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.
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.
Education is central to a strong community. We offer these gift giving ideas to build and broaden educational opportunities in Charlestown.
During the summer of 2016, the Charlestown Town Council began to distribute reusable tote bags in an effort to reduce single-use plastic waste. The bags have proven hugely popular and would make a great gift. They can be purchased at Town Hall.
Amendments proposed by the Affordable Housing Commission would encourage the seasonal use of Accessory Dwelling Units, make it harder for tenants to find year-round housing, make the units less affordable, and increase impacts in coastal pond neighborhoods where nitrogen levels in groundwater are already too high.
Four out of ten of the local candidates that CCA endorsed and supported in the November 5 election were elected, and we are grateful to the voters. However none of our five Town Council candidates were elected. As a result, we will have to continue to engage the public to encourage Charlestown’s government to protect our environment and economy.
After 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, November 5, the RI Board of elections will begin to report election results for Charlestown and all of Rhode Island. You can get to the Charlestown results by clicking on the link in this post.
As we move forward to perhaps: create a youth center, or best preserve and enjoy Ninigret Park, or ensure adequate and safe drinking water, etc…the most important factor is that we are all heard and are allowed to work together. Change in the current Town Council and support of Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA) is the change we need to strengthen and yet, preserve our community.
The Charlestown Citizens Alliance endorsed candidates represent all of Charlestown not just the interests of those in a few particular areas. Each of these candidates represents all of the town, but they also live all over our town. The Charlestown Citizens Alliance endorsed candidates represent the whole town, from border to border and everywhere in between.
Monday, November 4 is the last day of Early Voting at Town Hall. Any Charlestown voter can vote at Town Hall anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 4. If you want to vote on Election Day, November 5, you must vote at your Official Polling Place. The state prints different ballots for each precinct in Charlestown. Sample ballots for each precinct in this post.
The 2021 Charlestown Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designates the town-owned properties on Niantic Highway and Ross Hill Road and the former Kenyon Dye property between Rt 2 and RT112 as Open Space/Conservation. At the October 28 Town Council meeting, the Council voted to proceed with a plan to try to develop these for affordable housing by determining where housing could be built. If the properties are developed, the Comprehensive Plan will have to be changed to designate them for residential development.
The current Town Council majority continues to say that there is no plan to spend $39.5 Million on Ninigret Park. But there is a plan to develop the park that will cost nearly $40 million. The scale of the plan and the substantial cost are connected. You can read the detailed cost estimates in this post.
When: Tuesday, October 29 at 7 pm
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: Town Council special meeting to discuss and possibly adopt the new 2024 Master Plan for Ninigret Park
The Town Council will discuss the 2024 Ninigret Park Master Plan that its consultant, VHB, developed in accordance with the directions given to the company by the Town Council. The $39.5 million cost estimates that were handed out at the April 15 meeting are included in this post.
The only “interest” that the Alliance has is to protect Charlestown’s natural resources and low tax rate, to promote honest and transparent government, and to prevent unregulated development. Charlestown is indeed a very special place and it deserves our special interest.
Wednesday, October 16 is the first day of Early Voting at Town Hall. Early voting will take place at Town Hall, anytime between 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from October 16 to November 4. The state prints different ballots for each precinct in Charlestown. Sample ballots for each precinct in this post.
Charlestown deserves a government that will protect our quality of life, our low tax rate, and our beautiful environment. To accomplish this, Charlestown Town Council candidates Sarah Fletcher, Angela Jalbert, Peter Keating, Ruth Platner, and Bonnie Van Slyke offer these commitments:
When you fill in your mail ballot from now until November or enter the voting booth from October 16 to November 5, please vote for the candidates in this post, highlighted in blue. From the shore of the Block Island Sound to the villages along the Pawcatuck River they will protect our quality of life, our low tax rate, and our beautiful environment.
Join us to meet the candidates CCA has endorsed for Charlestown Town Council, Planning Commission, and town moderator at an in-person meeting on October 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Charlestown Mini Super, 4071 Old Post Rd., Charlestown
When: Saturday, October 12
Who: You and your family and friends
Where: Pick any road you like in Charlestown to pick up roadside litter
What: The town is providing the blue bags starting October 7, and the transfer station and fire stations will accept them without charge on October 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us to meet the candidates CCA has endorsed for Charlestown Town Council, Planning Commission, and town moderator at an in-person meeting on October 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hungry Haven Restaurant (outside), 5000 South County Trail, Charlestown.
Sarah has lived in Charlestown for 15 years and has been a member of the Planning Commission for 6 years. Sarah has felt a deep connection to our community from the beginning of her time here, but the threat to neighborhoods, wildlife, and protected open space by the Federal Railroad Administration plan for new train tracks through northern Charlestown inspired her to become actively involved. She would like to continue to work to protect our beautiful town as a member of the Planning Commission.
Having served 8 years on the Town Council, Bonnie views the protection of our natural resources as critical for our economy. As a Town Councilor she has championed protecting the local environment, including our dark skies, and safeguarding our rural community with its low taxes. She advocates for inclusive recreational opportunities throughout our town. A former director of the Frosty Drew Nature Center and Observatory, Bonnie works in publishing and has a BA in Economics.
Please Reject Charter Questions 7, 10, 14, 15, and 17
Please Approve Charter Questions 11, 12, 13, and 16.
Charter Questions 8 and 9 are Tossups.
Read the post for full explanations of all the Charter Questions.
Amendments that are rejected can be brought back up at the next election if the Town Council feels that they needed some adjustment.
Coleen is a small business owner, professional comedian, motivational speaker, and former special education teacher. She has a strong background in design and is committed to preserving Charlestown’s natural resources, history, and character. She believes that it is possible to focus on preservation and work with all parties to find solutions that will best serve our community as a whole as we grow.
Ruth had a long career in scientific research and technology and serves on the Planning Commission. She has worked successfully to preserve the beauty of Charlestown’s natural environment that brought her here 47 years ago by being a leader in open space preservation, groundwater protection, and many other conservation efforts, including fighting the federal proposal in 2017 to bisect Charlestown with new rail lines.
Lisa works as a Planner at the Naval Submarine Base New London, has lived here for eight years, and has served on the Planning Commission for four years where she advocates for our environment and small-town character. Living on the western edge of town, Lisa has a front-row view of a large quarry in Westerly and the effect that bad land use planning can have on neighbors and natural resources.
Peter is a life-long volunteer. Besides working on countless charitable efforts, he’s served as a director on many boards – as varied as a local library and an orphanage in Africa. He even gave his left kidney to a stranger. For decades, Peter owned and operated a successful Connecticut supermarket with a diverse staff of 100 people. He’ll bring his talents for listening, analyzing, and responding to concerns to town governance.
Despite the opposition to land conservation in Charlestown from the current Town Council majority, passage of “State Question 4” would allow Charlestown to continue to apply for state funds to purchase land that protects critical and uncommon habitats, supports rare or endangered species, expands other protected land, protects surface water bodies and groundwater for drinking water, and provides public access for passive recreation.
David is Senior Vice President of an international company he helped to found. He served two years on the Charlestown Town Council where he was fair, clear, organized, informed, and inclusive. His leadership skills and his knowledge of the major underlying issues will make him an excellent and effective presiding officer at all regular and special budget public hearings.
Angie is a life-long educator with expertise in planning, technology, grant management, and personnel development. She will bring experience collaborating with state and community organizations to her role in town government. With an over 40-year history in Charlestown, she is passionate about preserving our town’s unique character and community connections.
