Jim Cunha, a longtime officer in the U.S. Navy, will serve as the next town manager for Barrington.

On Wednesday morning, Sept. 28, members of the town council voted to offer the position to Mr. Cunha. The East Providence native accepted the offer — he will reportedly be paid $125,000 in his first year. 

Jim Cunha answers questions at public forum.

Mr. Cunha will take over the position after Oct. 14, when longtime town employee Peter DeAngelis steps down. Mr. DeAngelis has worked for the town in different capacities for more than 40 years. He has served as manager for more than a decade. 

Barrington Town Council President June Speakman said she was very pleased that Mr. Cunha accepted the offer made by the town.

"I am delighted at the new hire," Ms. Speakman said. "He has the unanimous support of the council. I am thrilled that a man with his extensive experience … is coming on board."

Mr. Cunha is a retired U.S. Navy captain with an impressive resume of operational leadership and financial management. The 30-year veteran of the Navy was an installation specialist, and has experience working with municipal governments and in foreign countries.  

"I am humbled and honored to be selected from a large group of qualified candidates," Mr. Cunha said. 

"I am thrilled. I love Barrington and I love what this community represents."

A Rhode Island native, he was the oldest of eight children. He was raised in the Rumford section of East Providence. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island and has been involved in the Boy Scouts for more than 40 years. 

After retiring from the Navy, Mr. Cunha and his wife moved to Barrington in Oct. 2014. The Cunhas have two grown sons.

For the next two weeks, Mr. Cunha will shadow Mr. DeAngelis, in an effort to acquaint himself with the position.

Mr. Cunha praised Mr. DeAngelis and the work he has done while leading the town of Barrington.

"What an outstanding manager and what a great people-person," Mr. Cunha said. "With Peter, there are some big shoes to fill."

Mr. Cunha added that he was confident in his abilities to serve as the next town manager for Barrington. 

Barrington Town Council member Mike Carroll said: “We’re very excited that Mr. Cunha as accepted the position. When we began this process, his resume stood out from the others for me. His experience and the recognition he’s received for exceptional leadership impressed me, and that impression was confirmed through this process. I believe Barrington is lucky to have as our new town manager a man who has dedicated his life to public service, and I know he’ll serve our town well.”