CCA-led Council continues its unbroken streak of tax hikes

Town Council to approve new budget at Monday meeting

Plan must still be approved by voters on June 6

By Will Collette

In Charlestown, the only sure things are death and that the CCA will raise our property taxes every year. Nice open space!

The Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA Party) has controlled Charlestown government since 2008. In 2014, they won every single elected position in Charlestown giving them total control of the town.

Even before they swept into office in 2008, the CCA Party claimed it was the savior of Charlestown taxpayers. They and they alone had the interests of taxpayers across the town.

SOURCE: Charlestown Tax Assessor's webpage. The proposed new
rate will be $10.22

The new Town Budget will once again put the CCA Party’s depth of deception on display with its increase in the property tax rate to $10.22 per $1,000 in assessed from the current rate of $10.11. 

Here is the Budget transmittal letter and here is the proposed budget.

When the CCA Party took over Charlestown, the tax rate was $7.16. 

So if the CCA budget is approved by voters on June 6, it will mean that the town’s “mill rate” has gone up by 42.7% under the CCA Party’s leadership.

The CCA Party’s budgets and tax policies are based on a number of false assumptions:

• The CCA Party has dedicated itself to taking land off the tax rolls. A recent survey map by the US Fish and Wildlife Service shows more than 60% of Charlestown land is off the rolls, and owned or controlled by the federal, state and town governments, the Narragansett Indian Tribe and non-profit groups.

The CCA claims that putting more land into conservation protection actually raises property values and cuts taxes.

As we have learned from the past eight years, it does not.

• The CCA Party has dedicated itself to depopulating the town, making it harder for hard-pressed working families to stay in Charlestown and harder still for new working families to move into Charlestown. That’s a good thing, says the CCA Party, because families with children are parasites – their children are a burden to taxpayers and those children bring no added value to the community. This despicable theory was thoroughly debunked by researchers at Bryant University.

But more important than the Bryant study is the evidence of the past eight years that even though our Chariho School District costs have either dropped or been modest, our tax rate continues to climb. This year, Chariho will cost Charlestown $152,713 less.

• The CCA Party has dedicated itself to running businesses off and making it hard for new businesses to get started. It seems as if Charlestown's only growth industry is gun shops. The CCA Party makes no tax claims for its anti-business decisions, other than trying to “preserve Charlestown’s rural character.” Except we have recently learned that Charlestown doesn’t even have a definition of “rural character.”

• The CCA Party has dedicated itself to paying cash for capital costs that could otherwise be paid for through bonds. Again, the CCA Party leadership says it saves taxpayers money to use surplus tax revenue to pay for such things as road construction. This year, the budget calls for taking $275,000 from the 2015 surplus to pay cash for construction projects.

That $275,000 comprises just over 75% of the projected $363,525 that will be generated by the increase in the tax rate. The choice to pay cash for capital projects almost ensures an annual tax hike, despite the claim that in the sweet bye and bye, it will take taxpayers money. 

For eight years, we see the CCA-controlled government raise taxes and run up a large surplus, Instead of using that surplus to, for example, fund a homestead tax exemption to give full-time residents a tax break, they put that surplus into capital projects that normal municipalities fund through bonds. 

We've never seen the promised tax breaks this practice was supposed to deliver. We probably never will.

Despite all this, the CCA Party has the gall to claim that Charlestown has one of the state’s lowest tax rates. Except that is deceptive since Charlestown provides almost nothing in municipal services.

Fire protection is funded by a separate property tax. Ambulance and rescue service is covered only if you send in a “voluntary donation.” You have to supply your own drinking water and sewage. You have to pay for trash disposal.

I am an unabashed tax-and-spend Democrat. I believe paying taxes is our civic duty, but those taxes should be fair and honest.

In Charlestown, we have a system where non-residents are protected from higher taxes and well-off land owners are offered a myriad of ways to cut their tax costs not commonly available to working families in town. To see examples of such tax breaks, click here and here and here.

For the past eight years, our CCA Party rulers have not been honest with Charlestown taxpayers about the price they must pay to live in our town. This will be again on display at Monday night’s meeting.

