Council approves RFP to study and solicit bids for Odd Fellows Hall stairs options

The Little Compton Town Council approved a request for proposals (RFP) to evaluate and solicit construction proposals for multiple stair options at Odd Fellows Hall (32 Grange), including rear stairs, a front exterior stair and a front interior stair.

Councilors and community members debated whether to replace a non-code front stair with a new exterior stair or to pursue an interior front stair to preserve the building—s historic facade. Several councilors and residents stressed the importance of emergency egress and accessibility for senior users and after-school programs who use the building. One councilor urged a pause on front-stair work pending an interior-feasibility study; others pressed for timely action to serve seniors waiting for a gathering space.

Councilor Bob (full name provided elsewhere in the record) moved, and the council amended the motion, to proceed immediately with a three-task RFP covering rear stairwell, front exterior stairwell and front interior stairwell, with the provision that the town could implement one or more tasks as appropriate. The motion included direction that the fire chief and building officials review proposals to ensure code compliance. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The council also agreed that Victoria Talbot and a council colleague would study interior stair feasibility and report back at the first meeting in January; the RFP will allow architects to propose alternate solutions and help the town identify whether interior options are feasible within budget and code.

Next steps: staff will prepare and post the RFP; the fire chief and building official will be asked to review drawings and proposals; an RFP response and feasibility study will guide which stair option(s) the council chooses to implement.