Charlestown Citizens Alliance kicked off a campaign seeking donations to ease the burden on neighbors experiencing food insecurity. As of mid-January, donations have reached almost $10,000 from nearly 50 individual donors. An anonymous donor working directly with RICAN pledged to match the donations. We thank all the donors who participated in our campaign.
Let the legislature know you support House bills 5113 and 5280. These “Bottle Bills” can make our roads cleaner and safer, reduce litter and marine debris, increase recycling rates, protect our environment and natural resources, and save taxpayers money.
For the last three years, another high-speed rail planning process, independent of the Federal Railroad Administration, proposes a new route that would go inland through Connecticut instead of along the shoreline. The proposed new route would cross Long Island Sound with a 16-mile tunnel to New Haven, and then north to Hartford. From Hartford it would travel east to UConn at Tolland Connecticut, and then on to Providence and Boston.
There are many of you who already pick up roadside litter as you take an afternoon walk or you may continuously clean the litter tossed in front of your property. Community litter pick up days are a chance to get more people involved and raise awareness about this issue, but is there more we could do?
Starting in mid-November, we hosted a fundraiser in support of the primary food bank in Charlestown — the Rhode Island Center Assisting those in Need. Thank you to everyone who donated!! We raised over $5000.00 and an anonymous donor has matched each of your donations to result in over $10,000.00 to support RI CAN!
Freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the right to cast your vote in a free and open election of government officials are some of the most important elements of the United States of America. This past November 3rd and the weeks leading up to it, the citizens of Charlestown cast their votes in record numbers to elect officials who would represent them for the next two years or more.
The 1,112 acre Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserve is beautiful in October. There are 8 miles of hiking trails to help you explore this beauty. Here are just a few pictures. To really experience that beauty you need to take a hike.
There are great health benefits, for body and soul, when connecting with nature, and autumn is one of the most beautiful times to hike in Charlestown. We are so lucky to live in Charlestown, where we have access to the Pawcatuck River, ponds, parks and public open space located throughout our town.
As chairman of the Charlestown Citizens Alliance, I agree that stealing or moving political signs is wrong and should not be condoned. The sign ordinance is clear. CCA has not touched any of the CRU signs, has attempted to place our signs on private property, and has received permission from each property owner, and has complied with the sign size restrictions. Mr. Quillen’s implications in his letter to the editor last week are unwarranted.
Since March of 2015, when CCA published a guide to Charlestown open space for the community, we have promoted all the town-owned lots along the barrier beach east of the Charlestown Breachway, as well as the right to public access along the shore of the entire beach. It’s impossible to read everything, so we certainly aren’t faulting anyone who doesn’t know, but it’s just not been a secret.
CCA 2020 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 […]
Dr. Andrew is a Professor of Animal Science making her an excellent fit as a Town Councilor in a community that prides itself on rural character. “The town has everything we love; from the agricultural and the rural nature, to the magnificent ocean and salt ponds.” She is looking forward to supporting the Charlestown community in maintaining that rural character, supporting our highly respected school system, keeping reasonable tax rates and measured and responsible development, all with a focus on protecting the environment and our natural resources.
Cody, who has lived almost his entire life in Charlestown, has a BS in Biological Sciences from URI with a minor in Justice, Law, and Society. Cody is the recipient of a national award for volunteer community service for his work protecting Charlestown’s natural and historic resources. His work as a member of the Town Council will be a continuation of that same community service. As a Town Councilor, Cody wishes to continue the tradition of the town supporting environmental causes and community engagement.
Elected to the Town Council since 2014, 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.
David was elected to the Town Council in 2018 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 work to protect our town, his substantial experience of other communities, and his leadership skills and experience in project management, budgeting, financial planning, and operations have made him an excellent and effective Town Councilor. David has a BS in Business Administration.
Gordon is a current member of the Planning Commission who holds a Masters degree from Tufts University in Urban and Environmental Policy. He is a former chair and member of the Charlestown Conservation Commission, a co-founder of the Charlestown Land Trust, and has lived in Charlestown since 1993. He worked in coastal resource management and is an Academic Skills Coach and Professional Tutor of Economics, Spanish, and Writing in the Academic Success Center at Johnson & Wales University.
Ruth currently serves on the Planning Commission, has a BS degree in Biology and has had a long career in scientific research and technology. The beauty of Charlestown’s natural environment brought Ruth here over 40 years ago. She was invaluable in the defeat of the Federal Railroad Administration proposal to bisect Charlestown with new rail lines; she was a leader in stopping Invenergy from trucking our ground water out of town; and Ruth has always reminded us of the connection between natural resource protection and our relatively low tax rate.
Frances is a Natural Science Illustrator, fine artist, educator and naturalist. She has both a Bachelor of Science in Geography with Botany and Zoology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She has served on the Charlestown Planning Commission for six years where she has demonstrated her work ethic, eloquent writing skills, and impressive knowledge of the local environment. Frances is a past member of the Conservation Commission and volunteers for the RI Wild Plant Society and other groups and has lived here for 18 years.
Ron has lived in Charlestown since 1998 and is the recipient of several prestigious national and state awards. He was elected to the Chariho School Committee in 2014. He has worked over 45 years in a variety of educational settings spanning elementary schools to graduate school. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Policy, Research and Planning. Ron consistently treats others with respect, even-handedness, and civility, regardless of differing opinions. The Budget Public Hearings need a Moderator like Ron who will facilitate a fair and orderly meeting.
Charlestown Citizens Alliance has endorsed these candidates because of their commitment to our town and their record of accomplishment. Some accomplishments include: Keeping our taxes among the lowest in the […]
It is with heavy hearts that we must report the passing of Connie Baker. Connie was elected to the Charlestown Planning Commission in 2012 and 2014 where she brought her deep love of our special and unique part of Rhode Island to all of her decision making.
In the discussion of the budget, there are many terms used that may need explanation. In the post are some definitions and explanations of many of the terms being used in these discussions.
At their March 9 meeting, the Charlestown Town Council voted unanimously to deny Freepoint Solar LLC’s zoning text amendment that would have allowed large scale commercial solar installations in the northern part of Charlestown.
At their February 26 meeting, the Charlestown Planning Commission voted unanimously to send an advisory against the proposed ordinance for utility scale solar development to the Charlestown Town Council.
The Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA) has held the leadership role in the Town Council and Planning Commission for the last decade and has accumulated an outstanding record for good governance, while maintaining the character of the Town and the low tax rate.
On Feb. 10, Alissa Cox, a Ph.D. candidate at URI’s Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Microbiology, made a presentation to the Charlestown Town Council to explain her research and data which shows ever rising water tables and a reduction in the separation of septic systems and ground water in the town’s coastal areas.
Janet Coit, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), stated in a recent communication to Charlestown Town Council President Virginia Lee that DEM has dropped their plans […]
Rhode Island Sea Grant has prepared this guide to Shoreline access in Rhode Island. Choose an activity from the first drop down menu and then pick all of Rhode Island or narrow your search to a particular town. The application will sort the public access points starting with the one closest to your current location. Charlestown Town Council President Virginia Lee researched and produced the first edition of Public Access to the Rhode Island Coast, a guide to coastal areas. This current guide builds on Virginia’s earlier work.
When: Monday July 8, at 7PM
Where: Charlestown Elementary School
What: Public hearing on the revised 2019/2020 budget
Town Council members noted that the most common statement from those who voted in the Financial Referendum on June 3 was that they wanted the one-time surplus back in the form of a tax reduction.
Update June 28 – According to staff at DEM, the camping platform on the north edge of Watchaug Pond was a “demonstration” campsite built by the concessionaire and was removed […]
