Road junction, and fourteen in the Maple Street area. No location on VT 116 in Bristol, the rock included, has recorded a fatality in that period.

Two things these numbers cannot tell us. Crashes never reported to anyone appear in no record. And raw counts are not adjusted for traffic volume, which is far higher through the village than out at the rock. Residents have raised safety concerns here in good faith, and the Selectboard is not dismissing them.

Making travel past the rock safer is worth pursuing on its own terms. At the August 24, 2026 meeting and in correspondence, residents and board members raised signage, pavement markings, and moving the reduced-speed sign further out on the approach into the village. Those are changes the Town can make without altering a historic site, and they deserve a serious look.

All of the correspondence on this is public record and has gone to all five members. Public Forum is open at the start of every regular meeting, five minutes per person, on any topic.

Thank you to everyone who has written or come to a meeting.

Ian Albinson
Selectboard Chair, Town of Bristol

Statement PDF

Shut-Off Hours
Please anticipate these daily shut offs starting as early as 8 am and lasting until 4:30 pm.

Air and Discoloration
Please note, during the shutdown and when water is restored, we will have to flush air/water/sediment out of the hydrants along these runs. This should alleviate most of the air that enters the system. In addition, you and your tenants may notice a bit of air and discoloration in the water once restored.

When Your Water Comes Back
When water is restored, please run your faucets on cold water until the air is released.
You may also want to remove your screen, rinse off any sediment, and place back on after flushing your sink and avoid running white laundry during this short period of time.

Boil Water Notices
Any applicable Boil Water Notices will be issued the day of the first shut off and cleared several days later once the shut offs are complete and clean bacteria samples can be collected and received back from the lab.

Bottled Water
Bottled water will be available at the Town office for those that need some during these interruptions.

If You Have No Water
If anyone does not have water after service is restored each evening, please call the Town of Bristol at 802-453-2410 x5 with your location.

Maple Street: Water Work Moves South Toward West Street Next Week

Crews are finishing water service line installation on the north side of Maple Street this week. Beginning next week (August 17 to 21), Munson will work south on Maple Street toward West Street to complete the remaining service line installations and prepare for the final system tie ins.

FINAL TIE INS

The last major step on this phase is connecting the new water main into the existing system. Four tie in locations remain: Elm at North Street, Taylor at Pine Street, Maple at Pine Street, and Maple at West Street. We will have a clearer picture of the tie in schedule after next week’s coordination between the contractor, our water operator, and the engineer.

Tie in work will cause short term disruptions, which may include temporary water shutoffs, precautionary boil water notices for affected properties, and full street closures at the intersections being worked on. Affected residents will receive advance notice before any shutoff or closure. No tie in dates are being announced yet, and we will not schedule this work without giving neighbors time to prepare.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE MEANTIME

Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Traffic: Crews use a rolling work zone that moves along the street. Expect short delays and follow all flagger and signage directions.

Access: Residents should expect to enter and exit from one end of the street or the other during service line work. Road closed signage will be posted.

Right of way: Please remove personal items (vehicles, planters, hoses, basketball hoops) from the road right of way ahead of the crew.

PAVING

Final paving happens after the tie ins are complete and the new system has passed testing. Streets remain on temporary trench patch until then, and the town will announce the paving schedule once that work is finished.

Questions or concerns can be directed to Greg Faust, Town Administrator, at TownAdmin@BristolVT.org

PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE

Full-Time, Year-Round

The Town of Bristol is seeking a qualified candidate to join its Public Works Department. The Department supports the community and other town departments in many ways beyond maintaining roads, sidewalks, and equipment.

The Public Works Employee is responsible for plowing and sanding roads, repairing roads and drainage systems, roadside mowing, grading, brush and tree removal, sign installation, flagging, routine equipment maintenance, chainsaw operation, and heavy equipment operation including grader, backhoe, and loader. The employee follows applicable safety protocols and performs other duties as assigned by the Public Works Foreman.

The position is full-time and requires a flexible schedule that varies with weather and emergencies, and may include nights, weekends, and holidays.

