Wright retires as supervisor in Barrington

BARRINGTON--Barrington Supervisor Fred Wright announced he would be retiring from the post of supervisor immediately, during the Wednesday Oct. 22, board meeting.
Wright explained he had two years left in his term as supervisor. Wright was on the board for eight years total: two as a council member and six as supervisor. He said, "I told the board two years ago or more I wasn't going to run two years ago and then the union came into play. I decided to stay on until that was resolved." Wright added negotiations with the union and the last budget have since been finished, so he decided to retire.
"During six years as supervisor I've had a lot of fun," said Wright. "I've had a lot of headaches and heartaches. I enjoyed doing the job. There comes a time when everybody gets burned out. I don't want to get burned out." He added he will now be spending time in Florida.
Wright said the board did not select anybody yet to fill his seat for the remainder of the term. He explained a decision probably wouldn't be made until the first meeting in January. In the meantime, board member Nate Olney is still the deputy supervisor.
In other business:
• The board held a public hearing to override the state mandated 2 percent tax levy cap. Wright said the board approved going over the cap.
• A budget hearing was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. to hear comments on the proposed 2015 town budget.
• Wright reported the town received approximately $68,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover damages from the severe weather this past May. He added the board expects to receive another $50,000 from FEMA as well.
The next regular Barrington town board meeting is set for Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m.