A statewide Odd Fellows leader said he is willing to work with Little Compton officials as they move ahead with a plan to transform the Odd Fellows Hall and adjacent fire barn into senior affordable housing and a senior center, despite a 40-year-old agreement that gives the Odd Fellows exclusive use of the hall's second floor.

Tom Gotauco, Deputy Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Rhode Island, toured the building Monday with town councilors Victoria Talbot and Patrick McHugh, and Little Compton Odd Fellows Roger Wordell and Robert Booth.

Following the tour, he said his main concern is retaining the Odd Fellows' right to meet in its historic home, though he appeared open to relinquishing the second floor.

“The question was posed if it had to be on the second floor and I said 'No,’” he said. "Whether it’s on the first floor or the second floor, whatever’s best for all parties involved. "But (any future agreement needs to include) a secure dedicated space.”

Gotauco acknowledged that in the end, it is up to the local Odd Fellows members to decide the best course of action.

Talbot said Monday's tour went well, and she said town solicitor Anthony DeSisto will reach out to Gotauco to further discuss the potential change to the agreement.

“What I think people have been afraid of is that we’re trying to get rid of them or get rid of their right to be there,” Talbot said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

“He was nothing but cooperative and collaborative,” McHugh added. Gotauco "wants to work with the Town of Little Compton.”

Currently, only three Little Compton residents remain Odd Fellows, down from dozens in the fraternal organization’s heyday. But interest has increased since the proposed re-use became well-known. Resident Brandon Pineo, who opposes the housing plan, applied to become a member, and he said  25 other Little Compton residents have followed suit.

“I think we are taught to respect our elders and value our history, and trying to change an agreement that is binding and in perpetuity strikes me as disingenuous,” Pineo said, mentioning that while the IOOF is known as a fairly secretive organization, it does a lot of the charitable work that often goes unnoticed.

Residents will vote on two warrants regarding the potential re-use at the annual Town Meeting scheduled for Saturday, May 20.

One deals with the plan to lease both the Odd Fellows Hall and fire barn to Church Community Housing for 99 years, to develop senior affordable housing units in both buildings, along with a senior center on the first floor.

The other warrant would authorize the town to pay for renovations to the two buildings.