Committee recommends subsurface studies, lease talks and options for town‑owned buildings 30, 32 and 34

The Little Compton Town Council received a report and recommendations from a committee charged with reviewing three town‑owned properties (identified as 30, 32 and 34) for future use, renovation needs and community programming.

The committee — which met repeatedly and included local volunteers and council members — recommended engaging a subsurface evaluation of water, septic and other utilities servicing all three buildings to determine renovation impact; pursuing a longer lease or renegotiation with the Little Compton Community Center to support capital fundraising and renovation (the existing lease has fewer than 17 years remaining and may be insufficient to attract philanthropic support); and addressing fire-code violations at property 34 with town-funded remediation, including adding a fire suppression sprinkler system.

Regarding the Oddfellows Hall (32), the committee suggested determining the receptivity of the IOF (Oddfellows/IOF) to modify existing agreements to support comprehensive renovations; absent renegotiation, the committee recommended undertaking necessary renovations to comply with any agreement. For the municipal maintenance site (30), options included renovating in place, relocating and renovating to improve access, or demolishing and constructing a custom facility. The committee asked that council members lead outreach and negotiations with partners and include a committee member for continuity.

Council thanked committee members by name for their work and agreed to consider the recommendations and next steps.