A GUIDE TO LITTLE COMPTON
TOWN GOVERNMENT
and
SERVICES

Prepared as a public service
by the
Little Compton Taxpayers Association

(Last Update: November 17, 2013)


This guide provides information on the services performed by Little Compton town government, information on significant service providers not associated with town government, hours of operation, telephone numbers, and more.  This guide is an unofficial guide produced by the Little Compton Taxpayers Association as a public service. (If you would like your organization posted here, or if you would like to update/correct the information shown, please email the Taxpayers Association at taxpayers@cox.net and provide details)


Agricultural Conservancy Trust 2
Beach Commission 2
Brownell Library 2
Budget Committee 2
Building Official/Highway Supv 2
Community Center 3
Conservation Commission 3
Fire Department (Regular) 3
Fire Department (Volunteer) 3
Harbor Commission 4
Harbor Master 4
Historical Society 4
Little Compton Assistance Association

Little Compton Education Foundation
Maintenance Department 4
Outreach 4
Pension Committee 5
Planning Board 5
Police 5
Post Office (U.S.) 5
Probate Court 6
Public Welfare 6
Sakonnet Preservation Association 6
School Committee 7
School Department 7
Senior Citizens 7
Stay at Home

Tax Assessors 8
Town Clerk 8
Town Council 8
Town Moderator 9
Town Solicitor 9
Transfer Station 9
Treasurer/Tax Collector
Tree Warden
Tuesday Girls
Visiting Nurses
Wellness Center

Zoning Board

 

Agricultural Conservancy Trust

Contact

George D. Mason, Chairman; Bill Richmond, Vice Chair

Location

PO Box 937
Little Compton, RI 02837

Telephone

401-635-4171

Meetings

1st Wednesday of every month, 7 pm.

Services

Established in 1985 for the purpose of protecting agricultural land from development and preserving open space, wetlands, beach access, and land for future recreational use. Members appointed by the Town Council.

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Beach Commission

Contact

Patrick Griffin

Location

 

Telephone

 

Meetings

1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month, 7 pm.

Services

Responsible for managing, maintaining, protecting, and improving the Town's beaches.

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Brownell Library

Contact

Beth Ryan, Director

Location

PO Box146, The Commons, Little Compton

Telephone

401-635-8562  (FAX 635-9120)

Hours

Monday    - 10 am to 5 pm
Tuesday   - 10 am to 5 pm
Wednesday -  12 pm to 7 pm (Nov → Apr)
Wednesday -  1 pm to 8 pm (May → Oct)
Thursday  - 10 am to 5 pm
Friday    - 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday  - 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday    - Closed

Services

Standard library services

Email info@brownell-libraryri.org
Internet www.brownell-libraryri.org

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Budget Committee

Members

Scott Morrison, Benoit Gauthier, George Crowell, Robert Goff, William Monahan

Location

 

Telephone

 

Meetings

Various places, various times. 

Services

Evaluates, recommends, and proposes the annual budget that comes before the Financial Town Meeting for action by voters.

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Building Official/Highway Supv

Contact

William L. Moore (Buildings), Jon Ibbotson (Highways)

Location

Little Compton Town Hall

Telephone

401-635-8384

Hours

Mon, Wed, Fri - 8 am to 3 pm.  Inspections before 8 AM and after 3 pm.

Services

Inspections (by appointment)
Building Permits
Plumbing Permits
Electrical Permits
Road Maintenance

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Community Center

Contact

Executive Director: Gina Malloy,  Office Manager: Lydia Green

Location

The Commons

Telephone

401-635-2400

Internet

email: lccenter@impulz.net
web: http://www.lccenter.com

Hours

Variable

Services

Provides a meeting place for youth and adult groups and various town organizations. LCCC hosts a variety of activities including exercise and yoga classes, senior meals (Mon, Wed, Fri @ 11:30 am by reservation 24-hrs in advance), senior programs, dance and art classes, movies, and an after school program for ages 6 to 12, as well as summer day-camp opportunities for children from ages 5 to 14.

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Conservation Commission

Members

William Richmond (Chair)

Location

 

Telephone

401-635-8868

Meetings

Last Wednesday of every month, 7:30 pm

Services

Appointed by the Town Council, this group works to protect watershed resources and the Town's wildlife and vegetation, as well as esthetic areas.

