[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6089193,"mediaKeyId","2875323-b71b193f4dd9e45042dd0d9c9edb73d9","parentId",2875323,"title","Charlestown environmental office urges upgrades to septic systems; warns ADU law could hinder water‑quality goals","audioSeconds",927,"startMs",5148000,"endMs",6075000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875323-b71b193f4dd9e45042dd0d9c9edb73d9&start=5148&end=6075","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875323-b71b193f4dd9e45042dd0d9c9edb73d9/thumbnail_5148000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089193/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Charlestown-environmental-office-urges-upgrades-to-septic-systems-warns-ADU-law-could-hinder-waterquality-goals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089193-b4e2f75b4be8a66bab94c49f238c68f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083333&Signature=cfFRPNWwmCwnFEvGE6yes5uV4UnfwfrfdHxHddaW5k0qqWGuO9uEdK-VSqaYgSC16~OkG-BhCP1Y2CIUcXA7YA1yAomg7-BpYZF~8j~uPbeeuaByKf~xRaP66vxe~EAmgL1plzd0eT6WcRvSeoUzgPKH768l6~ktfvDvPsSnevR28cMjbXv0Dap0zsFtZY1hQVvQ6gV1qIp1p7if2qUWldaGlT6QRoZK6VLn5~4qGlwkj8zloBwP69fSjUxoWFGciPd4ZSgVICI0AN5WJ9uqQMUHE8oQ14W-V9NudLwm9OOQ1-vAOcsPjlr6jWVLiRw7mgrkOnrAfuICz-APab83wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charlestown Town Council","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","Matt (Director, Environmental/Wastewater Office) gave the budget committee a detailed annual overview of Charlestown’s on‑site wastewater program, stressing that the town relies entirely on septic systems and private wells and that persistent nitrogen loading has impaired local ponds for decades.

He summarized the stakes: parts of Green Hill Pond, Allen’s Cove and other waters have been closed to shellfishing for decades because of impaired water quality linked to septic systems. “In order for Green Hill Pond and Eastern Integrated Pond to meet the water quality goals, a total net reduction in nitrogen pollution loading from septic systems within that particular watershed had to be reduced by 61%,” Matt said.

Matt described the town’s tools: a 1% low‑interest loan program administered through Rhode Island Housing and revolving‑fund dollars for upgrades, plus substantial EPA and federal grant funding to help homeowners modernize older systems to nitrogen‑reducing technology. He said the town’s work also supports state and academic partners — University of Rhode Island researchers are monitoring outcomes — and that Charlestown’s program is used as a regional model.

On the effect of added housing density, committee members asked about accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Matt noted recent state legislation allows ADUs statewide; the town had proposed an amendment that would have limited ADUs in areas already developed beyond carrying capacity, but the amendment was not adopted. He warned that adding bedrooms increases septic flows: even if homeowners upgrade to modern denitrifying systems, extra bedrooms add wastewater load and make it harder to reach the 61% reduction target.

Matt also described a local pilot of low‑cost passive denitrifying systems installed as an open‑source approach to reducing nitrogen at a lower cost than proprietary systems. The pilot — four installations monitored for two years — showed encouraging results: proprietary systems typically reduce nitrogen to about 19 mg/L (roughly a 50% reduction), while the passive systems consistently reduced nitrogen by more than 80% and to concentrations substantially below 19 mg/L. A regulatory disagreement remains with DEM over one constituent (biochemical oxygen demand) that has delayed wider adoption pending further discussion.

The director reiterated program mechanics: the town tracks every onsite system, enforces upgrades when required by permit changes, offers loans and pursues grants to subsidize upgrades, and conducts monitoring to inform policy. He said the office has also sought grant funding to help create a lower‑cost suite of technologies that can be widely installed where site conditions allow.

