For many years Barrington has used its FTM — Financial Town Meeting — to determine the annual budget.

But that may change in the future.

The Barrington Charter Review Commission is taking a close look at the budget process and recently sent a mailer to every Barrington household inviting residents to share their opinions about the FTM. 

The mailer directed people to an online survey focused on the budget process in Barrington. There are about a dozen questions in the survey, including:

“Please rate your satisfaction with the current FTM process for approving the town budget.”

“How informed do you feel about the purpose and procedures of the FTM?”

“In your opinion, what aspects of the budget review process and FTM should be changed or improved?”

The Charter Review Commission is asking residents to complete the survey by Dec. 8.

“We hope to get wide participation in the survey to help inform the CRC (Charter Review Commission) deliberations and the ultimate recommendations,” stated an email from the Commission. 

“We are investigating potential alternatives to the FTM for approving the annual town budget. The Commission welcomes your input on this important topic, which impacts every Barrington resident.”

Any proposed changes suggested by the Barrington Charter Review Commission will need to be approved by Barrington voters during a referendum.

The Barrington Town Charter is a document that outlines how the local town government is to be carried out — every 10 years, a Charter Review Commission is formed to explore possible revisions to the charter.

Who is on the Commission?

The Barrington Town Council appointed 11 residents to serve on the Charter Review Commission. They are Jeff Brenner, Joy Hearn, Dan O’Mahoney, Magnus Thorsson, Sarah O’Brien, Tom Rimoshytus, Steve Primiano, Allan Klepper, Cynthia Rosengard, Lisa Daft, and Ken Block.