Ms. Carney is wrong. A conservation restriction has been determined to be a “reasonable regulation,” not a confiscation of property, and case law supports that determination. Conservation restrictions are a widely used tool throughout Rhode Island to protect open space, including wetlands and other sensitive areas, from unsuitable development.
Mr. Serra is promising that, if elected, he will fire the Town Planner, recall the Chair of our elected Planning Commission, and remove the Groundwater Protection District requirement that 20% undisturbed open space be set aside to protect the aquifer. It would seem, because he has said so, that Mr. Serra is running for office in order to derive a personal benefit from changes that would be detrimental to our town and our drinking water—possibly one of the worst reasons to run for office.
Actions by candidates endorsed by Charlestown Residents United (CRU) contradict the claim that they will protect the town’s environment. For 12 years, Independent Town Council members endorsed by the Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA) have consistently acted to protect our environment and keep our taxes low. These actions are in keeping with priorities clearly expressed in the recent Town-wide Community Survey.
There have been innumerable complaints from residents living in wide-spread locations throughout Charlestown concerning commercial quarrying, extraction and earth and gravel removal operations at pre-existing nonconforming extraction operations currently operating in Town. This resolution seeks an amendment to the RI General Laws to allow the Town of Charlestown to regulate the extraction operations.
Charlestown Town Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke introduced the blasting 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.
The taxpayers of Charlestown can have confidence that $3 million of their hard-earned money is not missing and that their taxes have been spent as they authorized. Further, they can be assured that the town is well positioned to weather an emergency. Telling a tale about an accounting error that does not exist and implying that there is fraud that also does not exist in order to try to confuse some people to gain political advantage does the town a grave disservice.
When: Monday, February 28, at 7:00 pm
Where: Webex virtual meeting, a telephonic and video remote special meeting
What: Charlestown Town Council member Bonnie Van Slyke has added a discussion and potential action regarding regulating the nuisance aspects of quarries that existed prior to zoning to include requesting the state legislature enact enabling legislation regarding quarrying and blasting to the February 28 Charlestown Town Council agenda.
On February 14, the Charlestown Town Council will continue to consider adopting a written fund balance policy. The discussion has been continued so that all residents will have ample time to review and digest the issues involved. The question that such a fund balance policy would address is, how would Charlestown maintain financial stability over time and also have the capacity to recover from a major hurricane or other disaster?
How would Charlestown’s surplus (unassigned fund balance) maintain financial stability and capacity to recover from a major hurricane or other disaster? On January 10, the Charlestown Town Council will consider this question and potentially take action upon a fund balance policy, a policy containing principles to guide present and future financial decisions.
Statements that Charlestown Town Councilors, duly elected by voters, have repeatedly refused to place items on agendas are simply not true. There is no requirement that any item brought forward by a Town Councilor must be put on the next agenda. The Council may consider whether other items need immediate attention, whether an item is ready for discussion or whether it needs further research, and whether the item can be better addressed in another way, such as administratively.
At the Council meeting, I proposed a motion “to authorize Town Administrator Mark Stankiewicz to take whatever action is necessary to protect the town” from changes to rail alignments or other proposals that may be made as part of the New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study. The authorization is needed so that the Town can be nimble as circumstances unfold.
Now thanks to Charlestown’s open space, regulatory standards, and the hard work of Charlestown Building Official Joseph Warner and other town staff, home owners will receive a 20% discount on flood insurance.
Candidates endorsed by the Charlestown Citizens Alliance have long championed protecting our irreplaceable natural and scenic resources because these are linked directly to our healthy tourist economy, our health, and our low tax rate. CCA candidates have called for responsible development and have opposed unfettered, willy-nilly residential and commercial developments that benefit developers and large corporations, not our residents and local businesses.
The 2020 election in Charlestown boils down to two different visions for the town. The first vision would maintain the delicate balance between protecting our natural and scenic resources and providing reasonable, responsible growth. The opposing vision for the town is to accelerate residential growth, encourage large businesses to come to Charlestown, and open up Ninigret Park for commercial gain.
Our town, like the nation and most of the world, is facing a tremendous challenge right now, and I am so grateful to know that Charlestown has Mark Stankiewicz as our town administrator. At a time like this the town needs someone with his experience and vision. In more peaceful times, his competent leadership has fostered a calm, stable environment and a well-run town that enjoys a low tax rate and a high quality of life.
When: Wednesday, July 24th at 7 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
The Charlestown Planning Commission will continue the public informational meeting on the Master Plan application of Storage Place LLC to build a self-storage facility on property on the pond side of Rt. 1 between the Hitching Post and the Willows Annex.
The Preserve joins other protected land that contains a diversity of natural resources featuring the area’s dramatic geological history and many unique ecological communities. Besides protecting groundwater and wildlife habitat, these natural areas, and the Preserve, provide some of the best hiking, hunting, fishing, swimming and boating opportunities in Rhode Island. The deep green forest and cool blue water of the Pawcatuck River have been described by the Chair of the Planning Commission as Charlestown’s emerald and sapphire crown, and indeed this Preserve is one of the jewels in that crown.
This post is to update those who may not have seen the recent local newspaper article about the Planning Commission’s decision at its July 25 meeting.
On July 25 the Charlestown Planning Commission did not approve the applicant’s Master Plan for a 7,500-square-foot Dollar Store proposed for Cross’ Mills. The vote to deny was unanimous.
What: Continuation of the Dollar General hearing before the Planning Commission
When: Wednesday, June 27th at 7pm
Where: Charlestown Elementary School
At this meeting the Planning Commission will decide whether or not to approve the applicant’s Master Plan. The Dollar General store is proposed in Charlestown’s Traditional Village District, which is also in the Historic Village Overlay District.
Next Meeting:
What: Continuation of the Dollar General hearing before the Planning Commission
When: Wednesday, May 23rd at 7pm
Where: Charlestown Elementary School
Read the post for a review of April 18 meeting by Town Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke.
Invenergy’s application calls for water to be withdrawn from the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed—a watershed designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as the ONLY source of our drinking water. This water would be withdrawn year after year over the lifespan of the power plant.
This is alarming because sea level rise and warming temperatures will affect Charlestown in particular during this time period because of our geology. This plan will impact our ability, and that of other coastal communities within this watershed as well, to manage these effects.
Really?! Missing from the Westerly Sun’s Monday, Jan. 16, “Highs and Lows” was any mention of a meeting in Charlestown that was attended by well over 400 people!
I urge the editor to give “Highs and Lows” ink to the hearing that brought overwhelming opposition to the proposed new tracks through Charlestown. I also urge your readers to look closely at the issue and to email their comments to the Federal Railroad Administration at amtrak-comments@charlestownri.org by the Tuesday, Jan. 31, deadline. Anyone, not just someone from Charlestown, can send a comment to the Federal Railroad Administration at this address.
