At the urging of a local resident, the Little Compton Town Council will ask town officials to research the pros and cons of going green through a gradual conversion of town-owned, gas-powered vehicles to hybrid and/or electric replacements and to consider phasing out the town’s gas-powered lawn mowers as well.

The action came during the council's Thursday, May 5 meeting, after councilors reviewed an e-mail from Lavinia Gadsden expressing her support of environmentally-focused management practices.

Gadsden suggested as a first step, the town transition from “gas guzzling and noise polluting” mowers. She referenced media reports that indicated some municipalities in Rhode Island and other states are considering bans on gas-powered lawn mowers and have begun to replace gas-operated vehicles with hybrid or electric ones.

“I am sure you agree that we need to do all we can to protect the environment and this is one way in which we can make a difference,” she wrote.

Council president Robert Mushen suggested the police chief, fire chief, and director of public works review how such changes would impact their departments.

“It seems to me this is something we should not just take one position or the other, but rather say, ‘here are the pros and cons; here are things that matter,’ and then we can make a better decision,” he said.

The councilors agreed to revisit the topic in two months, after they hear from the three department heads.

The discussion included a review of an email from Little Compton resident Martha Greenwood, who said she agrees with Gadsden’s recommendations and asked councilors to also consider the environmental harm caused by maintenance of lawns when best practices are not followed.

Mushen said Bill McGeough of Tiverton, the contractor who has handled weed and grass management of the town’s recreational fields, has retired. McGeough is recognized, Mushen said, for following some of the practices outlined in Greenwood’s letter.

In searching for McGeough’s replacement, Mushen said the town will not take shortcuts. The approach will be to find someone who has “first of all the heart and secondly the skill” to handle the job.

Other council news

* United Congregational Church officials have asked the town to supply a replacement light in connection with its North Garden project. Mushen said this would allow full lighting on the east end of The Commons. Town Administrator Tony Teixeira is researching suppliers and costs. Further discussion and a possible vote is expected at the May 19 council meeting. The church's plan is to redevelop a mostly undeveloped piece of land just north of the church into a passive recreation park, with seats.

* Director of Social Services Susan Sisson reviewed a disbursement request from the senior services account to cover in part a mailing to community members highlighting the services offered by the Little Compton Assistance Association a non-profit that offers emergency financial assistance to residents needing help with rent, utilities and medications. The mailing includes instructions for those interested in donating to the organization. 

* The council unanimously approved a resolution declaring “in strongest terms its complete opposition to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia.” The document cites the thousands of casualties, both killed and wounded, that have occurred since the war began and noted the invasion has created more than 400,000 refugees. It also  references “the privilege of living in a town where freedom from such suffering is a treasure too easily overlooked.”

* The council ratified the action of the fire chief and town administrator in hiring Brittany Cunha as a probationary firefighter.

* Councilors reviewed a letter from School One! announcing that Marjorie Leary, a student at Wilbur & McMahon School, was one of the winners of the Write Rhode Island short story competition. The letter asked that Marjorie be recognized along with her teachers, specifically Michael Tomasso, for her achievement.