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At the July 11 presentation on Conservation Development, Scott Millar of GrowSmartRI, included, as examples of good land use, some existing Charlestown subdivisions in his presentation. These four subdivisions had been developed under the existing Cluster Development, and it was explained that subdivisions like these could be developed in much the same way under Conservation Development.
There is a lot of misinformation being spread about Conservation Development by a political group who opposes this and many other conservation initiatives. Conservation Development does not apply to individual homeowners; it only applies to developers who are developing land into a major residential subdivision of six lots or more. In the post are some factual answers to questions about Conservation Development.
On July 11 at 7 pm, the Charlestown Town Council will hold a public hearing to consider replacing the town’s current cluster design ordinance (mandatory for land development projects with more than five homes) with what is called Conservation Cluster Design (CCD). Conventional subdivision is still available for subdivisions of five lots or fewer.
When: Wednesday, July 13 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1)
What: Learn about easy ways to protect Quonnie’s dark skies from the problem of ever-increasing light pollution and also learn about the Frosty Drew Observatory
Who: Presentation by Bill Steinman – Quonnie Night Sky Enthusiast and Scott MacNeill – Director of Frosty Drew Observatory
Because the survey was proposed to help the Town Council make budget decisions in the future, it is an important planning tool for future budget development, land use planning, and town funding and purchases. The results of the survey have to matter or else the town has wasted the taxpayers money, time and effort.
When: Wednesday, June 22 at 7 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: Master Plan Meeting for the redevelopment of the Shoreline Plaza on Old Post Road with addition of five new commercial buildings and Preliminary Plan presentation for a 4-lot residential frontage subdivision at the corner of Old Mill Road and Rt. 112 (Carolina Back Road).
All meetings of the Planning Commission are public and the public is encouraged to attend and participate in this meeting.
When: Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Clark Memorial Field, 39 Columbia Heights Rd., Charlestown
Bring the family to this free event with Face Painting, a Moon Bounce, Carnival Games, and more.
When: Sunday, June 26, at 10 a.m.
What: Narragansett Trail Hike at the Francis Carter Preserve in Charlestown
Why: Celebrating the Wild and Scenic Status of the Wood-Pawcatuck Waterways
Where: You must register for this event. Once registered, you will be contacted with meeting place and other details. Link to register in post.
The Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council presents the 1st annual 7 Rivers Festival during National Rivers Month.
When: Saturday, June 18 at 10 a.m.
Where: Tucker Woods Preserve, between 639-719 Alton Carolina Rd. (Rt. 91) near the intersection with Hill Top Drive
What: Grand Opening Celebration with speakers, refreshments, tours and more by the Charlestown Conservation Commission
Trails and parking have been developed and the land is now officially open for hiking!
When: Monday, July 11 at 7 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: Town Council meeting to discuss, and possibly vote on, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance proposed by the Charlestown Planning Commission
Conservation development is a type of Cluster Subdivision that prioritizes the protection of natural resources, open space, and agricultural lands.
URI Master Gardener volunteers will be at Kettle Pond to conduct free soil pH testing. The test helps determine soil pH levels and predominant soil texture, and provides basic information and recommendations for gradual correction of soil pH and compaction issues. While you are dropping off your soil sample, stop by the native plant demonstration garden.
At the May 9 Charlestown Town Council meeting, Councilors Carney and Klinger declined to support the expenditure of $4,750 to fund a real estate appraisal to determine the fair market value of this property. DEM awarded a $400,000.00 Natural Heritage Grant towards the purchase in March. An appraisal is needed before the project can move forward.
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park
When: Sunday, May 15, 2022, 9:00 pm – Monday, May 16, 2022, 3:00 am
Cost: $5 Admission per person 5 years and older
Overnight Sunday, May 15, 2022, to Monday, May 16, 2022, a Total Lunar Eclipse is taking place and it will be visible to all in New England.
“Only In Your State” reviews the Vin Gormley Trail that “offers endless opportunities for photos and quiet moments of reflection. With an abundance of lush green, a cascading waterfall and a picturesque boardwalk, the trail gives off a magical, fairy tale vibe that you really have to experience to appreciate. Perhaps even better, it’s picture-perfect in all seasons.”
When: Friday, May 20, 2022 at 2 pm
Where: The Unitarian Church on the Town Green, First Church & Parish, 670 High Street, Dedham, Massachusetts
The pandemic delayed Jan’s memorial service, but it can now take place and we hope anyone who remembers Jan will try to make the trip to Dedham to share in his memory.
Congratulations to all who have participated. You all have done something positive for your neighbors, neighborhoods, and the town as a whole. The level of commitment to keeping Charlestown beautiful is one of the most admirable aspects of living here. We are a community that cares about our neighborhoods. There is a lot to like about Charlestown and its community spirit is one of those things.
