Keeping You Up To Date with Charlestown News and Events
Review Of Ross Hill Road Development Pre-Application Meeting
On Wednesday, May 28, at a well-attended meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed a major land development proposed on Ross Hill Road under the state’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Act. The meeting was a Pre-Application Conference, which is held before a formal application is submitted. Details from the meeting and a video are in this post.
Quonochontaug Breachway Public Access Project
When: June 24, from 6 pm to 7 pm
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor’s Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown
Join Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to learn about plans for the Quonochontaug Breachway in Charlestown.
Learn To Sketch The Beautiful Salt Pond Environment
When: Tuesday, June 24 at 10:00 am
Where: Ninigret Wildlife Refuge (rain location Kettle Pond Visitor Center)
What: Learning to sketch the beautiful, natural environment of Ninigret Pond
Pre-registration: Reservations are required (link to register in post)
Charlestown Farmers Market Begins June 20
When: Every Friday – June 20 to August 29 from 9 am to 1 pm
Where: General Stanton Inn, 4115 Old Post Road, Charlestown (map in post)
Local fresh produce, fruits, honey, shellfish, specially prepared dishes, baked goods, and more.
In 4 to 1 Vote, Town Council Repeals Development Impact Fee, But May Revisit In Future
The Town Council repealed the ordinance in its entirety on May 27. Going forward, Charlestown will not charge developers impact fees for new development at a time when a new state law allows developers to force ten times the number of houses allowed by Charlestown’s zoning into new developments. At the meeting, as part of a very lively debate about the issues, Councilors Steve Stokes and Rippy Serra expressed that they are in favor of bringing back impact fees in the future.
Quonochontaug Historical Society Archive Now Online!
Quonochontaug Historical Society (QHS) has enhanced their archive with web-based capabilities. This will enable remote access to their Archive collections. This has been an important goal of the QHS and the culmination of a significant amount of work over the past year.
Charlestown Breachway Restoration Project Update – May 20, 2025
If you missed the May 20 meeting at the Charlestown Breachway, RI SeaGrant explains in this post what was learned at the meeting including the success of the emergency repairs, the funding and timeline goals, and future plans for the project.
Charlestown 2025/2026 Budget Approved With Only 160 People Voting
Only 160 People Voted – Thank You To Everyone Who Did Vote!
- Charlestown’s 2026 Budget passed with 128 in favor of the budget and 32 against.
- The tax rate is estimated to be $5.93 per thousand dollars of valuation
ecoRI – Habitat Destruction Takes Toll on Region’s Turtles
“Human development has divided turtle habitat into small pieces, resulting in islands of resources separated by roads and other uninhabitable landscapes.” Learn about the plight of local turtles in this article from ecoRI.
Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition
When: May 30 – June 1
Where: Ninigret Park
Cost: $15 for adults and children over 10, $7 for children 10 and under
This event is rain or shine, no pets allowed.