Crowell resigns from Little Compton Budget Committee

Reports are that Little Compton Budget Committee chairman George Crowell resigned his post Monday afternoon, four days before the town council was set to decide whether to re-appoint him to the non-partisan town board. Instead, it appears that Scott Lewis, who tied Crowell with 175 votes in annual town elections held at last week’s Financial Town Meeting, will get the post.

Though Crowell could not be reached for comment Monday evening, and though it could not immediately be confirmed by the town clerk, three town officials confirmed his departure Monday evening, saying he sent an email announcing his resignation to select members of Little Compton government.

Crowell’s apparent exit comes six days after the Financial Town Meeting, at which he came within one vote of being re-elected to the committee outright. With three seats open, voters sent incumbent Andrew Rhyne back for another two-year term, with 208 votes. Also elected was challenger Jennifer R. Flather, with 205. But Crowell, a member of the committee for more than 20 years, deadlocked with challenger Scott Lewis for third place, at 175 votes each.

Prior to Monday’s apparent resignation, it appeared that the town council would be the arbiter of the tie. The town charter addresses how town meeting elections are to be held, but does not offer specific guidance in the case of a tie. However, town solicitor DeSisto said late last week that in his opinion, the duty to end the tie and appoint the final member falls to the town council. He referenced Rhode Island General Law 45-4-9, which states in part that "If any town ... fails to elect any of the officers whom they may lawfully choose ... the officers shall be elected by the town council of the town at its next meeting; provided, that town councils may postpone the election of any of the officers to some future meeting."

On Monday, prior to news of his apparent departure, Crowell declined to comment on the election results. But Rhyne said he is looking ahead, when asked to comment prior to Crowell’s resignation.

“I look forward to working with my fellow committee members to increase transparency and accountability across the budget,” he said. “I think the town council just has to decide what's best for the town.”