[{"_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",6537940,"mediaKeyId","3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9","parentId",3411848,"title","Votes at a glance: Little Compton council actions on appointments, grants, licenses and contracts","audioSeconds",710,"startMs",2132000,"endMs",2842000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9&start=2132&end=2842","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537940/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Little-Compton-council-actions-on-appointments-grants-licenses-and-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537940-4c5aadf8183b28cb11f5fe478a24ba57/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445390&Signature=PYsaSBuuFOmr0ThHl1lEuQ2ylGmf2HiUO2QTTMTxAmEojnET1scXgIJFn5-Pit46QYjiVl88X0w1fw9eFa~~UFjohf-tWocLJETEO9SH2gC~xsXhxhl9VtmLElZeyd4jxy6HSDgN~7YUFmIZUKsFAXaFgqxKIJbmK-qMsRZ8Giy895rFK5tpHj60spKxoq98I5ZZydbJCPlZbEEDjT5iWJb-0kxHDSrrzSV7ywlDXRwqlD2J3sj4lzJttpIwi~XcX2xGeHa9-hy7cODk6X8kjZVvlsakZ8p3fYRPOi1ZvLVr8SQP2KzVUpXiquMX~unGBiKv6vw2HurHIduxA0RuxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Little Compton","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Little Compton Town Council took several procedural and contract actions during its meeting on May 20, 2025. Key outcomes included:

- Appointment to Historic Preservation Advisory Committee: The council appointed Jan Williams to fill an unexpired term on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (term expiring 03/20/2026). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Municipal Resiliency Grant consultant MOU: The council voted to enter into a memorandum of understanding to hire Kim Jacobs to assist with managing a municipal resiliency grant related to sewer overflow work at Dallas Lane. Meeting discussion confirmed this service is part of an existing grant and would cost the town no matching funds; the grant was described as $247,000 (no local match).

- Town-administrator search committee: The council appointed a search committee (chair plus several members named at the meeting) to screen candidates for the town administrator position; council said 80 resumes had been received and that the committee would return up to three candidates for council review.

- Roadside mowing contract: The council received bids and awarded spring roadside mowing, with the motion to accept the (single) bid and an associated $12,000 construction line item passed by the council.

- Banners and town-seal plaques: The council approved a request from the LC 350 committee to place banners on the Commons and at town entryways, and approved the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee's use of the town seal on historic-property plaques.

- Event and mobile-food licenses: The council approved temporary one-day retail beverage licenses for Little Compton Game Club clambakes on June 8 and Sept. 21, 2025, and approved a mobile food establishment license application for Onshore Burton.

Why it matters: these votes implement near-term municipal operations, grants and services, and ensure permit compliance for events that draw visitors.

Provenance: the actions and brief discussions are recorded across the meeting transcript segments listed below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Little Compton Town Council 5 20 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a package of routine and substantive items including an appointment to the historic-preservation advisory committee, an MOU for a municipal resiliency grant consultant, a town-administrator search committee, a roadside mowing contract award, banner and plaque approvals, event liquor licenses and a mobile-food license.","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},6537945,"Council approves DOT traffic plan for the Commons; striping expected in late summer 2026",542,2179000,2721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9&start=2179&end=2721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9/thumbnail_2179000.jpg","/articles/6537945/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-DOT-traffic-plan-for-the-Commons-striping-expected-in-late-summer-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537945-bb8d1b0ebf5fa6018cbc99e388a8f9b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445390&Signature=FDW5kEIu2LUn4oUoxMc7JfrA0Q9RfQ0ZnZn0LV6GAla4pJAO-cl2kn9BP67QRRr8Ps2VwYWWGLYWJi8gveVuvlHg0~rJANTnG0XgyISZHmotz0Y0BaurkFtUyuONgp~RIDN8RkIWXM6DSSvqCqdHsi7mj~QU1ijRzpWfheK2F4qU4pKPd5aqjJRzp8wdonhBUII9gR15CxwprGDanICeMhsH9FDuS5I--~dNXzNxJxrQ1fi2Hu-lIMJenPb6TslZR9lvfkx2MWDdrj--vGEfZtcukYHW16LUDlEhYm8SLaw2CycM9g-EryKA1IFD~h-On07Sh4q-7ba4MmNLd3~hzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Compton Town Council voted to approve a traffic plan proposed by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for the Commons area.

