[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6072614,"mediaKeyId","3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12","parentId",3018802,"title","Charlestown council adopts tentative FY2025–26 budget with amendments; includes footnote, cleanup items and budget hearing set for May 5","audioSeconds",1499,"startMs",1881000,"endMs",3380000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12&start=1881&end=3380","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12/thumbnail_1881000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6072614/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Charlestown-council-adopts-tentative-FY202526-budget-with-amendments-includes-footnote-cleanup-items-and-budget-hearing-set-for-May-5","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072614-18b86647a4fbcf233a39852e4f5024e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424046&Signature=MXGaY~DfFUncwR22KchQI4o1mGGolgHsE-zoibfVoNVCP77WBjWXymOsvi3fJHTWimrm98yixSW2~x~3Ojya16t9ckxAUL44qonh8dbR4VeGYxax11Tlk6-OezYgz-ZjdX1M9~K~KJtSCgxyDrN3cBZpPfiS5Zmy8Dcxd2Rb6cmJzKpAmy9S1vaiLqfmnI996tbwVb-2925eCehXNoF~ERqYUQYmYkFx8vcs8jB9-oGoCvRqsM8uxzz9DOhJMiVmcjoFx9iPc71CO63C-Xw7IYTBYgywQRSmxyWtMTR3bM7g7yKPZUoknERb5bO6X5EUxbOPxHPOvUQLp4jSSeyZTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charlestown, RI","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","On April 14, 2025, the Charlestown Town Council adopted a tentative municipal budget for fiscal year 2025–26, approving several amendments and directing staff to present the budget at a public hearing on May 5, 2025.

Key changes adopted at the meeting included:
- Adding $75,000 to purchase services for Ninigret Park (line 830‑6065) to fund initial design/engineering work; the council voted to fund the amount by transferring $75,000 from the unassigned fund balance to revenue line 350.3530 (vote 4–1).
- Removing a previously planned transfer to the CRCC enterprise fund (about $181,800) after the council revised CRCC rates and recognized increased CRCC revenue, per Treasurer Gormley’s explanation.
- Adjusting expenditures upward by $5,488 on a named line (780.788) and specifying how to allocate a CRCC enterprise fund balance of $8,214 toward roll‑off containers (staff to create the appropriate line item).
- Instructing the treasurer to add a footnote to the budget packet clarifying that the budget commission’s page notes reflect the commission’s recommendations and may not reflect council changes; the council adopted the footnote unanimously.

Treasurer Gormley and Town Administrator Jeff Allen were acknowledged for preparing the budget and fielded questions about how allocations would affect the tax rate. Councilors debated the appropriate size of the Ninigret Park planning allocation (some favored a $50,000 cap, others $100,000); the council settled on $75,000 after discussing likely design and surveying costs. Councilor Stokes remained opposed to taking funds from the surplus for that purpose and voted against the transfer.

The council authorized the town clerk to present the tentative budget at the scheduled public hearing on May 5, 2025. The town auditor’s final audit will be presented at the April 28 council meeting; the treasurer said the current unassigned fund balance available for transfer was approximately $348,020 and separately referenced an unassigned balance figure of roughly $7.6 million shown in the annual audit documentation on the town’s website.

The council’s adoption of the tentative budget was unanimous (5–0) after the amendments were recorded and cleanup adjustments were made.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Charlestown Town Council Regular Council Meeting 4/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Charlestown’s Town Council on April 14 adopted a tentative FY2025–26 budget with several amendments — including a $75,000 planning allocation for Ninigret Park funded from the unassigned fund balance — and set a public hearing for May 5, 2025.","taxTitle","Charlestown, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79687,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6072617,"Charlestown council asks Parks & Rec to study moving offices to Ninigret Park; requests recommendation by July, adds planning funds",764,986000,1750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12&start=986&end=1750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12/thumbnail_986000.jpg","/articles/6072617/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Charlestown-council-asks-Parks-Rec-to-study-moving-offices-to-Ninigret-Park-requests-recommendation-by-July-adds-planning-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072617-ae5ae55bb21864210db2260e67b71451/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424046&Signature=KNGD-mlntBoKCp157llCeKlsd-iTpDUtcs9llAze39A1EhNY4ONZWdDlLV~yKBr2SX2DDRpo6qO6t6AKb4FjGdZ7q8ukLj8HOFHehluRyou47nnab7AYT4vtbNFf5P9pnqu1VhPoySD7vq9A8Ob21JBGV8Gsdcer4pwuVWDe6LzocWvzNmrdGPLeS4fJAyRc7Ph1kpCDujHdCCXZB9Yg7Cn-WGKpkjK8YWG8OSHoYBx81we4t2XuHU1k2BckXG4LxXW8cOHGUYMFEbsA3XPLbtMm2VgrhNRyYSBr9gLmujzedEsA~SqfRc8oEIBIdeJor3Oi-axD7mDrP0mxq3wZww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlestown Town Council on April 14 directed the Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks & Recreation Commission to prepare a recommendation on relocating the Parks & Recreation office to Ninigret Park and to report back to the council in July 2025.

