What: Budget Public Hearing on the 2026–2027 Charlestown Municipal Budget
When: Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
The purpose of the public hearing is to present the Town Council’s proposed municipal budget to the voters and to hear their questions and comments.

Charlestown resident and Narragansett Tribal member Thawn Sherenté Harris ran the 2026 Boston Marathon on April 20, to honor his great uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, a two-time winner of the Boston Marathon. Harris, 47, ran the marathon in under four hours, which is an impressive time.

On April 27, the Town Council appointed Holly Eaves to represent Charlestown on the Chariho District School Committee. Holly earned an advanced degree in education from the University of Rhode Island and also has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Like Donna Chambers, Holly is an education professional.

The Wood-Pawcatuck Wild & Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council has an opportunity for an independent contractor experienced in social media and event planning. The work and compensation is described in detail in the post.

Town Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke placed the resolution in this post in honor of Donna Chambers on the April 27 Council meeting agenda, where it was read and approved by all the members. Donna, a long-time Charlestown member of the Chariho School Committee, passed away on March 11, 2026.

When: Saturday, May 16 at 10 am
Where: Meet at the parking lot next to Mini-Super
What: A guided bicycle tour through the Historical Cross Mills Village
Cost: Free
Register: Pre-registration is required – link to register in post

Participants will stop and visit several historical locations, buildings, and cemeteries along the route.

When: Friday, May 1 at 7 pm
Where: Charlestown Elementary School Gymnasium
What: An evening of History, Storytelling and Community
Cost: Free
Register: Pre-registration link in post

Enjoy an historical play presented by students of the Chariho School District. Play will be approximately 45 minutes long.

When: Saturday, May 9, 8:00 am to Noon (come early for the best selection)
Where: St James Parish Center, 2079 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, Charlestown
Cost: Free parking and admission
This Plant Sale features flowering annual plants, houseplants, herbs, and perennials from members’ gardens. There will also be Mother’s Day gifts. Again this year there will be a soil-testing table run by URI Master Gardeners; please bring a cup of your soil for analysis.

Charlestown, along with Portsmouth, Tiverton, Hopkinton, Burrillville, Bristol, Smithfield, West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Lincoln, Middletown, and Westerly have all signed the statement which is printed in this post. This initiative to gain statewide support to restore local zoning control may already have other towns’ support beyond those listed here. Please encourage other towns to sign the statement.

Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by land area, and the second most densely populated state, exceeded only in density of development by New Jersey. Charlestown, at 160 dwelling units per square mile, is the most densely populated rural town in the state and the most densely populated community lacking both sewers and public water.