Chief Raines summarized feedback from the Traffic Safety Advisory Board and DOT's responses to community comments. DOT declined to move parallel parking to the opposite side of the roadway because doing so would reduce overall spaces and create sight-line and safety issues with driveways; instead DOT recommended widening existing stalls from 8 to 10 feet on the south (cemetery) side and maintaining a 14-foot one-way travel lane. The plan also included a new u-turn lane in one schematic, which would remove a small number of parking spaces but improve turn sight lines.

DOT estimated the work would be largely a striping project, scheduled for late summer 2026, and said there would be advance media advisories, electronic boards and extra police presence during the transition.

Why it matters: the Commons is a town center where circulation, pedestrian crossings and parking affect business access and safety. The plan aims to improve flow and safety while retaining as many parking spaces as feasible.

What was said: Chief Raines told the council that DOT can widen parking stalls and keep a wide travel lane, and that final implementation would include signage and temporary traffic controls. Residents voiced mixed views: some welcomed additional spaces and clearer lane design; others raised concerns about sight-lines, angle parking and specific curb areas that are currently used informally.

Next steps: the council approved the DOT plan and staff will notify DOT to proceed. DOT will prepare public notices and coordinate staging and police details when work is scheduled.","The council approved the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's traffic plan for the Commons, which includes reconfigured parking, widened parking stalls, maintained one-way lane widths and potential U-turn lane adjustments. DOT estimated work would take place in late summer 2026 and is primarily striping and pavement marking.",{"_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},6537949,"Council sends Ag Trust standing-rule revisions and Commons items for planning board review after housing debate",869,2951000,3820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9&start=2951&end=3820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9/thumbnail_2951000.jpg","/articles/6537949/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Council-sends-Ag-Trust-standing-rule-revisions-and-Commons-items-for-planning-board-review-after-housing-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537949-f8a1b1fdf1dc45e99cfbc63492520f79/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445390&Signature=Ei4rPdUrJExjSrpro6xSWgw3wZGkNh3xASHewRFnKaV9lYfe1k76bK3mvQBdVCaStvGFuXoGRw~-QL2~Fb0s7RCyETku3T0sQmJ1R8xYD-PM4wO~4D-eAhnA6G7Q2IblxaJLmoqdTwQ12Li3b~591wEAYMCVQb65x3owCjeS4spYYYprHcQGq6ME1CV0Tb-FMJd9J1cVJ0MRbHkZYX0K1zhv0GiycRRCN3aqi4kKFyt0ARQqIYS32Twy57EfpJ409S8fAQbn1KUYvl0Owelcpc51V7E6fmKccFcPLYnD6cg19EMuudtnC20E0mVAR7uzlKlD0qRd8tvluK0k~3Gq2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Compton Town Council voted to send a draft revision of the Agricultural Conservancy Trust's standing rules back to the Ag Trust and to the planning board for review, after public commenters and a planning-board member called for stronger language on agricultural viability and farmer housing.

Don McNaughton, chair of the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust, told the council the draft combines prior standing rules and a 2020 scoring methodology with some updates and that several appendices (for example, hunting and other operating procedures) were planned. Planning-board and public commenters urged the trust to include clearer criteria that prioritize working farms and farm viability, including references to farm succession, proximity to markets and explicit consideration of housing for farmers on conserved land.

Separately, the council moved to reconsider and then rescind two budget articles adopted on Feb. 27, 2025, concerning the renovation of 30 and 32 Commons. A councilor said the items had the intent of producing affordable housing but had proved divisive; the council rescinded and revoked the two previously adopted articles by unanimous vote.

Why it matters: residents and planning-board members argued that preservation efforts should explicitly prioritize agricultural use and the viability of farms, not only land protection. Some speakers said farmland without a farmer is not farmland; they urged scoring criteria that favor parcels that can support working farms and include provisions for farm housing or easements that allow housing where appropriate.

