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.

Graphic showing lot lines for part of Charlestown

Charlestown Has Grown 11 Times Faster Than The State Yet The State Says We Must Grow Faster

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Rhode Island’s shortage of housing that is affordable is blamed on decades of insufficient home construction. While that may be true generally for the state, home construction has proceeded apace in Charlestown. Between 1970 and 2020, Rhode Island’s population grew from 946,725 to 1,097,379 – a 15.9% increase in population. In those same decades, Charlestown’s population grew from 2,863 to 7,997 – a 179% increase.

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Box Turtle

New Rail Study Raises New Fears

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“Because they had such a failed public process before, and because what they proposed was so devastating to the environment, historic resources, to people’s homes, they ought to want to start with a really open process, because people will assume that they don’t have any other ideas, because I’ve only heard of two, and one has been taken off the table. So if they have another idea, no one knows what it is, and the people in the path of that other idea ought to know, too.”

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RI StateHouse

Legislative Hearing To Put Conservation Back Into State Green Bond

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When: Wednesday, March 6 at 4 p.m.
Where: Room 35 – State House
Why: Let the legislature know you support House Bill 7550 which would return money for land preservation to conserve important landscapes, watersheds, and farms to the “Green Bond” that will be on the 2024 state-wide general election ballot. Attend the hearing in person, or send written testimony.

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Graphic with the words Help Wanted

Open Seat On Town Council Will Be Filled By Vote Of Remaining Members

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The Charter presents the Town Council with three options: leave the position vacant, hold a special election to let voters decide, or appoint someone to fill the position. The Council has chosen to fill the position as soon as possible and decided against holding a special election. The members of the Town Council will, therefore, vote to appoint Councilor Klinger’s successor. Anyone who wants to submit an application for the empty seat must do so by March 1.

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Photo of deer on the edge of forest

DEM To Conduct Prescribed Burns At Great Swamp & Carolina Management Areas

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The Carolina Management Area forms part of the northern boundary of Charlestown and the Great Swamp Management Area is partially inside Charlestown on the eastern edge of town. Prescribed, or planned, burning is a tool that natural resources managers use for maintaining habitat diversity and to protect communities from extreme fires by reducing hazardous natural fuels.

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Owl photo by Tom Tetzner

Keep The Focus On Government Officials’ Actions Not Their Unknowable Motivations

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When government officials make decisions that seem to serve a minority interest or that do not seem to serve the interest of the public, it is not unusual for members of the public to assume a corrupt influence. That is an unfortunate distraction because it moves the public’s focus away from what government officials are doing to their often-unknowable motivation for doing it.

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Photo of the Acela passing through Charlestown in winter

Rhode Island Poised to Take Early Role on High-Speed Rail Study

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CHARLESTOWN — Years after a proposed “Kenyon to Old Saybrook” high-speed-rail bypass through areas like the historic district of Old Lyme and and Stonington’s Olde Mistick Village sparked public outcry in Connecticut, few realize the pivotal role that Charlestown played in stopping the plan, or at least delaying it until now. Story at CT Examiner.

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Mill Pond Preserve

Your Donation Works To Protect Charlestown’s Rural Character, Environment, Economy, Tax Rate, and Future

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Charlestown Citizens Alliance is proud to be supported by the residents of Charlestown and those who love our town. When you support CCA, you support an organization that has been, for over 17 years, dedicated to civil and open government and to preserving and protecting those assets that make Charlestown such a unique and treasured place to live.

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An AI generated image of a high speed train in a forest

Bard AI Refuses To Make A Realistic Image Of High Speed Rail Destruction

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Ruth Platner: “I asked Bard to make some images that combined high-speed trains with some of the destruction the new route would create such as the permanent fragmentation of 1,800 acres of permanently protected open space, but Bard refused to create such disturbing images. If these images violate the ethics of a robot, why are they okay to make a reality in Charlestown!?”

