There is a very important Town Council meeting on Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 PM at Charlestown Town Hall

Town Councilor James Mageau very recently sent a misleading letter to many people in town asking for support in his efforts, he has also written a letter to the newspaper making further proposals. His efforts, if successful, could cause long-term harm to the Coastal Ponds, greatly increase your tax rate, and totally change the character of our town.

Mr. Mageau is proposing that the town go to Court, at taxpayer expense, against the RI Department of Environmental Management, to overturn their regulations aimed at protecting Charlestown's Coastal Ponds. He is further advocating the construction of a town sewer and water system. A sewer and water system could allow construction at urban densities. This would be a windfall for a few developers, but the tab to construct the treatment plant and sewer and water lines would be picked up by all of us. And that cost is much greater than $100 million.

Both CRMC and the Salt Ponds Coalition have cautioned that a Town Sewer is a threat to the ponds and beaches because of the increased development it would allow. If we wanted to live in Miami, or Atlantic City, we would move there. Most people love Charlestown's "rural" character and Mageau's proposal would put an end to all that is rural. It would also facilitate a casino in Charlestown.

Mr. Mageau is promoting the idea of a Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant by frightening some individual homeowners with the cost of the new DEM regulations. The areas of town in question were already covered by CRMC regulations for new construction in subdivisions and for commercial development. The new DEM regulations will now cover existing homes, but will require denitrifying systems only when the system has to be replaced or expanded. If a septic system continues to function, and the homeowner does not expand the house in ways that require modification to the septic system, it can continue to be used for 30 years or even longer. For most people the new regulations will not cause any increase in cost, but Mr. Mageau's alternatives, a Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant, public water and a costly battle with the State over DEM rules, will cost the taxpayers, will threaten the Coastal Ponds, and will convert Charlestown into a much more urban environment which will in turn raise our taxes even more.

Is this what you want? Please attend this Town Council meeting and say NO to Mr. Mageau. Representatives of DEM and CRMC will be there on Wednesday to explain the real reasons for these regulations and the actual costs involved.

Ruth Platner