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Charlestown council approves unpaid-checks ordinance, $50,000 EPIC appropriation, 5-year tax abatement and adopts comprehensive plan
Summary
At its Feb. 2 meeting the Charlestown Common Council approved Ordinance 2026-OR-02 (uncashed checks), Ordinance 2026-OR-03 (a $50,000 EPIC Fund appropriation), Resolution 2026-R-01 (five-year, 50% tax abatement for Global Polymers), and adopted the city comprehensive plan; all votes were 5-0.
The Charlestown Common Council unanimously approved a slate of administrative and development measures at its Feb. 2, 2026, meeting, passing two ordinances, a resolution to grant a tax abatement for a private investment, and adopting the city's comprehensive plan.
Ordinance 2026-OR-02, addressing checks over two years old that have not been cashed, was approved after council members suspended the usual one-meeting waiting period to move the item to second reading and then passed it on second and final reading. The motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilman Chuck Deaton and seconded by Councilman Ronald Blevins; the recorded vote was 5-0 in favor (Bertram, Elder, Hester, Blevins, Deaton).
Council also approved Ordinance 2026-OR-03, an additional appropriation of $50,000 into the EPIC Fund. Councilman Ronald Blevins moved the ordinance, Councilwoman Shannon Elder seconded, the council suspended the rules to advance to second reading, and the ordinance passed 5-0 on second and final reading.
On a separate economic-development measure, the council approved Resolution 2026-R-01 granting Global Polymers, LLC a five-year, 50% tax abatement tied to an $8 million investment in a Charlestown property. Councilman Chuck Deaton moved the resolution, Councilman Ronald Blevins seconded, and the resolution passed unanimously.
The council adopted the proposed comprehensive plan after a presentation by the planning consultant group Taylor, Siekfer, Williams Design Group. Councilman Brian Hester moved to adopt the plan; the motion carried 5-0.
One item was deferred: Ordinance 2026-OR-01, which would set parking restrictions on city streets, was tabled at Councilman Chuck Deaton's request so he could review recent changes. The motion to table passed 5-0.
What happens next: the ordinances and resolution are final as approved; the comprehensive plan adoption sets the city's planning framework going forward. The transcript does not specify implementation timelines or administrative steps for the comprehensive plan or the tax abatement beyond council approval.
