[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6089396,"mediaKeyId","2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c","parentId",2874485,"title","Needs assessment finds major deferred maintenance at 30 and 32 Commons; council weighing bond or long‑term lease option","audioSeconds",188,"startMs",6336000,"endMs",6524000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c&start=6336&end=6524","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c/thumbnail_6336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089396/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Needs-assessment-finds-major-deferred-maintenance-at-30-and-32-Commons-council-weighing-bond-or-longterm-lease-option","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089396-db9dd896406495814340573e1cc1598d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151693&Signature=SPM1cfPN3a4uA-CLF~BlzjwLO-3guWDNUgKvTzs7EBrdHLd3~nhAup-JHp-PKJaKGnLFYWHjiWE9-i7Y772kIWuBgK1LtSVin~1KiAJiVd9R2xkmFx0kHMkzoqe~tLwKaOs-pyxsDOZ4Cf5HQf~mrRSwLuLuPR7eoICzZajdaHX3a9zMTJmgv13L9nKNze-hCdTJOQIRw9vgU26Lgh6Mp5r1w1aqHZTDnYgh6iGMFsnqxc2osnc4F073TifySZZM1ZqcDPS~-CQzw~8KnREk-DYGvflP3LH10hcUg2HgoGWhpgWPVaGzRvWXNRNqwk51iQGs7dNv5o6IPiVHbZlVqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Little Compton","date","2025-03-06T00:00:00Z","article","Town staff and a consultant presented a final comprehensive needs assessment March 6 for two historic structures on the Town Commons — the building commonly called the Fire Barn (30 Commons) and the Odd Fellows Hall (32 Commons) — and outlined two different paths to address long‑deferred maintenance.

The consultant's photos and narrative cited rot, broken windows, defective siding, stair and landing deterioration, roof‑line deflection and interior failures in the kitchen and finishes. Town staff described an \"Option 2\" that would authorize the council to seek a bond not to exceed $1,500,000 to repair both buildings to code; staff said consultant estimates, including 20‑year maintenance, bring the combined cost closer to about $2.0 million.

Nut graf: The council and residents discussed two broad approaches: Option 1, a 99‑year lease to Church Community Housing that town staff say would transfer most capital repair responsibility to the nonprofit while preserving some municipal uses inside the buildings; and Option 2, a taxpayer‑funded bond to bring the buildings up to code and keep ownership and control local. Both options raise questions about municipal control, long‑term stewardship, senior services and how the Odd Fellows use of space will be honored.

Under Option 1 as described by staff, Church Community Housing would execute a long‑term lease (presented as 99 years in discussions), rehabilitate the buildings and manage residential and community uses, with the town retaining designated space for municipal purposes such as a senior gathering area. Staff said the Portsmouth model was reviewed as a template, and that any final lease/MOU would be negotiated after a favorable vote at the Town Financial Meeting. The council asked staff to provide clearer MOU terms to voters before the financial meeting.

Several residents, the Preservation Advisory Committee chair and representatives of local groups urged a more collaborative process and raised concerns about losing municipal control through a long lease. The Odd Fellows membership raised questions about preserving its meeting space; town staff said they had talked with lodge leaders and would update existing agreements. Other residents pushed for a citizens' advisory group and suggested pursuing historic‑district designation and state preservation grants to reduce local taxpayer burden. Staff and Christian Belden of Church Community Housing told the council they would try to structure tenant selection and use to favor local residents where legally possible, but acknowledged that grant programs and fair‑housing rules limit absolute local preference.

