Barrington public meetings in 2022
33 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Town Council Organizational Mtg.
The Barrington Town Council, Moderator, and School Committee will be sworn into office, followed by the Town Council's organizational meeting. The agenda contains no substantive policy items, only the swearing-in ceremony and organizational procedures.
- Swearing-in of Town Council, Moderator, and School Committee
- Organizational meeting of the Town Council
Special Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council will hold a public hearing on renewing liquor licenses for numerous local establishments, including restaurants, bars, and clubs. The council will also discuss and act on several other items, including a proposal for a historical marker for Massasoit Osamequin, reaffirming the original town seal, a resilience education center pilot, and various contracts and bids. The agenda includes routine consent items such as resignations, reappointments, and monthly reports.
- Public hearing on liquor license renewals for 16 establishments, including Grapes & Grains, Brickyard Wine & Spirits, American Legion Post #8, Barrington Yacht Club, and Bluewater Bar and Grill
- Proposal for a marker at Osamequin regarding the history of Massasoit Osamequin and the Pokanoket
- Approval for reaffirming the original Town Seal
- Discussion on abandoning a portion of Smith Street
- Bids for on-call engineering services, Walker Farm Resilience & Recreation Improvement Project, and Haines Park Phase 1 design services
Special Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council is holding a special meeting with two action items: deciding how to use funds from the Masiello Estate to provide counseling and other services for bereaved children, and approving an emergency repair to a sewer force main meter pit. The meeting is hybrid, held at Barrington Middle School and via Zoom.
- Discuss and act on use of Masiello Estate funds for bereaved children counseling and services
- Discuss and act on sewer force main meter pit emergency repair
- Hybrid meeting at Barrington Middle School Presentation Room 1402 and via Zoom
Town Council as Trustees of the Amey Tucker Spencer Fund
The Barrington Town Council, sitting as Trustees of the Amey Tucker Spencer Fund, approved spending up to $30,000 from the trust to hire a contract administrator for Spencer Trust programs. The position will manage home repair, ADA accessibility, and emergency fund applications, and will require trustee approval of the selected candidate. The vote was 4-0 with one abstention from absent Trustee Jacob Brier.
- Approved up to $30,000 in Spencer Trust funding for a contract administrator position
- Administrator will process home repair, ADA accessibility, and emergent fund requests
- Will coordinate with East Bay Community Action Program
- Current administrator Debra Page-Trim will assist with transition
- RFP to be advertised this week, hiring expected in November
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council will hold public hearings on ordinances including cannabis sales zoning, a Juneteenth holiday, and annual leave changes, and will consider resolutions on Juneteenth and library meeting room fees. The council will also discuss a committee to evaluate the Financial Town Meeting, a community events funding policy, Complete Streets, the former Zion Bible Campus property, and bids for engineering services and a police Ford Explorer Hybrid. Consent agenda items include resignations, reappointments, an abatement list, and a victualling license for Rind Cheese Shop.
- Public hearing: 2022-17 Ordinance to adopt Chapter 80, Cannabis
- Introduction: 2022-25 Zoning amendments for cannabis sales
- Public hearings: 2022-19, 2022-21, 2022-22 Personnel policy changes (Juneteenth, holiday names, annual leave)
- Resolution A225: Eliminate admission fees for library meeting rooms, gallery, auditorium for civic/non-profits
- Bid: Police Department capital budget item – Ford Explorer Hybrid
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council is meeting to discuss and act on a range of items, including the school facilities master planning process, ARPA funding priorities, and several ordinance introductions. They will also hold public hearings on the transfer of a paper street at Latham Avenue and Shore Drive, and on ordinances related to Town Hall business hours, stop intersections, and the renewal of the emergency declaration. The agenda includes many routine consent items such as resignations, reappointments, and monthly reports.
- Public hearing on transfer of paper street and compensation at Latham Avenue and Shore Drive
- Introduction of ordinance 2022-20 prohibiting new gas stations in zoning amendments
- Discussion and action on ARPA priorities and funding
- Approval of capital reserve funding for all-electric pickup trucks for Public Works and Police
- Bid for Town Hall boiler replacement: $89,500 to RISE Engineering plus $8,950 contingency
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council will discuss and act on several items, including a proposed zoning amendment to prohibit new gas stations, ARPA funding priorities, and a request to recognize Juneteenth as a town holiday. The agenda also includes routine consent items, appointments, bids, and ordinance introductions and public hearings.
