From: Philip Hervey, Town Manager
To: Barrington Town Council
Subj: Town Manager Memo for May 4, 2026, Town Council Meeting
Date: May 4, 2026
The Council’s Rules of Procedure for public comments are provided at the end of this memo
AGENDA ITEM #1: Call to Order
AGENDA ITEM #2: Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA ITEM #3: Land Acknowledgement
AGENDA ITEM #4: EXECUTIVE SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RI GENERAL LAWS
· Discuss Executive Session Minutes from April 6, 2026, for placement on the Council agenda to “receive”.
· Closed Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2)- Litigation- ACP Shopping Center Assoc., LLC, v. Michelle DiMeo, PC-2025-05821.”
· Adjourn Executive Session
· Reconvene into Open Session
· Motion(s) and Motion to Seal Minutes of Executive Session
AGENDA ITEM #5: DISCUSS AND ACT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA (Items #6 - #15):
All items with an asterisk (*) are routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these matters unless a council member or citizen so requests, and the request is for good cause in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
Consent Agenda Item #6*: Receive Updates and Events
See my memo for a more detailed list of events, openings on boards and committees, etc.
· Tree Planting & Removal: April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026– 52 trees removed/ 87 trees planted
· Financial Town Referendum: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - All day voting from 7:00am-8:00pm at Town Hall, Council Chamber
Motion: To approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
AGENDA ITEM #16: Discuss and Act: Interviews and Appointments:
· Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee: (2 vacancies: 2 alternates with term expiration date of March 31, 2027). Interview: Victor Occhialini
Motion: To appoint ______________ to the Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee as an Alternate, with a term expiration of March 31, 2027.
· Board of Assessment Review: (1 vacancy: 1st Alternate with term expiration date of March 31, 2029). Interview: Marsha Crecelius
Motion: To appoint ______________ to the Board of Assessment Review as a First Alternate, with a term expiration of March 31, 2029.
· Housing Board of Trustees: (4 vacancies – 1 full member with term expiration date of February 28, 2027, and 3 Alternates: 1st Alternate term expiration date of January 31, 2027). Interview: Maura Foster
Motion: To appoint ______________ to the Housing Board of Trustees as a First Alternate, with a term expiration of February 28, 2027.
AGENDA ITEM #17: Discuss and Act: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report with Bacon & Company
TM Comment: Auditors from Bacon & Company will present a summary of the July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, fiscal year audit.
Motion: To receive and accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2025, as presented.
AGENDA ITEM #18. Presentation, Discuss and Act: Bids
§ BAY Team/Prevention Coalition:
o Prevention Coalition Assistant
TM Comment: The BAY Team is requesting approval of a contract for a Regional Prevention Assistant Position to the East Bay Regional Coalition. The Town serves as the organization’s fiscal agent. No Town funds are used to support the BAY Team or Regional Coalition.
For more, please see the memo from Steven Eiland, Regional Director
Motion: To approve Samantha Taveras for contracted services as the Office Prevention Assistant. Mrs. Taveras’s contract will be in the amount of $22,560 annually based on the compensation schedule set forth by BHDDH and will be reviewed on an annual basis
§ Police Department:
o Public Safety Building Camera System
TM Comment: The motion below would approve an $83,971 bid to replace the camera security system at the Public Safety Building, including 30 cameras, hard drive storage, installation and warranty. The funds will come from the Public Safety Building Improvement Capital Account.
For more, please see Chief Correia’s memo.
Motion: To award the bid from Island Tech Services, 10 Commercial Way, Warren, RI, in the amount of $83,971 to replace the existing camera security system at the Public Safety Building, as presented.
AGENDA ITEM #19: Discuss and Act: Memorial Day Parade Update,
Including Additional Banner dedicated in honor of Cato Bannister (Veterans Advisory Committee)
TM Comment: Members of the Veterans Advisory Committee will brief the Council on plans for the Memorial Day parade and ceremonies, as well as the installation of banners for veterans who died during conflict. They will also provide information about a new banner to be installed in honor of Cato Bannister.
