The Barrington Town Council will interview candidates for the Charter Review Commission during Monday night’s meeting. Council President Carl Kustell said he is looking forward to the process and hopes that a wide variety of residents are interested in serving.

“I want a lot of people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints,” Kustell said. 

A broader representation of different perspectives will lead to a better outcome, Kustell said. It will enhance the town government and better meet the needs of the community, he added. 

During an interview on Wednesday, July 19, Kustell said at least a dozen residents — Democrats, Republicans and Independents — had already shown interest in serving on the Charter Review Commission. By Friday morning, that number had grown to 20 (see sidebar). 

The Council President said he would like to see a mix of experience levels. 

“We want people who have experience” in town government, he said. “It’s also a good idea to get a new set of ideas…it can’t be all the same people, the same cast of characters.”

The Charter Review Commission is tasked with reviewing the town’s charter — it defines the government structure under which the town operates — and recommending any changes they deem necessary. Residents would then need to vote through the proposed changes.

Already the Council is anticipating possible changes to the budget approval process. For many years, Barrington has relied on the annual financial town meeting to approve the municipal and school department budgets. The FTM is usually held once a year inside the high school auditorium and allows residents to discuss and eventually vote upon the proposed budgets. People can submit amendments to the budget which are also voted upon. 

Kustell said other communities rely on different systems to complete the budgeting process. Some extend budgeting powers to their elected officials and other hold voting referendums. 

Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey has prepared a report about FTMs and FTM alternatives that will be available to members of the Charter Review Commission. 

Anyone interested in serving should contact the town clerk’s office at 247-1900, or send an email to mdesisto@barrington.ri.gov.