What we are looking for:

• High school diploma or equivalent, and at least two years of maintenance or construction experience.
• Class B CDL with air brake endorsement, or the ability to obtain one within six months of hire with Town-supported training.
• Experience operating heavy equipment, or a demonstrated willingness to learn.
• Ability to work safely around traffic and heavy machinery in all weather conditions.
• Residence within a reasonable commuting distance of Bristol for winter and emergency call-outs.

Physical requirements:

This is physically demanding outdoor work in all weather. The position requires the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 75 pounds occasionally; to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach overhead for extended periods on uneven, icy, or sloped ground; to climb on and off trucks and heavy equipment repeatedly throughout a shift; and to operate equipment for extended periods with exposure to vibration and repetitive controls. Sufficient vision, including depth perception, and sufficient hearing are required to work safely in and near moving traffic. Shifts of twelve hours or more are expected during storm events. Required personal protective equipment includes a hard hat, high-visibility vest, safety-toe footwear, and eye and hearing protection. This is a designated safety-sensitive position, and the successful candidate must meet and maintain U.S. Department of Transportation medical certification standards. The Town will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Compensation and benefits: Starting wage $23.00 to $25.50 per hour, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement through VMERS, and paid leave.

A pre-employment drug test and adherence to federal drug and alcohol testing requirements are required. The full job description is available here.

The position is open until filled. To apply, e-mail, mail, or drop off a resume and three references by the end of the day on September 3, 2026 by 4 p.m. to townadmin@bristolvt.org with “Bristol Public Works Employee” in the subject line, or send to:

Bristol Public Works Employee Search

P.O. Box 249

Bristol, VT 05443

The Town of Bristol is an equal opportunity provider and employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or familial status.

Residents on and near Elm Street should expect construction activity, heavy equipment, and periodic traffic control during working hours. Please plan for short delays when traveling on Elm this week.

To keep everyone safe and to protect your property, we ask that residents remove any personal items from the road right of way (trash and recycling containers, basketball hoops, parked trailers, lawn ornaments, and similar items). Clearing the right of way gives crews the room they need and helps make sure nothing is damaged.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue improving Bristol’s water system. Questions can be directed to Greg Faust, Town Administrator, at TownAdmin@BristolVT.org.

Construction continues this week with watermain installation on Maple Street. Crews began work Thursday, June 4, and expect to be on Maple Street for most of this week.

CURRENT WORK AREA

Maple Street: Crews are installing the watermain working southward from Pine Street. The Town expects work to reach Pleasant Street by mid-week as an estimate, with construction continuing south from there. Munson may continue the watermain all the way to West Street.

PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED

Taylor Avenue: Watermain is installed. A small crew will return later for tie-ins, saddles, and service connections.

Elm Street: Watermain is installed except for the eastern 200 feet near North Street. Munson will return to complete that section later in the project.

TRAFFIC CONTROL THIS WEEK

Maple Street will be closed to through traffic block by block during active construction.

Traffic control personnel will be stationed on both ends of the street to assist local residents getting in and out.

Please follow all flagger directions and use alternate routes if you are not local traffic.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Driveway access: Maintained for Maple Street residents whenever possible, with minor delays as crews pass each property.

Questions or concerns can be directed to Greg Faust, Town Administrator, at TownAdmin@BristolVT.org.

Thank you for your continued patience as we improve Bristol’s water infrastructure.

Today (Tuesday, June 2):

Taylor Avenue: Watermain installation is wrapping up. Munson Construction will be performing cleanup work on Taylor through the end of the day.

Starting Wednesday, June 3:

Maple Street: Crews will begin watermain installation at the north end of Maple Street, at the Maple and Pine intersection, and work southward along Maple toward Pleasant Street.

Local traffic only through the active work zone. Through-traffic should plan to use alternate routes.

What to expect:

Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Traffic: Local traffic only in the work zone. Please drive slowly, expect delays, and follow all flagger directions when entering or passing through the area.
Access: Driveway access for Maple Street residents will be maintained whenever possible.

Questions or concerns can be directed to Greg Faust, Town Administrator, at TownAdmin@BristolVT.org.

Thank you for your continued patience as we improve Bristol’s water infrastructure.