Motion: No motion provided.
AGENDA ITEM #20: Discuss and Act: Solar Project at Southernmost Portion of Landfill #4 to North of Public Works Complex
TM Comment: The Resilience and Energy Committee has been exploring options to install a ground-mount solar panel array at Landfill #4 to the north of Public Works. The area is outside the hammer throw field – which is a concern of the BHS track coach and Barrington Schools athletic director.
Solect, a Massachusetts-based solar company, provided “preliminary financials” (attached) based on its review of the site. Solect is a vendor selected through a competitive bidding process by PowerOptions, the energy manager for the League of Cities and Towns.
Members of the R&E Committee and representatives from Solect will be at the Council meeting to present the concept and answer questions.
At this time, we welcome feedback from the Council on whether there is interest in pursuing this further.
Motion: No motion provided. Requesting Council direction.
AGENDA ITEM # 21: Discuss and Act: Establish Credit Reduction Amount for Blind Exemption
TM Comment: The Town Council in September 2025 approved a resolution asking the General Assembly to adopt legislation amending Section 44-3-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-3 entitled “Property Subject to Taxation.” House Bill No. 7005 was introduced (Sponsored by Rep. Boylan and Rep. Knight) titled An Act Relating to Taxation -- Property Subject to Taxation. The Bill, which was approved by the General Assembly and is now law, authorizes the Town of Barrington to provide a tax dollar credit reduction for legally blind persons by ordinance.
Tax Assessor Michelle DiMeo noted that the Town’s Blind exemption had not changed since 2018, when the exempted assessed value amount was set at $35,500. Since then, the tax rate has dropped due to revaluation, which in effect reduced the property tax benefit from $720.65 in 2023 to $544.47 post-revaluation in 2024.
The amount of tax credit will need to be set by the Council based on the change in State law, and included in Ordinance 2026-4 (see Ordinance Introductions agenda item, second bullet). Currently, nine residents receive this benefit, totaling $4,901.13 in credits. We recommend setting the credit at no less than $750, which is similar to the tax dollar credit amount of available in 2023. This would increase the total tax credit amount to $6,750 (based on nine people receiving the benefit).
Motion: To approve increasing the tax credit for the legally blind at $__________.
AGENDA ITEM #22: Discuss and Act: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI) Initiatives
TM Comment: Please see attached correspondence from the DEI Committee.
Motion: No motion provided (need Council direction).
AGENDA ITEM #23: Discuss and Act: Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendations for:
· Your Neighborhood Sauna - Sauna Kuhl – located at Barrington Town Beach
· Rhody Food Truck Event- Mike McAteer & Franco Miccoli Summer Monthly Event at Police Cove Park
TM Comment: The motions below are based on motions passed by the Parks and Recreation Commission related to the requests. See attached minutes summarizing the proposals and motions approved by the Commission.
Motion 1: To approve Sauna Kuhl’s request to operate at Town Beach, as presented to and recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission, including at the beach campout on May 16th, subject to the completion of all required paperwork, fees, provision of insurance, etc.
Motion 2: To approve the Rhody Food Truck Events summer series, one Friday per month, May – September 2026 at Police Cove Park or other appropriate location, subject to required permits and coordination with Police, DPW, and Recreation staff.
AGENDA ITEM #24: Discuss and Act: Request to allow the service of alcoholic beverages during a multiple-day event on Town-Owned Premises
· Class F License for Live . Love . Barrington Committee (LLBC), p/k/a Barrington Business Community Association: Salt & Table Chef’s Tasting Event Sunday, September 13, 2026, 3:00-6:00 PM, Barrington Beach
TM Comment: For more information, please see attachments related to this item.
Motion: To approve the Live . Love . Barrington Committee’s application for a Class F license for the Salt & Table Chef’s Tasting Event Sunday, September 13, 2026, 3:00-6:00 PM, at Barrington Beach Sunday, September 13, 2026, 3:00-6:00 PM, Barrington Beach, subject to the completion of all required reviews and the provision of insurance and other required paperwork.
