Please Vote “YES” in the Charlestown Financial Referendum

Vote \”YES\” in the Charlestown Financial Referendum
When: Monday, June 3, 2019 from 8 am to 8 pm
Where: Charlestown Town Hall

The 2019/2020 Budget maintains a low tax rate and reserves funding for capital improvements.
Voting “YES” will approve a no-tax-increase budget for 2019/2020.
(To view the budget, visit https://www.charlestownri.org)

Voting “YES” will keep Charlestown property tax rates among the lowest municipal tax rates in Rhode Island.

Voting “YES” will keep the town running well—providing excellent public education, recreational activities for people of all ages, plowed and maintained town roads, a well-run waste transfer station, public access to town beaches, upgraded computer technology, and excellent financial and administrative management.

Voting “YES” reserves $3.1 million of “surplus” for a possible Community Center. A “YES” vote is not a commitment to build anything. Only if extensive public outreach over the next few months shows that Charlestown residents want a Community Center and only if the Community Center could be built for the amount budgeted will it be built. Meanwhile, the money will be safeguarded in a reserve fund and not lost to general expenses.

Vote “YES” for no tax increase, a well-run town, and the start of a town-wide conversation regarding a possible Community Center.
How much is the “surplus” and where did it come from?
The “surplus” of $3.1 million came from several sources: (1) funds for contingencies that are in excess of the amount recommended or no longer needed, (2) fewer Charlestown children enrolled in Chariho, (3) a road construction project that was half the amount budgeted, and (4) no additional large capital projects planned.

That these sources would be available at the same time is unheard of; no-one can recall a fortunate confluence of one-time things ever happening before.

At the end of March, after determining that there would be $3.1 million available for a significant, one-time expenditure and no significant impact to the tax rate, the Budget Commission made transfers from reserves, from closed-out accounts, and from fund balance to a construction account and submitted its recommended budget to the Town Council.
Why was a new Community Center proposed by the Town Council?
The Town Council agreed that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enhance our town for all residents into the future.

The Town Council determined that a Charlestown-sized Community/Recreation/Senior Center would be a lasting way to return the surplus to taxpayers and would require no increase in tax rates.

The Town Council agreed that there is a need for such a facility:
- This long recognized need has not been met. The 1991 Comprehensive Plan found that limited recreational facilities, such as gymnasium space for aerobics and basketball, and space for non-sports activities, such as community meetings or family events, restricted participation.
- The existing Senior/Community Center is too small to allow for program development, and activities are limited or unavailable due to the small size of the building.
- A new Community Center would unify the town’s different neighborhoods, foster a sense of community, and offer a wide array of recreational opportunities and social activities for residents of all ages, year-round, for generations to come.
The Budget Commission noted in its determination letter that paying future liabilities ahead of schedule would also be consistent with its recommendation. The Budget Commission also noted that the town is managing these future obligations responsibly.
Why not expand the existing Senior/Community Center?
For years expansion of the existing Senior/Community Center had been considered. This has not been done for a number of reasons.
- The existing Senior/Community Center was built as the residence for the Commandant of the former Navy base and had been converted in the 1980s to serve as a recreation center for seniors until a better facility could be built.
- The building was not designed for its current use.
- The existing Senior/Community Center is located on the portion of Ninigret Park that was given to the town under the Federal Lands to Parks Program, and there are restrictions on use.
- The location, deep in Ninigret Park, is inconvenient, far from Rt. 1A and is close to the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.
Would citizens have a say?
In March the Town Council agreed that it needed an extensive public process to hear the will of the citizens before any funds were expended on construction.

The Town Council appointed, in May, five members and two ex officio members to an Ad Hoc Committee to reach out to residents in every corner of the town to determine whether they want a Community Center. The Ad Hoc Committee would report to the Town Council every three months.

In addition, if a Community Center were wanted, the Ad Hoc Committee would find out what residents might want in a Charlestown-sized Community Center. It would develop designs, cost estimates, and an operation plan.

Not a dime would be spent on construction until designs, cost estimates, and an operation plan were developed and presented to the Town Council and residents would have the opportunity to review plans and cost estimates and give their input.
Who has been appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee?
The committee is made up of the following well-qualified, nonpartisan individuals:
- Richard Sartor, Budget Commission Chairman and formerly a Charlestown Town Administrator and Town Manager in Connecticut, has participated in design, funding, and construction of many public buildings. He chairs the Ad Hoc Committee.
- Karen Greene, a local realtor and mother of a student at the Charlestown Elementary School, has over 10 years experience in the healthcare industry and is interested in good public process.
- Kathryn O’Connor, director of the Children’s Program at Connecticut College and a past member of the Charlestown Planning Commission, is skilled in consensus building and concerned that every voice be heard.
- Raymond Barry Goewey, a retired architect licensed in Rhode Island with experience in designing residential and commercial buildings, recently completed the Parish Center at St. James Church in Charlestown.
- Rene Pincince has 28 years extensive experience at Gilbane Construction Company on major projects from planning through to final construction and has won awards for completing projects on time within budget constraints.
- Mark Stankiewicz, Charlestown’s Town Administrator, is ex officio.
- Vicky Hilton, Director of the Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department, is ex officio.
Any resident wishing to meet with members of the Ad Hoc Committee, share ideas, or become informed is encouraged to send an email to communitycenter@charlestownri.org or call 401-364-1210.
Why was Ninigret Park recommended for the location?
Charlestown’s neighborhoods are dispersed; however, Ninigret Park is an important recreational resource, is accessible from all areas of town, and serves a broad range of residents from different areas of town.

