Keeping You Up To Date with Charlestown News and Events
Town Council Continues To Explore Housing For 3 Properties Designated Open Space
The 2021 Charlestown Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designates the town-owned properties on Niantic Highway and Ross Hill Road and the former Kenyon Dye property between Rt 2 and RT112 as Open Space/Conservation. At the October 28 Town Council meeting, the Council voted to proceed with a plan to try to develop these for affordable housing by determining where housing could be built. If the properties are developed, the Comprehensive Plan will have to be changed to designate them for residential development.
Ninigret Park Cost Estimates Really Are $39.5 Million
The current Town Council majority continues to say that there is no plan to spend $39.5 Million on Ninigret Park. But there is a plan to develop the park that will cost nearly $40 million. The scale of the plan and the substantial cost are connected. You can read the detailed cost estimates in this post.
A Decade of Good Financial Management and Planning in Charlestown Under CCA
Charlestown was the first municipality in the state to adopt a written fund balance policy. This wise planning has already proved critical. Because the town built up and maintained adequate fund balances and because of the skill of town staff in planning for climate resiliency, Charlestown had the funds available for a temporary fix to the damage caused to the Charlestown Breachway
Ninigret Park Master Plan Meeting (With Adoption?)
When: Tuesday, October 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.
Open Space Is Not A Threat To Population Growth
We have created a community characterized by protected land, but development is still proceeding at more than 5 times the rate of preservation; still our political opponents see land conservation as a threat to population growth!
Cliff Vanover: CCA’s only “Special Interest” is Charlestown
The only “interest” that the Alliance has is to protect Charlestown’s natural resources and low tax rate, to promote honest and transparent government, and to prevent unregulated development. Charlestown is indeed a very special place and it deserves our special interest.
Wednesday Is First Day Of Early Voting At Town Hall – View Sample Ballot
Wednesday, October 16 is the first day of Early Voting at Town Hall. Early voting will take place at Town Hall, anytime between 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from October 16 to November 4. The state prints different ballots for each precinct in Charlestown. Sample ballots for each precinct in this post.
“Citizen Scientists” Needed to Photograph Flooding
Coastal planners in Rhode Island are asking the public to take photos of flooding of low-lying coastal areas that occurs during the upcoming extreme high tides (called King Tides) arriving October 16 through 20 and November 15 through 17 and share their photos using the MyCoast App. These photos can identify where resilience efforts are needed. You can take photos at any beach, or flooded roads, parking lots, buildings, seawalls, playgrounds, and yards.
Fletcher, Jalbert, Keating, Platner, and Van Slyke are Committed To Charlestown
Charlestown deserves a government that will protect our quality of life, our low tax rate, and our beautiful environment. To accomplish this, Charlestown Town Council candidates Sarah Fletcher, Angela Jalbert, Peter Keating, Ruth Platner, and Bonnie Van Slyke offer these commitments:
Charlestown Land Trust Annual S’mores Social
When: Saturday, October 19 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Mill Pond Preserve, across from East Charles St. on South County Trail
RSVP: Please register for this event
The Charlestown Land Trust invites you to join them at Mill Pond Preserve for their annual S’mores Social. Enjoy a marshmallow roast with good company and conversation!