Councilors said moving the department could free up space at Town Hall and place the office where much programming and visitor activity already occurs. Councilor Marr presented the motion asking the department and commission to propose a concept that would include office space, bathrooms, storage, a programming room, summer‑camp necessities and any other elements staff deem necessary. The motion specified a report back in July (three months) so that the council could consider next steps, including hiring designers or architects if the concept merits further work. The motion passed unanimously, 5–0.

Separately during the fiscal/budget discussion, the council voted to add $75,000 to the Ninigret Park purchase‑services line (account 830‑6065) to fund initial design, conceptual engineering, surveying and related work if the council later elects to proceed. Treasurer Gormley recommended the funds be placed under a purchase‑services line so the purpose would be transparent. The council approved a $75,000 line item and then voted to fund it by transferring $75,000 from the town’s unassigned fund balance to line 350.3530; the transfer passed 4–1. Councilors debated whether $50,000 would be sufficient or whether $100,000 was a safer ceiling; the final approved figure was $75,000 after that discussion.

Park advocates and residents present at the meeting urged the council to consider an attractive, permanent welcome center rather than a temporary remodel; builder Frank (a resident who said he had design contacts) described a roughly 1,800‑square‑foot New England–style design he believed could meet needs but warned of probable higher costs if septic and utilities needed upgrading.

Councilors described a likely multi‑year planning process: staff and the Parks & Recreation Commission will develop a concept and cost estimate, staff will return to the council for permission to hire architects/designers if needed, and any construction project would be presented to voters in a future budget/warrant process. The council president noted an approximate ballpark of $100,000 for full design services when planning the project, but some councilors and the builder suggested preliminary design work could be done for considerably less by modifying existing plans.

The council also asked staff to consider seasonal staffing needs if the Parks & Recreation office is staffed on‑site during summer months, including potential temporary/seasonal hires or kiosk solutions to serve increased visitor questions during peak season.","The Charlestown Town Council voted April 14 to ask the Parks & Recreation Department and its commission to develop a recommendation—due in July—on relocating the department to Ninigret Park, and to set aside $75,000 in the FY25–26 budget for initial design work if the plan moves forward.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6072609,"Council continues public hearing and requests planning commission opinion on zoning impact-fees ordinance",2340,3490000,5830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12&start=3490&end=5830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12/thumbnail_3490000.jpg","/articles/6072609/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-continues-public-hearing-and-requests-planning-commission-opinion-on-zoning-impact-fees-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072609-602f90b88f1dd6d8ec0170c9e9a1dd1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424046&Signature=oPnbC0n2Sz0TCs9pF~1QVQgk0mFFhkTTAOu8rwKPodSMowhHE3qWHxJpQOYriBDApnyiQuqza-G0c8HTZUrjszDdonLYcgV--vxXC5wpjh-Cdf0up9Qatse1Xx5JkUwQwKqm9nfXqKzJhWt4WS59MnCpsA62FMVPTKSohfcdX2E7IWZ~inRbKOuekTXizJYiFT73tguFYhgSfd4y-a2SE6z6HN1zGWfS8STViFh5HTt~epFV9T89U~YEA0hStnSIRLfqpaF~SKXAuR5xr9FPmJVPFIGIcActP7cs4SSJhwtWEkZBl1Kqbq~vf4XqE7TnOj9TyqmpOLHdZCCKeEzMkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council held a public hearing on Ordinance 430 (amending Chapter 218 — zoning impact fees) on April 14, 2025. The discussion reviewed legal definitions and the practical costs of bringing Charlestown’s impact‑fee regime into compliance with Rhode Island law.

