Council requires semiannual disclosures from Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust on land acquisitions

The Little Compton Town Council voted to request that the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust (LCACT) provide written rationale at each meeting when it acquires land, state whether each parcel will be managed in perpetuity as farmland, open space or recreation, include those statements in a semiannual report to the Town Council, and give a semiannual strategic plan presentation outlining scoring criteria and acquisition methodology.

The motion followed a public comment by Carter Wilkie, who said he had followed the trust for seven years and urged greater transparency about acquisition rationale and intended land use. Wilkie noted that the trust, as a public agency, had significant financial activity—he cited $1,850,000 in trust funding in 2023—and he urged clearer reporting of how acquisitions align with the trust’s enabling statute and mission.

Councilors and attendees discussed the town’s oversight role. One council speaker noted the trust was created by a law and the council appoints trustees and approves the trust’s rules; the council cannot unilaterally change the trust’s rules but can request periodic reporting. Tony (town solicitor) said the council can ask for reports and suggested any statutory changes to the enabling act would need General Assembly action.

After discussion the council adopted the motion with an amendment to require semiannual (twice‑yearly) reports and semiannual strategic presentations. The council framed the request as a step to improve public understanding and to ensure land acquisitions and trust strategy are aligned with the town’s priorities.