[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6576354,"mediaKeyId","3120529-9aff7203794db48c9d95efd26f867f13","parentId",3120529,"title","At a glance: Little Compton council approves wastewater repairs, recreational lighting filing, scouts legal help and several licenses","audioSeconds",2999,"startMs",1738000,"endMs",4737000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120529-9aff7203794db48c9d95efd26f867f13&start=1738&end=4737","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120529-9aff7203794db48c9d95efd26f867f13/thumbnail_1738000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576354/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/At-a-glance-Little-Compton-council-approves-wastewater-repairs-recreational-lighting-filing-scouts-legal-help-and-several-licenses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576354-3e1ea10b206d11886509c3618016913a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138746&Signature=bE5-2aPv-TO3MfgkUrIa2rc0liDH3E33E20sPFbcFcagbPsWInVRYLjhvpWHNmfl2KOHqVRIhZvnt6QwpVczUipmBnsBcoNvqPahqYsgrnb5NQCriwjt8Lr7OyKJebvyr3ESCA~IH-J6AsSCypyRIDj9HmBzopvHR0TszTY9JDMyvexH1Qt58vqSEpns39g9YVoxHlSA5w7uIjh8j0BVR1vSF3-4FIXcVrN4vNtMFR2jyHWgSKaTIiJtWYs8BJWiUozYXFJ~nYqMqRp9n4Bse43mdkNztJDZhujsU8YN~Er77gra50QXFEUVgIlL1mhUb9Opw7VYcPLCfcH05uuu1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Little Compton","date","2025-04-25T01:05:39.407Z","article","The Little Compton Town Council completed a series of administrative and operational votes during the meeting. Key approvals included final payments for wastewater repairs, authorization of a zoning filing for tennis‑court lighting, authorization for legal assistance to local scouts, approval of seasonal beverage and entertainment licenses for a new community event space, and several personnel and scheduling actions.

Wastewater repairs: The council approved payment to complete repairs and equipment purchases for the town wastewater/leach field. The transcript records a motion to approve a remaining payment of $7,903 (balance on a quoted $15,009.03 contract) and $4,796 for two replacement pumps; the council approved the motion.

Tennis‑court lighting and pickleball courts: The council authorized filing a special‑use permit application with the zoning board for outdoor lighting of a tennis/pickleball court and received a preliminary project schedule. Recreation and project representatives told the council the plan would use shorter, lower‑impact fixtures and that footings would be installed during court construction so the underground work would not be disturbed later. The council approved the motion to file the zoning application.

Scouts legal assistance: The council authorized the town solicitor to take preliminary legal steps to help local scouts (Troop 29) respond to a Narragansett Council filing that alleges abandonment of scout land; the solicitor said an answer and appearance would be filed promptly to protect the troop’s interest.

Seasonal licenses and entertainment: The council approved a Class F one‑day retail beverage license request and a set of entertainment licenses for a temporary community space at the Village Green (22 Main Street/Adamsville) for weekend events May–October, subject to state and local approvals and the chief's sign‑off. The council also approved a single‑day retail beverage license for an upcoming fundraiser.

Personnel, calendars and committees: The council accepted letters of resignation from the finance director and the town administrator with regret; it appointed John McNamee as interim finance director. The council set the date of the financial town meeting for June 17 and voted to dissolve the comments review committee after it completed its charge.

Other business: The council authorized execution of the solid‑waste recycling agreement with the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation and placed a number of memos and reports on file. The council also asked the town solicitor to draft a petition to the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) seeking tailored regulations for a town landing to address safety and preservation concerns; the solicitor will meet with interested parties before filing.

