Call him frugal. He doesn't mind.

In fact, Barrington Town Manager Peter DeAngelis will gladly welcome the descriptor. For the last 10 years, Mr. DeAngelis and the leaders of the municipal departments have averaged an annual budget increase of about one half of 1 percent. 

Maintaining the tight budget recently resulted in an improved bond rating for the town. In his budget, which was released earlier this month, Mr. DeAngelis reported that Standard & Poor assigned a AAA rating to the town's bonds. Barrington is one of only three towns in Rhode Island to have such a strong rating.

"The results of the bond sale were very favorable with the new interest rate being 1.32 percent and a gross budgetary savings of $526,917 over the remaining life of the bonds," Mr. DeAngelis stated in his budget narrative.

Mr. DeAngelis said this year's municipal budget reflects a proposed increase of $295,804 or about 1.68 percent over the current budget, which totals about $17.5 million. 

"I have been accused of being frugal," said Mr. DeAngelis, "but isn't it a good feeling to do more with less?"

The town manager shared credit with the department heads in town, and added that the municipal government focuses on providing top quality services without pinching taxpayers too hard. He said the town focuses on planning ahead; Mr. DeAngelis holds monthly staff meetings and sits down even more regularly with sub-groups.

"You have to set some goals and objectives," he said. "I mean, should we pave every road at the same time? No. But to do it staggered makes sense.

"With a strong team in place, we can continue to provide cost-effective services to the residents."

Mr. DeAngelis is already looking ahead at a few projects on the horizon. He said the proposed new middle school is going to require some smart budgeting. 

"We can agree that this is not an $80 million project," he said of the initially proposed cost estimate. 

He also looked at the proposed retirement facility destined for the former Zion Bible College property. He said that project could yield millions in tax revenue for the town.

"How do you grow the tax base and continue to maintain the character of the community? I think the Shineharmony development goes a long way to answer that question," Mr. DeAngelis said. 

The town's committee on appropriations will review the proposed municipal budget, and the residents will have a chance to vote on it at the financial town meeting in May.