Outdoor Stage, Reusable Bags, Latham Park on Town Council Agenda

A proposal for an outdoor stage near Veterans Memorial Park, a report on reusable bags, and a conceptual plan for improvements at Latham Park are among the items on the agenda for tonight’s meeting of the Barrington Town Council. 

The meeting starts at 7 pm in the School Committee Room in Town Hall.

Representatives from the Bay Spring Community Center, Arts Alive and Local Brew Coffeehouse will make the proposal for the outdoor stage on vacant land behind the Bayside YMCA. The proposal is expected to include a conceptual drawing and an estimate of how often the performance venue would be used. It has received strong backing from the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The Conservation Commission, which has been conducting a survey on the use of reusable bags in Barrington, will make a progress report to the councilors. The report is the first one on the impact of Barrington’s ban on plastic grocery bags.

Wright-Pierce Engineering in Providence and East Coast Construction of Portsmouth have developed a conceptual plan that protects from erosion and beautifies the northern part of Latham Park in Bay Spring. It has the approval of the Barrington Parks and Recreation Commission. 

The firms are teaming up for the “design build” improvement project – one contract for design and construction. Cost of the project is around $225,000 with $150,000 coming from Barrington and $75,000 from the RI Department of Environmental Management in the form of a “recreation grant.”

Here is the complete agenda for tonight’s meeting:

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013

7:00 P.M.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROOM, BARRINGTON TOWN HALL

Agenda

1.       Call to Order

2.       Pledge of Allegiance 

3.       Announcements:

·         Swearing-In Barrington Firefighters:  Robert Larisa, Thomas Mancini, Milos Mirkovic, David Reitmanand Nicholas Tessitore

·         Report on Affordable Housing Workshop

·         RIPEC Public Service Award

·         Festival of Lights December 7, 2013

4.       *Adopt Town Council Minutes of October 21, 2013 meeting

(Council at Charter Review Commission) and November 4, 2013 meeting.

5.       *Utility Petitions

6.       *Monthly Department Reports: 

Fire Chief, Police Chief/Animal Control Official, Building Official, Public Works Director, Town Planner, Town Solicitor, Finance Director, Tax Assessor, Senior Services Director, Library Director, Barrington Adult Youth Team Coordinator, Recreation and Leisure Services Director and Town Clerk

7.       *Abatement List 

8.       Public Comment (two minute statement) –

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 approach the microphone in front of the Council. 

9.       Presentation by Arts Alive Group Regarding Proposed Outdoor Stage at Veteran’s Park

10.     Bristol County Water Authority Report

         ·         Update on Process for Bristol County Water Authority Appointee Removal (continued from November 4, 2013 meeting)

11.     Report from Conservation Committee on Progress of Reusable Bags

12.     Award Design/Build Bid for Latham Park to Wright-Pierce and East Coast Construction of Portsmouth 

13.     Public Hearing:

·         #2013-10 Amend Chapter 131 Disorderly Conduct

14.     Discussion Addressing Correspondence From Gary Morse Regarding Sweetbriar Taxation and Morse Tax Appeal (continued from November 4, 2013 meeting)

15.     Resignation:

•      Peter Shaw, Cemetery Commission, completed term does not wish to be reappointed.

16.     Discuss and Act on Additional Alternate Member for Juvenile Hearing Board. 

17.     Discussion Regarding Consolidation of Municipal and School Finance Departments

18.     Discuss and Act on Dispensation of Correspondence Addressed to Town Council 

19.     Discuss and Act on Hiring Practices As Related to Town Charter 

20.     Set Agenda for Monday, January 6, 2014 Council Meeting 

21.     Executive Session in Accordance with RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (2) Litigation re. Hyman vs. Town of Barrington  

22.     Adjourn