These candidates will bring education, experience, science, and a commitment to conservation to the elected Planning Commission. The top vote getter will serve as a full voting member. The next two vote getters will be elected as alternates. Alternates participate fully in all Planning Commission discussions and vote in the absence of a full voting member.
Three Ways To Vote (choose one of these)
• Vote by mail
• Vote early until September 12
• Vote on Tuesday, September 13
There is only one local contest on the Primary ballot, and that is the local Democratic Party primary contest for Senate District 38, (formerly Dennis Algiere’s seat). That senate district includes Charlestown districts 503 and 504.
Links to Senate District 38 candidates’ websites in this post.
The enactment of the new Residential Conservation Development Ordinance by the majority of the Town Council provides environmental and tax benefits for all Charlestown residents; weakening it would have served a very small class of corporate developers. These updates are meant to increase environmental protection, reduce long-term negative impacts to taxpayers, and at the same time provide ways for developers to reduce their own costs when they protect more open space.
Join us at a ZOOM meeting to meet the candidates to represent Charlestown on the Chariho School Committee.
When: Thursday, September 8 at 7 p.m.
Where: From the comfort of your home via ZOOM
Why: Those whom we elect to School Committee affect the future of Charlestown’s children and the Chariho school budget. Chariho has become one of the highest ranking school systems in our state.
If physical distancing had encouraged you to set out alone with your camera, you may have captured some stunning photographs of our beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Here are four ongoing photo contests where you can win either prizes or recognition for your beautiful photographs.
Charlestown and most of Washington County are experiencing extreme drought conditions. July 2022 in Rhode Island is the second driest July on record, over the past 128 years of record keeping. No matter what your normal water levels are, your well is probably drawn down more than normal.
If you think your efforts at avoiding COVID-19, an out of town trip, or any other reason may stop you from voting in the September 13th, Rhode Island Primary, consider ordering a mail ballot for that primary election. Plus, information on the RI Senate District 38 Democratic Primary in Charlestown.
At the July 11 presentation on Conservation Development, Scott Millar of GrowSmartRI, included, as examples of good land use, some existing Charlestown subdivisions in his presentation. These four subdivisions had been developed under the existing Cluster Development, and it was explained that subdivisions like these could be developed in much the same way under Conservation Development.
There is a lot of misinformation being spread about Conservation Development by a political group who opposes this and many other conservation initiatives. Conservation Development does not apply to individual homeowners; it only applies to developers who are developing land into a major residential subdivision of six lots or more. In the post are some factual answers to questions about Conservation Development.
Susan is a recently retired attorney with strong analytical and communication skills developed from years of legal practice. She believes that Charlestown’s path forward must be to protect the natural resources of our town. In her first term on the Council, she was instrumental in the adoption of Charlestown’s Comprehensive Plan, in conducting of the Town-Wide Survey, and in establishing the Climate Resiliency Commission that is charged with protecting the town’s resources with particular emphasis on groundwater preservation.
Peter, who has an MS in Marketing, is a quality assurance and compliance specialist for a large US corporation, is a third-generation Charlestown farmer, and has worked his way around the globe. He brings integrity, high energy, and professionalism, along with his experience of other landscapes and cultures, to the Town Council. Peter believes that Charlestown’s beautiful natural setting is at the root of our community identity and that we should protect our farms and open spaces as places for people and wildlife to enjoy the natural world.
Ann, the fourth generation of her family to live in Charlestown, grew up loving Charlestown’s beaches, ponds, forests and star-filled skies. She has an MBA in Finance and over 33 years of investment management and analysis experience with major banks. Ann feels privileged to live in Charlestown with its amazing natural and cultural resources and she will work to protect those resources for future generations. Ann listens intently and will strive to translate our residents’ true desires for Charlestown into actions that achieve their vision.
Josh is a 15-year resident of Charlestown. He is a Doctor of Pharmacy and is Chief Compliance Officer for the RI Board of Pharmacy at the RI Department of Health. He started his first small business after graduate school and now is co-owner and manager of a veterinary clinic in Connecticut. Josh brings a broad range of management experience to the Town Council where he will work to ensure that Charlestown remains a town with low taxes and abundant natural resources where his own young children and future generations will want to live.
David served two years on the Charlestown Town Council from 2018 to 2020. He has a BS in Business Administration and is Senior Vice President for Operations of an international company he and a team of logistics experts founded in the late 1990s. His love of Charlestown’s quiet natural beauty, his determination to protect our town, his substantial experience of other communities, his leadership skills, and his expertise in project management, budgeting, financial planning, and operations make him an excellent and effective Town Councilor.