The map in this post shows the locations of extractive industries in Charlestown. These are operations removing sand, gravel or rock. Click on the red tool tip to read the name of the owner and the Map/Lot location of the parcel being extracted. The operations on the different parcels are quite varied. You can switch the map to satellite view to see forest and wetland features.
Charlestown will again conduct a roadside cleanup on Saturday, April 23. Every piece of litter is potentially a danger to wildlife. Every piece of litter is an eyesore. Every piece of litter says something about the careless habits of some drivers in Charlestown — and neighboring towns.
Saturday, April 9 was a great day to enjoy spring in New England – about 25 enthusiastic walkers, a couple of leashed dogs, lots of bird song, clear views of the Pawcatuck River and sun, were enjoyed. The walk was to introduce an initiative of Charlestown’s Parks and Recreation Commission of a trail in commemoration of Ellison “Tarzan” Brown.
Enforcement of Charlestown’s Zoning Ordinance and enforcement of state wetlands or air quality laws are driven by complaints. The town and state do not have staff that randomly check properties for violations. If you believe there is a violation of zoning, wetlands, or air quality laws, you will need to make a complaint. The town or state then makes an investigation. If you have a question, concern, or complaint, please call the offices listed in this post.
When: Saturday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m. (Rain date is Sunday, April 10 at 11:00 a.m.)
Where: Meet at the Kings Factory Road entrance to the Francis Carter Preserve
What: Walk trails in the Carter Preserve that are proposed as part of a trail commemorating Charlestown’s Ellison “Tarzan” Brown
On Saturday, the Parks and Recreation members will lead an organized hike that follows the Pawcatuck River across the grassy field and through an old growth pine forest.
Providence Journal: From a dark corner of Charlestown, not far from the ocean, the view reaches millions of light years into space. The Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre’s new PlaneWave CDK600 telescope has already provided images of galaxies more than 55 million and 80 million light years away from Earth. “It’s the best telescope in Rhode Island that’s accessible to the public,” said Scott MacNeill, observatory director.
Chariho is a high-performing school system. It has excellent teachers. Its students perform very well on standardized tests. The parents are involved and committed to having the best educational benefits available for their children. Not passing the Chariho budget, which is totally in line with the cost of living, will not serve the children.
All community members and organizations are encouraged to plan free events – whether family friendly, recreational or restorative. Events can range from ecological, educational, cultural, musical, historical or artistic activities to hiking, cycling, canoe and kayak outings or even picnics and social gatherings that celebrate the Wild and Scenic Status of the Wood-Pawcatuck Waterways.
Since July 2021, when the The Northeast Corridor Commission released Connect NEC 2035, a 15-year development plan and planning process for the Northeast Rail Corridor, Charlestown’s Town Administrator has written to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) several times asking for information. Now seven months later, Charlestown has finally gotten a reply from the FRA, but not a lot of answers.
Land proposed for protection under the Natural Heritage grant program is scored for its protection of critical and uncommon habitat, its capability of supporting a diversity of habitats, its support for rare/endangered species, its close proximity to other protected land, its close proximity to a river or other water body, groundwater protection, and public access for passive recreation.
Rhode Island House Bill H 7531 makes our state’s most important forests and wildlife habitat, ineligible for incentives to develop renewable energy. It also defines preferred sites where renewable energy incentives should be focused. If adopted, this legislation would be a huge improvement of Rhode Island’s current renewable energy siting programs that are encouraging the clearing of many hundreds of acres of forest and wildlife habitat.
Council members passed two resolutions this week calling on action from the state as Charlestown joins a growing list of communities that are seeking to resurrect legislation first presented in 2016 that would let towns better regulate and monitor quarry activity. The resolutions, which were presented by councilor Bonnie Van Slyke and passed unanimously, take aim at addressing combinations of noise pollution, air pollution and nuisance abatement.
There have been innumerable complaints from residents living in wide-spread locations throughout Charlestown concerning commercial quarrying, extraction and earth and gravel removal operations at pre-existing nonconforming extraction operations currently operating in Town. This resolution seeks an amendment to the RI General Laws to allow the Town of Charlestown to regulate the extraction operations.
Charlestown Town Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke introduced the blasting resolution at the February 28 Town Council meeting. The resolution received the full support of the other Council members and was sent to Charlestown’s State Senators Dennis Algiere and Elaine Morgan and House Representative Blake Filippi, and to all Rhode Island Cities and Towns, all Rhode Island Legislators, Speakers of the House and Senate, the State Fire Marshall and the Governor seeking their consideration of and support for this Resolution.