Little Compton has no shortage of historic early buildngs. Now, the council has formed a new committee to help preserve the town’s older homes and historic character.

At the urging of Dr. Ara Sadaniantz, a local resident who says he has watched with alarm the elimination of some older and historically important homes in town, the town council voted Thursday to establish the new committee. Its members would follow guidelines outlined in the town’s Comprehensive Plan and would ultimately be responsible for submitting a draft plan to the council that would focus on next steps relating to:

• The creation of a list of historic and cultural assets in town;

• Collaboration with the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission;

• Development of a list of properties in town eligible for the National Register of Historic Places;

• Encouragement of property owners to nominate qualified properties to the National Register;

• Best methods of providing information on programs available to property owners seeking to protect historic sites;

• And exploration of the establishment of a voluntary historic district, along with financial and other incentives, to encourage property owners to opt in.

In outlining his vision to council members, Sadaniantz said the town should encourage those residents who have “methodically, thoughtfully, and willfully preserved and restored their historic homes.”

Sadaniantz said a committee, in collaboration with the Little Compton Historical Society and based on established criteria, could designate a home as historic after receiving an application from its owner. The next owner of the house would then be bound to preserve the home as historic, and any alterations would be subject to the committee’s approval.

Steven Lubar, president of the board of directors of the Little Compton Historical Society, wrote to the council last month expressing support for Sadaniantz’s proposals.

“Our opinion is that the identification and preservation of Little Compton’s historic building, sites, and landscapes should be a priority, as outlined in the town’s Comprehensive Plan ... we believe that forming this committee is a critical first step to any preservation efforts.”

Residents interested in serving on the committee should submit a letter of interest to the Little Compton Town Clerk by 4 p.m., Thursday, May 9.