Walter is a current member of the Planning Commission and an award winning professional planner with architecture and planning degrees from Princeton and Cambridge Universities and a 40-year career in planning and landscape design that has focused on the sustainable balance between development and land preservation. Walter has lived here full time for 10 years, but he has a lifelong history of participating in various struggles to preserve our town’s unique character and valuable natural assets.
Donna has served on the Chariho School Committee since 2013. She has a BS and MA in Education as well as 49 years experience in the field. She worked with several NE state governments as an adult education consultant with expertise in proficiency-based teaching and learning. Donna believes that maintaining Chariho’s status as a highly ranked school system requires a school committee comprised of individuals that support the administration in making decisions that are economically sound, academically challenging, and fair for all students.
Craig, a US Army and RI National Guard Veteran, studied History and Plant Sciences at URI. He has worked for URI for 40 years, currently as Grounds Superintendent. As a member of the Chariho School Committee for 11 years, Craig has been instrumental in the positive direction Chariho has taken, with Chariho High School being ranked among the top 10 schools in the state. Craig believes Chariho should continue striving for excellence, while balancing the costs and needs of students.
Linda has a BS and MS in Special Education and has been a dedicated educator and instructional leader for 34 years. As a member of the Chariho School Committee for the last four years, she has worked on behalf of each Chariho student and their family to ensure that the student acquires the 21st century skills needed to be an accomplished individual in this global society. She strives to provide relevant learning environments and outcomes for every student while operating in a fiscally responsible manner.
CCA 2022 Platform for Charlestown Our Economy – Our Environment – Our Future The Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA)* is committed to enhancing the overall quality of life for all Charlestown […]
At the May 9 Charlestown Town Council meeting, Councilors Carney and Klinger declined to support the expenditure of $4,750 to fund a real estate appraisal to determine the fair market value of this property. DEM awarded a $400,000.00 Natural Heritage Grant towards the purchase in March. An appraisal is needed before the project can move forward.
When: Friday, May 20, 2022 at 2 pm
Where: The Unitarian Church on the Town Green, First Church & Parish, 670 High Street, Dedham, Massachusetts
The pandemic delayed Jan’s memorial service, but it can now take place and we hope anyone who remembers Jan will try to make the trip to Dedham to share in his memory.
The map in this post shows the locations of extractive industries in Charlestown. These are operations removing sand, gravel or rock. Click on the red tool tip to read the name of the owner and the Map/Lot location of the parcel being extracted. The operations on the different parcels are quite varied. You can switch the map to satellite view to see forest and wetland features.
Enforcement of Charlestown’s Zoning Ordinance and enforcement of state wetlands or air quality laws are driven by complaints. The town and state do not have staff that randomly check properties for violations. If you believe there is a violation of zoning, wetlands, or air quality laws, you will need to make a complaint. The town or state then makes an investigation. If you have a question, concern, or complaint, please call the offices listed in this post.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our 2021 fundraiser for RI CAN!! We raised over $1,500.00 this year. That brings your total donations to our last two RI CAN fundraisers to over $11,500.00!
Charlestown has little debt, a high level of savings, and a higher quality of life than most anywhere on the East Coast. When there is nothing to find fault with, a false scandal has to be manufactured. Using lies and smears to destroy local politicians is not an acceptable way to attempt to win an election, but in an age where fewer people read newspapers and with expanding access to social media, this is an effective way to mislead some people.
On February 14, the Charlestown Town Council adopted, on a 3 to 2 vote, the Fund Balance Policy that was recommended by the Charlestown Budget Commission. The purpose of this policy is to establish the recommended level of unassigned fund balance that is to be maintained in the General Fund for generally accepted accounting principles and budgetary requirements of the Town.
A lock box on a home allows police, fire and rescue crews to quickly gain access to the home in the event of an emergency, saving critical time and perhaps damage to a home. The program is available to Charlestown residents who are 65 and older or who have special needs or a medical disability. It is free for residents to sign up.
Charlestown is a great community, rich in beauty and natural and historic resources. For Charlestown to continue as a wonderful place to live, we need an engaged community and volunteers who will work in the community’s interest.
Please consider filling out the form in this post to learn how you can be more involved!
The five new open positions were announced in January and appointments will be made by the Town Council at the February Council meeting, and interested Charlestown residents may submit applications at any time between now and early February.
What: Public Hearing on the creation of the Charlestown Climate Resiliency Commission
When: Monday, December 13 at 7 p.m.
Where: Town Council Meeting, Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail
In part, the commission will work to protect the quality of life for Charlestown residents and minimize climate change effects on the community as much as is possible.
