So long, FTM. 

Barrington residents voted overwhelmingly to try something new with the annual budget process. During the general election on Nov. 5, more than 70 percent of Barrington voters cast their ballots in favor of the new Financial Town Referendum. The FTR is different from the FTM in a few key ways. 

For starters, the FTR would offer residents an entire day to stop by a poll location and cast their ballot for or against the proposed budgets. Changes to the budget would still need to be proposed by a qualifying petition, the Town Council, or the School Committee. The move to a referendum, according to proponents, aims to increase participation in the town’s budgeting decisions, while still maintaining much of the FTM process.

The FTM served Barrington for many years. Residents were invited to attend the annual meeting one night in the spring and vote then for or against the budgets. 

Following is a closer look at how Barrington residents voted on the questions included on the Nov. 5 ballot:

Local questions

• Fire department: Barrington voters approved a measure to remove language from the town charter that implies that the Town Council could eliminate the fire department. The final tally was 63 percent approve, 37 percent reject. 

• Town government: Barrington voters approved changes to the charter that update the roles of various departments and commissions. The final tally was 76.1 percent approve, 23.9 percent reject. 

State questions

• Constitutional convention: Barrington voters rejected — 60.5 percent; State voters rejected — 62.5 percent

• $160 million higher education facilities bond: Barrington voters approved — 66.9 percent; State voters approved — 59.7 percent

• $120 million housing and community opportunity bond: Barrington voters approved — 65.9 percent; State voters approved — 65.7 percent

• $53 million green economy bond: Barrington voters approved — 75.3 percent; State voters approved — 67.4 percent

• $10 million cultural arts and economy grant program: Barrington voters approved — 63.8 percent; State voters approved — 56.3 percent