Ending: Committee members thanked Matt and asked staff to continue coordinating with state partners, track the fiscal impacts of ADU growth, and pursue grant funding to expand low‑cost treatment trials and homeowner assistance programs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Commission Regular Meeting 2/4/2025 9:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The town’s environmental office reviewed long‑running coastal pond pollution issues, outlined grant and loan programs for septic upgrades, and described promising low‑cost passive systems; staff warned new statewide ADU rules could make it harder to reach nitrogen‑reduction targets.","taxTitle","Charlestown, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79687,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089197,"Charlestown outlines breachway repair costs and debates staffing, drone program and equipment upgrades",0,6474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875323-b71b193f4dd9e45042dd0d9c9edb73d9&start=6474&end=6474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875323-b71b193f4dd9e45042dd0d9c9edb73d9/thumbnail_6474000.jpg","/articles/6089197/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Charlestown-outlines-breachway-repair-costs-and-debates-staffing-drone-program-and-equipment-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089197-818ab61084702971801819fcda44bbdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083333&Signature=oEMcEnvPLA2Xl5K9T4C82nPBJiDxEibGYTRrmxcQ6NCn9oNql8oLG8bEtGpSkxPW8H87LtBRkqRmfeSrNi4Iq6~sKIUrTqm0rTd9Hed7tcFPS2yiUfsC-1sJuwgRIFLDLo8tZAP-VpZfC2NddWzXvIWHQ67sGYgSwEiUhtmKM9JIwWCjQTBvZqhkLC4L6KqCW1ROTNRjch1qkf9Hw3gVurPbnh8FTFSeVK6Ev7SoBn8nB7k44ZaDG8wceZqHwJxfWnfZD--SoPMlfos5sV1wMwh8vTBEAps3d8kBCluxwB7hnP4dMRXDR9uNc7-1LXgjkmOs1jqOjcNSecMHKrft8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve (Department head, GIS) updated the budget committee on emergency work at the town’s breachway, the grant‑funded engineering and outreach that preceded December’s storm damage, and a longer funding shortfall for a permanent repair.

He said a temporary repair was permitted and installed after the storms; that work preserved enough information from earlier design work paid for with a municipal resiliency program grant and allowed emergency fixes, but it is not a permanent solution. “The repair is a temporary repair. It's not designed to last necessarily,” Steve said.

The engineering overview matters because the town faces a large funding gap to finish a lasting repair and to dredge the channel. Steve described a roughly $4 million need to complete wall repair and dredging for a substantive project that addresses the channel and a full reconstruction on the west wall that could total about $10 million when capstones and specialized rockwork are included. He also noted a previously discussed federal funding possibility that shrank from $5.5 million to $1.1 million and is currently held up by a federal budget freeze; CRMC has earmarked $2 million for dredging in 2026.

Steve described how the pilot repair changed beach profiles and sediment transport; a delta formed and later shifted, creating a temporarily larger beach on the west side. He said the engineered core and capstone approach is necessary for long‑term stability because large, interconnected capstones and a properly built core slow flow and trap sand. He warned that repeated large storms could again move material and re‑expose vulnerabilities.

The committee also discussed the town’s drone and GIS capabilities. Steve said the drone program supports search‑and‑rescue and environmental monitoring and has been used in rescues and to produce imagery that helps win grant funding. The department runs multiple drones and keeps one ready for rapid call‑outs; batteries and firmware require active maintenance and readiness. Steve described operational limits: “If 1 crashes, we've got a backup. I always have the 1 here, and I always have the other 1 at my house. So I always have 1 at 02:00 in the morning.”

Members debated creating a new assistant position to back up GIS/drone duties. Steve said the budget proposal included a $58,000 full‑time line but he recommended a lower entry level or phased approach to begin the role at a lower cost. Committee discussion covered union contract placement (CPMA), probationary periods, town office space limits and whether to train a police officer for drone duties; some members warned against moving drone operations into the police unit because of public‑perception risks and operational priorities.

Capital equipment needs discussed included replacing an older flight platform (matrix) and upgrading an RTK receiver used for high‑accuracy surveys and accident reconstructions. Steve said the RTK/receiver market offers an alternative hemisphere product that would interoperate with existing handheld units at roughly $22,000, and the estimated professional‑services work for internal GIS applications was reduced in the budget from about $13,800 to $10,000.

The committee asked staff to return with options: lower‑cost or part‑time staffing alternatives, a clearer breakdown of equipment replacement timing and costs, and ideas for mutual‑aid agreements or cost‑recovery for calls from neighboring jurisdictions.

