Tuesday, May 19, 2020

CRU calls for NO vote on Charlestown budget




Friends,

We strongly object to the proposed 2020-2021 Charlestown Town budget that is currently up for vote by mail, and with in-person voting at the Charlestown Elementary School on June 1st from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

During the April 13 and the May 11 Town Council meetings, Vice President Deb Carney made several suggestions to reduce spending and preserve our financial reserve funds in these uncertain time.

Most of her proposals were rejected by the CCA-dominated Council. The result will be unnecessarily spending-down our financial reserves, just at the time when state aid may be reduced, revenues may be down, and expenses may increase because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This budget breaks the promise that was made to the taxpayers last year when $74,000 was set aside to do a survey about using part of the Town's surplus.  

The opposition is now using the Animal Shelter as a shameless ploy to garner support for this budget. If this budget is rejected, then the Town Council will develop a revised budget. The only way the Animal Shelter improvements will not be included is if the majority of the Town Council votes to remove the item from the revised budget. Not one person at any of the meetings regarding the budget even suggested removing these improvements.

Read Ms. Carney's statement about proposed budget here.

Learn more about how your tax bill is computed, here. You will hear, from the CCA, that the tax rate is going down. The important thing to know is that your tax bill is likely to go up.

Charlestown resident (and CRU treasurer) Dr. Kenneth Robbins wrote a Westerly Sun letter to the editor explaining his views on the budget. You can read that here.

Due to COVID-19- this year Charlestown is offering the opportunity to vote either by mail or in person at the Charlestown Elementary School.

Ballots were mailed to all registered voters. If you have not already received yours, it should be arriving soon.

Voting by mail ballot allows you to vote without having to go to the polls in person. If you choose the mail ballot, it MUST be received by the Charlestown Board of Canvassers by MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020 by 8:00 pm.

The ballot can be mailed (there is a postage paid envelope included in the packet from the Town) or dropped in the white drop box outside the front door of Town Hall.

You may also vote in person. This year voting will take place on Monday, June 1, 2020 from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm at the Charlestown Elementary School.

Thank you, Jodi Frank, Chairperson, Charlestown Residents United





Charlestown Residents United (CRU) is a Political Action Committee dedicated to providing a voice to all Charlestown residents.






Paid for by
Charlestown Residents United
P.O. Box 412
Charlestown, RI 02813