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The Preserve joins other protected land that contains a diversity of natural resources featuring the area’s dramatic geological history and many unique ecological communities. Besides protecting groundwater and wildlife habitat, these natural areas, and the Preserve, provide some of the best hiking, hunting, fishing, swimming and boating opportunities in Rhode Island. The deep green forest and cool blue water of the Pawcatuck River have been described by the Chair of the Planning Commission as Charlestown’s emerald and sapphire crown, and indeed this Preserve is one of the jewels in that crown.

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At the August 14 Town Council meeting, the Council voted unanimously to partner with the Rhode Island Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to protect a 55 acre parcel of land that is contiguous with TNC’s Pasquiset Preserve on Old Coach Road. The new parcel is also contiguous with cluster subdivision open space and Pasquiset Preserve is contiguous with Charlestown’s South Farm Preserve.

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We are very pleased to announce that Leo Mainelli has agreed to serve as the Charlestown Citizens Alliance President! Leo currently serves as Charlestown’s Town Moderator. Leo will be stepping […]

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This post is to update those who may not have seen the recent local newspaper article about the Planning Commission’s decision at its July 25 meeting.

On July 25 the Charlestown Planning Commission did not approve the applicant’s Master Plan for a 7,500-square-foot Dollar Store proposed for Cross’ Mills. The vote to deny was unanimous.

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When: Sunday, August 26, at 2PM
Where: Meet at the Preserve’s Railroad Ave Parking lot in Carolina
What: The parking lot is complete, the trails are marked, the Preserve is now open
Who: Join the Charlestown Conservation Commission and the Charlestown Land Trust for the grand opening of this beautiful preserve to the public

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George Tremblay: “Communications towers are not admired as works of art, but they are a necessity in protecting the public welfare. Several already exist in the area, and it has not been made evident why new hardware attached to one of the existing towers could not satisfy the need for public safety. Erection of new towers calls for the utmost discretion if we are to preserve the beauty of our landscape.”

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What: Continuation of the Dollar General hearing before the Planning Commission
When: Wednesday, June 27th at 7pm
Where: Charlestown Elementary School
At this meeting the Planning Commission will decide whether or not to approve the applicant’s Master Plan. The Dollar General store is proposed in Charlestown’s Traditional Village District, which is also in the Historic Village Overlay District.

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Alone on the river it can feel like you are in a wilderness, 1000 miles from anywhere, just you and a startled beaver and the splash of sun bathing turtles diving into the water.

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Robert Malin was a candidate for Charlestown Town Council in the 2016 election. He has also been very active in the opposition to the Invenergy Power Plant in Burrillville and many other issues and causes. Robert’s family have set up a Go Fund Me page where you can read more about his situation and learn how to help.

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On April 23, Peter Gaynor, the Director of the RI Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), wrote to Joe Warner, the Charlestown Zoning Official, to say that RIEMA would examine alternative locations for the radio tower they had proposed for the DOT Salt Barn property at the Cross Mills exit on Rt. 1.

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Next Meeting:
What: Continuation of the Dollar General hearing before the Planning Commission
When: Wednesday, May 23rd at 7pm
Where: Charlestown Elementary School

Read the post for a review of April 18 meeting by Town Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke.

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Before the budget presentation, Town Moderator Leo Mainelli presented a history of the origin of the town of Charlestown. Leo read from the colonial act that divided Westerly into two towns, with one remaining Westerly and the other becoming Charlestown.

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In this video noted biologist, Ginger Brown, describes why protecting the rivers of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed is important because they have the largest populations of dragonflies and damselflies.

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In this video series, US Fish and Wildlife Service tells the story of the Pawcatuck River from formation to restoration. The Pawcatuck River forms the entire northern border of Charlestown.

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EcoRI: “The solution is to site projects in places that make sense environmentally and societally. The current policy, though, is nothing more than a collective shrug and the repeated claim that it’s cheaper to cut down trees than redevelop disturbed areas.”

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On Monday, April 9, the Town Council voted to authorize the Town Solicitor and other Town officials to take action to ensure the public health and safety of residents in relation to the 178-foot radio tower proposed for the DOT Salt Barn at the Cross Mills exit on Rt. 1. One of those actions will be to enforce the Town’s Zoning Ordinance.

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A six acre parcel of wooded land on the south side of the Town Hall property has been offered to the Town for $75 thousand. The access to Puchalski Field, […]

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When: Monday, April 9 at 7pm
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: On the agenda for discussion and a possible vote by the Town Council at Monday’s meeting is an authorization of the Town Administrator, Town Treasurer and Town Solicitor to take action to protect Charlestown with respect to the 178 foot radio tower proposed for scenic Rt. 1.

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The last time fish could migrate unimpeded on the Pawcatuck River, the United States was not yet a nation. George Washington was a surveyor, not a general or a president. But now, thanks to The Nature Conservancy, the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association, and other groups, the Pawcatuck River is ready for this year’s herring and shad runs — all 34 miles are passable for the first time in US history!

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Town writes to FCC in opposition to new radio tower, citing procedural, environmental, and historic preservation issues.

The deadline to send your own comments is Tuesday March 27.

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Before a new tower is located in this important tourism and wildlife location, the impacts to wildlife and tourism should be thoroughly studied. Alternatively RIEMA could find another location at a higher elevation that would allow for a well screened shorter tower with fewer visual and wildlife impacts.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the regulatory agency that will make the decision on whether to approve the tower. Comments must be sent to the FCC on or before March 27.

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Changing the Charter as the CDTC suggests, to require the automatic appointment of the “next highest vote getter” from among the defeated candidates, is not following the voter’s choice. The voter’s choice can only be measured in an election, and when there has been time for a special election the voters have chosen to defeat again the “next highest vote getter.” We should leave our Town Charter as it is.

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