Barrington town center is on ballot: What to know before you vote Tuesday

Karen Dandurant, Fosters Daily Democrat
·3 min read

BARRINGTON — Residents will face a decision on the future of the town center when they vote in the Town Meeting election Tuesday, March 14.

Barrington's town center, established in 2008 by voters, is a 1,200-acre area along routes 9 and 125 that includes commercial, public and recreation properties. Article 9 on Tuesday's ballot asks voters to establish a tax increment financing (TIF) district, the next step in achieving the long-term vision for the town center.

A TIF district is a temporary economic development tool used across the state. It allows a municipality to reinvest tax dollars to promote commercial development and redevelopment. Town officials said a TIF does not increase taxes, change zoning, change property rights, create special fees/assessments, or decrease funding to the school or county, but could include transportation upgrades (frontage roads/gateways, sidewalks/crosswalks), recreation space, utilities and civic use public facilities.

Voters in Barrington will consider the creation of a tax increment financing district in the town center when they vote on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Voters in Barrington will consider the creation of a tax increment financing district in the town center when they vote on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Town Administrator Conner MacIver said Barrington residents have affirmed their support of the town center vision through past votes on zoning amendments, master plan updates, community meetings, surveys and strategic plans.

When and where to vote in Barrington

Voting will take place at Barrington Middle School (51 Haley Drive) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents who vote will receive a town ballot and a school ballot.

Barrington has two contested election races

There are six candidates seeking two available three-year term seats on the Barrington Select Board, which has five members. The candidates are Morgan Carter, Kenneth Grant, Tracy Hardekopf, Michael D. Houst, Robert W. Russell and James Saccoccia, who is an incumbent. Incumbent George Bailey is not seeking reelection.

There is also a race for library trustees, with four candidates seeking two available seats for three-year terms. The candidates are Susan Young Gaudiello (incumbent), Randal Heller, Frank Natale and Karolina Bodner (incumbent).

There are no contested races on the school ballot.

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More key articles on the Barrington town ballot

Article 8: The operating budget of $8,279,529. If the budget is defeated, the default budget of $8,005,978 would be enacted.

Article 22: A contract for Barrington Police Union NEPBA Local 240 calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level: 2023: $69,542, 2024: $48,462 and 2025: $31,906.

Key articles on Barrington school ballot

Article 2: Operating budget of $27,817,221 is on the ballot. If it fails, the default budget to be enacted would be $27,415,124.

Article 3: Paraprofessional union contract calls for increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels as follows: 2023-24: $208,121, 2024-25: $47,146 and 2025-26: $39,388. It also calls to raise $208,121 for the current fiscal year.

Barrington students will hold an election on Tuesday to choose dog registration tag color, the new dump truck name and the new recreation van name.

The town offers more information on voting Tuesday at barrington.nh.gov/2023VoterGuide.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Barrington NH 2023 election: Town center, Select Board race and more