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Council hears update on Charles Sound Beach Road resurfacing and state maintenance dispute
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Summary
Town staff reported that asphalt millings were placed then removed on Charles Sound Beach Road; councilors urged action and agreed to place a formal action item on the next council meeting after staff follow‑up with state agencies including CRMC.
Town staff told the Charlestown Town Council on April 28 that recent work on Charles Sound Beach Road included placement — and subsequent removal — of asphalt material by state crews, and councilors urged the town to pursue a resolution with state agencies.
Jeff Allen, speaking to the council, said he had contacted state legislators and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) after the town’s maintenance request had gone unanswered for months. “I went down to the Beach Road, and I observed what appeared to be asphalt material, in place of what would normally be just gravel,” Allen said. He then said a crew returned later and removed the material and replaced potholes with processed gravel.
Allen told the council he had sent letters and spoken to local legislators; he reported hearing back from some offices but not receiving a definitive response or CRMC approval in writing. The transcripts record references to discussions with a person identified as “Mr. Willis” and mentions of Senator Morgan and Representative Spears as offices the town tried to reach.
Councilor Marr said the road’s condition was worsening and urged the council to take action: “We need to take some type of action,” he said. Councilor Stokes noted the town is operating under an existing maintenance assent that was approved years earlier and argued the town should proceed under those terms and let CRMC respond if it objects.
There was no formal vote on a course of action at the April 28 special meeting; the council agreed to put the item on the next town council agenda as an action item so members could decide next steps after staff obtains additional information and written correspondence from state agencies.
Town staff characterized the situation as a standstill while awaiting a written response from CRMC and other state offices. The area in question was described during the meeting as near the state right‑of‑way at the end of the road; councilors and staff emphasized clarifying the boundary between state property and town road before proceeding.