What was said: Planning-board comments noted the draft scoring criteria had little explicit reference to \"working farms\" or farm viability and recommended looking at state Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission criteria and other local land-trust models for examples. McNaughton said the trust has been consulting counsel and forming appendices to address operational issues such as hunting policy.

Next steps: the council voted to return the draft to the Ag Trust and requested planning-board review before final action by the council. The rescinded Commons renovation articles will not be on the warrant as previously adopted for the upcoming financial town meeting; council members suggested the Commons Review Committee meet more frequently to develop alternatives.

Provenance: the discussion and vote appear in the transcript segments included below; the trust chair and planning-board member spoke directly on the record during the Ag Trust item.","The council received revisions to the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust's standing rules and voted to send the draft to the planning board for review. Separately, the council reconsidered and then rescinded two previously adopted budget articles about renovating 30 and 32 Commons buildings after public concern.",{"_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},6537954,"Little Compton council backs state bill to allow a conveyance tax on high-end home sales to fund affordable housing",2600,2679000,5279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9&start=2679&end=5279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9/thumbnail_2679000.jpg","/articles/6537954/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Little-Compton-council-backs-state-bill-to-allow-a-conveyance-tax-on-high-end-home-sales-to-fund-affordable-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537954-67f697c8721823b0c0a8c035f4a51d43/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445390&Signature=bSzWV7ADDO-w4Avm2kMsV0SJKL6prawPSsuC1Tsa4tnObK9TVVeFqfJEOzuEUR03e79rAInisX9OM51VZWsBijLpY2XADeG-BLJ2mYam0f2y89wYo6HDQF43rnLUWWKKvuPLmwmuVblO2rXRRbI4hYDs6o-qgJd7YMT8I5S2q-ozun7pdpHxjh681hPVpV3uXF2chtNO7RNbLDnHx0xY7LwYgoCkjLQWydryvEYrmLnYfgkwp2JiH78F7c1Pf27aOARzClsYfT6op6av7tqRXpln5Cv49c9jwONxOryv17CbsRi7~x2vJyqYY51Oyzy6jeGJLPbJ4QJAiAWGHAYy~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Compton Town Council voted to adopt a resolution supporting proposed state legislation that would let municipalities impose a conveyance tax on high-end residential sales to raise funds for affordable housing.

The bill described during the meeting would enable towns to levy a fee (the draft referenced a 2% rate on the amount above a $900,000 threshold) to be used for affordable housing. A town resolution circulated at the meeting endorsed the legislation's option for municipalities; the council recorded a vote of 3 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstention.

Why it matters: supporters said the proposal offers a local funding tool for affordable housing without increasing property-tax burdens on all residents. Opponents and several residents cautioned that adding conveyance taxes on top of existing transfer taxes could make local real estate transactions more costly and could affect local sellers and buyers.

What was said: a council member who introduced the resolution said the measure would give Little Compton \"the opportunity to install a conveyance tax on properties that are worth more than $900,000, which would be used ... for the development of affordable housing.\" A resident said imposing an additional tax risks affecting current residents who sell or buy homes and urged the council to consider the proper mix of conveyance and existing trust taxes before enacting any local tax.

Next steps: the resolution is a policy statement supporting the state bill; it does not itself impose any town tax. Any municipal adoption of a conveyance tax would require subsequent local votes and, in some cases, enabling legislation or implementing ordinances.