Ninigret Park was recommended as the location for a number of reasons:
- Ninigret Park is the town’s major recreational asset and contains many other recreational facilities.
- A Community Center is part of formally adopted plans for Ninigret Park in 1994 and 2008.
- The need for a new Community Center was recognized in the 1991 Comprehensive Plan and Ninigret Park has ample space for such a building.
- Because the town owns the land, funds available for the facility could be maximized.
- The northerly corner of the 55-acre municipal portion of Ninigret Park is located as far from the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge as possible (see map below) and is approximately 39 feet above sea level. Above the FEMA 500- and 100-year floodplains, it would not, according to CRMC, be affected by flooding even if a 100-year storm were to occur after sea level had already risen by 10 feet.
- A site on the larger, 172-acre parcel of Ninigret Park that was given to the town under the Federal Lands to Parks Program would be unsuitable because of restrictions on use.
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What about future costs?
The Budget Commission looked into the future and determined, based on reasonable assumptions, that there would be no significant increase in the tax rate next year. The building could be built using available funds.

As with any building, the facility would need to be operated and maintained. The costs of operation and maintenance could be minimized:
- Using existing staff would keep personnel increases to a minimum. The Parks and Recreation Department could be moved from the Town Hall and could operate the new facility,
- Existing staff, such as program assistants and part-time custodians, are already on staff, and volunteers would continue to help with special events and activities.
- Fee income for programs that might be added in the future could help to cover the costs of the new programs, and user fees could also help to cover costs.
- The building, being new, could be designed to be energy-efficient and its lighting dark sky compliant.
- The town would have existing insurance through its insurer with little increase in premium.

Please Add Your Own Questions In The Comments Below

10 Comments

richard messier
June 2, 2019 @ 10:58 am
The Council is looking for a slush fund here in the $3.1 M surplus. There has been no conversation in the town on the creation of another “Center” in the Ninigret Park. The “proposed site” is in an area previously identified in the master plan. This is another attempt by a minority in town to accomplish a hijacking of town funds. (Remember the General Stanton attempted grab?). Please vote against this and if we need another center, define a process through the normal procedure to identify, characterize, and fund the need.
- Ruth Platner
  June 2, 2019 @ 1:31 pm
  Creating a reserve fund is on the ballot, and you get to vote on it.
  
  If the budget passes, the Town Council has allocated $30K for a town wide survey to see if there is very strong support for spending this amount of money on a community center and also the Ad-hoc committee is tasked with finding out what can actually be built for the money in the reserve fund. Even if there is strong support for a Center, there may not be support for what can be built with the reserve funds.
  
  If the budget fails, the reserve fund can’t be created and the money has to be reallocated – probably to pay off any existing (and callable) bonds and other liabilities.
  
  The Town Council is trying to create a process that avoids debt or making more bond payments and also surveys and engages the entire community. If there isn’t deep and strong support for a Center then the surplus will be reallocated in next year’s budget, again following the budget committee’s advice which was paying debt etc.
Michael Jarret
May 30, 2019 @ 6:05 pm
Thank you Ruth Platner. As usual, your rational and well thought-out discourse is pertinent, to the point, and informative. And it almost makes me consider voting “Yes” on June 03. Almost.
The present town council wants a community center, the CCA wants a community center, the Ad Hoc Committee is heavy on construction folk, the money is to be reserved in an account titled “Construction Fund”, the address to which one sends opinions on other possible uses for the surplus is COMMUNITYCENTER@Charlestown, and most glaring, there has already been a RFQ for the “Senior/Community Center” advertised in the newspaper. As much respect as I have for the town leaders and the staff at town hall, it does give one pause to think that the future of this $3.095 million might not be quite so married to citizen’s desires as publicly declared.
- Tom Gentz
  May 31, 2019 @ 9:12 pm
  An RFQ, which is a request for architect qualifications, was advertised last week and an article placed in the “Pipeline” with an address communitycenter@charlestownri.org.
  
  The charge to the Ad Hoc Committee is to conduct a survey, meet with the town’s residents, develop designs, and report back to the Town Council every three months. Is there excitement about this task and a desire to hit the ground running?
  
  Sending the RFQ could have waited until after the vote. Advertising the RFQ and setting up an email address was the result of enthusiasm to get started and provide information. That is, however, the worst that should be said about it.
  
  The town and its finances, including its future liabilities, are well managed. The town has the financial capacity to spend the money on whatever the residents would like it spent on. Any statements to the contrary are fear mongering.
  
