Barrington election: $3.6M library, community center approved
BARRINGTON – A large turnout of the town's voters approved a plan for a new library and a community center in Tuesday's election.
The $3.6 million library bond passed with 62% approval. This will allow the town to purchase and renovate the former Frisbie Urgent Care at 426 Calef Highway into a new library.
With a 64% approval by voters, the current library space will be renovated for use as a recreation/community space, at a cost of $1.15 million, with a potential $1 million grant through the state's community investment program.
Both the library and the community center required 60% approval for passage. The current library on Ramsdell Lane is shared with the Recreation Department and a food pantry.
Town Administrator Connor McIver said the town had a record voter turnout of 40.71% of registered voters (2,692). He said voter turnout was 28% in 2023, 24% in 2022, 13% in 2021 and 32% in 2020.
Incumbent Select Board member Dannon Mannschrek was re-elected with 1,539 votes, defeating challenger Robert Russell (933).
In the School Board race, challengers Rick Walker (1,399) and Jason Bake (1,394) won the two open seats. Incumbent Tim Hatfield (1,332 votes) was defeated in the close vote.
Voters passed the town's proposed operating budget, for just under $9 million.
The school district budget proposal for nearly $29.6 million passed, with 1,687 votes, for 65%.
All 19 zoning amendments on the warrant passed, one being a request to buy a 13-acre plot in the center of town, using a tax increment financing district fund. Voters at a future town meeting will decide what the town does with the land.
Once again, this year, Barrington kids went to the polls for a kids vote event, too.
This year 424 kids voted and decided the date for trick or treat will be Oct. 31, the town's new forestry truck will be called Smokey Bearington, the 2025 dog tag color will be purple, and they chose three town versions of the state “I voted” stickers to be given out to voters for the 2025 election.