Ending: Councilors acknowledged the GIS/drone unit’s utility for emergency response and environmental monitoring and asked staff to refine cost and staffing options to present before the budget is finalized.","Town staff described temporary repairs to the breachway, a multimillion‑dollar reconstruction need, and debated adding a GIS/drone assistant in the budget as well as replacing aging equipment and a precision receiver used for mapping and accident reconstruction.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":78,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089201,"Charlestown senior center reports rising attendance, asks budget committee to clarify state reimbursements",2707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875323-b71b193f4dd9e45042dd0d9c9edb73d9&start=2707&end=2707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875323-b71b193f4dd9e45042dd0d9c9edb73d9/thumbnail_2707000.jpg","/articles/6089201/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Charlestown-senior-center-reports-rising-attendance-asks-budget-committee-to-clarify-state-reimbursements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089201-3a7e3f95f607095d78c5b2412b9bd5be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083333&Signature=oOG-S1pY5Er6M5fo7UCjheMU1XWG4fLUBIpNtAK7-0kXYs77RDxHpj6SV--VHFBwFoP0TY3CvO~BNiYYucpbOTS0dE-cZLm9QXOsbntYCotn1lvZNbgjGt5J9pZHNt8HHXohwVDlpznYu~2ZSY5j9EXf8IY3RODoeO59dHadSnE5UpegfLfXkzS6fyqWQSKosxDTAJb-D1zaAUwWH9WZRJ8Vk7P0Q5JeOL-IcHmAWFL75oUjY1-AByHHvX~lPabHJdISBwObWqlalvtIv5YGkKDIA2KCf7cnvuA9KHSXCVkuqZA1DEwyvIgFo34knqgrG03etZQ4bOl86yoCOkY7eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer (Senior Center administrator) told the Charlestown Town Council budget committee that the center recorded an unduplicated attendance of just over 1,000 people last year and expanded programs after moving to full‑time operations.

She said the center hired an administrative and programming assistant and added classes that drew steady participation: “We had a really great year last year. Moving to full time has been great. We hired a new administrative and programming assistant, and she's been wonderful.”

The presentation matters because the center’s staffing and program decisions are tied to the town budget. The center reported higher program revenue and asked the committee to show offsetting state reimbursements in the budget so expense lines are easier to interpret.

Jennifer summarized program-level details: the center offers multiple mat and chair‑yoga classes that fill the room (one chair class seats roughly 28 people), a Tai Chi class with about 18 regular participants, an evidence‑based fall‑prevention course (Matter of Balance), and an AARP tax‑assistance program that provides weekly appointments. She told the committee the center’s lunch program — slowest to return after COVID — served over a thousand more meals than pre‑pandemic levels last year.

On finance and staffing, Jennifer said the center’s administrative assistant is limited by retirement rules and can work only about 20 hours, which reduces hours in the personal‑service budget lines. She also described several expense pressures: generator maintenance costs rose (the town’s generator contractor changed names; the existing contract includes an option to renew), janitorial and kitchen supplies climbed, and some program contract costs increased.

The center reported program revenue of $16,005.36 through 12/31 (Jennifer provided a supplemental sheet), plus state‑designated funding that the center considers an offset to expenses. The committee and staff debated how to display that state reimbursement in the town budget: should it show as revenue or as an offset to the expense line? Council members asked for the budget packet to include notes on any offsetting revenue so program expenses and reimbursements are visible together.

Committee members raised other practical items: the center charges a $10 annual membership fee (a second year for the center), and some trips or outings would be charged to participants to offset bus or admission costs. Jennifer said trip demand is modest and typically organized in partnership with other local organizations.

What’s next: Budget committee members asked staff to (1) show program revenues alongside program expenses in the budget materials, (2) note the state reimbursement amount separately (so the committee can model budget risk if the state amount is reduced), and (3) consider program revenue trends when reviewing requests for additional program funding or trips.

Ending: The committee thanked Jennifer for the report and asked for budget follow‑up showing the center’s expenses, program revenues and the state reimbursement treatment before final budget adoption.","The Charlestown Senior Center told the town budget committee it served more people last year, expanded class offerings and seeks modest budget changes to reflect staffing limits, a rising generator maintenance cost and state reimbursements that offset expenses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charlestown environmental office urges upgrades to septic systems; warns ADU law could hinder water‑quality goals

Charlestown outlines breachway repair costs and debates staffing, drone program and equipment upgrades

Charlestown senior center reports rising attendance, asks budget committee to clarify state reimbursements