- Amend zoning ordinance to prohibit new gas stations
- ARPA priorities and funding discussion
- Juneteenth recognition as town holiday request
- Bids: Chevy Bolt EUV trade-in, 2022 Chevy pickup, Town Hall painting, Bay Spring siding
- Ordinance introductions: cannabis, stop intersections, Town Hall hours
Committee on Appropriations
The Barrington Committee on Appropriations is meeting to handle routine business: approving prior meeting minutes, debriefing on the recent review season and Financial Town Meeting, electing committee leadership, and selecting representatives to the Budget Forecasting Committee. Public comment is also scheduled.
- Discuss and act on minutes from May 11 and May 17 meetings
- Debrief and lessons learned from COA review season and Financial Town Meeting
- COA leadership elections
- Selection of representatives to Budget Forecasting Committee
- Public comment
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council is holding a special meeting to discuss and act on an ordinance amendment to Chapter 45, which sets salaries and compensation for non-union employees. The specific item is an introduction to Ordinance 2022-14, amending §45-21, the pay scale by occupational titles. This is the only substantive item on the agenda.
- Introduction of Ordinance 2022-14 amending Chapter 45 Salaries and Compensation
- Amendment to §45-21 Pay Scale by occupational titles for non-union employees
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council will discuss and vote on several items, including authorizing an electricity supply agreement for the town's community aggregation program, the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, a cell tower lease agreement, and restrooms at town athletic fields. The agenda also includes public hearings on ordinance amendments, a presentation on the Rhode Island Slave History Medallion Program, and routine consent agenda items.
- Resolution authorizing Town Manager to execute electricity supply agreement for Community Aggregation Program
- Discussion on RI Cannabis Act legislation
- Landlord consent and cell tower lease agreement
- Restrooms at town athletic fields
- Bid awards: Fire Department uniform trousers to Mike and Wayne's Inc. ($13,770.00) and training aids to Laerdal Medical ($19,013.49)
Town Council Workshop
The Barrington Town Council is holding a workshop to discuss Rhode Island cannabis legislation. The agenda includes an overview by Assistant Solicitor Amy Goins, input from local boards and officials, public comment, and council discussion. No votes or decisions are scheduled.
- Overview of RI cannabis legislation by Assistant Solicitor Amy Goins
- Input from BAY Team, Economic Development Commission, Planning Board, Police Chief, and Zoning Board
- Public comment period
- Hybrid meeting at Barrington Middle School and via Zoom
Financial Town Meeting Results
The Barrington Financial Town Meeting approved the town's $87.5 million budget and several fund resolutions, but voters rejected a proposal to allow redevelopment of the former Carmelite Monastery at 25 Watson Avenue. Residents also approved amendments to increase the school operating budget, fund a new police position, and restore library capital funds.
- Resolution to allow redevelopment of 25 Watson Avenue (Carmelite Monastery) FAILED
- Approved $87,518,273 total appropriations; $4,217,750 Sewer Enterprise Fund
- School operating budget increased by $416,977 and $118,994 (for an eighth-grade math teacher)
- Police Department budget increased by $78,967 for a new employee and body camera oversight
- Restored $6,000 to Barrington Public Library capital budget for air conditioning
Financial Town Meeting
The Barrington Financial Town Meeting is deciding on the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget totaling $87,016,329, a 3.91% increase over the prior year. The Committee on Appropriations recommends a $19,574,508 municipal operating budget (up 5.03%) and a $59,346,586 school operating budget (up 4.5%). Voters will also consider capital and debt service budgets, and the meeting cannot be dissolved until a budget is approved and the tax rate is set.
- Total budget $87,016,329, up 3.91% from FY2021-22
- Municipal operating budget $19,574,508, up 5.03%
- School operating budget $59,346,586, up 4.5%
- Municipal capital budget $1,607,000, down 13.93%
- Debt service budget $6,099,640, up 0.73%
Committee on Appropriations
The Barrington Committee on Appropriations is meeting to discuss and act on minutes from previous meetings and to prepare for the upcoming Financial Town Meeting, including reviewing the committee's message. The agenda is largely procedural, with the main substantive item being preparation for the Financial Town Meeting.
