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Council authorizes outreach to state officials after CRMC stalls Charlestown Beach Road resurfacing
Summary
Charlestown Town Council voted unanimously to direct the town administrator to request intervention from the governor and local legislators after the Coastal Resources management council (CRMC) did not respond to the town's request about maintenance certification for Charlestown Beach Road.
The Charlestown Town Council on March 24 authorized the town administrator to send correspondence to the governor, state senators and the state representative asking them to intervene after the town said it has received no timely response from CRMC about whether maintenance work on Charlestown Beach Road is permitted.
Town Administrator Alan reported the town has “yet to hear from Mr. Willis” at CRMC and said the delay is affecting the town’s budget planning for resurfacing the road. The council voted 5–0 to have the administrator request intervention and to revisit the matter in one month.
The action came after Alan told the council CRMC staff had installed 1.5 layers of milled gravel on the road in October but had not given the town a clear, timely determination about whether the work is covered as maintenance and therefore exempt from permitting. Alan said he has asked for a definitive yes-or-no response because the town is in the middle of a budget process and needs to know whether to allocate funds.
Councilors debated possible next steps if CRMC continues not to respond. Councilor Sloane said the delay “feels like he's trying to avoid the situation,” adding residents are waiting for a decision. Councilor Stokes noted the 2013 certification that had been granted and asked whether the town could rely on that prior determination. The town solicitor explained the difference between a permit and a maintenance certification and said an executive director of CRMC can make maintenance certifications.
Several councilors suggested asking the town’s state legislators and the governor’s office to intervene; if that fails, some members said the town could proceed with repairs and accept potential enforcement action by CRMC. Councilor Marr moved the request for outreach; Councilor Stokes seconded. The motion passed unanimously by roll call, 5–0.
The council asked the administrator to return with an update in one month. No immediate construction authorization or spending decision was made at the March 24 meeting.