AGENDA ITEM #25: Discuss and Act: Ordinances
· INTRODUCTION(S):
o Ordinance # 2026-3 – An Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 169 Taxation, Article VII – Military Service-Related Exemptions (Veterans and Totally Disabled Veterans)
TM Comment: Ordinance 2026-3 is on the agenda for introduction, with the public hearing scheduled for June 1, 2026. The Ordinance would officially enact the changes approved by the Council at the April 6th meeting to increase the tax credit amounts as follows:
§ Flat veteran’s exemption: Increase to $445.78 starting 7/1/26, and to $550 starting 7/1/27.
§ 100% disabled exemption: Increase to $670.78 starting 7/1/26, and to $1,000 starting 7/1/27.
Motion: To introduce Ordinance 2026-3 Amending Chapter 169 Taxation, Article VII – Military Service-Related Exemptions (Veterans and Totally Disabled Veterans), and to schedule the public hearing for June 1, 2026.
o Ordinance #2026-4 – An Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 169 Taxation (Blind Category)
TM Comment: Ordinance 2026-4 is on the agenda for introduction, with the public hearing scheduled for June 1, 2026. The dollar amount needs to be included in the motion (see previous agenda item).
Motion: To introduce Ordinance 2026-4 amending Chapter 169 – Taxation, to include a tax dollar credit reduction of $__________, and to schedule the public hearing for June 1, 2026.
o Ordinance #2026-5 – An Ordinance Adding Chapter 146 Native Trees and Plants
TM Comment: Ordinance 2026-5 is on the agenda for introduction, with the public hearing scheduled for June 1, 2026. The Open Space Committee provided a draft ordinance, which has been revised to be incorporated in the Town Code. We also added an “Exceptions” section that was not in the Committee’s original draft.
Motion: To introduce Ordinance 2026-4 adding Chapter 146 – Native Trees and Plants, and to schedule the public hearing for June 1, 2026.
AGENDA ITEM #26: Discuss and Act: Resolutions
· Resolution: Proclaiming Friday, April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the Town of Barrington
Motion: To approve the Resolution Proclaiming Friday, April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the Town of Barrington.
· Resolution: Recognizing National Small Business Week, May 3-9, 2026
Motion: To approve the Resolution Recognizing National Small Business Week, May 3-9, 2026
AGENDA ITEM #27: General Public Comment
(Maximum one statement per speaker of up to three minutes in length): To the public: This agenda item is for members of the public to speak regarding a topic that is not already on the agenda. Please indicate that you would like to speak by raising your hand. When you are recognized, please state your name and residence for the record.
AGENDA ITEM #28: Set Agenda: for the next meeting of the Council: Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6:30pm, in Council Chamber
a. Set Agenda: for the next meeting of the Council: Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6:30pm, in Council Chamber
b. Amey Tucker Spencer Budget
c. Historic District Commission and Zoning Ordinance (Herb)
d. Salary Ordinance
e. Resolution: Amending Chapter A225: Dog/Cat Fees (June?)
f. Charter Changes -FTR
AGENDA ITEM #29: Adjourn Town Council Meeting
BARRINGTON TOWN COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE
ADOPTED OCTOBER 7, 2013
...
RULE 9 SPEAKING BY THE PUBLIC
A. REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS –
1. PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION - Members of the public shall be entitled to speak for a period of up to three minutes regarding a topic this is NOT already on the agenda. Anyone wishing to speak shall raise his or her hand, and when recognized by the President, shall approach the microphone. All members of the public addressing the Town Council shall identify themselves, at the microphone, by stating their name and address for the record. Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6(b), public comment regarding subject matters not on the agenda but received during the public participation portion of a meeting shall be for informational purposed only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.
2. SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS - Members of the public shall be entitled to speak , once, for a period of up to three minutes, and at other times when invited to do so by the President. The public may speak only after members of the Council have had an ability to be heard. The public shall address their comments to the question under debate as indicated on the agenda. Comments that are not germane to the question under debate shall be ruled out of order by the President. All members of the public addressing the Town Council shall identify themselves, at the microphone, by stating their name and address for the record.