Video of Proposed Train Route Through Charlestown
This video follows the path of a proposed new pair of train tracks through Charlestown. The existing tracks will remain for freight and slower trains. The new tracks are for […]
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Federal Railroad Administration’s New Trails to Rails Program?
Since the mid 20th century, when many railroad companies went bankrupt and abandoned miles of rail beds, an effort has been underway to turn their defunct rights-of-way into parkland for bicyclers and walkers, popularly called “Rails to Trails.”
Under the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) proposal in Charlestown, the existing rail lines will not be converted to trails, they will remain to be used for rolling freight and slower trains. Charlestown would end up with four rails, the existing rail lines that run from Kenyon, through Shannock, Carolina, and Wood River Junction, and two new high speed rails running through over 2000 acres of parkland, including the 1,112 acre Francis Carter Preserve.
Richmond Also Impacted By New Rail Lines
They express a “Don’t worry, relax” attitude, which is hardly reassuring because an examination of the proposed bypass, especially in Richmond where it begins, clearly shows the route has been carefully sited to take into account the existing topography of the land, as well as the many buildings, other structures and roads in the way of the proposed bypass. So moving this section is probably not an option. The designers and engineers have chosen the best possible route, for them, but not for those who live close by.
Updated – Permanently Protected Open Space and Farms Impacted By Railroad Plan
This is an updated map and post from our December 27 post on this subject. We’ve added farms and more permanently protected open space parcels to this map. The map […]
Comments on Draft EIS from Rhode Island Officials Tell Us Draft Wasn’t Clear
What these comments tell us is that the draft EIS didn’t make the impacts to South County at all clear. Now that they are clearer, would these same reviewers still have little or nothing to say about the “Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass”? This lack of clarity and specificity in the Draft EIS is one more reason why there ought to be an extension of the comment period on the Final EIS from January 31 to April 1, 2017.
Permanently Protected Open Space Impacted By Railroad Plan
The map above shows the approximate path of the proposed new rail lines through Charlestown Rhode Island in red. The existing rails are in black. The areas shaded in green […]
Westerly Town Council Writes to Congressional Delegation in Opposition to Rail Bypass
The Westerly Town Council has written a letter requesting help from US Senators Reed and Whitehouse and US Representative Langevin in opposing the “Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass”. The image […]
Charlestown Critical Resources Impacted By Railroad Plan
The above map shows the path of the proposed new rail lines through Charlestown Rhode Island in red. The existing rails are in black. The grey shaded areas are Rhode […]
Sample Letter to send to NEC Future NOW Asking for Deadline Extension
It’s the holiday season, but there is a January 31 deadline fast approaching to oppose the Kenyon to Old Saybrook bypass, and you want to know what you can do?
Write to NEC Future now and ask for an extension in the deadline!
The Federal Railway Administration’s Holiday gift to South County is one we may all want to return, but the Federal process requires that we write and tell NEC Future that.
Please email or write and then share the post.
Westerly Land Trust Land also Threatened by New Rail Line
Below is a Topographic map showing the proposed rail lines, the Pawcatuck River, and two conservation areas owned by the Westerly Land Trust. Click on the map for a larger […]
Did the Federal Railroad Administration Properly Follow the EIS Process?
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released their final EIS on Friday to straighten the tracks of the Northeast Corridor. This is nearing the end of the EIS process, but did […]
Christmas Surprise for Charlestown from Federal Railroad Administration
One week before Christmas the Federal Railroad Administration has released their Environmental Impact Statement to straighten the tracks of the Northeast Corridor over the next several decades.
- Impacted communities have 30 days to respond
- Cost of this proposal at around $130 billion
- New rail lines would cut off 45 minutes of travel time between New York and Boston – but how much time in Charlestown is not known
- Rerouting the rails through the Grills Preserve in Westerly, and Burdickville Rd. Area in Charlestown, cutting through the Carter Preserve, then transecting the Amos Green Farm, Columbia Heights, and Kenyon, and many other homes and properties along the way
Charlestown Joins Burrillville in Opposition to Power Plant
At the December 12 meeting of the Town Council, the Council voted unanimously to support Burrillville in their opposition to the 1000 Megawatt gas and diesel power plant proposed in […]
Tom Gentz and George Tremblay’s last Town Council Meeting
November 14 marked the last Town Council meeting for Tom Gentz and George Tremblay. Both have done a tremendous job for Charlestown in their six years of town service. Tom […]
Please Vote “YES” on Question 8 – Charter Change
On November 8, Please Vote “YES” on Question 8, the Charter Amendment, the 1st Local Question on the Ballot
Please support the proposed Charter change for any citizen’s financial petition that involves bonding authorization (one which imposes a long-term future tax increase), to be submitted to town voters at a general election. This will allow time for prior due diligence, public input, and the largest possible voter awareness and participation.