Ending: Several agenda items required follow up by town staff (RFP scopes, filing paperwork, and contracting). The council directed the town solicitor and department heads to return with formal documents and budgets where required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Little Compton Town Council 4-24-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Little Compton Town Council approved a set of administrative and operational items, including payments for wastewater repairs, a zoning filing for tennis‑court lighting, legal assistance for local scouts, and seasonal beverage and entertainment licenses for a Village Green event series.","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},6576357,"Committee recommends community‑led planning, grants and possible $1.5 million bond for Odd Fellows and community center",1990,1870000,3860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120529-9aff7203794db48c9d95efd26f867f13&start=1870&end=3860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120529-9aff7203794db48c9d95efd26f867f13/thumbnail_1870000.jpg","/articles/6576357/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Committee-recommends-communityled-planning-grants-and-possible-15-million-bond-for-Odd-Fellows-and-community-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576357-34b4d71c3ace99018b1349b2b44220bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138746&Signature=OL4siD6YYMXybJ9l2pJAmzEwAfp59z6joSKtQmcQOSJLqA3h8EOeikQvB-iExByAD2esj8RDRvOoBPQ-vXB1~2BipPoEtysFyzTPDOp41woB81GGcXL2XLJCacR3a4BP~X5CngISXPMW93ceJp1LU-u5~hSGda9A1dUHycEg3AZnQmihGjGQ0XApgBSCNHWu4Aq0ftrDLaI75w~zpTV5nvnX4bqNHZBQnJfyoQCfuogc4A0XOtP7zyzFQgUvMuLOTbr7~hBpdn4tP133kyB5J9zMwmGABP6h4NvbGdQrAcOI9CKwn0xTjg81UEhTywdfqrP4y25f6cIhr9-VctNEHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Compton council received and discussed a multi‑part report from a committee that reviewed future uses for town‑owned buildings including the Odd Fellows hall and the community center. The committee recommended a staged, community‑led planning process: immediate fire‑safety work, hiring a planner to develop a conceptual campus plan with stakeholders, pursuing grants and philanthropic matches, and considering a town bond to cover any remaining costs.

Recommendation 1: address immediate fire‑safety code and permitting to avoid buildings being declared unusable. The council previously voted to budget up to $260,000 for a sprinkler system and has hired an outside designer. The council also authorized a $10,725 contract with Pat Drum to design sprinkler work for both buildings, a cost item read into the meeting record.

Recommendation 2: issue an RFP to hire a planner or consultant experienced with municipal buildings to develop a conceptual plan and lead public engagement with a stakeholder working group (committee members, representatives of the Odd Fellows, the community center and local organizations such as the Grange and LC Makers). The committee and several councilors said the planner should produce a feasibility study and a conceptual design before any major construction or repurposing.

Recommendation 3: engage nonprofits and hire professional grant writers to apply for available funding. Committee speaker Ara Aranyans told the council that philanthropists in town and grants tied to historic and community facilities could cover a substantial portion of a larger project, saying verbally that “up to 80% of the expenses may be covered” through combined grants, philanthropy and partnerships. Committee members urged raising those funds before asking taxpayers for a large share.

Recommendation 4: review and update existing agreements that affect use and occupancy of the buildings, including a 1985 agreement referenced in the record between the town and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a 2002 town vote concerning the Grange’s occupancy. The solicitor advised that the town has a “no‑objection” letter allowing the Grange use of part of the Odd Fellows building but that the underlying agreements are old and should be updated.

The committee proposed a process that would form a working long‑term stakeholder committee, develop a conceptual “community campus” plan that integrates senior services, arts and cultural spaces, the Odd Fellows and the Grange, complete an architectural feasibility study, pursue grants and private fundraising, and, if needed, bring a bond or other town financing to a future special financial town meeting to cover any remaining costs. The council debated timing and whether to obtain philanthropic commitments before issuing a bond vote; several councilors noted a bond of roughly $1.5 million had been discussed as sufficient to bring the buildings up to code but not to fund major repurposing.

Public commenters and some councilors urged caution and professional design work rather than rushing to construction. One planning‑board and committee member emphasized treating the four adjacent town properties as a single campus rather than disparate projects. The council accepted the committee's report and placed it on file. The council also moved to dissolve the comments review committee after it completed its charge.