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CharlestownTrain

Eastern CT And Southern RI Left Out Of Meeting On High-Speed-Rail

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The on-going “New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study” will recommend a new off-corridor route that meets goals for time and capacity included in the 2017 NEC Future Record of Decision. Whether that means a return to the idea of a bypass, such as the controversial route previously planned through Charlestown, or a direct inland route between Hartford and Providence is not yet clear, although a recent interview with Congressman Joe Courtney hinted that the direct inland route may already be off the table.

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NEC-study-area

Conversation About Emerging Plans To Again Route New Rails Through Southern RI

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CT Examiner editor Gregory Stroud shares information about current planning for high-speed rail in the northeast, including how the decisions made might affect southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. This 52-minute video is a refresher on the past flawed federal process and provides information about the “New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study” that began in November.

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FrogBrettLyall

A Fundamental Change In Charlestown

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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.

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Aerial view of West Beach Road, the ocean and salt ponds

Single Family Zoning Ends In Charlestown (Updated)

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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.

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Charlestown Beachway

Allen’s Cove-Eastern Ninigret Pond Pilot Watershed Project

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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.

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Photo of Milky Way in Charlestown

Charlestown Town Council Characterizes Information As Lies And Ignores Preferences Of Residents

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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.

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under the geminid meteors

Geminid Meteor Shower 2023 At Frosty Drew

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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.

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Aerial view of West Beach Road, the ocean and salt ponds

Attend Meeting To Explain That Number Of Dwelling Units Can Impact Groundwater

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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.

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Photo of a Yellow Warbler

RI Audubon Strongly Opposes Installation Of Lighting At Ninigret

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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.

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Charlestown Dark Sky by Brian Nieves

ecoRI: Proposed Sports Lighting at Ninigret Park Threatens Night Sky

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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 …

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photo of Ninigret Park Sign

November 30 Deadline For Final Community Input On Ninigret Park Plan

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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.

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Photo of Milky Way over Frosty Drew Observatory by Scott MacNeill

Charlestown’s Dark Skies Important As Well As Beautiful

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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.

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2. CharlestownCommonsBldgRenderings.June2021_Page_08

Take The Online Commercial and Village Design Standards Survey

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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.

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Photo of Watchaug Pond

Making Development Decisions Without Understanding Negative Impacts Is Irresponsible

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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. 



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Image of ducks swimming in a pond with an algal bloom

Blue-Green Algae Bloom at Worden Pond

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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.

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CharlestownTrain

FRA Announces Funding For Reboot of High-Speed Rail Planning

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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. 

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Photo of Milky Way over Frosty Drew Observatory by Scott MacNeill

Frosty Drew Director Worries Lighting Will Ruin Breath-Taking View Of Night Sky

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“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.

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GiftBox

Buy Nothing Charlestown Facebook Group Helps You De-Clutter

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Have you made a resolution to de-clutter your home? Do you have something that you want to get rid of, but can’t bear to send to the landfill, or maybe it isn’t quite valuable enough to deal with the hassle of trying to sell it? Well there’s a Facebook group to answer all these questions and it turns out it does more than just remove clutter, it also helps to build community by creating a “gift economy.”

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Dollar General Sign

Commercial And Village Design Event: What Is Your Vision Of Charlestown’s Business Areas?

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When: Wednesday, November 8 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. (come anytime between those hours)
Where: Charlestown Town Hall in the Council Chambers
What: An interactive event with refreshments served
The Commercial and Village Design Standards Advisory Committee seeks input from residents and business owners 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.

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photo of Ninigret Park Sign

Planning The Future Of Charlestown’s Ninigret Park

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When: Monday, October 30 at 6 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail (Rt. 2)
What: Consultant will present three options for the Ninigret Park Master Plan
Planning for the future of Ninigret Park is well underway, and as part of the process, it is essential to understand how the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF) came to be Ninigret Park and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.

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