Councilor Maher sponsored the item. The council and several members of the public — including Catherine Gibson and other residents — exchanged views about whether the town should retain its ordinance, place the program under moratorium, or invest in the studies required to compute legally defensible, proportional impact fees. Councilors and staff noted several legal requirements: a municipal needs assessment, capital improvement program elements, levels‑of‑service standards and a requirement to update the needs assessment every five years. Tax assessor Kent Swain’s prior work and presentations were discussed as background; one attendee referenced Sam Shamoon’s previous work on school and open space impact fees as an example.

Multiple councilors said the cost of a defensible needs assessment and impact‑fee analysis could exceed the town’s annual impact‑fee receipts (the town collects roughly $20,000 a year in the current fee structure), making an up‑front study expensive relative to existing receipts. Some councilors argued a moratorium (or repealing the ordinance and reintroducing it later) was an acceptable pragmatic choice; others said this would remove a policy tool and urged the town to pursue compliance with a phased approach.

After discussion the council voted unanimously (5–0) to continue the public hearing to May 27, 2025, and to request a formal written opinion from the Planning Commission on the ordinance. The council also asked the town administrator to solicit estimates for the cost of the analysis/studies necessary to adopt legally defensible impact fees, and asked staff to provide the planning commission’s response prior to the continued hearing.","After a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s zoning impact‑fee ordinance, the Charlestown Town Council voted April 14 to continue the matter to May 27, 2025, and asked the planning commission for a formal opinion and the town administrator to solicit cost estimates for required studies.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6072604,"Council asks state delegation to seek authority for local homestead exemption to help year‑round residents",387,5813000,6200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12&start=5813&end=6200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12/thumbnail_5813000.jpg","/articles/6072604/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-asks-state-delegation-to-seek-authority-for-local-homestead-exemption-to-help-yearround-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072604-1cc7def705b93c6f21a6825b0c7b9a97/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424046&Signature=FAZk2cclepMfuAhx1CrS9EL~PGCG8tCQhKYzUYa142p4C9il7cSLxl6VvintzBvGxCJRn4A0mmxzZJXbzkopLLM6-zSDechmg3vpxFKWpkfwvu7JmnVJD24fu5h-rnxH~vARM72FtYswkno-KQn3khuCbTYuPqQLJEnom7-qBj9XdcFS3qFQLkeGnUxIvz~i-x0ZfX1QhnCe7j801ex~YHUHYMz0INBSY6YS65SveMyN23o5WmsXYtYgEEEfI2vSkeE8u1mstCMikVMtcc2njImLZ4Uy0fMUajazAWZSl8DvYvkL6cLuiJXHIUoDIXbqqeO6FHDbQu8URfjuduseag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlestown Town Council on April 14 authorized the council president and town clerk to ask the town’s state delegation (Senators and Representative) to submit legislation granting Charlestown the authority to adopt a local homestead exemption ordinance if the General Assembly approves such an enabling law.

Councilor Kearney presented the request as a first step: the council is not adopting a homestead exemption ordinance now but is asking the Legislature for enabling authority so the town could design and implement a program later. The council reviewed South Kingstown’s recently approved enabling legislation (included in council backup) and agreed the town could tailor an ordinance to local needs if the state grants the authority.

Councilors cited the desire to help year‑round Charlestown residents and families who sustain town life outside the summer season, noting out‑of‑state purchasers and increased short‑term rentals have strained long‑term housing availability. The motion authorizes the town clerk to send correspondence and requests the delegation introduce a Charlestown‑specific enabling bill modeled on South Kingstown’s language.