  Do I want a Community Center and no tax rate increase? Yes, I do. A Community Center would be fabulous for the residents and the “highest and best use” of the money, in my view. I’ll be voting “YES” to approve the no-tax-increase budget and the process to study the proposed Community Center.
Dee
May 29, 2019 @ 8:07 pm
I have read that the proposed Community/Recreation/Senior Center in Ninigret Park will be built where the park’s pre-approved Master Plan has a proposed festival area. Can you comment on where this building will be placed?
The articles further lead readers to believe it is the intent of the council to end all festivals in Ninigret Park and by placing the center, where the approved master plan festival center is will do just that. Where will the festival area go?
- Bonnie Van Slyke
  May 30, 2019 @ 7:24 am
  I’m very glad you asked this question. I do not speak for the Town Council, but I personally do not see an end to festivals in the park. My father brought both the Seafood Festival and Rhythm & Roots to Ninigret Park, and they are loved.
  
  Going door-to-door in three campaigns in all areas of town, I have listened, but have not heard, support for a large concert venue that would bring, in addition to Rhythm & Roots and the Seafood Festival, eight to ten large concerts a season to the park. Such intense activity would prevent residents from being able to use their park.
  
  A possible location for a Community Center is near Route 1A across from the police station on the 55 acres that is best suited for a new building.
  
  One suggestion has been to include an outdoor entertainment venue with a small stage for concerts, movies, and arts designed to serve the local population. Entertainment like the music on Wednesday evenings in the park or the movies shown on Sundays could move to a new, more suitable location.
- Ruth Platner
  May 30, 2019 @ 11:16 am
  The area under discussion is not used by the current festivals, Rhythm & Roots and the Seafood Festival. Construction of a building in that location would have no impact on the current festival uses.
Bill Wilson
May 28, 2019 @ 10:35 am
A more realistic presentation of the actual budget and project scope. Thank you CCA.
No longer referred to as a ” Recreation Center ” with the public assumption that it will be like the YMCA or SK recreation center.
It is now called a ” Community Center ” to provide office space for Park & Recreation Staff and replace the current Senior Center.
Omitted from the conversation is an Expanded Outdoor Performance Center (not wanted by the majority of voters) and a Disaster Shelter (in a potentially inappropriate location). There remains the possibility of a Gym depending of project cost.
The 3.0 million dollars in the budget for a community center is the result of a highway project that came in under budget and an excess in contingency accounts partially due to savings in snow removal.
The question becomes how to use these one time surplus dollars. At the open budget meeting the public comments included but were not limited to, pension funding, paying down the town dept, lowering taxes, or building a Community Center. The budget committee and Town Council are recommending the money be used to build a Community Center.
Thanks to CCA, the voters will now have a better understanding of what to expect if they vote Yes.
Rev. Roy E. Jacobsen
May 28, 2019 @ 10:24 am
It is unfortunate that the town council included this new facility in the town budget and not as a separate item. This would give voters the chance to vote the project up or down. Now the only choice is to vote for or against the whole Town budget
- Ruth Platner
  May 28, 2019 @ 8:34 pm
  My understanding is that If the money for construction were to be borrowed, the borrowing would typically be accomplished through the issuance of a 20-year bond. There would be a separate question on the ballot that the voters could approve or reject. If the voters approved the item, the town would have authorization to borrow the money. If the voters rejected the item, the debt would not be issued. When the money is borrowed, the tax rate would go up and stay up for the duration of the borrowing.
  
  This situation is very different than the one described above for two reasons. First, the $3.1 million is money that the town already has; the town does not need to borrow and the tax rate will not go up.
  
  Because the town already has the $3.1 million, the money has to be “accounted for” in the budget. In the fiscal 2020 budget, the money is accounted for by placing the money into a “construction” account. What this means is that the money is being reserved in a separate account in the town’s general fund.
  
  The second difference is that the town’s ordinances do not provide for a separate vote on a specific line item in the budget. For that reason, the vote will be to approve or reject the budget.
  
  If the budget were to be rejected on June 3, the Budget Commission would need to present an entirely new budget to the Town Council. There would then need to be another Budget Public Hearing, and the town would need to hold another Financial Referendum.
  
  If the budget were to be approved, the money would be reserved in a special account. Although the money is reserved in a separate account, the money does not have to be expended for construction of a Community Center, or even for any construction at all.
  
  The magnitude of amount available for a significant, one-time expenditure—$3.1 million—became known only in late March. The Town Council has presented the town with an opportunity to have a conversation about a Community Center. If after an extensive process of surveying residents and holding discussions throughout the town regarding a Community Center, the Town Council determines that the citizens do not want to construct a Community Center, the money could be spent on some other prudent expenditure, such as paying future liabilities ahead of time.

Vote \”YES\” in the Charlestown Financial ReferendumWhen: Monday, June 3, 2019 from 8 am to 8 pmWhere: Charlestown Town Hall

Please Add Your Own Questions In The Comments Below

10 Comments

Vote \”YES\” in the Charlestown Financial Referendum
When: Monday, June 3, 2019 from 8 am to 8 pm
Where: Charlestown Town Hall