Budget Terms Explained
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.
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Ruth Platner: Surplus Should Be Used To Pay Long Term Debt
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.
Drone Scenes Of East Beach
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!
Quonnie Beach Scenes From The Lens Of A Drone
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!
Charlestown Town Administrator’s Performance Is Superior
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.
CCA Works To Protect Migratory Bird Habitat
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.
Town Council Denies Developer’s Commercial Solar Ordinance
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.
George Tremblay: Providing Food And Fuel Can Be A Sustainable Enterprise
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.
Planning Commission Advises Against Developer’s Ordinance For Utility Scale Solar
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.
Leo Mainelli: Charlestown – Affordable And Well Managed Thanks To CCA
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.
New Study Finds R.I.’s Forests Need Vigilant Protection
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.
Key West Radar Captured A Surge Of Migrating Birds Heading North
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.
Rising Groundwater Threatens Coastal Wells And Septic Systems
On Feb. 10, Alissa Cox, a Ph.D. candidate at URI’s Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Microbiology, made a presentation to the Charlestown Town Council to explain her research and data which shows ever rising water tables and a reduction in the separation of septic systems and ground water in the town’s coastal areas.
Bill Bartholomew Is A Charlestown Story
Bill is a native of Charlestown, graduating from CHARIHO in 2002. When Bill is interviewing politicians for his podcasts or appearing on PBS or radio he brings with him an understanding of the natural and cultural history of Charlestown.
CT Examiner: Charlestown’s Virginia Lee Offers Alternative on Shoreline Development
CT Examiner is the publication launched by Greg Stroud who was the founder of SECoast that helped us defeat the “Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass” that threatened to bisect northern Charlestown. Here he and Cate Hewitt write about Charlestown. It’s worth a read!
Recap Of 2019 Quonnie And Ninigret Ponds Dredging Project
This past year Robert Petrone was able to video various stages of the dredging process of Quonnie Pond and Ninigret Pond. He recently created a summary video of the dredging operation, from launching of the dredge machine to the planting of the salt marsh.
Elf On A Shelf Expedition
What: Locate 6 hidden elves around participating Charlestown businesses
When: November 29th to December 20th, 2019
How: stamp your passport & provide the location found on the Elf on the Shelf form for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate for any program.
With 3 Billion Fewer Birds, What Should Charlestown’s Role Be?
Since 1970, North America has lost 3 billion breeding adult birds from the total bird population. Habitat loss is one of the main causes of bird declines. One of the main routes, for both the north and south bird migrations, passes through southern Rhode Island. Losing the use, or even part of the use, of a scarce habitat like the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, will push even greater losses.
One Household’s Experience With Solarize Charlestown – What Is Yours?
Two years ago this month, the signup period for Solarize Charlestown ended. Charlestown’s program was one of the most successful in the state, with 58 households signing contracts for solar during the four month campaign. In this post is one family’s experience in the two years since the program ended.
Seven Captive-Bred New England Cottontails Released At Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
On September 17th, 2019, the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex released seven New England Cottontails (NEC) at Ninigret NWR, in coordination the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Southern […]
Sixth Annual Twin Peaks Preservation Stroll
Where: Charlestown Rathskeller, Old Coach Road, Charlestown
Why: October is Breast Cancer Awareness month
When: Sunday, October 6, 2019 – Registration begins at 8:30 am
Cost: There is no cost to register for the walk
Update On Burlingame North Camp – Camp Is Off The Table
Janet Coit, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), stated in a recent communication to Charlestown Town Council President Virginia Lee that DEM has dropped their plans […]
Virginia Lee’s Comments At The Shannock Falls Affordable Housing Dedication
On August 28, 2019, 11 new rental units of affordable housing were dedicated on the Charlestown side of Shannock Village. These were Virginia Lee’s comments at the ribbon cutting. Virginia […]
Self Storage on Planning Commission Agenda
When: Wednesday, July 24th at 7 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
The Charlestown Planning Commission will continue the public informational meeting on the Master Plan application of Storage Place LLC to build a self-storage facility on property on the pond side of Rt. 1 between the Hitching Post and the Willows Annex.
Ruth Platner: Consider The Conservation Value of Burlingame North Camp
When the camp was created, Charlestown had a small population and Charlestown like much of South County was mostly undeveloped. But land use has changed dramatically over the decades and the importance of the remaining large unfragmented forest parcels has greatly increased for species that depend on these large parcels.
Find Public Access Points To Rhode Island’s Coast
Rhode Island Sea Grant has prepared this guide to Shoreline access in Rhode Island. Choose an activity from the first drop down menu and then pick all of Rhode Island or narrow your search to a particular town. The application will sort the public access points starting with the one closest to your current location. Charlestown Town Council President Virginia Lee researched and produced the first edition of Public Access to the Rhode Island Coast, a guide to coastal areas. This current guide builds on Virginia’s earlier work.
New Budget Set For Public Hearing On July 8
When: Monday July 8, at 7PM
Where: Charlestown Elementary School
What: Public hearing on the revised 2019/2020 budget
Town Council members noted that the most common statement from those who voted in the Financial Referendum on June 3 was that they wanted the one-time surplus back in the form of a tax reduction.
Without Notice To Town, DEM Begins Development In Burlingame’s North Camp – Or Did They?
Update June 28 – According to staff at DEM, the camping platform on the north edge of Watchaug Pond was a “demonstration” campsite built by the concessionaire and was removed […]
Invenergy Power Plant Proposed For Burrillville DENIED By Energy Facilities Siting Board!
The EFSB’s denial of the power plant is certainly a victory for Burrillville, the Conservation Law Foundation, the Rhode Island Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and others, but it is a victory for Charlestown too. The threat the power plant posed to our drinking water, roads, wetlands and other natural resources is now over and the opportunity to protect the wildlife corridor that connects the two towns is still a possibility.
Ruth Platner: Shoreline Access
Rhode Islanders’ rights to the shore are clear, but what is less clear is where exactly you get to enjoy those rights. Legislation that provides a clear and easily measurable line of where public access starts would help everyone. Just landward of the seaweed line might be a good place to start.