Politics & Government

Does Town Need a Municipal Court?

Studies point to sharing municipal services. Why is Barrington starting from scratch?

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? 

Find out what's happening in Barringtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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 Town Hall?

Find out what's happening in Barringtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Two posted meetings and 10 minutes of open discussion, without key information, should be not enough to establish a municipal court.  Once it is in place, it will be much more difficult to regionalize.  The time to do a more complete due diligence of the costs, impacts and alternatives is now.

Please let your opinions be known by attending the town council meeting on Feb. 4 at 7 pm or email me at wdewitt@barrington.ri.gov

This is your town and these are your tax dollars.  Don’t let them be wasted.

Bill DeWitt, Barrington Town Council


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here