What: Financial Town Referendum
When: Monday, June 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail
Monday, June 1, is the annual Financial Referendum on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The June 1 vote is on the municipal services portion of the budget; the Chariho portion was approved by voters on April 7.
Charlestown resident and Narragansett Tribal member Thawn Sherenté Harris ran the 2026 Boston Marathon on April 20, to honor his great uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, a two-time winner of the Boston Marathon. Harris, 47, ran the marathon in under four hours, which is an impressive time.
On April 27, the Town Council appointed Holly Eaves to represent Charlestown on the Chariho District School Committee. Holly earned an advanced degree in education from the University of Rhode Island and also has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Like Donna Chambers, Holly is an education professional.
Charlestown, along with Portsmouth, Tiverton, Hopkinton, Burrillville, Bristol, Smithfield, West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Lincoln, Middletown, and Westerly have all signed the statement which is printed in this post. This initiative to gain statewide support to restore local zoning control may already have other towns’ support beyond those listed here. Please encourage other towns to sign the statement.
Did you miss the March 30 meeting about loss of local control over zoning and land use? We’ve included a video of the meeting in this post in case you would like to see the discussion.
When: Saturday, April 18
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 April 10, and the transfer station and fire stations will accept them without charge on April 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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.
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.
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!