- Discuss and act on minutes from April 12, April 26, and April 29 meetings
- Preparation for Financial Town Meeting and review of COA message
- Public comment period
Committee on Appropriations
The Committee on Appropriations is holding a public budget hearing to present and discuss the town's proposed budget. The meeting includes a presentation and public comment period, but no votes are scheduled on the agenda.
- Budget hearing presentation
- Public comment period
- Hybrid meeting at Barrington Middle School and via Zoom
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council is meeting to discuss and act on several items, including a resolution authorizing a referendum on cannabis, the Committee on Appropriations' proposed reduction to the FY2023 municipal budget, and a resolution regarding the Carmelite Monastery building and property. The council will also consider a cell tower lease agreement, reallocating unspent school bond funds, and bids for the Walker Farm resilience project and a communications consultant. Several ordinance amendments are scheduled for public hearing, including one on short-term residential rentals.
- Resolution authorizing a referendum on cannabis (continued from 4-4-2022)
- Committee on Appropriations' proposed reduction to FY2023 municipal budget
- Resolution regarding Carmelite Monastery building and property
- Landlord consent and cell tower lease agreement
- Reallocating unspent Barrington Middle School bond balance
Committee on Appropriations
The Committee on Appropriations is meeting to prepare for an upcoming budget hearing. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific budget figures or items listed for discussion.
- Prepare for Budget Hearing
- Public Comment
Jt. Council, Plan., Housing, 25 Watson Cte. Mtg.
This is a joint meeting of the Town Council, Planning Board, Housing Board of Trustees, and the 25 Watson Avenue Ad Hoc Committee to review progress and the concept for the 25 Watson Avenue project. The agenda includes a review of the strategy phase and a schedule for upcoming meetings, including a Financial Town Meeting on May 25. No final decisions are listed; the meeting is primarily for discussion and next-step planning.
- Review of progress in Discovery and Strategy phases for 25 Watson Avenue
- Concept review for the 25 Watson Avenue project
- Schedule: Ad Hoc Committee meeting April 25, Town Council May 2, Financial Town Meeting May 25
- After FTM: draft Comprehensive Plan amendment, zoning revision, and RFP
Committee on Appropriations
The Barrington Committee on Appropriations will discuss and then vote on a recommended municipal and school budget for the town. The meeting includes public comment before the vote. This is the key step in setting the town's spending plan for the coming year.
- Vote on recommended municipal and school budgets
- Discussion of municipal and school budgets
- Public comment period
- Review and approval of April 5 meeting minutes
Committee on Appropriations
The Barrington Committee on Appropriations is meeting to review and act on the March 29th minutes and to discuss the municipal and school budgets. The agenda includes public comment and is otherwise procedural.
- Review and act on March 29th meeting minutes
- Discuss municipal and school budgets
- Public comment
Town Council as Trustees of the Amey Tucker Spencer Fund
The Barrington Town Council, sitting as Trustees of the Amey Tucker Spencer Fund, approved a policy allowing home repair loans to applicants with little or no home equity, accepting the risk that such loans may not be fully recovered. They also voted to hold the $202,804.20 Masiello Estate funds in a separate special revenue fund for bereaved children, allowing use of both principal and interest. The Trustees discussed outreach efforts with EBCAP and a potential partnership with Habitat for Humanity's Aging in Place program.
- Approved home repair loans for applicants with little or no equity, with simultaneous lien recording
- Voted to place $202,804.20 Masiello Estate funds in a separate special revenue fund for bereaved children
- Masiello fund may use principal and interest, not limited to income
- Discussed outreach with EBCAP; rack cards sent to 180+ addresses, only one inquiry received
- Discussed coordinating with Habitat for Humanity's Aging in Place program
Council Mtg./Amey T. Spencer Mtg.
The Barrington Town Council will meet on April 4, 2022, after a brief session as trustees of the Amey Tucker Spencer Fund. The council will discuss and act on several items, including resolutions on cannabis legalization, a proposed opioid litigation settlement, reallocation of unspent school bond funds, and awarding bids for legal services and construction projects. The agenda also includes routine consent items, public hearings on tax exemptions and emergency declaration renewal, and updates on redistricting and goal setting.
