Affordable Housing Tax Abatement, Municipal Court Judge Top Agenda

A request for a tax abatement for the proposed affordable-housing development at Sowams Nursery and the appointment of Barrington’s first Municipal Court judge head the agenda of tonight’s Town Council meeting.

The meeting starts at 6 pm in the Council Chamber in Town Hall although the first hour will be devoted to an interview for a Municipal Court bailiff and an executive session selecting a bailiff and the judge. In effect, the meeting starts at the regular time of 7 pm.

The councilors also will hear a report from the Conservation Commission on the town’s plastic bag ban, review guidelines for memorials on town property, act on the request from the Dellefratte family for a memorial, and hear an update on the proposed Community Center project.

East Bay Community Development Corporation is seeking a tax abatement for its proposed 48-unit “Palmer Pointe” rental development of of Sowams Road. The tax abatement is considered critical for the financing of the property by EBCDC. Without it, the development would probably not be financially feasible.

A petition opposing the tax abatement for the project will be presented by Gary and Mary Ann Morse of Barrington. It asks the councilors to deny the abatement primarily because it is seen as creating an unfair burden on property owners with similar incomes who are not given similar consideration on their property assessments. 

Two Barrington attorneys are being considered for Municipal Court judge: Francis “Frank” Connor and Dean Robinson. Each was interviewed by the Town Council on May 13 after being selected from among 10 attorneys who applied for the post.

Connor is a partner in the Taylor Duane Barton & Gilman law firm in Providence. He concentrates on medical professional liability defense, business disputes, insurance, and catastrophic personal injuries. He lives with his wife and three children on Harbour Road.

Robinson has been operating a private law firm since 2004 on Willett Avenue in Riverside. He concentrates on business law, probate and civil litigation. He lives with his wife and three children on New Meadow Road. 

See the Patch story for more information on the two candidates.

Here is the complete agenda for tonight’s Town Council meeting:

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2013 @ 6:00 P.M.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, BARRINGTON TOWN HALL

1. Call to Order

2. Interview Candidate for Municipal Court Bailiff 

3.  Executive Session in Accordance with RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (1) Personnel (Municipal Court Judge and Bailiff)

4.  Pledge of Allegiance – NOT BEFORE 7:00 P.M.

5.  Announcements: 

• Girl Scout Gold Award Recognition to April Marion Harff, Carlene Niguidula and Molly Williams
• Town’s Recycling Program

6.  *Adopt Town Council Minutes of May 6, 13 and 17, 2013 Meetings

7.  *Utility Petitions

8.  *Monthly Department Reports: 

Fire Chief, Police Chief/Animal Control Official, Building Official, Public Works Director, Town Planner, Town Solicitor, Finance Director, Tax Assessor, Senior Services Director, Library Director, Barrington Adult Youth Team Coordinator and Recreation and Leisure Services Director (Town Clerk report for May will be on July agenda)

9.  *Abatement List

10.  *Surplus Property

11.  Public Comment (two minute statement) –

To the public:  This agenda item is for members of the public to speak regarding a topic that is not already on the agenda. Please indicate that you would like to speak by raising your hand. When you are recognized, please approach the microphone in front of the Council.

12.  Bristol County Water Authority Report

13.   Appoint Municipal Court Judge and Bailiff

14.   Report from Conservation Commission on Reusable Checkout Bag Initiative (Plastic Bag Ban)

15.   Park and Recreation Items

• Review Guidelines for Memorials on Town Property
• Discuss and Act on Request from Dellefratte Family for a Memorial on Town Property
• Public Hearing on Ordinance #2013-5 Amending the Code of the Town of Barrington Chapter 134 Parks and Recreation, Article I:  Private Tennis Lessons Prohibited
• Resolution for Fees and Fines:  Tennis Programs and Land Use Processing Fee 

16. Resolutions: 

• To Oppose Bills H5703 and S0544 which would Impose a State Mandate Requiring Property with Slopes be Measured a Certain Way Permitting increased Density
• To Oppose Bills H5425 and S0672 Prohibiting Local Governments from having a Wetlands Buffer More Stringent than the State buffer
• To Oppose Bill S0322 Occupancy Permit Legislation
• To Support Bills H6060 and S0733 Historic Tax Credit
• To Support Municipal Streetlight Investment Act
• To Amend Sewer Use Rates 

17.  Public Hearing:  St. Andrew’s School’s Request for Zone Change

18.   Set Affordable Housing Workshop

19.   Discuss and Act on Palmer Pointe/East Bay Community Development Corporation Tax Abatement/Exemption 

20.  Update on Community Center Project

21.  Public Hearings for Ordinances Amending the Code of the Town of Barrington:

•  Ordinance #2013-2, Amend Chapter 63 Alcoholic Beverages, Article IV:  Possession of Alcohol by Underage Persons.
• Ordinance #2013-3, Amend Chapter 131 Disorderly Conduct.
• Ordinance #2013-4, Amend Chapter 124 Licenses and Permits, Article I:  Peddling, Soliciting, and Transient Merchants.

22. Bids: 

Department of Public Works: One (1) Four Wheel Drive Loader

One (1) Tub Grinder Services

Tax Assessor for 2014 Revaluation

Town Planner for Wayfinding/Streetscape Consultant Proposal 

23. Discuss and Act on Establishing Charter Review Committee

24.  Discuss and Act on  RFP for Assessing Standards Expert Consultative Services

25. Introduce Ordinance #2013-6

Amending the Code of the Town of Barrington Chapter 45 Salaries and Compensation, Non-Union Employees 

26.  Set Agenda for July 1, 2013 Council Meeting 

27.  Adjourn