The School Committee recently approved a contract (by a 3-2 vote) with the NEAB (teachers' union). In my view, this contract has many shortcomings and did not seriously address the two new "realities" that are facing our state and our town. The first reality has to do with the teaching profession; the second with economic conditions. With regard to teaching and learning, the language in this contract offers no compensation alternatives for "great teaching" (highly effective teaching if you base it on the Race to the Top rubric) and/or improved student achievement. Rather, remuneration …

A bill that I introduced in the House of Representatives this year calls for the elimination of the state’s 7 percent sales tax. That bill will be heard in the House Committee on Finance on Wednesday, May 15 (beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 35). Any talk about Rhode Island’s sales tax and what, if anything, to do about it generates a pretty broad range of opinions. On one side, many would like to see the tax eliminated, to give Rhode Island businesses an advantage over nearby states and to give consumers a break. On the other side are those who say eliminating the tax would leave an enormous hole…

When I introduced legislation to eliminate the Rhode Island sales tax, I indicated that I had one goal in mind – to start a serious conversation. Our sales tax is killing small businesses, especially those in border communities. How can Rhode Island continue to compete at 7 percent, with Massachusetts already lower than us and considering reducing its sales tax even farther? How can Rhode Island restaurants compete at 8 percent? They can’t. We need to find a way to fix this, and a serious discussion of our sales tax is a discussion we need to have now, before more small stores close their …

COD 02806 submitted this update on the March 4 Town Council meeting as a letter to the editor to Patch. 1.  The Town Council meeting was preceded by a meeting of the Trustees of the Amey Tucker Spencer Trust Fund, which is actually the Town Council.  They had an abbreviated agenda which they dispatched in short order.  Gary Morse, always eloquent, raised several issues concerning the trust and the management thereof, and we would prefer if he gave you a rundown.  It was clear that he was extremely well versed on trust matters and ramifications concerning use of the funds.   2. The Agenda for …

In August, our community will have a beautiful new indoor pool at the Bayside Y, with more lanes, a dedicated pool space for families and older adults, new locker rooms and other general improvements.  Many members of our community have or will provide gifts to our Capital Campaign to support the construction of this wonderful new facility.  With our outdoor pool available for summer memberships, and childcare for Out-Of-School time as well as summer camp with swimming lessons and specialty programs like kayaking and horseback riding, our new Y will be an even more vibrant part of our Bayside…

There are three important town meetings this week that involve affordable housing. 1.  On Monday, March 4, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Hall the Trustees of the Spencer Trust are meeting to discuss the disposition of Trust funds.  If you read Gary Morse’s letter on the Barrington Patch(2/26/13) entitled “Taking from the poor and unfortunate to give to….?”  you are aware of serious questions concerning use of the money from the trust particularly as it relates to expenses to support  affordable housing for non- residents of the Town. 2.  The Town Council has invited Barrington state …

On January 11, 2006 the Barrington Planning Board denied an application for a  Major Subdivision consisting of 8 privately owned residences (“Osprey Landing”) on the Sowams Nursery property on Sowams road.   This is the same property on which the East Bay Community Development Corporation  (EBCDC) seeks to construct 48 units of  low and moderate income rental housing.  In their decision denying the “Osprey Landing” application, the Board (none of whose members are on the present Planning Board) included the following rationale for their denial: “The applicant sought to maximize the number of …

The following was submitted to Patch as a letter to the editor. It was sent on Feb. 5  to the Barrington Planning Board, Technical Review Committee, and Housing Board of Trustees as a memorandom. It was signed by Kevin Doyle of Barrington.  At the “informational” meeting hosted by the East Bay Community Development Corporation on November 27, 2012 a spokesman for the EBCDC stated that the “town” (of Barrington) was “for” the project proposed for the Sowams Nursery on Sowams Road in Barrington.  The comment suggests a bias (in some quarters of responsible town government) favoring the EBCDC …

Submitted as a letter to the editor by Pam Van Ness for COD 02806: AN OUTLINE OF DISCUSSION AT THE PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED 48 UNIT RENTAL APARTMENT COMPLEX PROPOSED FOR THE SOWAMS NURSERY ON SOWAMS ROAD HELD ON JANUARY 15, 2013 Approximately 60 residents of Barrington showed up.  a standing-room-only crowd.  All in all it was very worthwhile, and we thank the planning board for making it possible. The meeting was well run and was attended by members of the Planning Board, Technical Review Committee, and Housing Board of Trustees.  All members were given the …

Does Barrington really need its own municipal court?  When study after study points to regionalizing and sharing municipal services instead of maintaining separate ones, why is Barrington starting from scratch, alone?  Do we really understand what the costs are and what the revenue will be?  After hiring a human resources manager and a full-time leisure services manager, do we now need to hire a municipal court judge, clerk and bailiff?  Do we understand the full impact the court will have on Town Hall, parking, and public safety? And why will we need to pass through a metal detector to enter…

