Keeping You Up To Date with Charlestown News and Events
Ballot Question 6: Construction Of A Unified Elementary School
On the November 3 election ballot is Question 6, a $116 Million bond referendum to build a Unified Elementary School Campus at the site of the current Charlestown Elementary School, at the corner of Rt. 112 and Shannock Road in Charlestown. In this post is the question as it will appear on the election ballot, a breakdown of costs and tax impacts, and a link to learn more.
Wednesday Is First Day Of Early Voting At Town Hall – View Sample Ballot
Wednesday, October 14 is the first day of Early Voting at Town Hall. Early voting will take place at Town Hall, anytime between 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from October 14 to November 2. The state prints different ballots for each precinct in Charlestown. Sample ballots for each precinct in this post.
Mark Your Ballot for Our Environment, Our Economy, and Our Future
When you fill in your mail ballot from now until November 3 or enter the voting booth from October 14 to November 3, please vote for the candidates in this post, highlighted in blue. From the shore of the Block Island Sound to the villages along the Pawcatuck River they will protect our quality of life, our low tax rate, and our beautiful environment.
Town Charter Amendments – Which Should You Approve Or Reject?
Please Reject Charter Question 7
Please Consider Approval of Charter Questions 8, 9, and 10
Read the post for full explanations of all the Charter Questions.
State Question 5 – Green Bond
Despite the apparent opposition to expanded land conservation in Charlestown from one or more of the current Town Council members, passage of “State Question 5” would provide the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) with funds to do their own land acquisition through the State Land Acquisition Program. As DEM says in promoting the bond, “protecting open space preserves our natural environment, expands recreational opportunities, and is key to building a vibrant economy and quality of place.”
Introducing Coleen Galvin Yaroshenko, Planning Commission Candidate
Coleen is a small business owner, professional comedian, motivational speaker and former special education teacher who is committed to preserving Charlestown’s natural resources, history and character. She believes that it is possible to focus on preservation and work with all parties to find solutions that will best serve our community as a whole as we grow. Coleen contends that even though she has traveled all over the world, Charlestown is truly the most wonderful place she has ever been.
Putting Bonnie Van Slyke Center Stage
Bonnie serves on the Town Council, having been elected five times. She served previously as treasurer and a director of the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center for 7 years and has a BA in Economics. She has devoted years working to protect the environment and our precious natural resources and believes growth must be carefully planned, sustainable, and consistent with our rural character and heritage, and for that to happen, the State needs to return control of land-use decisions to the town and recognize the value of our irreplaceable resources.
October On Two Wheels – Community Bike Ride
When: Sunday, October 11 at 11:00 am sharp. There is no rain date!!
Where: Meet up near the soccer fields and tennis courts at Ninigret Park
Who: Sponsored by Charlestown’s Block Island Sound Bikeway Committee
To celebrate October, Charlestown’s Block Island Sound Bikeway Committee invites interested cyclists to join them for a ride.
How to Vote By Mail In The November 3 Election
The deadline to apply for a mail ballot for the November 3 general election is October 13. If you think an out-of-town trip, bad weather, or any other reason may stop you from voting in the 2026 general election, consider ordering a mail ballot. Or if you simply enjoy the convenience of voting by mail, the reason “I choose to vote by mail” is an allowed reason to request a mail ballot.
Over-Development And Loss Of Local Control
Many Rhode Island towns are asking that the state return control over land use, zoning, and planning to the municipalities. That alone won’t guarantee protection of our groundwater, but without local control, our clean drinking water and other natural resources will continue to be threatened by high-density development. Over the years, and especially since 2023, we have published many articles related to these topics. We have now collected them in one place on our website.
