The three Democratic candidates for the Barrington Town Council shared their opinions on a variety of subjects during a recent online forum.

Anthony Arico, Kate Berard and Braxton Medlin, who will face off in the Democratic primary next month, spoke about issues ranging from the current town council and athletic fields to affordable housing and the Carmelite monastery property. 

Council critiques

When asked if they had any critiques of the current town council, Arico, Berard and Medlin offered some different takes. 

Medlin said all five members of the council were great, and have done a good job. He said the five current councilors have come together to move the town forward. Berard said her only critique was that the current council personalized the topics — she said it would be better to keep the focus on the task and away from the personalities. Arico said he would like to see more input from the public during the meetings, adding that he would like to see the meetings live-streamed. 

Goals

All three candidates were asked to list their priorities, should they be elected to the council. 

Berard, a member of the town’s planning board, said she would like to move forward the Complete Streets plan, referring to a town initiative that aims at connecting destinations across town, maintaining safe routes to schools and promoting links between open spaces and trail networks. Berard also said she would like to see the town engage in less divisive conversations.

Arico, a member of the town’s Park and Recreation Commission, said Barrington needs to address the shortage of athletic fields in town. He said there is a clear need for more fields, which is also articulated in the comprehensive plan. Arico said council members can play a key role in moving that initiative forward. 

Medlin, the chairman of the town’s DEI committee, said he wants to see Barrington’s roadways made more walkable. He also mentioned the need to replace/reopen the bike path bridges, and placed a focus on the resiliency plans for Barrington. 

Council-manager

There was some agreement when it came to the relationship between the town manager and the council. Medlin and Berard said the relationship between the council and manager was a good one; Medlin also praised the current council for their work selecting Phil Hervey as the new town manager. Arico said there had been some issues between the council and the prior manager, Jim Cunha, but felt that the current council seems to work well with Hervey. 

Supporting businesses

The Democratic council candidates offered suggestions for ways the town could support and encourage business growth in Barrington. Medlin mentioned taxes and zoning as ways for the town to play a role in the business community. Berard said Barrington needs to consider expanding upwards to counter the limited amount of open space that can host new construction. She also said the town needs to be flexible in its zoning and make changes that are geared toward supporting affordable housing. Berard also said she wants to find a better way of connecting businesses with what’s happening in town. Arico said his conversations with local business owners have shown that Barrington needs to improve its communication with the business community. 

Affordable housing

All there Democratic council candidates supported a need for affordable housing in Barrington. 

Berard said the issue was particularly important to her. She believes Barrington can do better with affordable housing — she also said the town was missing the middle housing market. Berard said the town has a lot of money in its down payment assistance program that does not get used.

Arico said he would advocate hard for more affordable housing in Barrington, and also said the council should work with the Rhode Island General Assembly members to get more funding assistance for affordable housing. 

Medlin said he lives near a housing development in the Sowams area and picked his home because it was a beautiful piece of property. He said he lives around some incredible people and would more people to have the opportunity to live in that type of neighborhood. 

Recreational opportunities

The council candidates were also asked if the town was doing enough in the area of recreation. 

Arico took that question as an opportunity to discuss the Haines Park plan. He mentioned the Haines Park neighbors’ concerns and agreed that the town should conduct an environmental study of the park. But he said that Phase I of the work (renovating the fields located farther west in the park) was a moderate proposal. Arico also said Barrington’s students need safe athletic fields. 

Medlin said he believed the town was doing enough with recreation, but also believed more can be done. He said recreation is incredibly important, and outdoor spaces are important. Medlin said more could be done to develop outdoor spaces in town. 

Berard said she was split on the issue — she has children who participate in youth sports. She said the town could have a trash-in, trash-out policy with paper bags, adding that New Jersey uses that approach. She also said she was open to talking to St. Andrew’s about sharing use of its athletic fields. 

Carmelite monastery

All three Democrats were asked what they would like to see done with the Carmelite monastery property.

Medlin said he would like to see the town utilize the property to further the town’s goals. He also said a lot of people in town would like to be heard regarding the future of the property, adding that he wants there to be an opportunity for people to sit down and have a discussion and find out what’s the best use — for housing or for business? 

Berard said she served on the committee that worked on the monastery property issue. She encouraged quick work the issue in regards to development and/or zoning regulations.

Arico seemed to agree with Medlin, in that he believes there should be more opportunities for public input. He referenced the two FTM votes to preserve the monastery building. 

Elementary school plan

The school district’s plan to alter the elementary school grade groupings and building new grade 1-to-5 schools drew a response from the council candidates. 

Berard, who has two elementary school-age children, offered a lot of feedback on the issue. She said the timing of the school building committee meetings — most were held around 3:45 p.m. — made it challenging for public input. She also said she enjoys walking with her son to and from school each day, and that those moments offer a special opportunity for connection. Berard said she would be sad to see that disappear. Berard did acknowledge, however, that if new school buildings mean the best, most up-to-date education for local students, she would support that. Berard encouraged all residents to review the issue and learn more about it.

Arico mentioned he was on the past task force that called for shuttering Sowams School decades ago when the district’s student population had decreased. Arico called for more public input, more public meetings, and more discussion on the plan. 

Medlin said he does not have children in the local schools, but added that he often sees students riding their bikes to school at Sowams and Hampden Meadows. He said he could not imagine not seeing that each morning. Medlin then said making changes can sometimes be important to ensuring that Barrington has the best schools in the state. He said he trusts the professionals.