  There is an inclination, in some quarters, to label with the pejorative acronym NIMBY (not in my back yard) all resistance to undesirable projects touted as a public necessity. It’s catchy. And it has been used in conjunction with the 48-unit apartment rental complex being proposed by the East Bay Community Development Corporation (EBCDC) on approximately 7 acres of buildable land at the Sowams Nursery located on the Palmer River -- an area currently zoned R25, i.e. no more than two residential units per acre  (R10 zoning means no more than 4 units per acre). But the NIMBY label begs the …

  At the Barrington Planning Board meeting on January 3, 2013, the Board voted to conduct a “pre-application” conference with the East Bay Community Development Corporation (EBCDC) on January 15, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Barrington library. The conference is required by Town Ordinance as a preliminary step to submission of an application for a Comprehensive Permit for any developer of a prospective major subdivision such as the one proposed by EBCDC on the Sowams Nursery property located on Sowams Road. Board Chair Michael McCormick ruled that the January 15 meeting would be open to the …

BCWA has proposed rate increases that, by the 5th year, compound out to about 31%.  This is in addition to the 2010 rate increase.  And all of it in a bad economy.   BCWA's alleged support for the 31% rate increase - their Clean Water Infrastructure Plan (Plan) for FY2014 to FY2033 - may not be approved until August 2013.   Here's how the review proceeds:   1) BCWA filed this Plan to the RI DOH November 1, 2012.  Now, as required by the Rules and Regulations for Clean Water Infrastructure Plans, the Plan is under review by various state agencies.   Rhode Island Water Resources Board (Pamela …

  To the people of Barrington: I would like to take a few minutes to introduce myself.  I have been on the job as your new Director of Recreation and Leisure Services for five weeks.  It has been a very exciting time for me.  Barrington is a wonderfully vibrant community.  It has a long tradition of providing successful recreation programs and leisure activities.  I am honored to be given the opportunity to work with parents, the schools, the businesses and organizations to build on the popular sports and recreation programs currently in place that have enriched the lives of the residents of …

Talk around Town: After much chattering among many of us, there seems to be a formidable force looking to change the dynamics of the Town Council.  This is a good thing.   It has become a stage upon which two members seem to be ruling.  I am not sure how this has happened as the other three did, at one time, have good minds of their own. Nevertheless, WE, the citizens of Barrington, must take action to replace those who wish to rule without regard of how WE, the taxpayers feel. As residents of the good old USA, we are fortunate to have a chance to be heard every few years -- and, this is OUR …

The Barrington Boosters would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Barrington for once again supporting our student-athletes through their very generous donations.  Our 20th annual Booster Day event and our town-wide mailer have generated a wonderful response in support of Barrington athletics. On Booster Day, Saturday Sept. 29, student-athletes from Barrington High School solicited donations door to door asking family, friends and neighbors for contributions to support all athletic programs at the High School as well as at Barrington Middle School. Your generous support of…

This week I have been investigating the "time line" given by Mr. Silveira, the current owner of the land on Sowams Road. It appears from his description of his attempt to develop his land that the Town and the State made it so difficult for him that he had no alternative but to turn to EBCDC, as suggested by his attorney. One wonders who his attorney was? PALMER POINTE "A planned community with open space toward the eastern edge of the property, a common green, paved walking trails and dirt walking paths. A dirt path leading to the edge of the Palmer River will be maintained, allowing for a …

There is not one simple action that can be taken to improve Rhode Island’s economy, some magical financial panacea or a better business climate silver bullet. There is not one all-encompassing law or executive order that could be enacted that would ensure economic growth, or the creation of new jobs. Turning Rhode Island’s economy around, erasing the state’s rating as a bad place to do business, finding innovative methods to attract job creators to the Ocean State is going to take time. Thanks to actions taken by the State Senate in recent years, Rhode Island is already making the concerted …

Six months time, some new blood, and an infusion of new ideas appear to be helping the Bristol County Water Authority get their ship back on course. Barrington Director Robert Allio pointed out at the last meeting that their pension fund management company, which has been at the helm for at least 20 years, has underperformed for the last five years. It was decided to send out an RFP for a new Fund Management firm.  Director Allio has also started having regular Strategic Planning meeting where they address issues that have been dormant for quite some time, or absent . One of the items on the…

Let’s talk some more about our Town. Last week’s issue of the Barrington Times detailed for us what is currently being proposed for land development. I read with interest the plans for the projects at George St. and Sowams Rd. George St.    – 1 and 2 bedroom cottage style units – sounds perfect for seniors !! However, the location would not be suitable for seniors as it is much too remote.  And, I don’t really think that seniors want, or should have to, worry about septic systems, well  water (including drinking), and water storage tanks in case of fire.  Really sounds more like boy and girl …