Town officials are exploring alternatives to holding a financial town meeting every year.

Initially, the town council considered the idea of forming a committee to study how other communities approve their annual budgets and complete the work otherwise handled in a financial town meeting. But after discussing the topic with the town solicitor, Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey suggested the research be handled by his office and that a report be compiled on the subject and later shared with members of the town council.

Hervey said the report would be available in the late spring or early summer, and would be ready for the charter review commission — the financial town meeting is currently written into the town charter and any charter changes must receive taxpayers’ approval. 

Some members of the town council have voiced strong support for moving away from the financial town meeting model. Some have said the FTM may not be the best tool for optimal public participation. More recently, there was a push by some councilors to create a hybrid FTM — available to people in person as well as those online.

Council member Jacob Brier liked the idea of the town producing a report about alternatives to the FTM. Brier also suggested that town officials consider surveying the public on the matter of the financial town meeting. 

Council member Carol Kustell recommended that the report take a deep dive into the mechanics of how other communities pass their budgets. 

Hervey said that would not be a problem.

Kustell also said he wants any change in the process to maximize public participation. 

The council voted unanimously in support of the financial town meeting report.