Now that the Chariho school budget is finalized, the Town Council has begun to review the entire 2020 municipal budget. The two most important facts are:
In late 2016 when CCA discovered the federal railroad proposal for the “Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass” that threatened to bisect northern Charlestown, our first internet searches on the proposal […]
Walking the trails of our forested landscape, we see the skeletal remains of a once robust tree canopy, with dead and decaying remnants carpeting the forest floor. We are witnessing the extensive damage to our forest by successive invasions of gypsy moths in the summers of 2017 and 2018.
Wild And Scenic Rivers Legislation Is Now Law
President Trump today signed the Natural Resources Management Act which in part designates the rivers of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed as National Wild and Scenic Rivers. This will provide federal protection to our rivers and allow for federal funding for projects that protect and promote the rivers. The Pawcatuck River forms the northern border of Charlestown.
The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic River Act passes the U.S. House of Representatives. It passed the Senate last week. Next it goes to President Trump for his signature! Press release from U.S. Representative Jim Langevin.
Thanks to Leo Mainelli for this update on the Salt Pond dredging. The dredging operations in Quonochontaug and Ninigret Ponds have finished, but the work to restore the marshes hasn’t […]
The Town Council voted unanimously on February 11 to approve the Zoning Ordinance changes proposed by the Planning Commission that will make Charlestown less attractive to Box Stores. The Town Solicitor explained at the meeting that the Town cannot legally prohibit corporate chain and franchise stores or apply regulations differently to local applicants. The strategy taken by the Planning Commission is one that treats all applicants equally and will be able to withstand court challenges.
On Tuesday, February 11, the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation to designate rivers in the Wood Pawcaruck Watershed as Wild and Scenic. The designation will make the rivers eligible for up to $100,000 a year in federal funds for conservation purposes.
This excellent Rhode Island Monthly article by Todd McLeish explains that the harbor seals are only here in the winter months when water is cold. They head north to cooler waters in the summer. Story begins with a Blue Shutters seal release.
There has been much misinformation about Charlestown’s planning efforts for bike paths. We hope this post helps to answer citizen questions. If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please post a question in the comment section for this post.
Thanks to Bob Petrone for this video. Dredge material from Quonochontaug Pond and Ninigret Pond is being distributed to Quonnie’s salt marshes and Charlestown Beach.
The feasibility study, is the first phase in fulling the state’s goal of a coastal bike route linking Westerly with Narragansett and points north. The result is a very professional examination of the potential for a coastal bike route.
Thanks to Bob Petrone for sharing another informative video! On Friday, December 14, J. F. Brennan Company gave Bob Petrone, and Art Ganz and Richard Sarter of the Salt Ponds […]
Thanks to Bob Petrone for this 4 minute video showing the launch of the second dredging machine at the Quonochontaug Breachway. Jeremy Walker of JF Brennan appears at the end of the video with a brief description of their work mission.
Charlestown has been given a holiday gift. A corporate giant, Dollar General, decided to withdraw its appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of their master plan for RT. 1A and Narrow Lane.
Dredging operations will occur 24 hours/day, 6 days/week. The crew has been instructed to maintain public access to the pond. The most significant interruptions to public access will likely occur when the cranes are on site deploying and removing the dredging equipment. It is anticipated that dredging operations will be completed by the end of January.
Thanks to Bob Petrone who compiled this video slide show of Quonnie over the last twelve months. Bob captures Quonnie’s character and charm during all four seasons. This year he […]
The first hearing in that appeal before the Zoning Board was scheduled for 7 p.m. November 20, but earlier today, the attorney for the developer sent a letter withdrawing their appeal. That means that this application is over, that the Planning Commission’s decision to deny will stand.
“Thank you, George, for being willing to step into an unexpected vacancy to make a complete five member Town Council so that we could effectively govern the Town of Charlestown for 2018. As the voter’s choice and Vice President of the prior Town Council, you had the unique ability to have the confidence of the citizens of the Town and to fully participate immediately with the work of the Town Council in a seamless transition. Your wisdom, humor, articulate communication and thoughtfulness were a valuable contribution to our deliberations and decisions.”
“Thank you Denise for your dedication to protecting the environment and public health of all the citizens of Charlestown. We thank you for your insight about how easily change can come to our beautiful community when we don’t have local control. Your integrity, compassion, courage and careful weighing of all the facts in your work on the Town Council are greatly appreciated.”
When: Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Council Chambers
What: Public hearing before the Zoning Board to hear an appeal of the August 10, 2018 Planning Commission decision denying the Master Plan application for the proposed Dollar General store.
You can find the sum total of all public comments at the FRA website. Hint… not one candidate on the slate calling itself Charlestown Residents United even bothered to send an email opposing the Kenyon to Old Saybrook Bypass.
All of these events were possible because the citizens of Charlestown rose up in the winter of 2016 to fight off the RR proposal and they were led by Lee, Carroccia,Van Slyke and Platner. As we go to vote this week, I hope we all congratulate ourselves for fighting for what we love about Charlestown and say thank you as we vote.
The Charlestown Citizens Alliance was created over a decade ago to foster exactly this type of “good government” and civil discourse, as Charlestown voters joined together to reject the political attacks that now sadly characterize national politics. The result is that Charlestown has among the lowest taxes in the state, while providing proven leadership to protect our town against expected and sometimes unexpected threats.
Incredibly (and we do not use that word lightly) Charlestown managed to back down potential supporters of the Bypass in the federal delegation, enlist the support of key environmental groups which stayed on the sidelines in every other state on Northeast Corridor, and most importantly, they convinced Governor Raimondo to oppose the plan.
I will vote for candidates based on their character, and what they can offer our town, in keeping with its rural character and charm. I will vote for Charlestown Citizens Alliance-endorsed candidates Virginia Lee, Julie Carroccia and Bonnie Van Slyke, who worked to defeat the train for all Charlestown residents, and who saved my home, as well as our community.
CCA receives 100% of its funding from Charlestown property owners, nearly three quarters of donations are from year round residents and the rest from seasonal residents. Seasonal residents contribute to CCA for the same reason full time residents do, because they want Charlestown to remain a beautiful community with taxes they can afford.
Our opponents lobbied that we should appoint someone who was so gravely ill that he could not attend the February Town Council meeting, one who never could have served on the Town Council and sadly passed away in June. George was not just an excellent choice; George was the only viable choice.
If you like Charlestown as it is, continue supporting a council that has worked to maintain that character; the low taxes but quality education, open space that preserves our resources and provides habitat and recreation, that believes in listening to people as evidenced by their going door-to door to get individuals’ views of as many residents as they can and asking their concerns, and being civil and responsible.
While the news and television advertisements are focused on our national and state elections, I find that my quality of daily life in Charlestown is most affected by the type of candidates elected to local office. Fortunately, the Charlestown Town Council circus that once made Charlestown the political laughing stock of the state has dramatically changed for the better.