CCA 2022 Platform for Charlestown

Our Economy – Our Environment – Our Future

The Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA)* is committed to enhancing the overall quality of life for all Charlestown residents. We believe that sound fiscal management, responsible economic development, wise stewardship of our natural resources, and accountable and ethical leadership are essential to sustaining the vitality of our town. To accomplish this, CCA has endorsed candidates committed to the following goals:

Fiscal Responsibility
We are committed to managing our town’s financial resources effectively, to maintaining Charlestown as one of Rhode Island’s most solvent towns, and to keeping our tax rate as one of the lowest in Rhode Island. Our tax rate is $8.17 per $1,000 of assessed property value, while South Kingstown’s is $14.45, Hopkinton’s is $18.53, and Richmond’s is $20.62.

Accountable and Ethical Leadership
We are committed to town governance that is open, honest, responsible, and led by independent individuals who are not affiliated with any political party or interest group, who represent the best interests of citizens in all areas of the town—from the shore of the Atlantic Ocean to the villages along the Pawcatuck River—and who support an exceptionally well-qualified, professional staff.

Protection of Our Natural Environment
Recognizing the important relationships among our environment (our beaches, river, ponds, wetlands, forests, wildlife, and star-filled skies), our quality of life, and our resource-based economy, we are committed to thoughtful land stewardship that keeps residents healthy and our community a beautiful place to live and to visit, and we will work collaboratively with town residents, businesses, and local, state, and federal agencies to protect our natural resources and sustain our rural character.

Clean Groundwater and Healthy Wetlands
Because wetlands and forests mitigate climate impacts by cooling the air and sequestering CO2, cleanse nitrates flowing from septic systems and other pollutants, provide habitat and corridors for wildlife, and keep our community beautiful, we are committed to protecting healthy wetlands by maintaining low-density development, conserving land, and protecting our unfragmented forests.

A Greener Charlestown
In addition to the strides made in reducing our carbon footprint and saving money by converting our streetlights to shielded LEDs and promoting rooftop solar, we are committed to finding an alternative to the “Solarize Charlestown” program that was discontinued by the state, adding solar to town buildings or parking lots, and preserving our unfragmented forest areas as next steps to creating a greener Charlestown.

Access to Recreational Opportunities
Recreation is important to our health and well-being and one of the main drivers of business activity in town, and we are committed to supporting access to our beaches, ponds, and river; to maintaining well-kept parks and hiking trails; to protecting our exceptionally dark skies and abundant wildlife; to stewarding our cultural, and historical resources; and to expanding open space for increased access to bike paths, trails, and the waterfront.

Responsible Development
Because growth is linked to our town’s overall vitality and our natural resources are linked to our quality of life, we are committed to supporting economic opportunities if they preserve the landscapes we love, promote a vibrant community, are cost-effective to taxpayers, and are environmentally sustainable over time and guard against careless development that would threaten a heavier tax burden or diminished quality of life.

Quality Education
We support the Chariho administration in its efforts to provide students with the safest and highest quality education while also promoting sound fiscal management.

Engaging the Entire Community in Protecting Our Beautiful Town
Engagement on issues is the backbone of a community. We led the movements to defeat the Federal Railroad Administration plan to bisect Charlestown with new rail lines, Invenergy’s plan to truck our groundwater to northern Rhode Island to cool a power plant, and a national chain’s attempt to drive our locally owned stores out of business. Working countless hours, we alerted the public through web pages, maps, videos, meetings, rallies, and letter-writing campaigns. As a result citizens showed up, stood up, spoke up – confirming how much we all care for our rural, beautiful town and the people who live here.

*CCA is not affiliated with any political party. We are made up of Democrats, Republicans, Moderates, and Independents. What we share in common is a dedication to civil and open government, and a passion for preserving and protecting those assets that make Charlestown such a unique and treasured place to live.