Provenance: the resolution, the discussion about a $900,000 threshold and the vote appear in the meeting transcript; the clerk recorded the motion and vote count in the session notes.","The council approved a resolution supporting a state bill that would allow municipalities to adopt a conveyance tax on the portion of residential sales above $900,000, with proceeds earmarked for affordable housing. The vote carried 3-1 with one abstention.",{"_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},6537959,"Little Compton council moves to seek state permission for 12% levy increase to cover $1 million shortfall",183,187000,370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9&start=187&end=370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411848-957e693fcf8223eb0a1639b1580859f9/thumbnail_187000.jpg","/articles/6537959/Little-Compton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Little-Compton-council-moves-to-seek-state-permission-for-12-levy-increase-to-cover-1-million-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537959-500acd976ac244aa18fd4cfee272c241/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445390&Signature=VjsiYiH3OA7cNLdziz1bZyICQDsMpTMja~nuBRE4jVX3Pl7OgGuxgYMbMAhwbUgHCuGBhXuk2woEMO39nNHf44mz-AjP5taXF58fNSrCC3iLZGZpqFL87oL0sFINPoyngO94GkowxAvsTPnXhkl8bouo8orhgAPp3ywcWqK9ce1SA3upJjtdfUPRgS~i3DyilpVCdfaQaRa-ddbp03si8dejAPryqD9-FV~3KkHrtKTJp55P6-7xaWXLqZnAfLfStN-PN5qof-2OrmcELChsu45gKIOkc4p5l~-nlpmjdfBsoEa6nHFxncpZoirKjewRFEjfCXtqRmu~DvxsGRAwug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Compton Town Council voted Tuesday to ask the Rhode Island General Assembly for permission to exceed the statutory 4% levy cap by 8 percentage points, a step the council and town staff said would allow the town to raise revenue equivalent to a 12% increase over last year's levy.

John McNamee, the town's interim finance director and business manager, told the council the town is facing a structural deficit of roughly $1 million and has exhausted the accumulated surplus the council used to balance prior budgets. \"At this point in time, we don't have any additional accumulated surplus that we can use to fund the FY '26 budget,\" McNamee said, explaining why the administration recommends seeking relief from the state.

The council's motion, introduced at the meeting, directed staff to \"take the necessary steps for the town council to exceed the statutory cap of 4% by 8% for a total increase of 12% and further to authorize the town council president to sign a resolution to the Rhode Island General Assembly seeking legislative permission to exceed the cap.\" After public comment and questions, the council voted in favor. The motion passed with \"Aye\" votes and no recorded opposition.

Why it matters: under current state rules the town may not increase the prior year's tax levy by more than 4% without statutory relief. Council members and members of the public pressed for more detailed budget documents before the formal town meeting, and the council agreed budget committee numbers would be made available before the public financial town meeting. Several residents urged the council to publish balance sheets, cash-flow statements and other financial schedules in advance so voters and councilors could review the math behind the proposed levy change.

What officials said: McNamee said the proposal is aimed at closing a structural shortfall created by rising expenditures and flat revenue sources; he said, \"we we do have the levy from last year, which the 4%...we know what the 4% cap is. We know what the overall expenditures are. We know the shortfall at this point is roughly a million dollars.\" A resident asked for the numbers to be presented before any vote; town staff replied the budget committee meeting on May 27 would present detailed figures and that the administration would make the numbers available after the council meeting.

Next steps and constraints: council members noted the request to the General Assembly is a prerequisite for the state Department of Revenue to permit the town to proceed with a financial town meeting that would present the final levy and budget to voters. A town resident and several councilors emphasized that final approval by voters remains at the financial town meeting; council actions at this meeting were to seek state authorization so the ballot could legally include amounts that exceed the 4% cap.

Provenance: the council discussion and the motion appear in the meeting transcript beginning with the town's introduction of interim finance director John McNamee and his budget remarks (excerpted in transcript segments below). The motion text and the subsequent public comment and vote are recorded later in the same segment.

Ending: The council did not set a new mill rate at the meeting. Town staff said the mill rate will be calculated once valuations and the approved levy are finalized and that more granular fiscal schedules will be published for the public at the budget committee presentation and the financial town meeting.","Facing an estimated $1 million structural deficit, the Little Compton Town Council voted to seek legislative permission to exceed the statutory 4% property tax levy cap by 8 percentage points (for a total 12% increase) and to authorize the council president to send a resolution to the Rhode Island General Assembly.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Little Compton council actions on appointments, grants, licenses and contracts

Council approves DOT traffic plan for the Commons; striping expected in late summer 2026

Council sends Ag Trust standing-rule revisions and Commons items for planning board review after housing debate

Little Compton council backs state bill to allow a conveyance tax on high-end home sales to fund affordable housing

Little Compton council moves to seek state permission for 12% levy increase to cover $1 million shortfall