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

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.