Question 5: What is your vision for Charlestown?

Very carefully managed commercial development. Once Route 1 starts getting commercially developed, the character of the town will be lost forever.

 

To the extent that it is possible, keep this town the same as it is now.

 

Development control , No Casino, zoning

 

I would like to see orderly development in Charlestown in keeping with its rural setting.

 

A beautiful non-gambling town with low taxes and lots of open space and enough peace to allow me to go back to tending my gardens.

 

Be careful not to overdevelop too fast but development should go forward at a controlled pace with good planning. Please continue to oppose any casino development as this would be bad for the town and it's people and would eventually cause the town to lose it's own identity.

 

New Town Council

 

I’d like for us to safeguard those things that make our town so special. In my mind those things are the abundant natural resources that surround us. Our woods, our ponds, our beaches. Preserving our environment is my utmost concern.

I’m not naïve enough to think that our town will not grow. The very things that we find so beautiful about our town certainly attract others. Our challenge is to incorporate those who are coming in a thoughtful way that makes the lightest footprint on our environment and the least demands on the tax needs of the town

I would like to see the economic outlook for the town improved. We could have greater job opportunities for our residents in clean industries.

 

To make charlestown mageau-free. as a vacationer in charlestown for the past 36 years, and as a year-round resident since 2004, and being a curmudgeonly old pain in the whatever, i would like to see the town stay pretty much as it is. or was. it drives me nuts to see quiet country lanes widened, black-topped, and painted with stripes, turning them into highways instead of byways. west beach road is a prime example. i will also be tempted to copy howard roark in the fountainhead, and blow up any gaudy beach pavilions that attempt to turn our rural beaches into another coney island, all in the name of putting up a better "image" for our kind visitors from someplace else.

 

To maintain a low-key rural character with clean beaches and ponds, open spaces, a variety of incomes and businesses (i.e. Not elitist, nor backward, not anti tourist but not bend over backwards for them either); a rational, friendly place to live in with environmental and social concerns considered together with a higher degree of openness of personal agendas with specifics about how these are to be achieved leading to a reinstatement of trust in our local government. I think building densities should remain low or keep moderate with special attention to groundwater supplies and purity, forest cover (a tree ordinance would be good), and coastal concerns.

 

One that has its own school system at least K-8 perhaps a regional high school would be best.

 

I came here to retire in peace and quite. Between having the "Golf Course" as a poor neighbor and town politics there has been little of either.

 

A quite country town without over development and without a casino.

 

To maintain its uniqueness.

 

Citizens need to continue to be involved; day in and day out; not just days of crisis.

 

A town free from a Casino, and a town council MAGEAU FREE.

 

To stay the way it is!!!

 

Keeping the town’s rural character.

 

That it remain RURAL!!!!!!! That there not be sub-divisions or "box" stores- That protecting the environment be the # 1 priority.

 

Increased farm land, increased open space, increased recreational area, a Town Council that gets along with one another (HAHA)!

 

Fewer homes along the coastline (Witness the '38 hurricane and mother nature thinned out many, can't imagine seeing that happening again.)

 

A rural county seaside setting that can be enjoyed by future generations.

 

A LOT of green space, very limited develpment and zoning that protects the environment

 

The last rural beach community on the planet.

 

NO Casino ,low development,clean beaches,environmental protection,watch taxes,planning

 

I would like to preserve every rabbit, fox, possum, blue winged warbler, tree, and blade of eel grass. I would like to halt construction on undeveloped lots and be certain every tear down remains in its footprint and under 30' in height. Business development should be carefully planned in a manner that preserves habitat. See above.

 

To maintain the small town atmosphere with reasonable taxes, a good education system. A place you where you are proud to live.

 

Don't let it get like Westerly - too much development, too fast. Can we try not to let it become a ghost town like Watch Hill or Misquamicut -- McMansions replacing affordable smaller, easier to heat and maintain houses, attracting rich out of town people at the expense of year round people who live and work here.

 

Restoration of our natural resources and assets, especially the ponds (salt and fresh). Much lower school taxes, in particular by getting government out of the business of running the schools. Mixed-use zoning would be a plus. No casino.

 

bought a summer house 22 years ago, moved here full time 2 years ago and love the rural character of the town. A truly beautiful place to live - thank you for your efforts!

 

To remain one of the last pristine gems in RI. I want people to visit in 50 years and feel like time has been turned back.

 

The thing that brought us to Charlestown in the first place was its rural atmosphere and the beaches. That's what I'd like it to remain. I think that the 1A section of town could have a little more of a village feel with shops and housing as I believe is the plan. I think the senior center or community center could play a more important role. It's a nice facility that doesn't seem to be used to its full potential. I would like to see some sort of refreshment stand be it a trailer, or whatever at Blue Shutters Beach. I don't think we need a facility with showers etc. but a nice looking "snack shack" would do the trick and avoid the environmental problems of building. The new Police Station looks terrific and the Town Hall is shaping up. All in all its a pretty terrific town!

 

Maintain the rural character with low taxes while preserving the environment and limiting development.

 

Would love to see Charlestown have its own school system, no casino, and some low impact business development - keeping the rural character of the town

 

I moved to Charlestown in 2000 because it was a nice small town with low taxes. We have to stop wasteful and unnecessary spending. Sadly Charlestown is headed for a fiscal crisis if action is not taken soon.

 

Smalltown

 

Maintaining a rural quality, developing a spirit of cooperation, focusing on sustainable "green practices" with regards to all development, providing more affordable housing, preserving tracts of open space in ALL parts of town, not just in the salt water areas, keeping in mind that irresponsible development may mean change but is does not mean progress, electing a Town Council where all members are committed to work together, listen to one another, offer constructive ideas and maintain a respectful tone toward one another and the public. fostering a spirit of positive citizenship among all residents - older, younger; year round, seasonal; more affluent, working class...