During its recent meeting, the Barrington Town Council approved the expenditure of nearly $250,000 for various bids.

The bids ranged from $5,000 for advertising for the local prevention coalition, to $61,480 for new defibrillators for the fire department. 

Bid approvals

• BAY Team: Members of the Town Council approved $33,378 for a project director, and another $20,645 for a project coordinator. The project director, identified as Michelle Ahlborg, will focus on mental health awareness training. The project coordinator position will be filled by Sean Palumbo. The project director position will be paid through a SAMSHA Mental Health Awareness Training grant, while the project coordinator position will be paid through a RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals grant. The council approved another $68,500 to be spent on advertising — that money comes from several state and federal grants. No town funding was required. 

• Fire department: Barrington Fire Chief Gerald Bessette asked the Town Council to approve the purchase of two monitor/defibrillators for the department’s two rescue vehicles, at a cost of $61,480. Chief Bessette said the current defibrillators are older — he said the manufacturer will no longer service the older units. Funding for the purchase will come from the Fire Equipment Capital Reserve account, which had a balance of $139,000.

• Cybersecurity: The Town Council approved an additional $32,200 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to further improve the town’s cybersecurity measures. The town had earlier authorized up to $40,000 in ARPA funds to implement cybersecurity measures. The town hired Pawtucket-based Envision Technology Advisors to conduct the work, and while doing so officials discussed whether the town should “migrate” from a commercial cloud to a government cloud. Officials decided a government cloud would ensure that the Barrington Police Department was compliant with Justice Department protocols. That work will cost the town $32,200; officials reduced the ARPA funding that had been earmarked for energy improvements at the public safety building.

• Wi-Fi upgrade: The town also contracted with Envision Technology Advisors to upgrade the wi-fi at the Barrington Town Hall. “The Town Hall Wi-Fi system is antiquated, making it a potential cybersecurity risk. Coverage is spotty, and connections are often weak,” wrote Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey in a memo to the Council. The Council approved the expenditure of $26,820 for the project, plus 15 percent contingency. 

Toward the end of the discussion of bids, Barrington Town Council member Rob Humm asked Hervey how much money was left in ARPA funds. Hervey said the balance was between $56,000 and $60,000. The town was initially given more than $4 million in ARPA funds.