Little Compton council authorizes tax-sale notices, reauthorizes collections contract

The Little Compton Town Council voted to begin formal tax‑sale collection steps and to reauthorize outside collections work after a lengthy explanation of the tax‑sale process.

Town Solicitor explained the tax‑sale mechanism and statutory framework and told the council the auction is intended to recover owed taxes: “The auction is for the taxes that are owed,” and purchasers receive a tax collector’s deed and a tax title, he said. The solicitor added the property owner retains equitable title and has one year to redeem the property before the purchaser may seek foreclosure in Superior Court.

Why it matters: Council members said the town has a backlog of delinquent accounts and that regular collections would improve municipal finances. The solicitor reported about 400 delinquent taxpayer accounts among roughly 3,300 residential units in Little Compton; he characterized that as a high percentage and said the dollar value of delinquent accounts is a rough figure and will be provided in a follow‑up report. The solicitor also noted past results from an earlier letter campaign: “When we sent out the first letters, we collected about $150,000.”

The council voted to send 60‑day notices to taxpayers who are delinquent at one year and to proceed with tax‑sale collections for eligible properties. A separate vote authorized updating the town’s agreement with a collections attorney (Rossi Law Offices) and allowed the interim finance director to send delinquent tangible and excise tax accounts to that attorney for collection under updated terms.

Council members discussed practical details. The solicitor and interim finance director said collection outcomes depend on how many quarters an account is behind and on look‑back limits for older debts; the solicitor said much older debts may not be collectible. Council members asked the finance director for a breakdown of delinquent accounts by age and total dollar amount; staff said that information would be supplied.

Actions taken - Motion: Authorize the solicitor to begin delinquent real‑property tax sale collection procedures and to send 60‑day notices to taxpayers delinquent one year. Mover: Council member Gary. Second: Council member Kyle. Outcome: approved. - Motion: Authorize the solicitor to prepare an updated contract with Rossi Law Offices for collection of tangible and excise taxes and authorize the finance director to send delinquent accounts to Rossi for collection. Mover: not specified on record. Second: not specified. Outcome: approved.

Speakers (selected) - Town Solicitor — town solicitor (spoke at length explaining tax sale process) - John McNamee — interim finance director - Gary — Town Council member (moved motions) - Kyle — Town Council member (seconded motion on tax‑sale notices) - Mister Kennedy — Town Council member (asked clarifying questions)

Authorities - statute: "Rhode Island general law" (referenced by: tax sale explanation) - other: "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act" (referenced by: Rossi contract/collections discussion)

Clarifying details - "delinquent_accounts_count":400, "note":"Estimate given by solicitor; described as approximate and includes varying degrees of delinquency; total dollars to be supplied by finance director" - "residential_units_estimate":3300 - "previous_collection_after_first_letter_usd":150000, "note":"Amount cited by solicitor as a prior result from initial letters" - "tax_sale_redemption_period_years":1, "note":"Solicitor said owners have one year to redeem after a tax collector's deed is issued"

Proper_names:[{"name":"Rossi Law Offices","type":"organization"},{"name":"Little Compton","type":"location"}],

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"block_378.495","local_start":0,"local_end":42,"evidence_excerpt":"Update from the town solicitor for tax sale letters.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block_1015.37","local_start":0,"local_end":23,"evidence_excerpt":"Unopposed? Thank you.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}