Council heading 'off-site' for big picture meeting

Meeting will be open to public, but no public comment

By Josh Bickford
Posted 10/19/19

The Barrington Town Council will hold an off-site meeting where members will discuss "big picture" topics.

The council voted 5-0 at its recent monthly meeting to hold a special off-site meeting …

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Council heading 'off-site' for big picture meeting

Meeting will be open to public, but no public comment

Posted

The Barrington Town Council will hold an off-site meeting where members will discuss "big picture" topics.

The council voted 5-0 at its recent monthly meeting to hold a special off-site meeting — possibly out of town and most definitely before Jan. 1, 2020. 

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha suggested the off-site meeting, although his initial thought was to have council members participate in a type of retreat. That idea shifted to a single-day event where councilors could focus their attention to broader topics and issues and away from the typical meeting minutia. 

"I think it's a great idea," said council member Kate Weymouth.

Councilor Joy Hearn said she too liked the idea of an off-site meeting, but felt hesitant to hold it outside of Barrington. She said the town has a brand new middle school and a "funky" Bay Spring Community Center, and either location could serve as a good site. 

Ms. Weymouth said she had attended a prior meeting for town officials that had been held outside of town and found it very rewarding.

"I felt there was a different kind of focus because we weren't in Barrington," she said. "I felt it was helpful."

Council member Jacob Brier said he believed the off-site meeting should be held in Barrington. 

The meeting, said town officials, would be open to the public although council president Michael Carroll said the off-site meeting should not have public comment. 

Ms. Hearn said the off-site meeting should serve more as a working session. She also suggested a couple of potential topics, including economic development in town. She also said there should be a meeting facilitator to move things along.

When asked where he would like to have the meeting held, council member Steve Boyajian said he was indifferent to the location. 

Councilors later agreed to schedule the meeting for some time in the next three months — no later than Jan. 1 and preferably not during the holiday season. 

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