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 […]
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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 […]
Patricia Sprague Forest Preserve
About Photo by Cliff Vanover Owned by the Town of Charlestown since 2016, this 27.8 acre property was purchased with a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management open space grant […]
Tucker Woods Preserve
About Tucker’s farm field with forest beyond Owned by the Town of Charlestown since 2021, this 66.5-acre property was purchased with a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management open space […]
Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserve
About Owned by the Nature Conservancy since 2001 and 2014, this 1,112 acre property was acquired with help from The Champlin Foundations, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and the Cove Point […]
Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area
About Photo by Cliff Vanover Fifty five acres of the State Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area lies in Charlestown. The rest of the 3000+ acre property lies in South Kingstown. […]
Pasquiset Pond Preserve
About Photo from The Nature Conservancy Owned by the Nature Conservancy since 2000 and 2018, this 255 acre property was acquired with help from The Champlin Foundations, the Doris Duke […]
South Farm Preserve
About Photo by Cliff Vanover Owned by the Town of Charlestown since 2002, this 87 acre property was purchased with a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management open space grant […]
Richard Trails
About Photo by Cliff Vanover Owned by the Town of Charlestown since 2002, this beauthiful 97 acre property was purchased with funding from the Rhode Island chapter of the Nature […]
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge Lewis Trail
About Yellow Warbler – Frances Topping The 365 acre parcel of Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge off of Lewis Trail and Rt. 2/112 is referred to as the Lewis Trail unit. […]
Mill Pond Preserve
About Mill Pond is an 80 acre property owned and managed by the Charlestown Land Trust. Mill Pond is part of our town’s history with the remnants of a once […]