CCA Blog and Mail Box

Below you will find an archive of CCA blog posts. The comments from readers and some blog posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the CCA Steering Committee. Sign up to receive these blog posts by e-mail.

June 24, 2015

Enabling Legislation on Quarry Fugitive Silica Dust Passes

Tom Gentz /Charlestown Rhode Island, Extraction Industry, Mailbox

In summary, the legislation requires that “Manufactured unwashed sand”, or quarry dust located within 1,500 feet of any occupied dwelling shall not be stockpiled without measures to control fugitive dust from trespassing beyond the quarry’s property line, and RI DEM is authorized to enforce compliance.

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June 24, 2015

Bill that would allow more regulation of mining and gravel operations passes House and Senate

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Extraction Industry, Mailbox

We have just learned that Rhode Island House Bill 5680 Substitute A passed the House and a companion Senate Bill passed in the Senate. The text of that bill is […]

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ChurchWoods

June 20, 2015

ChurchWoods Senior Housing Will Be Ready for Occupancy Summer, 2017

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The last piece of funding for ChurchWoods, an affordable housing project for senior citizens, has been acquired. ChurchWoods will provide 24 1 bedroom rental units for seniors next to the […]

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NinigretBikePath

June 16, 2015

Ninigret Park Proponents Backpedal on Bike Path

Ruth Platner /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The 2004 survey that the Ninigret Park Master Plan is based on showed 60% of respondents wanted more pedestrian trails in the park. This was the single largest preference of survey takers. This about face by the bond proponents on the proposal for a trail system at Ninigret Park isn’t a big surprise, but it is still a disappointment.

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Moraine Preserve-3594

June 5, 2015

Failure of the Conservation Easement

Michael Chambers /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author Michael Chambers The June 1 Charlestown Financial Referendum resulted in the passing of the […]

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Schoolhouse Pd 919-1942

May 28, 2015

Charlestown Open Space Provides Economic Payback

SteeringCommittee /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

In 2010, the Trust for Public Land released their report, “The Economic Benefits and Fiscal Impacts of Parks and Open Space in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York.” The study found that parks and open space provide a $2.74 billion annual economic boon to local governments and taxpayers on Long Island. The report details how conservation of parks and open space generates income and increases property values, even as it reduces the costs associated with new government services, if the land were developed.

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P1030893

May 25, 2015

Charlestown Land Trust Explains Land Conservation and Conservation Easements

Outside Source /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author Karen Jarret. Ms. Jarret is President of the Charlestown Land Trust. The following is […]

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May 24, 2015

Why Choose to Divide Our Town and Inspire Hatred?

SteeringCommittee /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author John Goodman. It seems that every time there is an election, the Charlestown Democratic […]

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Thomas B. Gentz

May 22, 2015

Addressing Commentary on the Political Climate in Charlestown

Tom Gentz /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in the Westerly Sun and is shared with us here by the authors Tom Gentz and George Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay is Vice President of the Charlestown […]

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Horseback riding South Farm P1000017

May 21, 2015

South Farm Pays Its Way and Will Provide Fiscal Benefits for Generations to Come

SteeringCommittee /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

By offsetting the tax loss from new residential development, South Farm Preserve has already more than paid back the Town’s initial investment and will now continue to provide a fiscal benefit for generations to come.

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SchoolhousePond

May 20, 2015

Provide Permanent Protection to the Charlestown Moraine Preserve

Ruth Platner /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author Ruth Platner Granting a conservation easement over undeveloped land is very much like hiring […]

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May 16, 2015

On the Ninigret bond: A Word of Caution

George Tremblay /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in the Westerly Sun and is shared with us here by the author George C. Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay is a member of the Charlestown Town Council. […]

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Moraine Preserve

May 14, 2015

Why Gamble With A Sure Thing

Michael Chambers /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author Michael Chambers On June 1, the voters of Charlestown will have the opportunity to […]

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GeorgeTremblay

May 9, 2015

Misrepresenting a Good Land Deal for Charlestown

George Tremblay /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in the Westerly Sun and is shared with us here by the author George C. Tremblay. Mr. Tremblay is a member of the Charlestown Town Council. […]

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Photo of the Moraine Preserve

April 28, 2015

Charlestown Open Space Land Provides Plenty of Value

Ruth Platner /Budget2015, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers, and is shared with us here by the author Ruth Platner On April 23, the Westerly Sun published a story, “Group seeks $1 […]

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Hikers on a Charlestown, Rhode Island trail

March 31, 2015

Guide to Charlestown Recreation/Conservation Properties

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

We recently released the first phase of our guide to Charlestown’s Open Space properties. You can click on any image below to learn more about a particular property. Property descriptions […]

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February 17, 2015

Conservation Easement on Charlestown Moraine Preserve to go to Voters

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

At the February 9 meeting, the Town Council voted to put a conservation easement on the Charlestown Moraine Preserve before the voters at the June financial town referendum. The property […]

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February 15, 2015

Town Council Accepts Donation of Land From Mary Lucey

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

At their February 9th meeting, the Charlestown Town Council voted to accept a generous donation of three parcels of land totaling about 30 acres on Ross Hill Road and Niantic […]

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December 29, 2014

Open Space and Hard Work Win a 15% Savings on Flood Insurance

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

Thanks to Charlestown’s past efforts to preserve land as open space and Building Official Joe Warner’s recent hard work to make a winning application to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program’s […]

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George_square220

December 14, 2014

Proposal for a New Extraction Ordinance

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Extraction Industry, Mailbox

