During Monday night’s meeting, the Barrington Town Council appointed 11 residents to serve on the Charter Review Commission.

The Charter Review Commission is tasked with reviewing the town’s charter — it defines the government structure under which the town operates — and recommending any changes they deem necessary. Residents would then need to vote through the proposed changes.

Approximately 20 residents applied to serve on the Charter Review Commission. 

During Monday’s meeting, Councilors offered the candidates an opportunity to explain why they would be a good fit for the Commission. 

After listening to the residents, Council members then began the nomination process. 

Council member Rob Humm went first. Humm nominated Jeff Brenner for the Commission. Brenner is a former Council President and former member of a previous Charter Review Commission.

Councilor Kate Berard seconded the nomination. Councilor Annelise Conway voted against it, while Councilors Carl Kustell and Braxton Cloutier voted in favor. With the 4-1 vote, Brenner was officially on the Commission. 

Following is a breakdown of the other nominees:

• Conway nominated Joy Hearn. Humm seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 5-0 in favor. 

• Berard nominated Dan O’Mahoney. Conway seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 5-0 in favor. 

• Kustell nominated Magnus Thorsson. Conway seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 5-0 in favor. 

• Conway nominated Sarah O’Brien. Berard seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 5-0 in favor. 

• Berard nominated Tom Rimoshytus. Kustell seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 5-0 in favor. 

• Humm nominated Steve Primiano. Conway seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 5-0 in favor. 

• Kustell nominated Allan Klepper. Conway seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 5-0 in favor.

• Conway nominated Cynthia Rosengard. Kustell seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 5-0 in favor. 

• Kustell nominated Lisa Daft. Berard seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 4-1 in favor, with Conway voting “Nay.”

• Humm nominated Ken Block. Kustell seconded the nomination, and the Council voted 3-2 in favor, with Conway and Cloutier voting Nay. 

Upcoming charter changes?

Already the Town Council is anticipating possible changes to the budget approval process. For many years, Barrington has relied on the annual financial town meeting to approve the municipal and school department budgets. The FTM is usually held once a year inside the high school auditorium and allows residents to discuss and eventually vote upon the proposed budgets. People can submit amendments to the budget which are also voted upon. 

During a recent interview, Kustell said other communities rely on different systems to complete the budgeting process. Some extend budgeting powers to their elected officials and other hold voting referendums. 

Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey has prepared a report about FTMs and FTM alternatives that will be available to members of the Charter Review Commission.