Return Housing Control to Town

“No questions allowed.”

If you were one of the nearly 100 people who sat patiently in attendance during the April Housing Board of Trustees meeting, you were probably just as shocked as I was to hear the voices of Barrington citizens silenced on the proposed affordable housing project at Sowams Nursery.

Whether you are a proponent of affordable housing or not, the public examination and debate of its merits needs to occur before we take one more step towards its development.

I believe that the Town of Barrington and its citizens should have full control of their own housing laws and zoning regulations - because of a 10 percent housing mandate passed by the Rhode Island State Legislature in 2004, we do not.

Together as a community, we should be able to consider alternatives -- senior housing for Barrington residents, a town park, open space or recreational fields.

I am running for State Representative to return control of local policy and tax dollars back to the people of Barrington. If you would like to share your views of the Sowams Nursery project or any issue, please email me at electpetercostajr@gmail.com.

It’s time to listen to the people of Barrington and make our government accountable.

Peter D. Costa, Jr., Candidate for State Representative, District 67 (Barrington, Warren)