Council approves lease of 144 Willow Ave. subject to life‑safety verification and year‑one cost cap

The Little Compton Town Council approved a contract to lease and renovate a state building at 144 Willow Avenue, subject to verification of a completed life‑safety inspection and a year‑one cost cap.

Why it mattered: The lease would commit the town to five years of rent and an initial program of improvements. Councilors and staff debated inspection status, which items are contingencies, and how much of the renovation cost the town should guarantee up front.

Town representative Sal Marinoski outlined the building's readiness and the inspection interactions with state inspectors. Town staff and the solicitor recommended that the council approve the contract but attach contingencies so that the contract would not be finalized until required inspections and cost verifications are complete.

Finance details: Staff presented an "all‑in" illustrative total of $106,900 that includes contingencies and five years of rent. Councilors amended the motion so the town would sign the contract only after the life‑safety inspection is verified and with an explicit cap on year‑one expense and rent not to exceed $61,750. That figure represents the estimated first‑year renovation work plus the first year’s rent; contingency items remain possible later.

Council action and next steps: The motion to approve and sign the lease subject to a verified life‑safety inspection and a $61,750 cap for year one passed by voice vote. Councilors asked staff to confirm funding sources and to track contingency risks (well pump, cesspool, other potential capital items) before any additional commitments.

The town will proceed with the lease paperwork only after staff verifies the life‑safety inspection in the portal and confirms that initial costs do not exceed the agreed cap.