Question: Are you personally recommending voters support all or some of the proposed charter change questions that will be listed on the Nov. 3 ballot?

Neile Hartman — Independent: 

Please vote NO on all four charter changes. Three limit voter influence, undermining progress achieved by our first FTR: 36 proposed amendments, 1,700 votes cast, 25 approved cuts. That’s meaningful civic engagement! Rather than honor voters’ decisions, Council disregarded 11 of those 25 approved cuts. Now, they seek to restrict future voter impact because they disagree with how we voted. Visit VoteHartman2026.org for my video explaining why these changes deserve rejection.

Anthony Arico — Independent:

The shift from the Financial Town Meeting to the Financial Town Referendum significantly reduced Barrington residents’ ability to oversee the Town Budget. It is part of a troubling, continuing pattern of stripping away residents’ rights, and the proposed charter changes would only deepen that erosion. I will vote no on every proposed charter question, and I urge fellow residents to do the same and to vote no any Town Council candidate who supports these charter changes. 

Jessica Martin — Democrat: 

In 2024, Barrington voters replaced the Financial Town Meeting with a Financial Town Referendum (FTR), as the Charter Review Commission recommended. The Commission also urged the Town Council to monitor the FTR and assess whether “adjustments may be beneficial or necessary.” This year’s ballot questions do that, drawing on lessons from our first FTR. Other Rhode Island towns have refined their FTRs after adopting them; these questions let Barrington do the same.

Braxton Cloutier — Democrat:

Yes, I support the proposed charter changes and encourage residents to vote in favor. Our first Financial Town Referendum showed us we needed improvements. I understand concerns about preserving residents’ ability to influence the budget, and I share that commitment. I supported putting these changes before voters because I believe they will simplify the process, reduce confusion, and create more meaningful opportunities for residents to participate and have their voices heard.