Mail sent to mail@CharlestownCitizens.org
There is now additional evidence that the current Town Council majority favors development and an increase in the density of that development. What will remain at risk is the degradation of our groundwater (the sole source of our drinking water), unhealthy freshwater and saltwater ponds, and ultimately an increase in our tax rate when these negative environmental effects need to be mitigated.
The travel magazine Afar has named Charlestown the most charming small town in Rhode Island. They describe Charlestown as “a town best known for its golden-sand beaches, hiking and biking trails, and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, a magnet for migratory birds.”
UPDATE: Although the Town Council did not make the changes the Planning Commission had strongly advised to limit ADUs to year-round use and to limit lot size, the Zoning Office is interpreting the ordinance in a way that does limit ADUs to year-round use and does limit the lot size to 20,000 square feet for non-family ADUs. There is still no minimum lot size for family ADUs. We have updated this post to reflect the Zoning Office’s January 25 memo.
When: Thursday, January 25, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online ZOOM Meeting – register at this link
Staff from the Town of Charlestown and its partners at URI, the Salt Ponds Coalition, and Save the Bay are working to protect water quality in and around Greater Allen’s Cove and Eastern Ninigret Pond through grant funded septic system replacements, stormwater management improvements, water quality monitoring, and community engagement.
Charlestown once rejected partisan divisions and, in turn, enjoyed a decade of smooth, open, good, and responsive government that provided low taxes and good schools while maintaining a high quality of life. Now, the current Town Council characterizes information as lies and is ignoring the preferences of residents expressed in the 2021 Community Survey.
There are great health benefits, for body and soul, when connecting with nature, and winter is one of the most beautiful times to hike in Charlestown. We are so lucky to live in Charlestown, where we have access to the Pawcatuck River, ponds, parks and public open space located throughout our town.
Bonfire
When: Sunday, December 31st at 5:00 p.m. (food trucks begin at 3:00 p.m.)
Where: Ninigret Park
Stargazing
When: Sunday, December 31st from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park
When: Saturday, January 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Arcadia Check Station, off Rt. 165, 2224 Ten Rod Road, Exeter
This process is called Conifer Revetment and it helps restore rivers that have become wide and shallow due to flooding and storms. The trees are strategically installed to reduce erosion, provide refuge habitat, and stabilize stream banks.
Charlestown was managed very well for a decade, but the current Town Council majority still continues to falsely accuse town staff of misdeeds. Implying, without any evidence, that town staff has violated an ordinance is unconscionable.
Amtrak officials acknowledge that the ground rules for the new study guarantee a new off-corridor route and require the same metrics previously used to justify a controversial high-speed-rail bypass through Charlestown and coastal Connecticut. Read text of story in the CT Examiner.
When: Wednesday, December 13 from 6:30 pm to Thursday, December 14, at 2:00 am
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park
Cost: $5 Admission per person 5 years and older
The Geminid Meteor Shower is one of the best (if not the best) meteor shower of the year. Geminid Meteors are bright with a (seasonally festive) greenish hue that leave long-lasting dust trails in the sky.
As we enjoy the holiday season in our beautiful Charlestown community, please join Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA) in supporting our neighbors in need. Food insecurity continues to rise nationally, and our town is no exception. The Rhode Island Center Assisting Those In Need (RI CAN) is a local lifeline to many.
When: Saturday, December 9, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Cross Mills Library (4417 Old Post Rd, Charlestown)
What: A town hall meeting sponsored by Charlestown’s Senator Victoria Gu to discuss amendments to legislation regulating ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units).
Please attend to explain the importance of local groundwater issues to the sponsors of these bills and that these units need to be placed on lots and in areas that can handle increased septage and to urge that their use as vacation rentals be discouraged.
As an organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and the habitats they rely on, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island strongly opposes the installation of any novel lighting at Ninigret, even those deemed to be “dark sky friendly.” A growing body of literature suggests that artificial light at night has the capacity to draw birds off course during migration and increase further the mortality associated with an already high-risk period in a migratory bird’s annual cycle.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has announced that the highly aggressive invasive plant, Hydrilla verticillata, has been found at Worden Pond in South Kingstown. Worden Pond is near the northeast corner of Charlestown and upstream to the Pawcatuck River that forms the entire northern border of Charlestown.
