Working for - and with - Taunton

As Barry said shortly after his fist election victory, it is both an honor and a sacred responsibility to serve on the Taunton City Council.  We look forward to Barry's continued work on the Council and welcome your feedback. 

#LetsWorkTogether

#IWorkforYou

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Transparency & community engagement

Before being sworn in to his first term, Barry advocated for the Council to have public input become a standard agenda item each week. Unfortunately, it didn't survive the final vote.
When COVID-19 prevented the public from attending Council meetings in person, Barry ensured that public input by phone became available at every Council meeting.
Barry consistently asks questions and gets answers, so that every proposal gets a public vetting.  
Barry successfully pushed for a more expansive review of the proposed new charter including more public input.  He advocated for important changes to the proposed new city charter to include more transparency and accountability.
Barry has opposed excessive use of executive sessions and advocated for the people's business to be done in public.
"Democracy only survives in the light."

Recreational cannabis

Since 2016, Barry has provided leadership on implementing the state law legalizing the recreational cannabis industry.
In one of his first acts as a newly elected city councilor, he raised the issue of preparing for this reality by enacting ordinances and zoning "to make sure the impact on our community is manageable."  Barry has continued to advocate for smart and responsible growth in this emerging industry.
Barry has effectively advocated to help social equity businesses have a fighting chance.
"A lot of rich people are going to get a lot richer doing what a lot of black and brown people are still in jail for doing.  The social equity program is an opportunity to give these affected communities a real chance in a challenging market."

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Protecting our environment

Barry has been advocating for preserving and protecting city-owned open space during the administration's efforts to sell off "marketable property" including MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program designated land on Winthrop Street and land behind the former Leonard School.

After giving the proposed Aries sludge gasification plant a careful review, Barry has joined with Clean Air Taunton, the Massachusetts Nurses Association and other concerned residents to oppose building the plant in Taunton.  









While Aries has testified that their technology is clean and safe, the Conservation Law Foundation and respected scientists have raised serious concerns about their ability to safely treat PFAS and other dangerous chemicals.  Aries has yet to get a similar plant in New Jersey up and running to prove their claims.

The administration failed to explore all options and was cited by the Inspector General's office for failing to engage in proper procurement procedures.  Even more concerning, the Mayor has insisted that only Aries has accurate information and has disparaged those who have expressed concerns. 
As the former chair of Public Health and Environmental Affairs, Barry continues to help bring "the rest of the story" to the public and will continue to ensure that the public and the Council have ALL the information.
Barry has joined the Massachusetts Nurses Association in working to inform the public about the risks. 
"The more I learn about this, the worse it gets."

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Racial and economic justice

Throughout his life, Barry has supported the work for justice.  He has been meeting regularly with members of several racial justice groups in Taunton and has lent his support for their work.  Barry brought health care leaders to explore the impact of race on public health.  He was the only councilor to join Councilor Philip Duarte in support of a resolution condemning the insurrection at the Capital on January 6th.
Barry is working to increase diversity in elected and appointed positions in the city.
"This year's campaign will include deliberate work to bring more diverse voices into the process and to support candidates from diverse backgrounds."

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