What Were Top Stories in 2012?

Here are some of the top stories in Barrington in 2012.

Barrington became the second town in New England to ban plastic grocery bags; the ban goes into effect tomorrow, Jan. 1.

Barrington just missed getting whacked by Hurricane Sandy, which ravaged the East Coast, but the storm did shut down schools and caused power outages.

The General Election in November held few surprises -- all of Barrington's incumbents in the General Assembly and on the Town Council were re-elected. One new member, Ann Strong, was elected to replace Jeff Brenner, who did not seek re-election.

The Town Council took the steps needed to create Barrington's first-ever municipal court; the ordinance creating the court gets a public hearing and final vote in February.

A beloved 29-year Barrington High School principal, John Gray, passed on in 2012.

The Bayside YMCA in Barrington launched its long-awaited and much heralded building expansion.

Barrington's schools got a new superintendent -- Michael Messore, director of curriculum and instruction, was selected by the School Committee to replace Robert McIntyre, who retired.

Affordable housing took the stage again as another controversial rental development was proposed for the Sowams Nursery site on Sowams Road.

Wallis Seafood, one of Barrington's oldest businesses, closed its doors after 50 years in two locations.

Barrington opened a new much larger and attractive -- although controversial -- bathhouse at Barrington Beach.

Yes, there was plenty of news in 2012 in Barrington. What do you think was the top story of 2012? Use the comment box below.