Plus, there will be a few other things. My snarky comments are, as usual, in Bold Red. Here’s the official agenda:

Charlestown Town Council Regular Meeting 4/11/2016 7:00 PM Council Chambers Town Hall   4540 South County Trail   Charlestown, RI 02813

CALL TO ORDER, Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL Roll Call PROCLAMATIONS A. Proclamation of May 2016 as Building Safety Month a. Proclamation Building Safety Month May 2016 b. Building Safety Month Details FISCAL MATTERS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Adoption of a Tentative 2016-2017 Budget and Potential Warrant Items for Presentation at the Budget Public Hearing on May 2, 2016 (Per Charter C-81) a. Budget Transmittal Letter 3-18-16 b. Budget FY 16-17 Comm recommendation SEE DISCUSSION  of budget and tax hike, above. COMMUNICATIONS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Request from the Charlestown Elementary School PTO for Support of the Proposed Outdoor Learning Space Behind Charlestown Elementary School as Follows: • $2,500 - Funds to Hire an Engineer to Create Bid Specifications for the Replacement Asphalt Surface Adjacent Existing Parking Area, a Drainage Solution, and ‘Bridge’ Between the Two Spaces, Assistance in Evaluating and Selecting a Proposal, and to Oversee and Approve the Installation. • $8,000 - Matching PTO Funds Installation of the New Asphalt Pad, Dependent Upon the Accepted Proposal • Appointment of a Representative from the Town Staff to Join the Steering Committee a. CES PTO agenda item request b. 2016 Town Council Memo c. CES OutdoorDiscoverySpace_Mar2016 (002) PERSONS WISHING TO BE HEARD A. Bill Clarkin – the History of the "A Kids Place at Ninigret Park" George Bliven Playground a. Bill Clarkin agenda item request - Persons Wishing to be Heard (A Kid's Place) b. Bill Clarkin PWTBH UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Request from Cody Clarkin to Expand the Handicapped Accessible Equipment at Little Nini Playground with Four Pieces of Equipment to be Supplied by O’Brien and Sons, for a Price of $8,750 and a Contingency Cost of $1,800, to be Funded by Mr. Clarkin’s Fundraising Efforts a. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - Flagpole GArdens Update from 3-22-2016 Meeting b. Playground Information - Cody Clarkin c. Playground Plans for Cody Clarkins Project PUBLIC COMMENT for items not on the Agenda COUNCIL COMMENTS ADMINISTRATOR and COMMISSION REPORTS A. Town Administrator B. Commission Reports 1. Bicycle Pathway Ad Hoc Committee a. Agenda request for 4-11-16 TC reg meeting ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Board and Commission Vacancies a. Vacancies as of 4-11-16 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Resolution Relative to Supporting the Goals of the Rhode Island Energy Challenge a. Energy Challenge Resolution B. Discussion and Potential Action for Authorization of Legal Counsel to Draft Either an Ordinance or a Resolution to Reduce Solid Waste, with the Resulting Document Intended to Diminish the Use of Plastic Bags and Polystyrene (E.G., Styrofoam) Containers for to Transport Goods from Retail Establishments NOTE: this is George Tremblay’s idea and he is bringing it forward after he claimed the Economic Improvement Commission turned him down. I organized the first nationwide campaign against Styrofoam, the Citizens Clearinghouse’s McToxics Campaign, 1987-1990, so I’m biased in favor of the proposal. Since the CCA Party took control of town, they have rarely expressed a positive interest in any environmental issue other than open space, so it will be interesting to see if Tremblay has any support among his colleagues. a. plastic bags agenda item b. plastic bags narrative c. plastic polystyrene substitute costs d. plastic bags ordinance vs resolution e. Solid waste artlcle.pdf C. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Vehicles and the Financing Thereof through a Tax-Exempt Lease Purchase Agreement and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Tax-Exempt Lease Purchase Agreement, Equipment Schedule, and Related Instruments, and Determining Other Matters in Connection Therewith a. Truck reso b. Heavy-Duty Dump FY16 D. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance #373, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 192 – Taxation, Additional Veterans Exemptions, to be Ordered Advertised for Public Hearing on May 9, 2016 a. #373 - Chapter 192 Taxation, Additional Veterans Exemptions NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and Potential Action on RFP’s for Walking Paths, Signage/Kiosks, the Ninigret Park Entrance, and Any Other Bond-Funded Improvements to the Park. the Town Clerk is Requested to Ask the Parks and Recreation Chair to Update the Town Council at the April Town Council Meeting on Their Recommendations in the Aforementioned Action Items and Others, So Progress Can be Demonstrated for Summer 2016. a. TG agenda item request - Ninigret Park RFPs CONSENT AGENDA Motion to accept, approve and place on file the following as the consent agenda: “CA” A - “CA” G "CA" A. Town Council Minutes: 1. March 9 (Agenda) 2. March 14 (Regular) "CA" B. Reports: 1. Building Official - March 2016 a. Building Dept Report March 2016 2. Police Chief - March 2016 a. Police report 3-16 3. Public Works Director - March 2016 a. DPW report 3-16 b. CRCC MONTHLY REPORT 4. Town Clerk - March 2016 5. Treasurer's Report - February 2016 a. February 2016a "CA" C. Approval of the Following Events at Ninigret Park with a Recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission, Subject to Review of Contracts by the Town Solicitor, Receipt of All Applicable Paperwork and Insurance and that All Event Details Are Satisfactorily Met by the Parks and Recreation Director: 1. Event: NBX 2016 Season Event Dates: Wednesday Evenings April 13, 2016 to September 21, 2016 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: See Below I. 22 Dates as Prescribed by Schedule. No Rain Dates Prescribed or Available and Schedule Subject to Change If the Parks and Recreation Department Deems it Necessary for Any Reason, I.E. Weather, Condition of Course, Scheduling Conflicts, Etc. II. NBX Calculates Number of Riders Per Week and Provides Email Information as to Attendance Weekly. III. NBX Calculates Total Number of Riders for the 22 Date Season, Multiplying by $2.00 Per Rider for Total Calculation. IV. Payment is Due Within 14 Days of the Conclusion of the Season. a. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - NBX 2016 Application b. NBX 2016 Application 2. Event: Kingston Hill Academy - Grade 4 Picnic Event Dates: June 3, 2016 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: $145 a. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - Kingston Hill Academy 4th Grade Field Trip 2016 b. Kingston Hill Grade 4 Field Trip Application 2016 3. Event: New Hope Chapel - Picnic Event Dates: August 21, 2016 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: Waived a. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - New Hope Chapel - Picnic - 2016 b. New Hope Chapel - Picnic 2016 4. Event: New Hope Chapel - Walk for Haiti Event Dates: August 27, 2016 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: Waived a. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - New Hope Chapel - 5K Application - 2016 b. New Hope Chapel - Walk for Haiti 2016 "CA" D. Authorization of the Town Administrator to Send a Letter to the Chief of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Planning Development, in Support of an Application of the Towns of Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton for a Rhode Island Recreation Acquisition & Development Grant, Titled “Enhancing the Community’s Recreation Resources: Concession Stand and Restroom Project” (On the Chariho Campus) a. TG agenda request - RIDEM Grant for Chariho's Concession Stand and Restroom Project Support Letter b. DEM Recreation Grant_Concession Stand "CA" E. Authorization of the Town Administrator to Send a Letter to the Chief of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Planning Development, in Support of an Application of the Towns of Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton for a Rhode Island Recreation Acquisition & Development Grant, Titled “Enhancing the Community’s Recreation Resources: Outdoor Volleyball Court Project” (On the Chariho Campus) a. TG agenda request - RIDEM Grant for Chariho's Valleyball Court Project Support Letter b. DEM Recreation Grant_Outdoor Volleyball "CA" F. Reappointment of Edward Vazquez to the Friends of Ninigret Park Subcommittee, Term to Expire in February of 2019 a. Vazquez reappt to FoNP 3-14-16 "CA" G. Request from the Tax Assessor for Abatements in the Amount of $ 3,793.54 a. 2016-04 Habitat b. April 2016 Abatements ADJOURNMENT