Little Compton council ratifies harbor fee increases, forms housing and short-term rental advisory panels

The Little Compton Town Council on an apparent voice vote ratified a Harbor Commission recommendation to raise harbor fees and approved several advisory committees and small budget referrals at its meeting.

Councilors approved proposed harbor rates that raise recreational mooring fees from $7 to $10 per foot, commercial moorings from $10 to $12 per foot, and transient overnight moorings from $30 to $40 per night. Council discussion and questions focused on why the percentage increases differ for recreation and commercial slip rates; commission representatives said the Harbor Management Fund must be used for harbor operations and staffing and that some differences reflect historical pricing and current operational needs. The council closed the public hearing and ratified the commission action; staff will prepare ordinance language later if an amendment to town code is required.

The council also took organizational steps on housing and rental regulation. It voted to create an ad hoc "Homes" advisory committee, to be facilitated by law firm Klein & Horn, naming James Harrington, Jonathan Gabriel, Kevin Gallagher, Kirk Peters, Brendan Hayes, Hillard Johnston and Jim Malak and adding two councilors to consider municipal strategies to increase affordable housing for young families and first‑time buyers. Separately, Councilor Talbot moved to assemble a short‑term rental advisory committee that would include the fire chief, Tax Assessor Denise Cosgrove, resident Ben Gauthier, short‑term rental owners Mike Russo and Kristen Silvera, CIO Jonathan Gabriel and Councilor Talbot to review a draft STR ordinance; the motion was seconded and approved.

On the town administrator's first formal report, the administrator said his immediate priorities are clarifying the budget process and responsibilities, improving documentation and reimbursement for infrastructure projects (including coordination with state paving funds), implementing written policies for human resources and financial controls, and moving toward paperless records. The administrator said a draft audit is in‑house with outstanding items and that a likely completion target is by the end of the calendar year.

“This trend is impacting the character of neighborhoods, increasing the availability of long term housing, and has public health and safety implications,” Councilor Talbot said about short‑term rentals, arguing for a focused advisory review rather than an overly long ordinance.

Other council actions included approval of up to $2,100 to purchase swing set parts for the town playground; directing a contractor to update a playground inspection and produce a safety assessment with costs for the budget committee; authorizing installation of a plaque honoring Robert Mara at the town landing; referring a $10,000 Brownell House repair request, a $1,000 request from the Little Compton Prevention Coalition and a $1,500 request from the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District to the budget committee; and approving community uses of Veterans Field for a plant sale in May 2026 and a family day on Aug. 1, 2026. The council also placed on file a notice from Enbridge/Algonquin about a pipeline enhancement project (Algonquin is currently seeking permission to survey properties; no town‑owned land will be affected).

Votes at a glance

- Harbor fee ratification: approved (recreational $7→$10/ft; commercial $10→$12/ft; transient $30→$40/night). - Town administrator's report: approved. - Homes advisory committee (housing strategies): approved; Klein & Horn to facilitate. - Short‑term rental advisory committee: approved. - Swing set parts: approved, up to $2,100. - Playground safety assessment and report: approved. - Robert Mara plaque installation: approved. - Homestead exemption resolution to legislature: approved for transmission by the clerk. - Brownell House $10,000 referral to budget committee: placed in budget folder. - Little Compton Prevention Coalition $1,000 referral: placed in budget folder. - Eastern RI Conservation District $1,500 referral: placed in budget folder. - Motion to pay bills: approved.

What happens next

Staff will draft formal ordinance language if a town‑code amendment is required to enact the new harbor rates. The administrator will continue meetings with department heads and the budget committee and will return with documentation and timelines; advisory committees are expected to begin review and report back with recommendations to the council.