Sources of Information

• Total public school enrollment in Bristol is projected to decline approximately eight percent over the next ten years, from just over 8,600 students in 1998-99 to less than 8,000. Total public school enrollment in Bristol is projected ton 7,900 students in 2007-08. At the grade-by-grade level, elementary school and middle school enrollments are projected to decrease by 11 percent and 15 percent, respectively. High school enrollments are projected to continue increasing, peaking in the year 2001-02, and then to decrease gradually. (See Figure 5-1.) As such, Bristol is not likely to experience a shortage of school space during that time and therefore does not appear to need to provide for any new school facilities. The problems that exist with several of Bristol's public schools lie with their age, condition, size, configuration and capability to supply technological improvements such as computers.
• Bristol's main library is running low on space, given the advent and popularity of computers, audio-visual equipment, books on tape, etc., and the library's need to expand its adult activities and outreach initiatives. The main library also has an insufficient amount of off-street parking to accommodate its staff and patrons.
• The existing police headquarters, as renovated, will have enough space for future police expansion.
• Based upon standards set by the American Insurance Association – which recommends a travel distance of 1.5 to 2 miles from fire stations to residential developments for cities with populations similar to Bristol's – the city's rapidly developing southwest section remains outside the immediate service areas of all of the fire stations located closest to it. (See Figure 5-2.)
• Municipal sewers serve most of Bristol; those areas of the city without sewer service utilize on-site septic systems. The city's wastewater treatment plant was designed to accommodate a residential population of 70,000 to 75,000 and corresponding non-residential growth. Currently, the plant has the capacity to treat 10.75 million gallons per day and can be expanded to handle 13.5 million gallons per day. The average daily flow received by the plant varies from nine to ten million gallons per day. (See Figure 5-3.)
• Except for the southwest section of the city, public water serves almost all of Bristol. The Bristol Water Department operates the city's public water supply system. The Department provides water to approximately 48,500 customers, 75% of which are served by reservoirs and 25% of which are served by wells. The Water Department has designated a 200-foot radius around each well to ensure groundwater quality and protection; however, the Department does not own or control all of the land around the wells on Barlow or Mechanic Streets. Bristol's water treatment plant, built in 1987 to treat its surface water supply, has a filtering capacity of 12 million gallons per day. The wells are pumped directly into the distribution system with their own treatment systems. (See Figure 5-4.)
• Population projections to the year 2010 indicate that Bristol will have an adequate supply of water in the event of a crisis situation. After that, however, without proposed additions to the water supply system (surface water diversions and/or the construction of Cook's Dam), the city will no longer have an adequate supply of water in the event of an emergency.

Continue to provide municipal services to best serve the needs and expectation of the city's residents.

2. Carefully consider the city's financial resources in the planning for future municipal improvements and resources.

3. Actively maintain city buildings, including schools, to prevent physical deterioration and, as necessary, upgrade and improve them to keep pace with relevant technology.

4. Encourage alternative uses of educational facilities during non-school hours.

5. Where appropriate, return to productive use or to the city's tax rolls unused and underutilized excess land owned by the government, other than properties that fulfill important public purposes such as public parks or open space preserves.

6. Retain city-owned properties, such as schools, rather than selling them, if the city determines that there could be a future need or an alternative municipal use for the property.

7. Recognize the Bristol Public Library as a significant cultural resource in the city and an important component of downtown revitalization.

8. Ensure an adequate supply of water to accommodate the needs of both the existing community and future development.

9. Avoid the extension of public water lines and sanitary sewers into the south-central section of the city dominated by South Mountain, in order to reduce the pressure there for higher-density residential development and to preserve this environmentally sensitive, significant topographical feature.

1. Expand the Bristol Public Library in its current location or provide a suitable space for it elsewhere in downtown.

Provide a broad range of human services and educational opportunities to those city residents who desire or need them.