Did you know that all the animals at the Charlestown Animal Shelter have an account with Chewy all year round? They would love Santa to bring them some awesome enrichment gifts to enjoy while they wait for their permanent homes.
Did you miss the November 30 meeting on a new Ninigret Park Master Plan with the consultants working on the plan, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, and with an estimated cost of $20 to $30 Million? A video of the meeting is in this post along with highlights of the plan and meeting.
Be Safe! Be sure to wear at least 500 square inches of florescent orange when hiking on state, federal, or other public and private open space.
Frosty Drew is the most accessible dark-sky area east of the Mississippi. Light pollution poses a serious threat to nocturnal wildlife, as it has negative impacts on plant and animal physiology. It can confuse the migratory patterns of animals, alter competitive interactions of animals, and change predator-prey relations. Full story at ecoRI News …
When: Thursday, November 30, at 7 pm
Where: Charlestown Elementary School, 363 Carolina Back Rd, Charlestown
Anyone interested in the future of Ninigret Park will want to attend this meeting in person because the draft of the new 2023 Master Plan will be presented and because VHB will gather additional input from the public before it finalizes the 2023 Master Plan for delivery to the town in December.
When: Friday, December 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail
Santa Meet and Greet, Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, Singing by Chariho Middle School 5th Grade Choir, and Drive in Movies
The night sky has inspired humanity for thousands of years. Science has progressed because of it. Studying it has shown our place in the Universe and led to more stories, spiritual, philosophical, religious, social and emotional revolutions than any other part of our world. Young students have been inspired by it and have gone on in life to outstanding careers in science, engineering, and technology, which have greatly benefited our society.
Did you miss the October 30 meeting on a new Ninigret Park Master Plan with the consultants working on the plan, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin? A video of the meeting is in this post. The next meeting at which VHB is scheduled to be present is November 30 at 7 p.m. at the Charlestown Elementary School.
The maximum number of cars that can be parked in Ninigret Park governs capacity. No matter where a large event area is placed, parking will dominate the remaining areas of the Park, and the quiet enjoyment of Ninigret Park by residents and wildlife will be eliminated.
Even if you missed the November 8 open house about Commercial and Village Design Standards, you can still give your input via a survey. The Committee seeks input for a set of design guidelines and standards for new commercial development in Charlestown. The goal is to achieve a more coherent and aesthetically pleasing view of development occurring in the commercial and village districts. Link to the survey in post.
There has been a recent assertion that the allowed number of dwelling units on any lot north of Rt.1 in Charlestown could be doubled if conventional septic systems were replaced with nitrogen-reducing systems. However, the limiting nutrient in freshwater systems is phosphorus, not nitrogen, and no existing wastewater treatment system, whether nitrogen-reducing or not, removes phosphorus.
The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management are advising people to avoid contact with Worden Pond in South Kingstown due to a blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) bloom in the pond. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that can harm humans and animals. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
Federal Railroad Administration announced $16.4 billion of funding for passenger rail projects along the Northeast Corridor, and additional funding to reevaluate and finalize high-speed rail options across southeast Connecticut and southern Rhode Island. The study follows up on the “Kenyon to Old Saybrook Bypass” proposal for an inland high speed rail route slated between Kingston, R.I. and Old Saybrook that faced multi-state opposition and was set aside in 2017.
“With the park’s master plan undergoing an update, a potential option is increased lighting. Lighting would ruin the park’s unique view of the night sky, which every year attracts thousands of visitors. Town Council President Carney says, “We hear it about the dark sky, people who value the dark sky,” but she notes the park is for the recreational use of all Charlestown residents.” Read the full story in Nov. 4 Providence Journal.
When: Sunday, November 19 – 8:30 am check-in and bib pick-up opens – 10:00 am all races start
Where: Meet at DEM picnic area parking lot (GPS: 23 Sanctuary Road, Charlestown, RI)
What: 4 and 8 mile road race around Burlingame and Watchaug Pond
Register: Online pre-registration required for all participants. See post for details.