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Fire Department (Regular)

Contact

Chief Richard Petrin

Location

60 Simmons Road
Public Safety Complex

Telephone

401-635-2324
911 - Emergencies (24/7)

Hours

Emergencies - 24/7
Office - 8 am to 4 pm, Mon thru Fri

Services

Firefighting
Emergency Medical Response
Ambulance
Fire Inspections
Fire Permits

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Fire Department (Volunteer)

Contact

Jack Crook, President

Location

60 Simmons Road, PO Box 552
Public Safety Complex

Telephone

401-635-2324 (Dispatcher)
401-635-0003 (Home)

Hours

Emergencies - 24/7 (401-635-2323)

Services

Firefighting
Emergency Medical Response
Ambulance

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Harbor Commission

Contact

Mary E. Rogers

Location

 

Telephone

401-635–4400

Meetings

2nd Wednesday of every month, 7:30 pm

Services

This group makes recommendations to the Council on all matters related to the use of the Town's harbor.

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Harbor Master

Contact

Michael Massa

Location

Public Safety Complex

Telephone

401-635-2683

Hours

Variable Hours

Services

Harbor regulation and law enforcement

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Historical Society

Contact

Pres: Jane Lorch; Sec: Helen Webb; Executive Dir: Marjory O'Toole

Location

P.O. Box 577, Wilbor House, 548 W. Main Road

Telephone

401-635-4035

Hours

Tue - Sun   10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Services

Preserve and share Little Compton's past.

Internet www.littlecompton.org
Email lchistory@littlecompton.org

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Little Compton Assistance Association

Officers

Rev Patrick Crough, President; Al Staebler, Treasurer; Susan Sisson, Grants Disbursement

Contacts Sue Sisson (635-4400); Carol Wordell (635-4400); Mary Elizabeth Miller (592-0363)

Location

P.O. Box 253, Little Compton

Telephone

 

Hours

 

Services

Enhance the educational experiences of Little Compton public school students.

Internet www.lceducationfoundation.org
Email info@lceducationfoundation.org

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Little Compton Education Foundation

Contact

Marion Morrison, President

Location

P.O. Box 1010, Little Compton

Telephone

 

Hours

 

Services

Enhance the educational experiences of Little Compton public school students.

Internet www.lceducationfoundation.org
Email info@lceducationfoundation.org

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Maintenance Department

Contact

John Abate

Location

Maintenance Facility

Telephone

401-635-4400 (Town Clerk)

Hours

 

Services

Building Maintenance & Repairs
Highway Maintenance & Repairs
Town Property Maintenance
Transfer Station Operation

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Outreach

Contact

Penny Walker

Location

Brownell House

Telephone

401-635-2548

Hours

 

Services

Advocates and provides referrals in domestic abuse and sexual assault cases. Call her Brownell House office at 635-2548, which rings through in her absence to the Resource Center at 846-5263.

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Pension Committee

Members

Robert Mushen (Chair), Stephen Ham, Robert Marra, Beth Turcotte, Randall Watt, Roger Lord, Constantino Natale

Location

 

Telephone

Mr. Mushen, 401-635-4529

Meetings

Town Council chambers as the need arises

Services

Manage the Town pension fund investment strategy

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Planning Board

Contact

Mike Steers (Chair)

Location

 

Telephone

 

Meetings

1st Tuesday of every month, 7 pm

Services

This board advises the Town Council on issues related to the growth and development of the Town including recommendations for zoning ordinances, land subdivision, and development, and policies related to land use in the areas of recreation, conservation, and open space. It is charged with insuring that the Comprehensive Community Plan is finalized, approved, updated, and amended as needed, in collaboration with the Town Council.

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Police

Contact

Chief Sidney Wordell

Location

60 Simmons Road
Public Safety Complex

Telephone

401-635-2311 (Police Station)
911 - Emergencies

Hours

24 Hours Daily

Services

Law Enforcement
VIN Checks ($11 fee)

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Post Office (U.S.)

Adamsville Office

Contact

 

Location

Crandall Road

Telephone

401-635-8738

Hours

Window
  M ® F  9:30 am -  4:30 pm
        (closed daily from 12 to 1 for lunch)
     Sat 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Lobby 
  M
® F  8:30 am -  5:15 pm
     Sat 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Services

Incoming/Outgoing Mail


Little Compton Post Office

Contact

 

Location

4 South of Commons Road
Little Compton, RI 02837

Telephone

401-635-4310

Hours

Window
  M ® F  8:30 am -  4:45 pm
     Sat  9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Lobby 
  M
® F  7:00 am -  5:00 pm
     Sat  7:00 am - 12:00 pm

Services

Incoming/Outgoing Mail

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Probate Court

Judge

Judge Sidney Clifford, Jr.

