Barrington Town administration is proposing some changes to the Spencer Trust bylaws, including two amendments that impact the home repair fund.

The trust was established after former Barrington resident Wilton H. Spencer, upon his passing, left a large sum of money to the town. Spencer required that the money be used to help the “poor and unfortunate” of Barrington. 

The town has managed the trust for years, using income made from the balance of the trust to help people in need. Some of the money has gone to off-set the cost of home repairs for residents who qualify. 

The Barrington Town Council, sitting in its capacity as trustees for the Spencer Fund, will consider a few possible changes to the fund bylaws when they meet on Monday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m.

Two proposed amendments would impact the Spencer Trust Home Repair Fund. 

One change limits the forgivable home repair loans to no more than two outstanding loans per property. Another change would bar the Trust from disbursing more than $2,000 from the Home Repair Fund to an applicant to reimburse the cost of repairs completed prior to submitting an application. 

Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey said the changes are based, in part, on experiences from administering the home repair program. He said the amendments are intended to make the program easier to manage and establish clear guidance for repeat applicants and new applicants.

Hervey added that he is confident the home repair program is not being exploited in any way. 

Another proposed change to the bylaws falls under Article III “Mission and Duties.” 

If passed, the change would allow the board to distribute Spencer Trust money for programs initiated by the town’s Housing Board of Trustees in support of “expanding access to affordable housing in Barrington or similar purposes…”

Hervey said the amendment is more of a clarification. He said money from the trust has already been appropriated for affordable housing purposes in the past. Barrington Business and Finance Director Kathy Raposa recently shared a summary of Spencer Trust money used for affordable housing — $370,369.89 has gone from the Spencer account to the town’s Affordable Housing Trust, and $75,981 has gone from the Spencer account to the Down Payment Assistance program. 

According to a copy of the existing bylaws, the Trust money is limited to benefit those on state or federal welfare status; those who are facing special and unique hardships; or it is given to charitable groups or agencies whose purpose is deliver social services to the poor, “including but not limited to, affordable housing, house repairs, transportation, meals, and education…”

Another proposed change calls for the trust’s fiscal year to start July 1 and end on June 30.