- Resolution urging General Assembly to amend cannabis bill for local control; resolution authorizing local referendum on cannabis licenses
- Approval of proposed settlement regarding National Opioid Litigation (Teva and Allergan Pharmaceutical)
- Reallocation of unspent Barrington Middle School Bond Balance
- Award bid to Ursillo, Teitz, and Ritch for Town Solicitor legal services
- Bid for Barrington Civic Center Croquet and Bocce Facility at Library Cove: $58,050 to Beausoleil Brothers
Jt. Council, School and Legislators Mtg.
The Barrington Town Council, School Committee, and state legislators met jointly to discuss shared concerns. Topics included climate change and solar power restrictions, school funding and curriculum, housing aid bonus deadlines, and local gun control options. The meeting was largely informational, with legislators providing updates on pending bills.
- Discussed climate change/resiliency, solar power restrictions, EV funding, and Wampanoag Trail refinishing
- School Committee discussed Right to Read Act funding, graduation requirements, and universal pre-K proposal
- Senator Coyne's housing aid bonus bill scheduled for finance committee on 3/24/22
- Representative Knight noted cannabis bills H7593/S2430 likely to pass this spring
- Representative Cassar reported on housing legislation package and OMA update unlikely this year
Committee on Appropriations
The Barrington Committee on Appropriations will meet to review and act on the minutes from March 8, and to discuss the municipal budget presentation. Public comment will be heard. The meeting is procedural and includes no specific budget figures or proposals in the agenda.
- Review and act on March 8 meeting minutes
- Discuss municipal budget presentation
- Public comment period
Town Council Budget Workshop
The Barrington Town Council is holding a budget workshop to discuss and act on the FY 2022/23 municipal operating budget and American Rescue Plan funding priorities. The council will also vote on reducing the kayak storage fee at Walker Farm from $50 to $25 for 2022. Public comment is scheduled before adjournment.
- Reduce kayak storage fee at Walker Farm from $50 to $25 for 2022
- Discuss and act on American Rescue Plan funding priorities
- Discuss and act on FY 2022/23 municipal operating budget
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council will meet remotely to discuss and act on a range of items, including a public hearing on changing liquor service hours for Prince Ali's Kebab, a proposal to authorize $30,000 in additional funding for a resiliency planner, and several bids for equipment and services. The agenda also includes introductions of ordinances on tax exemptions for the elderly and disabled, short-term rentals, and zoning use regulations, as well as a public hearing on stop intersections and renewal of a state of emergency. The council will also discuss recreational cannabis legislation and hold an executive session on collective bargaining.
- Public hearing on proposed change to liquor service hours for Prince Ali's Kebab, 305 Sowams Road
- Authorize $30,000 additional funding for resiliency planner Kim Jacobs
- Award bids: $36,400/yr for BAY Team project director, $14,000 for redistricting consultant, $48,000 for field marking robot, $90,938 for dump truck, and electric police vehicle
- Introduce ordinances on tax exemption for elderly/disabled, short-term rentals, and zoning use regulations
- Public hearing on stop intersections and renewal of emergency declaration
Town Council Workshop
The Barrington Town Council is meeting for a goal-setting workshop, facilitated via Zoom by Emily Morash. The agenda includes only this discussion item, with no specific proposals or decisions listed. The meeting is hybrid, with in-person attendance at Barrington Middle School and remote options available.
- Goal-setting workshop facilitated by Emily Morash
- Hybrid meeting with in-person and Zoom options
- Land acknowledgement recognizing Pokanoket ancestral lands
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council will hold a remote or in-person meeting to discuss and act on several items, including invasive species control at Echo Lake, a liquor license for Prince Ali's Kebab, an agreement with RIDEM and J.H. Lynch & Sons regarding landfill violations, and a request for proposals for a Town Solicitor. They will also consider resolutions on beach pass fees, internet service provider enabling legislation, and residential solar, plus introduce an ordinance amendment on stop intersections and hold a public hearing on renewing a declaration of emergency. The agenda includes routine consent items such as reappointments, minutes, and monthly reports.
