Housing project blocked by Indian burial area

My Town Common: Charlestown News and Community Information

CHARLESTOWN, R.I.—Plans for an elderly housing complex in Charlestown have been abandoned after an Indian burial ground and other archaeological finds were discovered on the site.

Jeff Gofton, director of the Washington County Development Corp., told The Sun of Westerly that the proposed 20 units must be approved by the end of this month to a site that is cleared for development. Given the recent discovery, there’s not enough time to satisfy that requirement.

Alan LeVeillee, a senior archaeologist at the Public Archaeological Lab, discovered the Narragansett cemetery during a survey on Sept. 11.

LeVeillee said he determined that the site, by law, required further study before it could be used for the affordable housing project.