Read detailed explanation in the post.
Leone Mainelli
Leo was elected Moderator in 2014 and he has demonstrated the calm temperament and integrity needed to be an excellent Moderator. He is fair, clear, organized, informed, and inclusive. Leo has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA and is retired from Pratt & Whitney. He has lived in Charlestown full-time since 2000.
Town Council Approves Pawcatuck River Preserve
At Monday night’s Council meeting the Town Council Chamber was filled with supporters of the acquisition of land that will provide residents access to 1,600 feet of frontage on the […]
Town Council to Consider Land Acquisition on Pawcatuck River
On Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m. the Charlestown Town Council will consider the acquisition of 27 acres of land in the village of Carolina that will provide public access to 1,600 feet of frontage on the Pawcatuck River.
Take a video tour of the land and learn about the:
- Environmental Impact
- Recreation Impact
- Fiscal Impact
Charlestown Delegation Lobbies Legislature
Delegation Asks Legislature to Give Charlestown Ability to Regulate Quarries
Filippi’s Bill Authorizes Charlestown to Regulate Excavation and Extraction Activity
Town Councilors Tom Gentz and George Tremblay and a group of local citizens testified on Thursday, January 28th, before the House Committee on Municipal Government.
Corrective Resolution Relative to the Regulation of Earth Removal, Gravel Extraction and Blasting
At their December 14 meeting, the Charlestown Town Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting the General Assembly to create enabling legislation that would allow the town to enact ordinances to […]
Town Council Passes Resolution Requesting Legislation to Control Blasting
Under current state law, blasting at quarries and construction sites can take place without advance notice to those who live nearby and who may be adversely affected by noise or […]
This American, Absolutely Democratic, Idea of Public Land
Pulitzer prize-winning author and historian Wallace Stegner described National Parks as “the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.”
Charlestown’s public lands may not be National Parks, but they include a National Wildlife Refuge and some of Rhode Island’s most important recreation and conservation areas. From our miles of ocean beaches to the Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River we are a town rich in outdoor, public recreation opportunities. These public lands belong to all of us.
This Independence Day weekend, consider celebrating and enjoying this democratic idea of public land at one of the properties below.
We hope you have a great Fourth of July!
Town Closes on ChurchWoods Property
Said Charlestown Town Council President Tom Gentz, “Geoff Marchant, President of the Washington County Community Development Corporations, The Rev. Dr. Michael Tessman, the 2011 pastor of the Church of the Holy Spirit, and I have waited years for this moment and are thrilled that the project has the funding needed to build well-constructed affordable units that meet the needs of our residents.”
Bill that would allow more regulation of mining and gravel operations passes House and Senate
We have just learned that Rhode Island House Bill 5680 Substitute A passed the House and a companion Senate Bill passed in the Senate. The text of that bill is […]
ChurchWoods Senior Housing Will Be Ready for Occupancy Summer, 2017
The last piece of funding for ChurchWoods, an affordable housing project for senior citizens, has been acquired. ChurchWoods will provide 24 1 bedroom rental units for seniors next to the […]
Charlestown Open Space Provides Economic Payback
In 2010, the Trust for Public Land released their report, “The Economic Benefits and Fiscal Impacts of Parks and Open Space in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York.” The study found that parks and open space provide a $2.74 billion annual economic boon to local governments and taxpayers on Long Island. The report details how conservation of parks and open space generates income and increases property values, even as it reduces the costs associated with new government services, if the land were developed.
Why Choose to Divide Our Town and Inspire Hatred?
The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author John Goodman. It seems that every time there is an election, the Charlestown Democratic […]
South Farm Pays Its Way and Will Provide Fiscal Benefits for Generations to Come
By offsetting the tax loss from new residential development, South Farm Preserve has already more than paid back the Town’s initial investment and will now continue to provide a fiscal benefit for generations to come.
Guide to Charlestown Recreation/Conservation Properties
We recently released the first phase of our guide to Charlestown’s Open Space properties. You can click on any image below to learn more about a particular property. Property descriptions […]
Table of Recreation Activities
Recreation Activities at Each Open Space Property These are the allowed uses to the best of our knowledge. Allowed uses can change so always check with the property manager or […]