Purchasing Streetlights to Save RI Cities $8 Million
The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is reprinted here with permission of the author Tom Gentz. Mr. Gentz is President of the Charlestown Town Council. Over the past […]
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Mail sent to mail@CharlestownCitizens.org
Reply to Rep. Donna Walsh’s open letter to the Charlestown Town Council
The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author George C. Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay is a member of the Charlestown Town Council and […]
Pipeline / Impact of a Single Taxing District for Chariho
As reported in the Westerly Sun in February and many other times, Hopkinton has suggested a uniform school tax rate for all three town in the Chariho School district, similar […]
On Affordable Housing
The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author George C. Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay is a member of the Charlestown Town Council and […]
An easement is an insurance policy to preserve scenic beauty, protect water quality, conserve wildlife habitat, protect public access, and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation
Guest Post by Ruth Platner (guest posts are moderated, but not approved or endorsed by the CCA Steering Committee) ———————————————— In the last 15 years there have been 5 major […]
Ordinance Regulating Extractive Industries on March 10 Agenda
The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author Ruth Platner ———————————————- Stone crushing, sand and gravel removal, and other issues related to […]
Site Needs to be Preserved, not Reserved
The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is reprinted here with permission of the author Michael Chambers ————————————- It is not surprising that there are people in Charlestown that […]
George Tremblay’s letter on Hurricane Sandy Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Action Plan
South County towns may receive over $14 million in federal disaster funding to compensate for Superstorm Sandy. Projects in area towns are competing for those funds. A large portion of […]
Extraction Ordinance Explained
The following post was submitted by George C. Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay is a member of the Charlestown Town Council and Town Council Liaison to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission […]
Charlestown: Reflecting on 2013 and Looking Forward to 2014
The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is reprinted here with permission of the author Tom Gentz. Mr. Gentz is President of the Charlestown Town Council. ———————————– As the […]
Affordable Housing Law gets a Health Check
The following letter appeared in the Westerly Sun and the Chariho Times, and is reprinted here with permission of the author George C. Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay is a member of […]
Zodiacal Light Returns to Frosty Drew
The website of Frosty Drew Observatory recently published a story that should be of interest to all those who love star filled skies. Since the lighting ordinance passed in Charlestown […]
The Copar Quandary
The following opinion piece appeared in the Westerly Sun, and the Chariho Times and is reprinted here with permission of the author George C. Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay is a member […]
Multiple referendums are timed to kill open space projects
I hope that Charlestown will continue the practice established by the state, other towns, and conservation organizations, of raising the funds first and then being ready for open space opportunities when they arise.
Town Council Votes 4 to 1 to Purchase “Whalerock” Land
At the August 22 public hearing at the Charlestown Elementary School the Town Council voted to approve the acquisition for open space of land where two utility scale wind turbines with […]
Governor Chafee signed the “Steep Slopes” bill
This spring the House and Senate passed bills taking away a town’s right to deduct steep slopes from the calculation of development potential on a parcel of land. Our State […]
The Affordable Housing quagmire gets deeper
This betrayal of effort is a disgrace and should serve as a caution to any community entertaining cooperation with RI Housing. The AH law and its overseer need close examination for failed policies and mismanagement. Towns deserve better for their investment of effort, and the public deserves better for its investment of hard-earned dollars to help those in need.
Board needs to find that turbines will not create conditions inimical to the public health.
In their decision, the Zoning Board must make positive findings. One of those findings must be that the proposal will not result in adverse impacts or create conditions that will be inimical to the public health. We do not believe they can make this positive finding.
Town Hires Special Counsel for Whalerock – More Discussion of Findings
The Town Council believes it is in the best interest of the entire Town to hire a special legal counsel with authority to hire appropriate experts on the impact of commercial wind turbines.
Zoning Board must find that the requested special use permit will not alter the general character of the surrounding area.
In their decision, the Zoning Board must make positive findings. One of those findings must be that the the requested special use permit will not alter the general character of the surrounding area. We do not believe they can make this positive finding.
Help Stop the Steep Slopes Bill
The steep slopes bill. This bill is on the fast track towards passage in committee and in each branch of the legislature.
E-mail your Senator and Representative and tell them to oppose these bills.
Steering Committee Position on Whalerock
We do not believe the Zoning Board can make these positive findings and we urge the Board to acknowledge the negative findings by rejecting the application for a Special Use Permit.
Zoning Board must make positive findings that there will be no adverse environmental impacts resulting from the two Wind Turbines
Based on proximity to federal, state and tribal wildlife conservation areas and using the guidelines established by the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Siting Partnership this is not an appropriate site for wind turbines of this size. The Charlestown Zoning Board cannot make a positive finding that “there will be no adverse environmental impacts” from this proposal.
Timeline for Whalerock application for two 410 foot wind turbines next to residential neighborhoods
In the 2008 to 2010 Town Council term, the Town Council members were Gregg Avedesian, Forrester Safford, Marge Frank, Charlene Dunn, and Richard Hosp. In the timeline below for the […]
Town Council Resolution To Support Residents Living Near Copar Quarry
In January, the Charlestown Town Council passed a resolution in support of residents living near the Copar Quarry. The text of that resolution follows.
Your questions about COPAR
Some of you have written with questions about COPAR. There is a Town Council workshop scheduled for 7 p.m. on January 10 at Town Hall to discuss COPAR
COPAR Quarry is a gravel operation on the border of Westerly and Charlestown. Residents in both Charlestown and Westerly have complained that noise from blasts and dust from the processing operation have disrupted their lives and created health issues and environmental problems. DEM has issued a wetlands violation against the quarry. Westerly’s Zoning Official has issued a cease and desist order against the quarry. Despite these actions, the problems are not resolved.
On the “Awful” Affordable Housing Report
It was a stroke of genius by whoever thought to give the “Low and Moderate Income Housing Act” the nickname of “Affordable Housing”. The nickname manages to be both friendly and vague, a perfect combination to shield against critical challenge.
Longtime Democrat urges a vote against bully politics
The Charlestown Democratic Town Committee has given the town a window into its style of politics — and it’s disturbing and ominous. On Nov. 6, take a stand against bully politics in Charlestown. Vote against the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee’s chosen slate of Democratic town candidates.
George Tremblay: What did the CDTC offer as an alternative? NOTHING
Candidate Ferrio’s blog and his Democrat colleagues are long on words, and short on ideas. If you want more than that for your town government, vote CCA.
Send a Message to Charlestown Cyber-Bullies on Election Day
October is not only the month before the local election for Town Council and Planning Commission candidates, it is also National Anti-Bullying Month – something candidates endorsed by the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee may want to consider.