Bonnie Van Slyke

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.

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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.

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Funding needed for services provided by the town (such as, plowing our roads or educating our children) and continuing to keep our ship sailing on the best course to a bright future are important to discuss.

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The budget discussion should be about how best to fund the services provided by the town (such as, how our roads get plowed or our children’s education) and about how to continue to keep our ship sailing on the best course to a bright future.

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A REDUCTION in Charlestown’s tax rate is integral to the budget adopted unanimously by the Charlestown Town Council on April 13 for presentation to the Budget Public Hearing on May 4.

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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.

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The Council has dealt with plans conceived for our town by state agencies with good success. The education provided our children is excellent. Our finances are in great shape and our taxes are low. Our town staff is excellent and morale is high. Our staff has provided needed services. Our facilities are in good shape … and much more in the post

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Misinformation has been circulated on social media about Mr. Lamb’s Christmas lights, which he sets up next to Route 91, a two-lane state highway. Charlestown has never regulated Christmas lights, and there is no proposal to regulate them now, including those put up by David Lamb on Route 91.

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The self-storage facility on property on the pond side of Rt. 1 between the Hitching Post and the Willows Annex was on the Planning Commission’s agenda for July 24. However, at the beginning of the meeting, Attorney Steven Surdut, who represents the applicant, informed the Commission that his client was withdrawing its application.

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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.

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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.

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From the day Ninigret Park was accepted by the town under the Federal Lands to Parks Program, accessibility has been a priority in its development. In fact, assurance of accessibility is included as one of the covenants in the deed.

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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.

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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.

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There has been much interest in the Charter Revision Advisory Committee that will review Charlestown’s Home Rule Charter and advise the Town Council of its findings. Charlestown’s Charter review has begun. The Committee is soliciting input from all who would like to comment, and I encourage anyone interested to attend meetings or send comments to the Committee

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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.

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