Should Barrington’s next town manager be required to live in town?

That rule has been in place for years, but Thomas “TR” Rimoshytus wonders whether that requirement should be lifted as Barrington begins the search for its next town manager. Mr. Rimoshytus pitched the idea to council members at the public comment portion of their Sept. 13 meeting, even suggesting that town officials allow the next manager to live within 15 miles of the town.

Mr. Rimoshytus said applicants for the job may already have established homes in other communities. He also said finding and affording a home in Barrington in the current real estate market could be difficult. Mr. Rimoshytus added that he was not sure the next town manager could afford to buy a house in Barrington on the position’s salary. (According to the posted job description on the town’s website, the Barrington Town Manager’s starting salary range is between $140,000 and $160,000.)

Barrington Town Council President Michael Carroll said the residency requirement allows for the town manager to live in Barrington during their tenure, meaning that the next town manager would not need to move to town immediately upon being hired. It also means the individual could move out of town after living here for a while.

“You don’t have to move in that day,” Mr. Carroll said. 

The town is accepting applications for the manager’s job through Oct. 15. The job posting on the town’s website states that candidates must be enthusiastic about participating and being very active in community civic organizations, should have a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, economics or a related field, and have five to seven years of “progressively reasonable experience in municipal government.”

“The new town manager will need to earn the respect of the community and employees, while accepting the inevitable comparisons to his/her predecessor,” stated the job posting. “They must have a reputation for holding themselves and others to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. The town manager must also be fully committed to the concept of transparency and openness in government, ensuring those concepts are practiced throughout the organization.”

The town council initiated a search for the next town manager after Jim Cunha announced his decision to retire. He will step down on Dec. 31. Mr. Cunha has served as Barrington’s town manager for the last five years. 

While the town will accept applications through Oct. 15, officials are planning to conduct a first review of applications on Oct. 6.