Barrington Town Council President Michael Carroll offered a statement in response to questions about the decision to transfer control of the Memorial Day parade from a local group of veterans to the town manager.

Mr. Carroll wrote that the council’s unanimous decision to entrust the town manager with organization of this year’s parade and ceremonies reflects the council’s desire for “broader community participation” in the event. He wrote that the move also had to do with former parade organizer Paul Dulchinos’ decision to not participate last year “for his own political reasons.”

“We also have concerns about the judgement he’s displayed surrounding previous events,” Mr. Carroll wrote about Mr. Dulchinos.

“For instance, at a 2020 Veteran’s Day ceremony, his group placed many signs about their opposition to Black Lives Matter in front of Victory Gate at the high school. While this may be their right under the First Amendment, it raised questions on our part about his judgement, and willingness to observe Memorial Day in an appropriately solemn, respectful and apolitical way.”

At the March 7 meeting, council members voted 5-0 to direct the town manager to organize the annual parade. They also voted unanimously to assign master of ceremonies duties to Scott Douglas, a Barrington resident, commander in the U.S. Navy, and husband of Barrington School Committee member Megan Douglas. 

In an earlier written statement, Mr. Carroll said Mr. Dulchinos’ group — the Barrington United Veterans Coalition — engages in political advocacy on a broad array of topics. Mr. Dulchinos is also a member of the Barrington United Veterans Council, which is the group that had been organizing the parade, although it is not clear if the membership of the two groups is the same. 

Mr. Carroll wrote that people could view the group’s website at buvc.org, but a recent check of that site showed that it was not active. Others have said that Mr. Dulchinos has posted questionable comments to Facebook. 

“Given the lack of response last year and the emergence of a new, different veterans group, the Council acted unanimously to empower the Town Manager to lead this year’s effort,” Mr. Carroll wrote. “This year, we look forward to continuing to honor those who have died in service to our country in a respectful, apolitical way.”

The council president, when reached by phone, would not share any on-the-record comments.

Barrington Town Council Vice President Rob Humm also shared a statement with the Barrington Times: “Memorial Day in Barrington has always been a partnership between the Town and our veterans. Unless the Barrington United Veterans Coalition is unwilling to work with the Town, it will be a partnership this year too. Phil Hervey, as the Town Manager, is in charge of running the Memorial Day event for the Town and is putting together a committee to organize the events of the day to honor our fallen veterans. Mr. Hervey is inviting the chair of the Coalition to be an integral member of the committee, to bring the knowledge and expertise of the Coalition to help run this important event. We encourage and hope all members of the Coalition, and all veterans in town, participate in the event and play a role in making this a special Memorial Day after a two-year hiatus from the parade.”

Mr. Dulchinos issued a statement moments after the council’s vote on Monday night, March 7.

“The Barrington Town Council tonight voted to strip the Barrington United Veterans Council from running its annual Memorial Day Parade this year. The BUVC has been running the parade in Barrington since its formation in 1954 — rain or shine to honor those men of its ranks that made the ultimate sacrifice. This appears to be retribution for the BUVC having previously taken a stance against flying a BLM flag over its Veterans Memorial. The Town Council has now decided to politicize this solemn event which they characterized as ‘kicking off the Summer Season.’ They passed a motion instructing the Town Manager to run the parade and then specified that their own hand picked Master of Ceremonies be placed in charge. Whose wife happens to be a local School Committee Member of their same political party. Although he is a Veteran, he has never been a member of our organization nor has he ever participated in any of our previous activities. This was a slap in the face for all those who have faithfully served this community from our organization over the last 68 years.

“This move was an insult to the BUVC and further exposes that the Barrington Town Council desires to continue its War on our Veteran Community. This is a very dark day in the history of Barrington.”

Mr. Carroll said Commander Douglas spoke at last year’s Memorial Day ceremony.