Barrington Town Manager Peter DeAngelis has spent more than a decade building budgets for the town, and recently said he has become a bit concerned with the impact of a potential $80 million middle school construction project.

"I think most people anticipated $50 million," said Mr. DeAngelis, referring to the project estimate. "I think most people would agree that it's a higher number based on earlier discussions.

A few years ago, the firm SMMA, which designed the $32 million Archie Cole Middle School in East Greenwich in 2011, projected the middle school construction to cost between $40 and $45 million. Some officials said that estimate was offered when the economy was stuck in a recession.

Still, an $80 million publicly-funded project has officials concerned.

"This is really going to put the squeeze on both sides of government," said Mr. DeAngelis.

The town manager oversees the municipal government's $17.5 million budget. The school department currently has a $47 million budget.

"I am concerned with the burden we put on the taxpayers," said Mr. DeAngelis during an interview last week. "There will certainly be an affordability issue."

The town manager said an $80 million middle school project could impact other areas of municipal and school government. He said the cost could force officials to delay other projects or infrastructure upgrades.

"I'm looking at other areas in the next 20 or 25 years," he said. "What's the burden going to be?"

Mr. DeAngelis tempered his concern for the initial estimate, adding that the process is still in its early stages.

"Where do we go from here?"