As outlined in September, the Town has completed a drawdown of Swain's Lake to accommodate an engineering assessment of the coffer dam.  A dive team conducted the inspection and documented the condition of the coffer dam with photos.  We are awaiting a report on the extent of repairs needed. Minor repairs were completed in the area of the coffer dam at the time of the inspection.  The dam gate has been closed as of Monday, November 9, 2009 which shall allow water levels to return to a more normal late-Fall state.  We thank the Swain's Lake Association for getting the word out and for your patience. 

The Town and School District met with our representative from the NH Department of Revenue on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 to set our 2009 tax rate.  Through the combined efforts of the Town, School District, Recreation Department and Conservation Commission we were able to limit the tax rate to $18.80 per thousand.  This is a 20 cent increase over the 2008 tax rate of $18.60 however, given the uncertainty surrounding the application of state revenues we are very pleased with the outcome and with the cooperation towards reducing impacts to our taxpayers as much as possible. The Town and School District applied fund balance monies and the Recreation Department and Conversation Commission contributed money out of their independent funds to offset budget expenses.  We thank everyone for their commitment to reducing budget expenses and applying fund balance monies which allowed us to manage the tax rate in a responsible manner. 

The process is underway for the 2010 town budget with the submission of the proposed operating budget to the Board of Selectmen and Advisory Budget Committee last week.  The proposed budget met the Board's directive of matching the default budget that was approved by the voters in March of this year.  The proposed budget does not include any wage or benefit changes for any employee but does re-instate contributions to our existing capital reserve accounts  for capital equipment.  As you may remember, the Board of Selectmen suspended those contributions last year after the Town was notified of the large revenue deficit being created by the state.  The Board and I wanted to minimize impacts to our taxpayers and took the unprecedented action of providing information to the voters to vote against these articles.  We continue to express concern over the down-shifting of the state's deficit to the local level and hope more is being done to assist municipalities.  This year, with the elimination of funds for revaluation, we are able to fund our capitial reserve accounts while still meeting the directive of the Board for a budget equal to the default budget approved in March 2009.  Please check our government calendar for budget review dates and times.  A copy of the 2010 proposed town budget is available for review at the Public Library and Selectmen's Office during business hours. 

The Town of Barrington is seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of TOWN PLANNER with work performed under the general policy guidance of the Planning Board and works under the general administrative directive of the Town Administrator. This is a full-time position at 40-hours per week with wages based on qualifications and experience. Applicants must be available to meet with a Selection Committee comprised of [2] Board of Selectmen members, [2] Planning Board members and the Town Administrator.  Please send a cover letter with resume to Barrington Town Administrator, 41 Province Lane, Barrington, NH 08325 or call Administrator Reilly at 664-7395 for information.  Plese read more to see the job description.

AS OF THIS WRITING WE ANTICIPATE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE OFFICIAL WORD IN JANUARY 2010 THAT THE ROAD NAME/ADDRESSING CHANGES WILL TAKE EFFECT IN FEBRUARY 2010.  We wish to thank all the property owners that participated in our Informational Hearings for E-911. The Board of Selectmen has acted on your road name preferences and combined them with our existing list. This information has now been sent  to the the State of New Hampshire's Department of Safety for review.  Once approved, the Town will coordinate with the state and United States Post Office to implement the address changes.  All property owners will be notified by mail of your new address and information on posting your new house number, locating your mail box and a copy of the town's E-911 Road Naming and Numbering Ordinance along with instructions on when to activate your new mailing information.  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY TO AVOID ANY MISCOMMUNICATION OF YOUR PHYSICAL LOCATION DURING AN EMERGENCY. Please call Town Offices if you have questions.

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Comments can be submitted electronically at townhall@metrocast.net or by mail to the Planning Board at 41 Province Lane.  Please contact Town Administrator, Carol Reilly at 664-9007 or Land Use Clerk, Dawn Hatch at 664-5798 for additional information.