Location

Town Council Chambers

Telephone

Town Clerk: 401-635-4400

Meetings

3rd Monday of every month, 2:00 pm

Services

Probate legal processing

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Public Welfare

Contact

Susan Sisson (Director)

Location

 

Telephone

401-635-4400

Hours

Variable

Services

Assists persons and families in need of short-term financial assistance for fuel, rent, groceries, and utilities through the Little Compton Assistance Association and New Visions of Newport County, Referrals for extended and long term assistance programs are offered through Newport County.  Little Compton's Town Food Bank is held at St Catherine's Church on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. or can be opened by calling Susan at the above number. All are welcome.

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Sakonnet Preservation Association

Contact

Abigail Brooks (President), Sheila Mackintosh (VP), John Cook (Sec), Bill Theriault (Treasurer)

Location

73c Simmons Road, Little Compton, RI 02837  (PO Box 945)

Telephone

401-635-8800 (Telephone & FAX)

Hours

 

EMail info@sakonnetpreservation.org
Internet www.sakonnetpreservation.org

Services

Protection of freshwater wetlands and open space.  Conservation.

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School Committee

Contact

Donald Gomez (Chair), Joseph Quinn, David Beauchamin, Peg Bugara, Tom Allder

Location

Wilbur/McMahon School
28 Commons
P.O. Box 178
Little Compton, RI  02837

Telephone

401-635-9593

Meetings

2nd Wednesday of each month, 7 pm, School Library

Services

The School Committee is responsible for all matters related to the general care and management of the school, the education program, personnel management, and budget.

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School Department

Contact

Superintendent: Dr. Rob Power
Principal: Sonya P. Whipp

Location

Wilbur & McMahon School
28 Commons
P.O. Box 178
Little Compton, RI  02837

Telephone

401-635-2351 (Office)
401-635-2191 (FAX)
401-635-9518 (Auditorium)

Hours

8 am to 4 p, Mon thru Fri
Saturday  - Closed
Sunday    - Closed

Services

Provide education in town, K thru 8
Oversee high school program, 9 thru 12
Provide Special Needs education

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Senior Citizens

Contact

Luz Quicho

Location

Various locations (see below)

Telephone

401-635-8659

Meetings

2nd and 4th Wednesday every month, 1:00 pm - Odd Fellows Hall on the Commons

Lunch served Monday, Wednesday, Friday at Community Center (635-2400)

Services

SENIOR CITIZENS hold meetings twice a month, on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in the ground level space of the Odd Fellows Hall, adjacent to the Little Compton Community Center. In addition, the Senior Citizen's group hosts full-course midday meals every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (24-hour advance reservation required, small fee) at the Community Center and shopping bus trips two Tuesdays per month. Whist parties are held on the first Thursday of each month, and Bingo follows the bimonthly Wednesday meetings.

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Stay at Home

Contact

Denise Wilkie (President), Traci Barros (Office Manager), Margaret Tirpaeck (Operations)

Location

PO Box 353, Little Compton  (4 Meetinghouse Lane, Unit 1)

Telephone

401-592-0342   (401-835-2454 for Senior Transportation)

Hours

Mon - Fri, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Services

In-home care, free senior transportation to local doctors or pharmacies, rides under  30-miles at $10 per round trip, slightly used medical equipment.

Website www.StayAtHomeInLittleCompton.org

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Tax Assessors

Members

Robert Goff

Location

Town Hall

Telephone

401-635-4509

Hours

8:00 am - 12:30 pm (Office)
1:30 pm -  4:00 pm (Inspections)

Services

Property valuation
Tax assessment
Appeals hearings

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Town Clerk

Contact

Carol Wordell

Location

Town Hall

Telephone

401-635-4400

Hours

8 am - 4 pm (Mon thru Fri)

Services

Town Records
Town Council Meeting Agenda
Town Council Meeting Minutes
Deeds, mortgages, surveys, plat maps, liens
Probate records
Labor contracts
Voter registration list
Town code/ordinances
Passport Processing
Transfer Station permits
Notary Public
Birth, Business, Death Certificates
Marriage, Dog, Fishing Licenses

Documents

Town documents are available for the public at the Town Clerk's office in the Town Hall according to the provisions of the Access to Public Records Act. Individuals seeking to obtain their own copy of any document text may request it from the Town Clerk's office. A fee for copying will be levied. Currently, the copy fee is 15 cents per page; a complete booklet of the Subdivision Ordinances is available for $5.75 per copy; a Zoning Ordinance booklet is available for $4.50 per copy. Other fees apply to land evidence records, probate records, etc.