At the December 8 Town Council meeting, George Tremblay made a proposal (text of that is below) to be submitted to the Town Solicitor and other Town staff for revision […]

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December 14, 2014

Town Council Passes Resolution Asking State Legislature for Mining Regulation

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Extraction Industry, Mailbox

At their December 8 meeting the Town Council unanimously passed the resolution below asking that the RI General Assembly enact legislation that directs the Department of Environmental Management to establish […]

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November 1, 2014

Open Space Tax Implications are Positive

Ruth Platner /2014 Election News, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author Ruth Platner. Ms. Platner is Chair of the Charlestown Planning Commission. Electing Independent Charlestown […]

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Frances Topping

October 29, 2014

Help keep Charlestown a great place to live

SteeringCommittee /2014 Election News, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is reprinted here with permission of the author Frances Topping. Frances is running for election to the Charlestown Planning Commission. Charlestown is […]

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Tom_square220

October 25, 2014

How Charlestown works together to preserve Open Space

Tom Gentz /2014 Election News, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 and is running […]

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October 24, 2014

A vote for the Charlestown Citizens Alliance candidates is a vote for the Independent Voice

SteeringCommittee /2014 Election News, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author John Goodman. I am writing urging my fellow Charlestown voters to support the Charlestown […]

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October 15, 2014

Town Council asks Legislature to permit Town to regulate extraction

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Extraction Industry, Mailbox

The following resolution was passed by the Charlestown Town Council at their October 14th meeting A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO THE REGULATION OF EARTH REMOVAL, GRAVEL EXTRACTION AND BLASTING WHEREAS, the […]

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Ruth Platner

October 10, 2014

Video Taped Meetings are Fully Transparent

Ruth Platner /2014 Election News, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter appeared in local newspapers and is shared with us here by the author Ruth Platner. Ms. Platner is Chair of the Charlestown Planning Commission. The meetings of […]

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October 7, 2014

Lisa DiBello ends bid for Town Council

News Media /2014 Election News, Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox, News Reports

Westerly Sun – Published: October 7, 2014 By ELLYN SANTIAGO Sun Staff Writer CHARLESTOWN — Incumbent Town Councilor Lisa A. DiBello has withdrawn from the race and will not seek […]

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September 27, 2014

If Mr. Mageau truly wishes to protect the public from faulty intelligence, he need only put down his pen

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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Tom_square220

September 11, 2014

ChurchWoods Senior Housing Closer to Reality

Tom Gentz /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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. At the September […]

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GeorgeTremblay

September 9, 2014

What possesses a newspaper to publish such inflammatory nonsense?

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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Tom_square220

August 31, 2014

Purchasing Streetlights to Save RI Cities $8 Million

Tom Gentz /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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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August 17, 2014

Reply to Rep. Donna Walsh’s open letter to the Charlestown Town Council

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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Boothroyd080414

August 5, 2014

Boothroyd Offers Help to Shoreline Homeowners

Mary Lou Gentz /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The Charlestown Town Council hosted an August 4, 2014, workshop lead by Dr. Jon C. Boothroyd, URI Research Professor Emeritus, on a changing coastline. A South Kingstown resident, he has […]

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July 24, 2014

Pipeline / Impact of a Single Taxing District for Chariho

Dan Slattery /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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June 28, 2014

On Affordable Housing

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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May 18, 2014

WE WANT YOU!

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The Charlestown Citizens Alliance is seeking candidates it can support for election to the Charlestown Town Council, the Charlestown Planning Commission, and the Chariho School Committee. We need your participation […]

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March 9, 2014

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

Ruth Platner /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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March 7, 2014

Ordinance Regulating Extractive Industries on March 10 Agenda

Ruth Platner /Charlestown Rhode Island, Extraction Industry, Mailbox

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 […]

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February 27, 2014

Site Needs to be Preserved, not Reserved

Michael Chambers /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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February 18, 2014

George Tremblay’s letter on Hurricane Sandy Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Action Plan

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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February 2, 2014

Extraction Ordinance Explained

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Extraction Industry, Mailbox

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 […]

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January 16, 2014

Even More CDTC Tactics

Michael Chambers /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

Guest Post by Michael Chambers (guest posts are moderated, but not approved or endorsed by the CCA Steering Committee) ————————————- The amount of disinformation that comes out of the CDTC […]

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January 14, 2014

More CDTC Tactics

Michael Chambers /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

Guest Post by Michael Chambers (guest posts are moderated, but not approved or endorsed by the CCA Steering Committee) —————————— The most common tactic the Charlestown Disinformation Town Committee (CDTC) […]

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December 30, 2013

Charlestown: Reflecting on 2013 and Looking Forward to 2014

Tom Gentz /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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December 22, 2013

Affordable Housing Law gets a Health Check

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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 […]

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December 8, 2013

Providence Journal got the definition of affordable housing only partially correct

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

The following letter was published in the Providence Journal (Dec 5) by George Tremblay in response to their news article on affordable housing (Dec 1) ————————————– “Your otherwise informative article […]

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December 5, 2013

Zodiacal Light Returns to Frosty Drew

SteeringCommittee /Charlestown Rhode Island, Dark Sky, Mailbox, Ninigret Park

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 […]

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December 1, 2013

The Copar Quandary

George Tremblay /Charlestown Rhode Island, Extraction Industry, Mailbox

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 […]

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September 5, 2013

Multiple referendums are timed to kill open space projects

Ruth Platner /Charlestown Rhode Island, Mailbox

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.

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