What is Responsible Development 
- Development that is economically and environmentally sustainable over time.
- Development that helps to diversify the local economy.
- Development that promotes vibrant communities, preserves the landscapes we love and is cost-effective to taxpayers.
- A development process that is fair, accessible and transparent.
Infrastructure
We find the current state of infrastructure in the Charlestown Business District to be an impediment to business and tourism.
Rt. 1A, a state road, is the main thoroughfare of Charlestown's Business District. The road has drainage problems, large potholes, and is dangerous for pedestrians. The Charlestown Planning Commission has asked the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to make the repair and upgrade of this road a priority, but CCA believes that the Town Council should have a stronger voice in lobbying the state for the repair of this road. CCA believes that this road needs to be resurfaced and enhanced so that it is welcoming to pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars. The current condition of this road is bad for the businesses in that area and also is not inviting to tourists and other pedestrians. Other business districts around the state, such as Wickford and Wakefield, have been enhanced by road repairs. For our business district to be a success, we believe these road repairs are long overdue.
An opportunity to address these issues was lost when Councilor Mageau (2006-2008) mercilessly attacked the consultants who were hired in cooperation with DOT to look at design issues on Rt. 1. Mageau didn't want to allow them to look at any of the issues of Rt. 1 A. Perhaps now that we have a new Town Council we will be able to once again raise the issue of safe pedestrian and vehicle traffic on 1A.
The Rt. 1A business district also has the obstacle of private wells and septic systems. Small lots and short distances to existing public wells or septic systems makes it extremely difficult to site a business like a new restaurant, even a very small restaurant. One way to overcome this obstacle, would be cooperative agreements between businesses to create shared wells and septic systems. This would allow modest growth in the diversity of businesses without changing the character of the area. Charlestown's GIS data is now good enough to map out solutions, but leadership is lacking. Town government needs to provide that leadership if we believe that a vibrant business district is important to our tax base and our quality of life.
Access to Expert Advice
For the development process to be fair, decisions makers must have access to good information. Our Zoning Board and Planning Commission need to base their decisions in good scientific advice. Applicants before these two boards often have multiple experts, engineers, lawyers, and professional planners working for them. Although these experts may be professionals, their interest lies with the applicants, not with the Town. Often important information is omitted, or opinion is presented as fact. The members of these boards are volunteers and cannot be expert in every possible field. Expert advisors for the Town do not have to be an expense for the taxpayers. Most towns require that the applicant pay for an objective, unbiased expert. We believe that when the experts are working for all the people of the town, that we will see much better development proposals once developers recognize that their applications will be judged on the strength of the application rather than the persuasive talents of their presenters.
Working in the Town's Interest
The first year of the Mageau Town Council (2006-2008) saw repeated attacks against the Planning Commission. Mageau filed frivolous criminal complaints against four members of the Commission and made frivolous ethics complaints against the Chair. All of these unfounded accusations were thrown out, but the motive of forcing these elected officials from office eventually led to one member giving into the pressure and resigning. Then Mageau embraced a poorly reasoned legal opinion of a local developer's attorney who said the entire Planning Commission was illegally elected and tried to get the town into court to declare the Planning Commission illegal. In interviews with the press Mageau admitted that he was unhappy with two members of the Planning Commission. Luckily the Town's Solicitor easily dismissed these thin arguments and provided ample proof that our Planning Commission may be elected. But even the solicitor's own opinion noted that it took considerable courage on his part to do the right thing.
Doing the right thing, which means working in the interest of the town rather than for a few individuals, ought to be expected of our town officials and staff. Doing the right thing should not be punished with threats and harassment.
It is of great importance that volunteers who sit on the Zoning Board and Planning Commission are free of political pressure or other influence. The decisions they make effect our environment, our tax rate and the quality of our lives. The future of our town depends on them making the right decisions and they need to make those decisions based on the facts not fear of retribution.