Ending: Councilors said the next steps are to form a stakeholder committee, scope an RFP for a municipal‑building planner/architect, pursue grants and philanthropic matches, and return to the council with a recommended path for any bond or town financing.","A town committee recommended a stakeholder‑driven planning process for the Odd Fellows and community center campus, including short‑term fire‑safety work, an RFP for a planner, grant and philanthropic fundraising, and possible bond financing to pay residual costs.",{"_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},6576362,"Little Compton council adopts ordinance to allow temporary on‑farm worker housing, adds fire‑marshal inspections",1346,142000,1488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120529-9aff7203794db48c9d95efd26f867f13&start=142&end=1488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120529-9aff7203794db48c9d95efd26f867f13/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6576362/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Little-Compton-council-adopts-ordinance-to-allow-temporary-onfarm-worker-housing-adds-firemarshal-inspections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576362-a244c40953b35fce2afb07c3d2717557/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138746&Signature=Tu00nXroOgk-XF37TZXDdj4Sao~g0Bj-xzvNafw9own529eexIn74JmnnzuRboPPtHEuK3ySV5LUX7gDVHPTUVO8wVQ0j7xSLJXKRIGx4rW4tCsufq459UgbxqCWJ0Wuwn9A1RkgwUm5gNbCuvvs3gMNgf1RBCW4cTiKvE1KsP5aUHJuLVIWi-8jY359YuOr4TRZdsPj47lr-ceN5NpntofmGv7kKEjGUD85d5VpnrcgcsjyjZdVFhJTl40D5Z0ok0U1UfFmdVeNUFoD~M9EiZN5rzNgXcsw7NB9wYsLtP1iGGs6DZjTK2DkT9Af0q5PwFhYzIi4klWXVZe2RjMx~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Compton Town Council voted to adopt an ordinance to allow temporary on‑farm housing for paid farmworkers and included planning‑board changes and a requirement that the fire marshal inspect units as part of the approval process. Councilors moved the ordinance following public comment from farmers and the planning board.

The measure, as discussed at the meeting, is intended to allow temporary structures such as RVs and similar units on qualifying farm properties for a limited season so seasonal workers can stay on site during critical harvest periods. Planning‑board members framed the draft as purely for “temporary housing, housing for farm labor. It doesn't address permanent farm housing,” as Carter Wilkie, a member of the planning board, said during public comment.

Supporters — including farmers who testified — said the rule is a pragmatic response to a local labor shortage. “We're only looking for 9 months,” said Skip Paul of Shanestown Farm, noting the ordinance is intended to permit paid farmworkers to stay on site through a season and that the units would be used by certified farm employees. Paul described practical safety measures the farms plan to follow, including septic service and building‑code compliance.

The planning board proposed several clarifications and limits. Its recommendations included a minimum farm income threshold to qualify, and a payroll‑certification requirement so that only paid farm employees could occupy the units. One planning‑board member noted the addition that temporary structures must meet applicable state and local health and safety codes. The planning board also recommended limiting temporary units on a property (the planning‑board language adopted at the meeting limited the number of temporary units to two).

Councilors debated setback language the planning board had added, which required temporary structures to meet a 25‑foot side‑yard setback and be located behind the rear line of an existing house. One councilor raised concern that the rule could effectively prohibit units on some smaller lots. The solicitor and planning board representatives clarified the intent was to keep units out of the front yard and the commons, not to bar legitimate farm uses where space exists.

Before the final vote the council amended the motion to add an inspection by the fire marshal in addition to review by the building official. Planning‑board member Sal Marinosi told the council that enforcement authority rests with the building official: “the building official has the authority to inspect, to stop, and that is that's the crux of it,” and that electrical and other safety standards must be met. The council then approved the ordinance with the planning‑board additions and the fire‑marshal inspection.

The ordinance as adopted was discussed repeatedly as a temporary, limited‑scope policy intended to be revisited if it did not work as intended. Several speakers urged the council also to pursue longer‑term strategies to support farm families — for example, allowing living space above farm work areas or using the agricultural conservancy trust to acquire properties with housing — but those longer‑term policy changes were not part of the ordinance that the council adopted.

The council did not specify the formal ordinance name or a codified citation in the meeting transcript; the motion recorded at the meeting asked the town solicitor to adopt the ordinance text with the planning‑board recommendations and the added fire‑marshal inspection requirement. The ordinance requires compliance with state and local health and safety codes and places enforcement authority with the building official and the fire marshal.

Ending: Council members and several farmers said they expect to monitor the pilot period and return to the council if changes are needed. The ordinance and the planning‑board clarifications will be posted with the town clerk's office and on the town website as part of the adopted record.","The Little Compton Town Council voted to adopt an ordinance to permit temporary on‑farm housing for paid farmworkers, incorporating planning‑board recommendations and an added requirement for fire‑marshal inspections. Supporters said the measure is intended as a time‑limited tool to help keep farms operating amid a labor shortage.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: Little Compton council approves wastewater repairs, recreational lighting filing, scouts legal help and several licenses

Committee recommends community‑led planning, grants and possible $1.5 million bond for Odd Fellows and community center

Little Compton council adopts ordinance to allow temporary on‑farm worker housing, adds fire‑marshal inspections