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.
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 […]
The report of this meeting on proposed road improvements was provided by Town Council member George Tremblay in response to a question sent to our e-mail account. That question follows […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 […]
In January, the Charlestown Town Council passed a resolution in support of residents living near the Copar Quarry. The text of that resolution follows.
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.
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.
The following letter appeared in the Westerly Sun and is printed here with the permission of the author ————————————– What could be funnier than James Mageau kvetching about open meetings […]
On November 6, Charlestown residents will go to the polls to vote for Planning Commission candidates. We ask that you consider how you envision the future development of Charlestown to protect our fragile natural resources.
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.
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.
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.
Please consider a “Yes” vote for State question number 6 on the November ballot. Question 6 contains funding for farmland preservation. We need to work harder on both the state and local level to support agriculture. Our farms are important to our economy, environment, and community character.
Using lies and smears to destroy local politicians and our families is not an acceptable way to win an election. Vicious, false attacks mean fewer good people will run for election and voters will have diminished choices and less effective representation. Voters should be skeptical of the “facts” they may read in blogs and seek out information from publications that adhere to a code of journalistic ethics. Blogs have the potential to be a lively, engaging place to read opinion and debate ideas, but facts are better found in newspapers.
Publications of some members and candidates of the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee, along with Town Council candidate James Mageau have said we don’t need to keep Attorney Larisa or continue to oppose changes in Federal laws that would allow casino development in Charlestown. When this group last had a majority on the Town Council from 1990 to 1992 they came out in support of gambling in Charlestown.
The budget for municipal operations is met primarily through property taxes levied. As with all tax policy, when a select group gets an exemption, the rest of us have to ante up more to cover the costs. The arithmetic leading to the bottom line is not forgiving, and the public has to make a judgment call on whether the benefits to the chosen are worth the added burden to the rest of us.
The Salt Ponds Coalition 2012 Annual Meeting was held last Monday, 20 Aug, at the Kettle Pond National Wildlife Refuge visitor center. The guest speaker was Dr. Jon Boothroyd, the RI State Geologist*. He provided the presentation “Climate Change, Coastal Geologic Hazards and Sea-Level Rise: Some RI Strategies”
Doing what is right for the town sometimes takes time, collaboration, character and common sense. Although I am disappointed about the sale of the YMCA land, I am proud of the process and thankful for the volunteers who sought to save the land as open space. When the Town Council denied a request to change the zoning from open space to residential over a year ago, it intended to explore options that had not yet been investigated in depth. This exploration involved due diligence and a number of players.
There has been much controversy over implementation of the affordable housing law in rural areas, because it is driven by state-imposed high-density housing contrary to local zoning. Is performance of the law adequate compensation for the loss of local control over zoning and land management?
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) doesn’t give power to the Federal Government. The Federal Government has all the power it needs. An MOU is about information sharing between the Town and Wildlife Biologists.
By fostering a work environment that encourages inclusion instead of exclusion, I hope the town can reestablish sound working relationships with all stakeholders and collaborate on Ninigret Park improvements that serve both the town and National Wildlife Refuge.
There is a need to foster a work environment that encourages inclusion instead of exclusion and that supports the legal, moral and ethical approach to conflict resolution.
A debate has emerged in Charlestown on whether the town administrator should inform elected officials of information or decisions staff make that impact land use and the community that is our home.
Click here to read about the history of managing Ninigret Park and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. (4.25Mb) Click here to read the USFWS letter that cites negative consequences to migratory […]
As promised, we looked into the failure of the Charlestown Town Administrator to disclose important information about lighting at Ninigret Park. In addition, he also failed to disclose important information […]
Town Administrator Fails To Tell Town Council/Public About Government Letters There is so much to report so we’ll send the update over the next few days. Lighting Ordinance Town Council […]
The letter below was submitted to the Westerly Sun and Chariho Times by Ruth Platner and George Tremblay to explain the Residential Wind Ordinance proposed by the Planning Commission. The […]
WASHINGTON – As the RI General Assembly considered a statewide referendum on a proposed casino last week, tribal leaders from around the country were pressing Congress for action on a bill rooted […]
An Act Relating to Towns and Cities – Zoning Ordinances,” introduced into the House and Senate as H-5554 and S-533. Proposed legislation would reduce minimum building lot sizes to less […]
Prior to the Regular Meeting-CCA applauds this open, transparent discussion · Town Council in open session at the Town Administrator’s (TA) request with Councilor DiBello recusing, voted unanimously to give […]
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with the State of Rhode Island, conducted the first phase of The South Shore Restoration Project in 2004-2005 for $3.4 million. The Charlestown […]
Governor Chafee’s stance on Charlestown casino welcome Dear Governor Chafee: It was wonderful to see you at the Washington County Regional Planning Council dinner last week. As Charlestown council president, […]
As towns struggle to meet the state-wide goal of 10% affordable housing, there is much confusion over what the term “affordable housing” means. A house that the average wage-earner can […]
As concerned citizens of Charlestown, Rhode Island, we support the land use goal of our town’s Comprehensive Plan to protect the natural and cultural resources and rural character of the […]
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s message to CCA e-mailers on opposition to any legislation that would overturn the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Carcieri v. Salazar ————————————- Thank you for contacting […]