The motion passed unanimously (5–0). If the General Assembly approves such enabling legislation, the council will return to the public process to draft and adopt a local ordinance with details such as eligibility, exemption size and administrative rules.","Charlestown Town Council voted unanimously to ask its state delegation to introduce legislation duplicating South Kingstown’s recently approved homestead‑exemption enabling bill, giving Charlestown the authority to adopt a local homestead exemption ordinance in the future.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6072622,"Charlestown council amends CRCC fee schedule; construction, bulky and brush waste set at 15¢ per pound",660,230000,890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12&start=230&end=890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3018802-8893029b84d433883bd0ac9f15b14f12/thumbnail_230000.jpg","/articles/6072622/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Charlestown-council-amends-CRCC-fee-schedule-construction-bulky-and-brush-waste-set-at-15-per-pound","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072622-684fbe102505db6995dc9954a366f595/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424046&Signature=A3xaWyVtg68seHt83f7DpTStFghHWPT31zyXT2O8DRjbwYd9tePS9hH1s9732ZvvzgqsKpT0ealafaRq3DH4E26OycJ5UH8fXZEFd1bi~vWJAeD-84vyNO4y7B8RZ79D4s~~Xy60QwMTWcqchXvUFAEmNM5U4AKxC-HMuTnXyBnl1ehJmzWbiUxpfFUEa4IFNyZzx~hIFebbWlLtiAmfqpwGN~JHsi6aGXiwKt6fZDveP4InvdOjAoy36KDqchc0dejQknOfGvNWuUA3899s79exhEmQooXR1mpYSFbQt95xhE4bwjsfNC4oixDvnhf3ICa3IZq~VuMPbVHdAT-IjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On April 14, 2025, the Charlestown Town Council approved a resolution amending the fee schedule for the Charlestown Residential Collection Center (CRCC), setting construction material and bulky-waste disposal at 15 cents per pound with $15 minimum charges and adopting several other updated rates for fiscal year 2025–26.

The council’s action followed a discussion prompted by Councilor Sloane, who said a previously approved 5¢ per‑pound increase would raise the minimum charge for small users and could disproportionately affect average residents and small contractors. Town Treasurer Gormley told the council the resolution as originally drafted — including the 5¢ per‑pound increase — would produce additional revenue that could reduce the general fund subsidy to the CRCC, but that rolling back the per‑pound increase could still leave the program near breakeven because of recent changes to annual passes and bag tags.

Councilor Stokes moved to set the construction- and bulky-waste rates to 15¢ per pound (a reduction from what had been proposed in the resolution). That motion passed on a 3–2 roll call. Councilor Marr then offered an amendment to strike the CRCC solid‑waste per‑pound rate from the body of the resolution (reflecting that not all councilors had voted for the higher per‑pound rate previously); that amendment passed unanimously. After additional wording changes to align brush/yard waste with the newly set construction/bulky rate, the council voted 4–1 to adopt the resolution as amended.

The rates as adopted read (fiscal year 2025–26): residential identification sticker $30; solid‑waste bag tags $18.50 per sheet of five; recyclables no charge; construction material 15¢ per pound ($15 minimum); bulky waste 15¢ per pound ($15 minimum); white goods $25 per unit; tires $5 per tire; brush/yard waste 15¢ per pound ($15 minimum). The resolution directs the town administrator, treasurer and director of public works to implement the changes. The resolution takes effect upon passage.

Councilors raised how small, incremental rate changes compound over time and discussed alternatives such as smaller incremental increases (1–2¢) and revisiting the schedule next year if revenues from passes and bag tags produce the anticipated gains. Treasurer Gormley said the half‑year timing of new pass sales meant revenue effects would grow next fiscal year.

The council’s vote summary: a motion to set the per‑pound construction/bulky/buffer rate to 15¢ carried 3–2; an amendment to remove the originally proposed solid‑waste per‑pound language was approved 5–0; the final resolution as amended passed 4–1.

The council included the amended CRCC schedule in the adopted fiscal documents and directed staff to distribute the resolution to the town administrator, treasurer, director of public works and town clerk.

The council handled related budget clean‑up items later in the meeting that remove an anticipated transfer into the CRCC enterprise fund because the revised rates and pass/tag changes increased expected CRCC revenue, but account reallocation steps were described by the treasurer as separate budget adjustments.","The Town Council approved a revised rate schedule for the Charlestown Residential Collection Center (CRCC) for fiscal 2025–26, setting construction material, bulky waste and brush/yard waste at 15¢ per pound with $15 minimum charges and keeping residential stickers and bag tags increases previously approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charlestown council adopts tentative FY2025–26 budget with amendments; includes footnote, cleanup items and budget hearing set for May 5

Charlestown council asks Parks & Rec to study moving offices to Ninigret Park; requests recommendation by July, adds planning funds

Council continues public hearing and requests planning commission opinion on zoning impact-fees ordinance

Council asks state delegation to seek authority for local homestead exemption to help year‑round residents

Charlestown council amends CRCC fee schedule; construction, bulky and brush waste set at 15¢ per pound