When: Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 pm
Where: Charlestown Town Hall on Route 2 (4540 South County Trail)
What: Special Town Council Meeting to review, and possibly change the 2026-2027 town budget

On April 1, the Town Council will have its first look at the municipal budget recommended by the Budget Commission for the coming year that begins July 1. At the meeting, the Council will review the budget, and may make revisions.

The Department of Environmental Management is reminding Rhode Islanders to remove potential food sources from their properties as black bears emerge with warmer weather. Bird feeders, unsecured trash cans, livestock feed, and other easily available household and backyard food sources attract bears primarily in early spring, during droughts, or in the fall when they are trying to put on weight for hibernation.

When: Monday, March 30 at 6:30 pm
Where: Charlestown Town Hall on Route 2 (4540 South County Trail)
What: Public workshop of the Town Council and representatives of other impacted towns

The workshop, proposed by Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke, will begin an in-depth conversation about issues surrounding housing and state mandates.

Let the Rhode Island Senate know that you support Senator Victoria Gu’s bill to protect our environment and natural resources. This bill would give local communities greater control over the density of housing developments built on public drinking water supply watersheds and groundwater so clean it is classified as suitable for drinking without treatment. Sample email to send in post.

In addition to our in memoriam post, there is also now an obituary for Donna Chambers where you can leave messages for the family.

When: Tuesday, April 7 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall on Route 2 (4540 South County Trail)
What: All-day referendum on 2026/2027 Chariho Regional School District Budget
Under the state law governing Chariho, a majority of the citizens of Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton must approve the Chariho School District Budget by referendum in order for the budget to be adopted.

What: 401Gives Statewide Day of Giving
When: April 1, 2026 (4-01!) (March 31, 6:00am through April 1, 6:00pm)
Why: 401Gives brings people together to make a difference for local nonprofits that protect our beautiful community that is so rich in natural resources. 401Gives unites and offers everyone a safe, comfortable, and familiar virtual fundraising experience, all while giving nonprofits unrestricted funds that strengthen our community.

When: Monday, March 30 at 6 pm
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown
Cost: Free and open to all! No pre-registration required.
Join the Charlestown Land Trust for a presentation with RI DEM Forest Health Program Coordinator Alana Russell for a presentation exploring how warming temperatures are influencing beetle populations and what this means for Rhode Island’s pitch pine forests.

With the sad passing of Donna Chambers there is now a vacancy on the Chariho School Committee. Donna was one of Charlestown’s four representatives to the Committee. The Charlestown Town Council will appoint someone to fill this position at the April 27 Town Council meeting. The appointee will serve until the November election.

At the March 9 Town Council meeting, Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke introduced a resolution in support of Representative Megan Cotter’s and Senator Victoria Gu’s bills to protect our drinking water. Our zoning is designed to protect our drinking water, but enormous housing density bonuses put our drinking water at risk.