- Invasive species control at Echo Lake
- Liquor license for Prince Ali's Kebab
- Agreement with RIDEM and J.H. Lynch & Sons for resolving alleged violations at Landfill #3
- RFP for Town Solicitor
- Resolution on one-day beach pass fees (Code Chapter A225)
Cte. on Approp./Budget Forecasting Cte.
The Committee on Appropriations and the Budget Forecasting Committee are meeting remotely to review the Budget Forecasting Report and discuss budget matters. The agenda includes approving prior meeting minutes and taking public comment. This is a working session focused on budget planning, not a final decision-making meeting.
- Presentation of the Budget Forecasting Report
- Discussion of budget forecasting
- Approval of minutes from 12/14/21, 11/16/21, and 1/4/22 meetings
- Public comment period
Special Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council, Planning Board, Housing Board, and 25 Watson Avenue Ad Hoc Committee are holding a joint remote meeting to discuss the 25 Watson Avenue project. They will receive briefings on the process, visioning findings, initial market analysis, and building assessment. The group will then discuss and potentially act on key issues such as building preservation, housing goals, town facilities, outdoor spaces, parking, buffers, and renewable energy.
- Project briefing on 25 Watson Avenue: process, visioning, market analysis, building assessment
- Discussion of preservation of existing building
- Housing goals: unit types, senior/non-senior housing, affordable housing
- Town facilities and outdoor public spaces/nature access
- Parking, buffers/protection of natural areas, renewable energy/sustainable design
Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council met via Zoom and handled routine consent items, then received the final report from the Ad Hoc Athletic Field Advisory Committee, which recommends developing two natural fields at Haines Park and installing artificial turf at the high school. The council also endorsed expanding the 25 Watson Avenue committee, reduced the Open Space Committee's council seats, and made several board appointments.
- Received final report from Ad Hoc Athletic Field Advisory Committee recommending two natural fields at Haines Park (est. $1.5M+) and artificial turf at high school (est. $3-4M)
- Endorsed expansion of 25 Watson Avenue Ad Hoc Committee by 3 neighborhood reps and 1 Land Conservation Trust rep
- Reduced Open Space Committee council seats from 2 to 1, converting one to alternate
- Approved abatement list of $7,277.00
- Appointed Chris Watson to Board of Library Trustees and Michael Kadish to Resilience and Energy Committee
Amey Tucker Spencer Fund/Town Council Meeting
The Barrington Town Council will meet on January 10, 2022, to discuss and act on several items, including creating a park on town property near Wood's Pond, endorsing an expanded ad hoc committee for 25 Watson Avenue, and approving a revised bid for a DPW dump truck. The council will also receive the final report from the Ad Hoc Athletic Field Advisory Committee and conduct interviews for board vacancies. The meeting includes a consent agenda with routine items such as resignations, reappointments, and monthly reports.
- Discuss and Act on Creating a Park on Town Property near Wood's Pond (south of Town Hall Drive and County Road intersection)
- Revised DPW bid for 41,000 GVW Dump Truck with Plow Surcharge: additional $3,000, total $179,544.27
- Endorse expansion of 25 Watson Avenue Ad Hoc Committee by up to 4 members (3 neighborhood reps, 1 Land Conservation Trust rep)
- Public hearing: 2022-1 Renewal of Declaration of Emergency
- Interviews for Board of Library Trustees (1 vacancy) and Resilience and Energy Committee (2 vacancies)
Town Council as Trustees of the Amey Tucker Spencer Fund
The Barrington Town Council, sitting as trustees of the Amey Tucker Spencer Fund, approved an amended FY2022 budget and funding requests for four local agencies. The budget totals $139,083 and includes allocations for EBCAP, TAP-IN, Meals on Wheels, and the Barrington Farm School. Trustees also discussed separating line items into dedicated accounts to prevent fund intermingling.
- Approved FY22 budget of $139,083, including $25,000 for EBCAP, $5,000 for TAP-IN, $5,000 for Meals on Wheels, and $1,183 for Barrington Farm School
- Added new line items for Barrington Farm School ($1,183) and Legal Fees ($3,000)
- Increased Marketing/Advertising to $5,000 and added $500 for Miscellaneous expenses
- Carried forward $37,193 for Home Repair Projects and $71,000 for Down Payment Assistance
- Added $1,000 for Day of Caring