Charlestown Rhode Island

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.

Scott Millar is an Environmental Scientist and Land Use Planner who worked in leadership positions at the RI Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) and Grow Smart Rhode Island. In this post he explains why watersheds for public surface water and groundwater drinking water supplies are not appropriate for high-density development.

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.

RI DEM Onsite Wastewater Treatment System rules focus on individual system compliance rather than cumulative impact analysis. While designed to prevent individual failures, they fail to address the collective, long-term nutrient loading from high-density, individual septic systems on groundwater and coastal watersheds.

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.

When: Saturday, March 7 from 10 am to 12 pm
Where: The Caf Bar, 5153 Post Road (The Venue at Wilcox Tavern)
Who: Stephen McCandless, Charlestown GIS Coordinator and Coastal Geologist; and Charlestown’s State Representative Tina Spears
The purpose of this act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects that protect Rhode Island’s communities, critical facilities, and natural systems

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.

UPDATE: Due to winter weather and unsafe trail conditions, this presentation has been postponed.
Join the Charlestown Land Trust for a presentation with landscape architect and arborist Michael Cavanagh on invasive plant management. A focus on the native plant communities that are used to support local ecosystems and to minimize invasive plant problems.

State legislation passed in the last three legislative sessions has claimed to be about affordable housing, but in Charlestown the only result has been more market-rate units. Increasing supply might lower housing costs in some communities, but it hasn’t worked in coastal towns like ours.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Rhode Island Headquarters is at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center on Bend Road in Charlestown. This is the headquarters for all of the National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island. What is needed? Volunteers for front desk shifts at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center, Environmental Education Support, and Shorebird Stewardship. Details in post.

This work aims to restore natural barrier beach processes, improve nesting areas for the federally threatened piping plover, support healthier salt marshes, which provide vital habitat for fish, shellfish, and diverse bird species, and enhance the resilience and recreational value of East Beach for the public.

On January 29, the Town Council consented to issue a $1.05-million “open space bond” as a one-year note—money that will be borrowed, held in a bank account, not spent, and paid back at the end of a year. Borrowing money just to issue the bond violates common sense. Thus, the Town Council may want to propose amending the Charter language so that a bond does not need to be issued unnecessarily.

UPDATE: Due to winter weather and unsafe trail conditions, this walk has been postponed.
When: Thursday, February 26 at 3:30 pm
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
Cost: This event is free and open to all – No pre-registration required
Warm up with hot cocoa and join arborist Dan Weise for the first event in CLT’s 2026 Winter Speaker Series! Dan will lead a guided winter forest walk featuring tree and shrub identification and much more.

Each February, for four days, people watch and count as many birds as they can find and report them with phone apps or on a website. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.

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.

Earlier this month, RI Governor McKee submitted his draft budget to the General Assembly, which includes the 2027 Green Bond. The Green Bond contains NO FUNDING for conservation or farmlands and only a small amount for Outdoor Recreation Grants – It isn’t green at all!

At the meeting on November 10, 2025, Councilors Deb Carney, Craig Marr, and Peter Slom voted to borrow up to $1.05 million; Councilor Stokes voted no. They voted to issue a bond not to preserve open space, but to finance unspecified future projects.

Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road in Charlestown
When: Weekly on Wednesdays from 10am to 11am
Who: These programs are designed for toddlers

When: Wednesday, December 31st at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Ninigret Park

On New Years Eve, the Town of Charlestown will host the annual bonfire in the park.

When: Thursday, January 1st
11:30 am arrival and registration, then plunge at 12:00 Noon sharp!

Where: Charlestown Town Beach
Registration form in post

Make a New Year’s resolution to be more engaged, attend or watch town meetings, speak up when things violate your values, and join a community of residents who feel it is worthwhile protecting what we have and working to build a future we will be happy with and which we can feel we helped shape.

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.

Where:  https://www.32auctions.com/CLT2025HolidayBazaar?r=1&t=all
When: Friday, December 5, 1 a.m. to Monday, December 8, 9 p.m.
Ring in the season of giving with the Charlestown Land Trust’s fifth annual online holiday auction. The proceeds directly support the protection and stewardship of the open spaces in the Land Trust’s care as well as their outreach efforts and programming.