Ending: The council said it plans to present options to voters at the Town Financial Meeting (noted in the meeting as May 20). Staff agreed to produce clearer warrant language and to circulate the proposed MOU/lease template so voters can review terms before the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Little Compton Town Council 3 6 25","oneSentenceSummary","A consultant’s comprehensive needs assessment found extensive deferred maintenance and life‑safety deficiencies at 30 and 32 Commons; town staff told the council March 6 they plan to take two options to voters: a $1.5 million bond or a long‑term lease with Church Community Housing.","taxTitle","Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island","taxId",79681,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089401,"Agricultural Trust reports recent acquisitions, says multipurpose deals will be evaluated case by case",1270,3724000,4994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c&start=3724&end=4994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c/thumbnail_3724000.jpg","/articles/6089401/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Agricultural-Trust-reports-recent-acquisitions-says-multipurpose-deals-will-be-evaluated-case-by-case","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089401-d96c886de8b62584eb56aa74ff9c7ddb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151693&Signature=SldYTD4vs-At5cdZcPt1Xd~G7sgDZfnC6OG0AzMt1bB4wjx-UGQz3LsAdDfhU3SJkK7wisD77D1nSuhgVYLwvW4gwiw~uqW4vr1Pspf7bgq1uZYakAtNghKt3Etq1PGPzhPhMA85Utm6kLviXnRTjbwaJkyZ~q2nVWWV8XPpc8npUE1u95z-uioczpKYpwnqAWNAr55hA5ZJD9W7cof44zLsuCbOLB3p0t1uHT-vpiitjggk1tPEDurBIwLqFgbe13wLRf-LgwBk9Rk~UUYB3gaX6L2EXakMKeKBMfOMhAgBRl4EPsM6UdxsV8s-iRAk40I0p5sG0Kr6vB1DtQqPWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Don McNaughton, chair of the Little Compton Agricultural Trust, told the Town Council March 6 the trust has completed multiple acquisitions in fiscal 2024 and will publish more information about its scoring criteria and management plans going forward.

McNaughton summarized acquisitions the trust listed in its FY24 annual report: 164 John Dyer Road (about 20.6 acres, purchased in fee for $550,000) to be managed for recreation; a donated 33 acres from Roger and Gail Green to be appended to the Simmonsville management area; 140 West Main Road (about 9 acres, purchased in fee from Charles Almi for $600,000) currently managed for agriculture; and a conservation easement on 2 acres at 356 Pearl Harbor Road, valued at about $150,000. He said the Ag Trust has protected about 2,287 acres since 1986, roughly two‑thirds by conservation easement and about 772 acres owned in fee.

Nut graf: The chair said the trust will continue to prioritize conserving agricultural land but — in response to a town motion to explore \"multi‑purpose acquisitions\" — the trust sought legal advice and will consider multipurpose transactions only where those transactions align with the trust's statutory charge to conserve farmland.

McNaughton said the trust engaged outside counsel to review whether it may participate in acquisitions that combine conservation with other uses. Counsel reviewed the Superior Court decision in the Talbot matter and concluded the trust may take part in transactions so long as the trust's actions remain within its enabling legislation and advance conservation objectives; McNaughton cautioned the Superior Court ruling applied to that specific case and said future transactions would require case‑by‑case legal review.

The council and members of the public pressed the trust on housing for farmers and on increasing transparency. McNaughton said the trust will publish semiannual reports, an annual strategic plan and its scoring criteria, and that trustees plan to work on stewardship, communication and farmer housing solutions in consultation with the planning board. A council member asked the trust to return in a few months for an update; McNaughton said he would be \"delighted\" to do quarterly updates.

Ending: The trust released its FY24 annual report and committed to post the report online; trustees said they will continue prioritizing agricultural conservation, pursue options to include farmer housing when feasible, and evaluate multipurpose acquisition proposals with counsel's guidance.","The Agricultural Trust detailed fiscal‑year acquisitions, explained enabling‑legislation limits and said it will evaluate multipurpose acquisitions and improve transparency with scheduled reports and published scoring criteria.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089404,"Resident presents wide‑ranging vision for Town Commons; council hears request to form exploratory committee",2359,894000,3253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c&start=894&end=3253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c/thumbnail_894000.jpg","/articles/6089404/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Resident-presents-wideranging-vision-for-Town-Commons-council-hears-request-to-form-exploratory-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089404-d85c625e6e1bf1dc742b02dcf6a9a40c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151693&Signature=ZQDz~JCie1KDi6WKf0BQzJ80UwSc7V1DhlpV~D1BD6~IwL1AZcet9d~9cFsa9A24LRRtVOSUYOnfqMelMKjYUPL5hK4YGS72ZORFtqvNbb2qRHGYIzeffUh6R9K8aCJXhRRbvhseCnH8WXdBGnpCh30xRbtP8XiynoMLgh0~Y3LTbvdEPuupS9hLcptBlZLG2kgLWELKQ3QddtXBedRMoQKy87Fz9J0xDm7SiYmnUJ14dOXYucJLQlB7G1uepFyTHdaw09ew4vdp81cL8VrLAtjaL8h6LO4P~AwcclEt0WzKyRE96EnlCzRfxu3fYXmY7aVFq2aF6vrfy~AJ05LGXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Zachary Butler (presenting as \"Zach Miller\" in council remarks) laid out a wide‑ranging set of historic, planning and design ideas March 6 for the Town Commons that he said were intended as a conversation starter rather than a formal plan. He asked the council to consider forming an advisory or exploratory committee to evaluate restoration, accessibility and long‑term uses for the Commons buildings and lots.

