Charter Commission Wants Your Feedback

The Charter Review Commission began circulating a letter today, Sept. 25, asking for input and feedback from interested citizens, employees and every volunteer serving on a board or commission in Barrington. 

Comments and suggestions can be made in person or in writing on a special form sent with the letter.

The committee will meet monthly on a Monday evening; it’s next meeting is Sept. 30. Written comments should be sent to the commission at the Town Hall, 283 County Road, by Nov. 27.

The charge of the commission is to review the existing Town Charter and come up with recommendations – if any – to amend it. Those recommendations will go to the Town Council, which will make decisions on which proposals should be put before voters in the form of a referendum at the 2014 election after holding a public hearing on the recommendations. 

Among the amendments made to the charter in 2004 – the last time a Charter Review Commission met – were: 

• Boost the quorum needed for a Financial Town Meeting from 15 to 35.
• Change the day of the FTM from Thursday to Wednesday and its starting time to 7 pm.
• Fill School Committee vacancies at a special or general election instead of through appointments from the Town Council. 
• Change the position of Town Treasurer to Finance Director. 

Members of the Charter Review Commission are Chairman Jeffrey Brenner, elected at the board's first meeting on Sept. 16, and Patricia F. Adams, Anthony V. Arico, John D. Cregan, Meredith DeSisto, Paul C. Dulchinos, Mary Alyce Gasbarro, Joel Hellmann, James A. Jackson, Allan C. Klepper, Timothy R. Sweetser, and Joan D. Warren. DeSisto is the Town Clerk and a non-voting member.