Town Council Resolution In Support Of Legislation On Controlling Blasting

Charlestown Town Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke introduced the following resolution at the February 28 Town Council meeting. The resolution received the full support of the other Council members and was sent to Charlestown’s State Senators Dennis Algiere and Elaine Morgan and House Representative Blake Filippi, and to all Rhode Island Cities and Towns, all Rhode Island Legislators, Speakers of the House and Senate, the State Fire Marshall and the Governor seeking their consideration of and support for this Resolution.

Town Council Resolution In Support Of Legislation On Controlling Blasting

WHEREAS, the residents of Charlestown and other cities and towns are plagued with undesirable effects of blasting for roads, ledge removal, reduction of boulders, home site preparation and commercial quarrying operations; and

WHEREAS, currently no notice to abutters or those nearby is required in advance of blasting; and

WHEREAS, no rules and regulations exist to protect citizens from damage to their property as a result of unanticipated blasting for roads, ledge removal, reduction of boulders, home site preparation and commercial quarrying operations; and

WHEREAS, abutters and those nearby are surprised and frightened by unanticipated blasting; and

WHEREAS, the health, safety and welfare of citizens are compromised by and at the mercy of blasters; and

WHEREAS, the State Fire Marshall now has the authority to grant blasting permits the same day the permit is requested, in many cases in residential areas, without notification of abutters or those nearby;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of Charlestown hereby respectfully requests the General Assembly to enact that the statutes, rules and regulations whereby a two (2) week notice is provided in advance of blasting via registered mail to any abutter within 500 feet of the property line of the blast site to allow for safe storage of vulnerable valuables and establishment of pre-blast condition of wells, foundations, chimneys and other improvements and that a duplicate notification be provided to local police departments, fire departments, building and zoning offices and fire marshals;

AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we, the Town Council of the Town of Charlestown respectfully request the support of the General Assembly in preparing the necessary legislation to establish appropriate statutes, rules and regulations for implementation by the State Fire Marshall’s office to protect residents, abutters and others nearby from the physical and mental costs of unanticipated blasting near residential areas;

AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby instructed to submit a copy of this resolution to the Charlestown Senators Dennis Algiere and Elaine Morgan and House Representative Blake Filippi, and to all Rhode Island Cities and Towns, all Rhode Island Legislators, Speakers of the House and Senate, the State Fire Marshall and the Governor seeking their consideration of and support for this Resolution.

The RESOLUTION shall take effect immediately on February 28, 2022.

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You can learn more about Bonnie at her profile page.