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Town Council

Contact

Robert Mushen (Pres), Paul Golembeske, Charles Appleton Jr., Gary Mataronas, Fred Bodington

Location

Town Hall

Telephone

401-635-4529

Hours

Variable

Meetings

1st and 3rd Thursday after the 1st Monday of the month. Meetings start at 7 pm in the Town Hall.

Services

The Council is responsible for the management of the Town including: the enactment, repeal or amendment of ordinances; the appointments to boards and commissions; the management and hiring of staff and heads of departments; contracting for capital projects; serving as a licensing authority; proposing and overseeing the Town budget; negotiating town employee contracts.

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Town Moderator

Contact

Larry Anderson

Location

 

Telephone

401-635-8306

Hours

Variable

Services

Facilitate the annual Financial Town Meeting
Facilitate Special Financial Town Meetings

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Town Solicitor

Contact

Richard S. Humphrey

Location

 

Telephone

401-624-6152

Hours

Variable

Services

Provide legal services for all non-School town departments

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Transfer Station

Contact

John Abate

Location

Maintenance Facility

Telephone

401-680–2503

Hours

Day

Hours

Sunday

Closed

Monday

10 AM to 6 PM

Tuesday

8 AM to 4 PM

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

8 AM to 4 PM

Friday

8 AM to 4 PM

Saturday

8 AM to 4 PM

If the Transfer Station is closed on a holiday, it will open the next day, the same hours as the day of the holiday unless the next day is a Sunday.

Services

Solid Waste Removal

Home Trash

Household trash permit (vehicle sticker): You must be a resident of Little Compton (either permanent or temporary) to obtain a transfer station permit. Permits are issued to individual vehicles by the Town Clerk's office renewable on an annual basis for $5. The Town Clerk's office will need to know the registration tag number, the VIN of the vehicle, and the Little Compton address of the applicant.  Appliances with HFQ (Freon) require a coupon that can be purchased from the Town Clerk's office for $25 prior to dumping.

Contractor Trash

Construction debris(not accepted on Saturday) generated by work in Little Compton may be dumped if the contractor presents to the Town Clerk's office a Building Permit number issued for the work site by the Building Official. The cost of this dumping permit is based on gross vehicle weight as follows:

   under 10,000 lbs.-  $75
   over 10,000 lbs. - $150

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Treasurer/Tax Collector

Contact

Mary Jane Harrington

Location

Town Hall

Telephone

401-635-4219

Hours

8 am - 4 pm Mon thru Fri

Services

Prepare real estate tax bills
Collect all tax revenue
Collect building permit fees
Tax abatements (e.g., Veterans)
Passport Processing

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Tree Warden

Contact

George E. Goulart

Location

 

Telephone

401-635-2130

Hours

 

Services

 

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Tuesday Girls

Members

Betty Bruining

Location

Brownell House

Telephone

401-635-4495

Meetings

10:30 am every Tuesday

Services

Social gathering of women over 55.  Companionship, needlework, conversation, organized trips.

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Visiting Nurses

Contact

 

Location

115 East Main Road
Little Compton, RI

Telephone

635-2358 or 1-800-698-8877

Hours

24 hours per day

Services

The agency offers skilled nursing, rehabilitative therapies, hospice care, adult day health care, and home health aide services. The VNA also provides health screenings, well child clinics, flu clinics and support groups to the community. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the agency is Medicare and Medicaid certified and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The VNA maintains a charitable mission to accept patients based on need, not payment. They also accept payment from most HMO's, private insurance and direct patient payments.

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Wellness Center & Food Bank

Contact

Graeme Bell (Pres), Mark Hough (VP), Joan Buhrendorf (Sec), Marsha Riccardi (Program Director)

Location

115 East Main Road
Little Compton, RI

Telephone

401-592-0400

Hours

24 hours per day

Email

office@littlecomptonwellnesscenter.org

Web Site

www.littlecomptonwellnesscenter.org

Services

The LCWC supports a wide range of healthy aging services within Little Compton and its surrounding communities. Activities are directed by a part-time Program Director and the trustees and officers of LCWC, who volunteer their time and resources. LCWC is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization eligible for tax-deductible contributions and grants from the community it serves.

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Zoning Board

Contact

Frederick G. Buhrendorf

Location

 

Telephone

401-635-8329

Meetings

3rd Wednesday of every month, 7 pm

Services

This board is charged with hearing all requests for variances to the zoning ordinances.  Copies of zoning ordinances are $5.25 each with sub-divisions at $5.75 each.

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