CCA Blog and Mail Box

When: Thursday, August 8, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown (map in post)
Cost: Free with all materials provided
With her many years of experience teaching adults how to paint, Elizabeth “Miss Art” Nordstrom will teach you how to paint from sketches or life in this fun, beginner’s art class.

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Protecting our groundwater will involve preserving enough land for our septic systems to treat wastewater and for the rainwater to re-charge aquifers and thus will involve protecting more open space, careful use of impervious surfaces, and reasonable control over the density of our growth. The failure to learn these lessons could be very challenging and expensive for Charlestown.

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Ned Draper, who has served as the Director of Administration and Finance for the Chariho School District since 2020, has left the district and has already begun working at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Business as its Chief Business Officer. School Committee Chair Catherine Giusti said Draper would be difficult to replace. “While I’m happy for Ned, his leaving is a huge loss for Chariho and our community,” she said.

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When: Monday, August 19, at 7 p.m.
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
Cost: Free and open to the public
The featured speaker, Steve McCandless, will discuss the issues the breachways are facing and what is being proposed to address the issue at Charlestown Breachway in Ninigret Pond.

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When: Wednesday, August 7 at 7 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Roads, next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange in post)
What: Most people know about the great hurricane of 1938, but you may be surprised at the impact that these two other storms had on Quonnie shores.
Who: Presentation by Bill Steinman and Steve Young

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Where: All activities will be held on tribal land off of Rt. 2 and Old Mill Road in Charlestown
Cost: Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children.
When: Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11, 2024

• Gates open at 10 a.m. both days
• The Grand Entry will begin at 2 p.m. both days
• Sunday services will be held at the tribe’s church at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

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In the 1960s and 70s, on about 5 aces of what is now the 1,100 acre Francis Carter Preserve, the United Nuclear Corporation recovered uranium from contaminated wastewater at its plant. On July 24, 1964 an accident resulted in the tragic death of Robert Peabody, a worker at the plant. You can read or watch accounts of the accident that happened just off Narraganset Trail in Charlestown at the links in this post.

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What: Wildlife Wednesdays Lecture Series sponsored by Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of RI
Where: All lectures held at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown (map in post)
When: All presentations are on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
Cost: Admission is free and all ages are welcome

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When: August 2, 3 & 4
Where: Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI
What: Three days of food and entertainment

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UPDATE:Meeting cancelled late on July 29 just before meeting was scheduled to begin. We don’t know yet when it was rescheduled to.
When: Monday, July 29 at 7 pm
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: Town Council special meeting to discuss and possibly adopt the new 2024 Master Plan for Ninigret Park
The Town Council will discuss the 2024 Ninigret Park Master Plan that its consultant, VHB, developed in accordance with the directions given to the company by the Town Council. The $39.5 million cost estimates that were handed out at the April 15 meeting are included in this post.

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When: Wednesday, July 24 at 7 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Roads, next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange at bottom of post)
What: Hear a Rhode Island cemetery expert speak about four cemeteries of Quonnie and show pictures and drone footage of these fascinating landmarks. Three of the cemeteries date from the 1700s.
Who: Presentation by Larry Hunter

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Each year, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) asks the public to assist with their Turkey Brood Survey by reporting sightings of female turkeys, or hens, and their babies, called poults, from July 1st though August 31st. These citizen reported sightings of wild turkey hens, both with brood and without, help with research efforts.

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On Friday, July 12, Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter issued a preliminary decision, siding with private property owners who seek to overturn the state’s new shoreline access legislation passed last year by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee. The RI Attorney General disagrees with the decision. Story at ecoRI News.

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When: Thursday, July 25 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: The Nordic Lodge, 178 Nordic Trail, Charlestown
What: Live music by “Jus Tus”, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, raffle
Why: Support open space preservation and protection in Charlestown and have a fabulous evening with live music

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On July 8, the current Charlestown Town Council majority got rid of a highly qualified and experienced member of the Budget Commission, Dick Sartor. Mr. Sartor had applied to be reappointed, and he was not. This sacking of Mr. Sartor was carried out by a Town Council majority that says institutional knowledge, and qualifications, are of utmost importance in government. One can only wonder why the Town Council majority would remove Mr. Sartor’s practiced eye from oversight of the town’s budget.

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In early June, Charlestown’s land-use community lost its most qualified member with the passing of Walter “Peter” Mahony. Peter was undoubtedly the most qualified person to ever serve on the Charlestown Planning Commission. He was an Architect, a Landscape Architect, and a professional Planner with architectural and planning degrees from Princeton and Cambridge Universities. He had a successful career working on important projects that focused on the sustainable balance between development and land preservation.

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When: Thursday, July 11 from 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: Ninigret Park at the New Pavilion
What: Concert by Will Evans, whose album “Rise” was nominated for three categories by the New England Music Awards; movie Jaws; and 7 food trucks providing dinner
Who: Brought to you by Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department
Cost: Music and Movie are Free. Dinner – pay for as little or as much as you want to eat

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When: July 20 from 11 am to 5 pm (rain date July 21)
Where: Ninigret Park, Charlestown
Frances Topping will be one of the many artists participating in the Ninigret Arts and Crafts show. Frances is a member of the Charlestown Planning Commission who has been endorsed by CCA in all her elections. Besides her tireless work on the Planning Commission to protect Charlestown’s natural and cultural resources, she’s also also a talented naturalist, artist, and educator.

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When: Saturdays, June 29, July 13, July 27, August 3, and August 17, at 10:00 am
Where: Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Cost: Program is free
Registration: Please pre-register as space is limited
Hands-on experience that introduces children and their families to a variety of aquatic creatures living in the salt ponds.

