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.
It is with heavy hearts that we must report the passing of Donna Chambers. Donna served on the Chariho School Committee representing Charlestown from 2013 to the present. Throughout her tenure, Donna was one of the most qualified members of the Committee. Donna and her husband Michael were among the founding members of the Charlestown Citizens Alliance and she always remained dedicated to good government and the protection of Charlestown’s beautiful natural resources.
This year Charlestown voters will elect the individuals who will lead our town into the future, and it matters who is elected to town government. Much of what has been created and protected is at risk if people who cherish Charlestown’s beautiful, natural character do not stand up and volunteer to guide our town. Needed are individuals who understand that protecting our environment and preserving our natural resources are critical to maintaining our quality of life and our low tax rate.
At the March 9 Town Council meeting, Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke will ask her fellow Town Councilors to join her in proclaiming the week of April 13 to 20 as International Dark Sky Week in Charlestown. Charlestown is an important location for the study and viewing of the cosmos because we have the darkest skies along the coast between New York and Boston. Read post for details.
Let the Rhode Island Legislature know that you support Representative Megan Cotter’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.
Charlestown has over 25 Boards, Commissions, and Committees whose members are appointed by the Town Council. This post includes names of these groups along with links to information about each and how to apply.
When: Monday, January 12 at 7 pm
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: Just before the Town Council meeting starts, Bonnie will take the oath of office and will officially join the Town Council
We live in a beautiful community, rich in natural resources. Giving your friends and family gift memberships in local environmental organizations, or making year-end gifts directly to these organizations, can help to preserve and protect our local environment. In the post are ideas for holiday gifts that can make a positive difference in our local environment.
Education is central to a strong community. We offer these gift giving ideas to build and broaden educational opportunities in Charlestown.
The holidays are rich in good food and drink. We shouldn’t forget to thank the farmers who make it all possible nor forget those who sadly experience hunger this time of year.
Thank you to each of the 1,465 voters who took the time to vote in this special election, congratulations to Bonnie Van Slyke for winning the election, and congratulations to all three candidates for putting their names forward as candidates! Vote totals in post.
After 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, December 2, the RI Board of elections will begin to report election results for Charlestown. You can get to the Charlestown results by clicking on the link in this post.
Wednesday, November 12 is the first day of Early Voting at Town Hall. Voting will take place between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, from Wednesday, November 12 to Wednesday, November 26. An additional early in person voting day will take place at Charlestown Town Hall between 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on Monday, December 1.
As many of us in Charlestown look forward in the coming months to a holiday season full of delicious food, others are facing imminent food insecurity. Please join us in supporting our neighbors in need. The Rhode Island Center Assisting Those In Need (RI CAN) is a local lifeline to many.
When: Vote from November 12 to December 2
Where: Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail – or by Mail ballot
What: Special election to fill a Town Council seat left vacant by the passing of Richard “Rippy” Serra
Please support Independent candidate Bonnita B. Van Slyke in the December election.
Because Town Councilor Richard “Rippy” Serra’s passing on August 7 created a vacancy on the Town Council more than one year prior to the 2026 election, the Town’s Charter requires a special election rather than an appointment to fill his seat. The person elected on December 2 will serve until December 2026. In this post are candidates, deadlines, polling places and more.
When re-elected to the Town Council, Bonnie will hit the ground running to stand up for the best interests of our town, and she will bring a much-needed balance to the Town Council where everyone is now part of the same political group. Bonnie is committed to accountable and ethical leadership, sound fiscal management, local control over land use, wise stewardship of our natural resources, and positive educational leadership.
RI law limits the amount that CCA can donate to one candidate and as a result, Bonnie Van Slyke will have to raise and spend her own campaign finance funds. If you want to make a donation to Bonnie’s campaign in the December election, please follow the directions in this post.
Thank you to everyone who gave up part of a beautiful summer day to visit us at the Charlestown Mini Super on October 2, 3, and 4 to sign Bonnie Van Slyke’s nomination papers for the December 2 special election. Thank you especially to the Mini Super for generously allowing us to set up Bonnie’s nomination papers in front of the store!
Where: Charlestown Mini Super, 4071 Old Post Rd. (map in post)
When: Thursday, October 2 from 1 pm to 3 pm
When: Friday, October 3 from 1 pm to 3 pm
When: Saturday, October 4 from 1 pm to 3 pm
What: If you are registered to vote in Charlestown, all we need is your signature on Bonnie’s nomination papers. Bonnie will be volunteering her time for the next year; please take a few minutes of your own time to help her get started.
CCA is pleased to endorse Bonnie Van Slyke for the 2025 special Town Council election. Bonnie served from 2014 through 2022 on the Town Council and has the proven skills and dedication to do what’s right for the town, our environment, and Charlestown’s taxpayers. Bonnie’s experience on the Town Council will allow her to hit the ground running if elected in December.
When: Tuesday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: A Town Council workshop to discuss options for implementation of a Homestead Tax Exemption for Charlestown
For the workshop, Ken Swain, the town’s Tax Assessor, has prepared materials showing what the resulting tax rate will be and the impact on tax bills for different kinds of property.
When re-elected to the Town Council, Bonnie will hit the ground running to stand up for the best interests of our town, and she will bring a much-needed balance to the Town Council where everyone is now part of the same political group. Bonnie is committed to accountable and ethical leadership, sound fiscal management, local control over land use, wise stewardship of our natural resources, and positive educational leadership.
“Nights are dark enough to see the Milky Way overhead, beaches are unspoiled, and the local seafood spots like to keep things unfussy but delicious. Life here just seems to run a little slower,” reports Travel + Leisure.
When: Tuesday December 2, 2025
What: Special Town Council Election
Because Town Councilor Richard “Rippy” Serra’s passing on August 7 created a vacancy on the Town Council more than one year prior to the 2026 election, the Town’s Charter requires a special election rather than an appointment.
When: Saturday, September 13 from 10 am to 4 pm (rain date September 20)
Where: Ninigret Park in Charlestown
This is the 2nd year for the Ninigret Arts and Crafts show and Frances Topping will again have a booth with many of her watercolor works, including some matted pieces, botanical art, landscapes and varied nature subjects. In addition to Frances’ art work, there will be woodworkers, potters, jewelers, quilters, crochete and macrame crafters and much more. There are about 50 exhibitors in total.
A majority of the Charlestown Town Council is considering using money designated by voters in 2015 for one thing—preservation of open space—for something else. And it makes no sense that it would be OK for the Town Council to issue a bond in order to be able to spend the money again—effectively spending the money authorized twice.
Many citizens learned more about the repair of the Charlestown Breachway and how the Breachway is faring over the summer at a meeting hosted by the Salt Ponds Coalition at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Kettle Pond Visitor Center in Charlestown on August 7. Meeting details in this post.
The Westerly Sun and various social media accounts have sadly reported that Richard “Rippy” Serra died in his sleep on the night of August 7. Mr. Serra currently served as the Vice-President of the Charlestown Town Council and had been elected to the Town Council since 2022.