Butler showed a sequence of historic aerial images and sketches, described a conceptual \"magic box\" that could provide accessible circulation, shared sprinkler systems and expanded kitchens between the community center and Odd Fellows Hall, and pointed to Lot A (about 0.62 acres) as a potential site for parking or alternative design treatments. \"None of them are right because not one person can work and hide themselves in a vacuum and come up with a community solution,\" Butler said, framing his slides as a palimpsest of ideas.

Nut graf: Butler's presentation was explicitly framed as exploratory; he said he had shared the materials with several local stakeholders and asked the Town Council to convene a group of municipal, school and civic representatives to study options and produce scaled drawings, traffic studies and cost estimates before the town makes decisions that would limit future choices.

Council members and multiple public speakers echoed that call for a broader, transparent process. Amy, representing the community center, urged contracting a planning firm to produce an impartial study that would look at repurposing the buildings while honoring their history and increasing nonprofit service co‑location. Several residents and members of advocacy groups said the project should aim to expand services such as senior meals and nonprofit office space, and to seek preservation incentives (for example from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission) before committing town funds.

Butler and others raised practical questions including fire and life‑safety egress around the school, ADA access between historic buildings, the possibility of permeable parking pavers rather than more asphalt, and the potential for Lot A to provide emergency access and teacher/overflow parking if developed with care. Butler and subsequent speakers emphasized that many of these ideas will need formal traffic and code reviews; the town's police chief had already initiated a traffic study, the council said.

Ending: The presentation did not produce a formal motion to create a permanent committee during the meeting, but Butler asked the council to identify community members and entities to serve on an advisory panel; several speakers said they would volunteer. The council signaled interest in a deliberative process and additional study.","Architect and resident Zachary Butler presented many ideas for restoring and reconfiguring the Town Commons and asked the council to consider creating an exploratory committee to study options; public commenters urged a broader community process and early stakeholder engagement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089409,"Town council approves up to 11 new trees at Veterans Field",600,167000,767000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c&start=167&end=767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c/thumbnail_167000.jpg","/articles/6089409/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Town-council-approves-up-to-11-new-trees-at-Veterans-Field","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089409-4f0e781c18b5a2415a0020332b96a0b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151693&Signature=jMsncRuUewAnC2TB3WpV~fNgyVWc-wruY27O~ygzhofCvNLl3la3WRSNJbfEDqtYtoW2PGgDM4KnurW-hfzQD4noILS6LS69fmbocEunxaBPpwZ~tAhchw-zpdkX~bFRzzcaYuNDX8GQuhj5vyQZEaOsBG1ftnO1itI504uiYnsAO3UAS6cnDOz6sR5WOBm2n5Cpy0w3sj7p-y-hseP3FqPJ-PiwZ40O6xV9fR41cawvcp3~9LLbLX1pMc012C39LLg3mQ9y40mYxSH5b0loN4liYO06Ji5GwTGR~iVQPCUCNWIhcf9M7Y-zxRpg~VS1CxTehOZV4IqvNKoFqdGCWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Compton Town Council voted unanimously March 6 to authorize the Tree Committee to plant up to 11 trees at Veterans Field, a project the committee said is funded by resident donations and a grant from the Little Compton Garden Club.

The vote came after a presentation by Sue, a Tree Committee member, who described the plan, why Veterans Field needs shade and succession planting, and how the committee coordinated with the recreation committee and DigSafe to avoid underground utilities.

The Tree Committee presented an aerial plan and on‑site staking of proposed locations; it said the project focuses on the gravel road off Meeting House Lane and near the playground, and that all proposed specimens will be native species chosen for resiliency and to avoid interfering with recreational uses. \"The playground area has plastic slides that get really hot,\" Sue said in explaining the need for shade. The committee said it plans to replace aging sycamore maples and other struggling specimens proactively rather than waiting until trees fail.

John LaRue, introduced by the council as a new member of the Recreation Committee, offered technical input on play‑equipment clearances and said he would help identify deep‑rooting species that minimize surface root migration near playground surfacing. The committee said it will check locations with DigSafe before planting and monitor the new trees after installation.