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Where: Kinney Bungalow, 505 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett, RI 02882
When: Thursday, July 11 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
What: Silent Auction, Food and Drink, and a Sunset View
There are items for all interests, from a guided kayaking tour, to local gift cards, art, theatre tickets, and more! Additional items are added to the auction website weekly, so keep checking back.

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When: Wednesday, July 10 at 7 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Roads, next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange at bottom of post)
What: Learn about historical changes of the birds of Quonnie. What birds no longer visit, and what new birds have become Quonnie regulars.
Who: Presentation by Peter Mogielnicki – Quonochontaug Historical Society Board Member Emeritus

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When: Every Friday – June 21 to August 30 from 9 am to 12:30 pm
Where: On the grounds of the Church of the Holy Spirit, 4150 Old Post Rd,. Charlestown (map in post)

Local fresh produce, fruits, honey, shellfish, specially prepared dishes, baked goods, and more.

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Charlestown’s State Senator Victoria Gu along with Town Planners and Planning Commissions statewide worked to craft an Accessory Dwelling Unit Law that allowed ADUs while at the same time worked to protect the Coastal Ponds and other sensitive environmental areas from excessive nitrogen pollution. Senator Gu needs to hear from constituents to urge her to push for her bill (S-2630) that allows ADUs while still protecting groundwater and drinking water, rather than the House bill which represents a very real threat to the Coastal Ponds and groundwater throughout the town.

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively investigating the former Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF) under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program as a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). CNALF is currently Ninigret Park and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge in Charlestown. A Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) is one of many methods USACE may use to facilitate public participation. Details on how to be part of the RAB in post.

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If passed, the legislation (S2928/H8148) would replace the current structure of politically appointed board members with a state department that would allow current CRMC staff, which has the necessary expertise on coastal issues, to make decisions in the best interest of Rhode Islanders and the Ocean State’s coastal resources.

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Only 254 People Voted – Thank You To Everyone Who Did Vote!

• Charlestown’s 2025 Budget passed with 183 in favor of the budget and 71 against.
• The number of voters was down by over 1,000 from previous years’ numbers because of limited outreach.
• The tax rate is estimated to be $5.78 per thousand dollars of valuation

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In previous years the Town Council sent a mail ballot via the U.S. Postal Service to each of the town’s registered voters to make voting on the budget better reflect the will of our voters. However, the town council has discontinued this citizen outreach, and significant reduction in participation is expected. Expenditures are budgeted to increase by 6.17%, even though the town will not undertake a large construction project.

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Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserve is known for a few things – from holding the title of the second largest nature preserve in Rhode Island to sweeping landscapes created by glaciers. It may be best known, however, for having some of the best hiking trails in Rhode Island. Seven hiking trails meander through the lush 1,100-acre nature park.

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When: Saturday, June 8 from 12 p.m to 4 p.m
Where: Ninigret Park
What: Dancing – Music – Shopping – Food
Tomaquag Museum is Rhode Island’s only museum entirely dedicated to telling the story of the Indigenous peoples of this land.

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A fragile stretch of sand runs nearly 2 miles between Spray Rock Road to the Breachway in Charlestown, but thoughtless motorists, empowered by commercials that glamorize Jeeps pulverizing non-pavement space, treat the Quonochontaug Sand Trail, and the dunes and beach that run parallel with it, as their private racetrack. Full story this week at ecoRI News.

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Parade on Old Post Road on Sunday
When: Sunday, May 26 at 1 p.m.
Where: Starts at the South Kingstown line and ends at Charlestown Liquor Store

Parade in Carolina on Monday
When: Monday, May 27 at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Starts at the Richmond-Carolina Fire Station and ends at St. Mary’s Church in Charlestown.

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Learn About the Birds  of the Salt Ponds in an online meeting and then take a guided bird walk from the Quonnie Breachway.
Zoom Meeting: Thursday, May 30 at 6:30 PM
Bird Walk: Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 AM
More details and links to register in the post.

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When: Friday, May 17 at 9:00 am
Where: Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown
What: Release of two seals back to the wild
Gnocchi is young male gray seal and Ditalini is a juvenile male harp seal.
Please remember that seal release dates and times may change without notice.

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The Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island announce their 24th Annual Amateur Photo Competition to highlight the beauty of the five refuges that comprise the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Amateur photographers are encouraged to enter their existing refuge color photos or to take new ones. Photos and a $10 entry fee per photo must be received by September 5, 2024.

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Frances Topping was at Ninigret Park on May 12 and from a distance saw a whitish haze on the rough broken parking area next to the Naval Air Memorial. On closer inspection, this turned out to be a large area covered with native Bluet flowers blooming in an otherwise very difficult area. They are a treat to see! Bluets are delicate, low-growing plants, mostly found in grassy areas so seeing them here was unexpected but a joy to behold.

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We believe long-term bonding should be placed on general election ballots whenever possible. What these data show in stunning detail is that more citizens vote in general elections and the results are therefore different. In November 2018—a general election—71% of voters in Charlestown, 62% of voters in Richmond, and 64% of voters in Hopkinton voted to have the state allocate $250 million of their tax dollars on new school buildings. But, in 2024, a majority of CHARIHO voters refused to accept this money from the state, leaving their share of the money to go to other projects.

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On May 9, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced the award of $2.6 million in grants to help communities and local conservation organizations protect valuable green space throughout the state.  Eleven projects will receive matching grants through DEM’s competitive Local Open Space Grant Program to protect 383 acres across Rhode Island, but Charlestown will not be one of those communities. Since the 2022 election, land conservation has been blocked in Charlestown and no open space grant was submitted to DEM for the 2024 grant round.

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