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WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2025

Little Compton voters OK 12 percent levy hike

Town Meeting packed as resident vote to, as one put it, 'bite the bullet'

By Christian Silvia

Posted 6/17/25

The tax levy will rise 12 percent in Little Compton after voters at Tuesday's annual Financial Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved an $18.3 million municipal and school budget for the 2025-26 fiscal …

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Little Compton voters OK 12 percent levy hike

Town Meeting packed as resident vote to, as one put it, 'bite the bullet'

Residents stand to vote, to approve a vote on amendments 1-64 as a block. The community later passed the block of amendments with a verbal vote, approving a 12 percent tax levy hike — three times what state law normally allows.

Residents stand to vote, to approve a vote on amendments 1-64 as a block. The community later passed the block of amendments with a verbal vote, approving a 12 percent tax levy hike — three times what state law normally allows.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Sal Marinosci got up to speak several times urging voters to accept the budget, “I strongly advise that we go to the 12 percent. It’s going to be hard for us to go before the state again to up our levy, so let's bite the bullet and do it now.”

Sal Marinosci got up to speak several times urging voters to accept the budget, “I strongly advise that we go to the 12 percent. It’s going to be hard for us to go before the state again to up our levy, so let's bite the bullet and do it now.”

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Residents vote to approve voting on amendments 1-64 as a block and later passed the block of amendments with a verbal vote.

Residents vote to approve voting on amendments 1-64 as a block and later passed the block of amendments with a verbal vote.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Don McNaughton pleasantly points out a moderator snafu during the meeting.

Don McNaughton pleasantly points out a moderator snafu during the meeting.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

William Hutson (left) and Melinda Green (mid-right) knitting, listen on during the meeting.

William Hutson (left) and Melinda Green (mid-right) knitting, listen on during the meeting.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

The Wilbur McMahon gym was packed Tuesday night as voters approved a 12 percent tax levy hike — three times what state law normally allows.

The Wilbur McMahon gym was packed Tuesday night as voters approved a 12 percent tax levy hike — three times what state law normally allows.

RICHARD W. DIONNE JR.

Beth McCourty was the first to speak, stating that the residents didn't have enough information to vote on the budget.

Beth McCourty was the first to speak, stating that the residents didn't have enough information to vote on the budget.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Residents vote to approve voting on amendments 1-64 in a block and later passed the block of amendments with a verbal vote.

Residents vote to approve voting on amendments 1-64 in a block and later passed the block of amendments with a verbal vote.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Tess Maguera attempted to make a cut to the budget.

Tess Maguera attempted to make a cut to the budget.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Little Compton residents line up to get into the already packed financial town meeting at Wilber & McMahon School on Tuesday night.

Little Compton residents line up to get into the already packed financial town meeting at Wilber & McMahon School on Tuesday night.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Little Compton residents line up to get into the already packed financial town meeting at Wilber & McMahon School on Tuesday night.

Little Compton residents line up to get into the already packed financial town meeting at Wilber & McMahon School on Tuesday night.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Little Compton residents line up to get into the already packed financial town meeting at Wilber & McMahon School on Tuesday night.

Little Compton residents line up to get into the already packed financial town meeting at Wilber & McMahon School on Tuesday night.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Larry Anderson spoke several times to make suggestions to the moderator.

Larry Anderson spoke several times to make suggestions to the moderator.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Jim O'Dell attempts to take line items out before the residents vote on the block.

Jim O'Dell attempts to take line items out before the residents vote on the block.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Hanna and Andrew McKee applaud a speaker.

Hanna and Andrew McKee applaud a speaker.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Bill Holden pleads for the community to hear each line item rather than vote on the amendments as a block.

Bill Holden pleads for the community to hear each line item rather than vote on the amendments as a block.

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

Posted Wednesday, June 18, 2025 9:11 am

By Christian Silvia

The tax levy will rise 12 percent in Little Compton after voters at Tuesday's annual Financial Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved an $18.3 million municipal and school budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The Wilbur and McMahon gymnasium was packed with hundreds of voters and the meeting scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. did not get underway until nearly an hour later as volunteers worked to checked in voters.

The vote in favor of the 12 percent tax levy increase, three times the maximum allowed under state law and the largest tax increase in Little Compton in more than 30 years, came four days after Governor Daniel McKee approved the town's request to exceed the levy cap contingent on the town voting in favor.

Had it not passed, Little Compton officials would have been faced with cutting more than $1 million from the budget, after cutting more than $500,000 last month following the unexpected discovery of a $1.5 million deficit.

As written, warrant article 65 authorized an 11.1 percent levy increase. But that amount was amended to an even 12 percent by the floor.

“I strongly advise that we go to the 12 percent,” resident Sal Marinosci said from the floor. “It’s going to be hard for us to go before the state again to up our levy, so let's bite the bullet and do it now.”

The levy increase is not a one-time bailout as it will be the baseline for next year's budget.

— With reports by Ted Hayes