Charlestown photographer Vic Dvorak recently flew his camera equipped drone over Mill Pond Preserve and captured this stunning photograph. The photo shows Mill Pond with surrounding woodland, and Ninigret Pond and the ocean in the distance.
Sheila’s career at the University of Connecticut has focused on keeping farmers economically viable and sustainable. Her experience with the many ways that farming strengthens rural character and economy while contributing to a sense of community would be a big asset on our Town Council.
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.
There are things I love about social media. It has reunited me with childhood friends and allows limitless sharing of photographs, but it is really harming political discourse, especially in Charlestown.
The Town of Charlestown’s Coastal Watershed Protection and Restoration Program was highlighted in a recent EPA Southeast New England Program (SNEP) newsletter.
In this financially devastating time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that Charlestown residents are aware that in addition to resources available from the state of Rhode Island and the federal government, there are also a number of Charlestown-supported assistance programs. During this state of emergency, several have received additional funding.
It seems like a good time to take a step back and look at the town of Charlestown; assess what we have, what we want to keep, and where we […]
When birds arrived and began to set up territories this spring, there may have been less foot traffic and human use on some beaches, which could have resulted in birds nesting in some previously unused places.
Funding needed for services provided by the town (such as, plowing our roads or educating our children) and continuing to keep our ship sailing on the best course to a bright future are important to discuss.
If the budget fails, the money we have available now to pay the police pension fund will stay, mingled together with other funds, in the surplus account where it eventually could be put to a different purpose. That would cause the amount taxpayers owe to the police pension fund to continue to increase and lead to increased taxes in the future.
This unassigned fund balance was 15% in 2014. If the surplus money under discussion remained in the unassigned fund balance, the balance would be over 30%, well above the auditor’s recommendation that a maximum of 25% is appropriate for a coastal town.
If the Legal Defense Fund is unneeded, the money stays there unspent, costing the taxpayers nothing. Even if it did lower taxes, what would be the goal of making Charlestown weak in defending against big developers? The big developers of course will want to see this money removed from the budget, but why would we?
The budget discussion should be about how best to fund the services provided by the town (such as, how our roads get plowed or our children’s education) and about how to continue to keep our ship sailing on the best course to a bright future.
With its record of solid fiscal management, one of the lowest property-tax rates in the state, and a solid financial reserve, Charlestown is well positioned to weather an unexpected storm.
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.
Charlestown’s town government has been fiscally conservative for many years and that has resulted in one of the lowest tax rates in the state and made Charlestown one of RI’s most solvent towns. If this year’s budget passes, Charlestown’s tax rate will be reduced from $9.23 to $8.20 per thousand of assessed value, while Hopkinton’s tax rate is $20.68 and Richmond’s is $21.88.
There is much misinformation now circulating about the proposed budget, characterizing payments of debt obligation to the police pension as frivolous spending. Money put into the pension system will earn more long term than holding it in the surplus account.
A REDUCTION in Charlestown’s tax rate is integral to the budget adopted unanimously by the Charlestown Town Council on April 13 for presentation to the Budget Public Hearing on May 4.
Bob Petrone has created another beautiful video using a drone at Charlestown’s East Beach. A good reminder of how beautiful our town is. Thank you Bob!
Bob Petrone has created this beautiful video using a drone at Charlestown’s amazing shore. A good reminder of how lucky we are to live here. Thank you Bob!
Our town, like the nation and most of the world, is facing a tremendous challenge right now, and I am so grateful to know that Charlestown has Mark Stankiewicz as our town administrator. At a time like this the town needs someone with his experience and vision. In more peaceful times, his competent leadership has fostered a calm, stable environment and a well-run town that enjoys a low tax rate and a high quality of life.
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is permanently protected, but more intense development on nearby public land and thoughtless destruction of forests and shrubland elsewhere will chip away at the value of the refuge to those species it was created to protect.
I am a relatively new resident of Charlestown who was attracted by the beautiful beaches, salt ponds, and miles of forested trails, which I hope will be available for all to enjoy for many years to come.
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.
Land use is constrained by ordinances and closely monitored by Charlestown’s CCA-dominated Planning Commission. Their work contributes to the sustainable rural culture that CCA has sought to cultivate and advance since its inception.
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.
Rhode Island’s 386,373 acres of forest protect drinking water, filter air, mitigate climate change, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, promote health, harbor wildlife, and create economic value, according to the state’s Department of Environment (DEM). The Ocean State’s forests also improve air quality, sequester carbon, help manage stormwater runoff, and provide a “sense of place” for rural communities.
Charlestown is an important stopover point in the Atlantic Flyway, the main migration route for birds along the east coast, and the bird migration has begun! Key West radar captured a surge of migrating birds leaving Cuba, crossing the Keys, and landing in Florida.