Nut graf: The planting is intended to increase shade, safety and long‑term tree health at a heavily used public recreation site. The committee said funding is in hand from donations and a Garden Club grant, but that coordination with public works and utility marking is required before the work begins.

Council discussion was brief and supportive. A motion was made and seconded to approve \"plant up to 11 trees where the tree committee feels appropriate,\" and the council recorded the outcome by voice vote: \"Aye.\"

The committee estimated the planting will take time to procure the right native specimens and that on‑the‑ground staking is already complete; volunteers and the recreation committee will help with follow‑up monitoring. The committee asked for the council's formal backing to simplify permitting and coordination with town departments.

Ending: Committee members and council members said they expect the planting to start once underground utilities are marked and the final species list is procured. The committee thanked residents for donations and the Little Compton Garden Club for grant support.","The Little Compton Tree Committee won council backing to plant up to 11 native trees at Veterans Field after the recreation committee and volunteers reviewed site constraints.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089388,"Votes at a glance: Little Compton council approves tree planting, awards road contract and adopts IT policy",5424,756000,6180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c&start=756&end=6180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874485-89076adc91f608d684d185c5f738345c/thumbnail_756000.jpg","/articles/6089388/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Little-Compton-council-approves-tree-planting-awards-road-contract-and-adopts-IT-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089388-b440f7a439a6eba3f0a676ca8187a239/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151693&Signature=m1leVffEpJK7Go6v-hLfHdXfJRilmvUPMyQwEB1nIV5o22jNsgdzGCsi44GRH-pk3WXyW~cg~WfQkg~rJg6Qa1eo4wtlOODYW4oxsfHBOhSk44OMJbkS-TTpkn4WjQ8y9Jic3PFdBo4dxGPthRHqeqIp-4T3fVBzsPGB8YiPpUF2iGXkOywyYT~~baryJRaTDwBY7VEOvnunrZexIJ2WnwxAtEZO1UC9jdB20oGtodzpfzlYmtTo2nqFsHTXkH7x4mUaT3kCFo-eArPytSQgPShkRhEdQpR-4NejvJIWMj~cxaNQTGAK1pRprWifUMCQFKGwOxiOUP6KdW9oD3XJ6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several discrete motions and votes were recorded during the March 6 Little Compton Town Council meeting. The most consequential outcomes for operations and capital work were:

• Veterans Field tree planting: The council approved a motion to plant up to 11 trees at Veterans Field, moved and seconded; outcome recorded by voice vote: \"Aye.\" (See separate article.)

• Road resurfacing contract: The council voted to award bid #2024‑02, the town road resurfacing project, to Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt Inc. for $1,374,473. The motion to award was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

• Information‑technology policy: The council approved an updated information technology policy (formerly labeled the Peter Hughes policy) and separately voted to mandate the associated required training; both measures were adopted by voice vote.

• Administrative and consent items: The council approved a series of consent items by voice vote, including a request to ratify a check to Effluential Technologies as a down payment for an electrical panel at the wastewater treatment facility; a request to place multiple license and event petitions on file (single‑day entertainment licenses, Town Common event requests, and wedding use permits); a resolution request to follow Portsmouth's lead on general revenue sharing outreach; and the routine motion to pay bills as presented.

Nut graf: Most votes were passed by unanimous voice vote; where the transcript recorded simple \"Aye\" responses, no roll‑call tallies (named yes/no votes) were recorded in the public transcript. Several votes were routine (consent calendar or ministerial) while the road contract and veterans‑field motion involve direct town spending or operations.

Ending: Council staff said they will circulate information about the larger capital items (road award and Commons building options) to the public and prepare warrant language and MOU drafts for review prior to the Town Financial Meeting.","The council recorded several formal votes March 6: authorization to plant up to 11 trees at Veterans Field, award of a road resurfacing contract, adoption of an information‑technology policy (with mandated training), and a series of single‑day licenses and routine motions all approved by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needs assessment finds major deferred maintenance at 30 and 32 Commons; council weighing bond or long‑term lease option

Agricultural Trust reports recent acquisitions, says multipurpose deals will be evaluated case by case

Resident presents wide‑ranging vision for Town Commons; council hears request to form exploratory committee

Town council approves up to 11 new trees at Veterans Field

Votes at a glance: Little Compton council approves tree planting, awards road contract and adopts IT policy