Barrington Council orders speed‑camera study, rejects two stop‑sign ordinances and approves contracts, appointments and AED funding

The Barrington Town Council on Jan. 13 voted to have town staff study automated speed‑camera programs and their impacts, rejected two proposed stop‑sign ordinances for a neighborhood intersection and approved a slate of contracts, police equipment purchases and appointments. Councilors also approved using opioid‑settlement funds to buy 10 public AEDs and related kits.

The council unanimously approved a motion requesting a town analysis of speed‑camera programs to include personnel needs, the impact on municipal court operations, projected revenue and costs, anticipated safety benefits, and a prioritization of school zones. The report was set to return to the council at its March 3 meeting.

The request follows months of discussion and public comment after residents and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) raised safety concerns in Hampton Meadows and nearby school routes. Councilors and Chief Correa said the police would continue directed enforcement while the town compiles data and talks with vendors and the state.

The council also held a public hearing continued from July 2024 on two proposed stop‑sign ordinances at intersections in the Fireside/Old Chimney area. After hearing neighborhood testimony and reviewing an engineering report, the council rejected both draft ordinances by a 5‑0 vote. The council then directed administration to review sight distances at several problem intersections — Fireside Drive & Old Chimney Road; Neate and Rumstick (Rumstick); and Soames Road & Linden Road — and to return with recommendations and any necessary code or enforcement steps for further consideration at a future meeting.

On procurement and contracts, the council authorized the town manager to continue the town’s contract for building‑official services with 4 Leaf (through 06/30/2026), approved a GZA contract not to exceed $150,000 to provide engineering services for coastal‑adaptation projects at Latham Park, Allen’s Cove and Waterway, and approved a $28,200 Fuss & O’Neil contract to implement a neighborhood tree‑planting program in the Maple/Foot Street area as part of a state grant amendment.

The council approved three police purchasing requests: aftermarket upfits for a 2025 Ford Explorer patrol vehicle ($13,566.18) and for a 2024 Ford F‑150 Lightning EV pickup ($16,734.78), both from Island Tech Services; and the purchase of 32 Glock pistols with red‑dot sighting systems (net $13,594.60 after trade‑in), to be funded from the department’s assets forfeiture account. Chief Correa said the upgrades would modernize equipment and that training and holster costs would be managed within the department budget.

Board and commission appointments were approved in a series of votes: David Fales to the Bristol County Water Authority board (term to 02/29/2028); Jacob Breyer as an alternate to the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (term to 09/30/2026); Jessica Jacoby Lemos to the Economic Development Commission (term to 01/31/2027); Crystal Casey and Catherine Hyams as full members of the Resilience & Energy Committee (terms to 11/30/2027); and Shannon Boyle and Amy Herlihy to the new Veterans Advisory Committee (terms to 01/31/2027). The council also filled additional alternates and seats across several volunteer bodies during the meeting.

The council approved a purchase‑and‑sale agreement to sell a roughly 1.75‑acre parcel known as “Parcel 6 / the pocket‑neighborhood site” at 25 Watson Ave. to FJS Associates (or permitted assignee) for $1 and other considerations; and it adopted a resolution asking the Rhode Island General Assembly to ratify amendments to the town charter that voters approved at the November election.

The council voted to use opioid‑settlement funds to purchase and install 10 outdoor AED cases (heated cases where necessary) plus 10 AED units, Narcan kits and first‑aid kits at locations identified by the Parks & Recreation Commission, and to include school sites if the school department approves. The council amended the motion to allow non‑heated cases where power is not available and added first‑aid kits to the purchase.

Finally, with the artificial‑turf measure removed earlier by voters, councilors directed Parks & Recreation to recommend priority projects for the remaining field‑improvement funds and specifically asked the commission to emphasize a plan and funding for dedicated field maintenance (a field maintenance crew and an implementable maintenance plan). The council scheduled that list for consideration at its March 3 meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Request analysis of speed‑camera program (personnel/court/revenue/benefits/prioritization) — motion approved 5‑0; report due March 3. (Mover: President Cloutier; Second: Councillor Burrard.) - Reject Ordinance 2024‑3 (Fireside/Old Chimney stop signs) and Ordinance 2024‑6 (Copper Kettle/Old Chimney) — both rejected 5‑0 (motion by Vice President Burrard). Council then directed administration to review sight lines at three intersections and return with findings — approved 5‑0. - Authorize contract: 4 Leaf, building‑official services through 06/30/2026 — approved 5‑0. - Authorize contract: GZA, engineering for coastal‑adaptation projects not to exceed $150,000 — approved 5‑0. - Authorize contract: Fuss & O’Neil, $28,200, Maple/Foot neighborhood tree‑planting implementation — approved 5‑0. - Police upfit purchases: Island Tech Services — $13,566.18 for 2025 Ford Explorer; $16,734.78 for 2024 Ford F‑150 Lightning EV — approved 5‑0. - Police armament purchase: 32 Glock pistols with red‑dot sighting systems (net $13,594.60 after trade‑in) — approved 5‑0 (funded from asset forfeiture account). - Appointments: David Fales (Bristol County Water Authority), Jacob Breyer (DEI alt.), Jessica Jacoby Lemos (Economic Development), Crystal Casey & Catherine Hyams (Resilience & Energy), Shannon Boyle & Amy Herlihy (Veterans Advisory) — all approved (votes recorded as aye; see minutes for individual roll calls). - Authorize sale: Parcel 6 (25 Watson Ave) to FJS Associates — approved 5‑0. - Resolution petitioning RI General Assembly to ratify town charter amendments — approved 5‑0. - Use opioid‑settlement funds to purchase/install 10 AED cases (heated where needed), 10 AEDs, Narcan and first‑aid kits at locations recommended by Parks & Rec (including schools if approved) — approved 5‑0. - Refer bond‑priorities review to Parks & Recreation with emphasis on dedicated field maintenance; council to consider final priorities March 3 — approved 5‑0. - Refer Bayspring Crossing rezoning proposal to Planning Board and Economic Development Commission and advertise public hearing for March 3 — approved 5‑0.

Why it matters

The speed‑camera analysis and related enforcement steps respond to repeated resident complaints about speeding near schools and neighborhood cut‑through routes. The council’s sight‑line review and subsequent public‑hearing decisions reflect neighborhood concern about traffic control and the limits of local authority over state roads. The Procurement decisions (building‑official coverage, coastal‑adaptation engineering, neighborhood tree planting) use outside consultants to advance projects the town said must move forward while staff capacity and licensing processes continue. The AED purchases expand public access to life‑saving devices at parks and school properties.

Council next steps

- Staff to return to council March 3 with the speed‑camera analysis and recommended next steps. - Administration to inspect and report on sight‑line fixes at specified intersections and return options for signage/enforcement/trimming. - Parks & Recreation to return a prioritized list of projects for remaining field‑improvement bond funds with a concrete plan for dedicated field maintenance.

Ending

Council meetings are held in the Town Hall council chamber; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2025. Transcripts, supporting memos and a public document page for the Watson Ave. project remain available through the town website.