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Sunday, July 16, 2017
Quick Article Index . . .
Head of
Westport former whaling shipbuilding stoneworks to
get a makeover.
Tiverton tests
positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Head
of Westport former shipbuilding stoneworks to get a makeover. Higher than expected costs may delay over half of the
planned repairs. EverythingWestport.com Friday, July 14, 2017 Photos | EverythingWestport.com By Jeffrey D. Wagner Special Correspondent to EverythingWestport.com WESTPORT -- Some would agree that the retaining
stone walls that buttress the Westport River banks by Drift and Old County
roads resemble something out of a Robert Frost poem. The historic area known as the Head of
Westport was formerly the town’s commercial center in the 1700 and 1800’s and is best known for its shipbuilding activities
that produced large whaling vessels that traveled the world’s waters seeking
wealth and fortune from the sale of whale oil. These historic stone walls, called gravity
walls, and their New England charm will receive a makeover starting this year
-- but a complete rehabilitation of the stone walls is still in the planning
stages, according to Landing Commissioner Newton Millham.
Meanwhile, a state grant is on its way toward a total rehab of the Head
landing area. Above: Original plans called for 900 feet of the
retaining walls to be repaired (highlighted in yellow;)
higher than expected quotes knock that number back to about 400 feet. Photo | EverythingWestport.com Millham plans to return to the Community Preservation Committee for more
funding. The approved work -- to the tune of $89,000 -- comes after a 2015
CPC-funded project that appropriated $15,000 for initial stone work. Russell Mills Contracting Inc., of South
Dartmouth, the only contractor that responded to the town’s bid request, is
expected to begin the work after Labor Day. When all is completed, officials are hoping
that the historic stretch of town will get the attention it deserves, as the
area is being eyed for an educational "River Center," and a state
Seaport grant. Between the grant, the $89,000 in CPC
funding, which were matching funds toward the grant, as well as an additional
$30,000 from the Westport River Watershed Alliance, close to $350,000 will go
toward that riverfront area of town, according to town officials. "We will keep working on it until
we can find the money," Millham said
after Monday's selectmen meeting in reference to the stone walls. The stone wall talk was first initiated by
former town Selectman Richard Spirlet, who expressed safety concerns, as some
young children were walking on the walls. Millham at Monday's selectmen meeting joined Landing Commissioners Jefferson
Bull and Sacha Sullivan, where the three talked about the stone work and the
Seaport grant. On
Wednesday, July 26, state Lieutenant Gov. Karyn Polito will be present at a meet and greet with officials
at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the Head of Westport and other matters. After Monday's meeting, Millham
explained that in 2015, approximately 90 feet of the stone work was contracted
for repair. Millham indicated that he returned to
the CPC and went with conservative numbers in obtaining its vote for $89,000,
which Millham says will cover roughly 40 to 45
percent of the work. He attributes the shortfall partly to a low guesstimate
on his part. Millham also said he wanted to approach selectmen last August, but conceded
that the tenant farm abuse case diverted officials' attention. Millham expressed optimism that the approved stone work will be completed either
by the end of this calendar year or next. After that, he plans on approaching
the CPC for more funding. Millham said
the state Division of Fisheries & Wildlife places limitations on work
near a river between March 1st and June 30th, which is why the approved plan
might not get completed until next year. Still, the Seaport grant should provide even
more funding and help to that area. According to Assistant Town Planner Lucy
Tabit, the $89,000 CPC funds were essential toward approval of the state grant,
and were part of a matching funds matrix. The rest of the grant will cover
infrastructure betterment at the Head of Westport Landing, including public
parking and pedestrian access areas. Tabit noted that the first phase of the
grant will cover the east side of the Head of Westport Landing and the second
phase will cover the engineering design only on the west side of the river at
the landing. Bull told selectmen on Monday that there
still will be a meeting with the Planning Board to discuss lighting, traffic
and other prospective improvements there. Despite some of these developments, Spirlet,
who took up complaints about the area with the Landing Commission prior to
losing his selectman seat last year, still has concerns. Spirlet said in addition to the stone work,
he also has safety concerns on the sloped land leading from Osprey Sea Kayak
Adventures on Old County Road, to the landing area, where people launch
kayaks and other watercraft. Spirlet said early last year he was pressing the
commission to put a stone walkway leading to the landing area. He said the
muddy terrain there is a safety hazard and is a liability issue. He indicated
that the area right now is a muddy "mess. "You
can see it eroding," Spirlet said. "I wanted a cease and desist and
a walkway going down there. If someone gets sued, it will be the town." Spirlet noted that the Landing Commission is
in a difficult spot because if it were to place a cease and desist on the
area, it would harm the business of
the kayak shop and the country store across the street. Spirlet said if he was re-elected last year,
he would have pressed the matter. The area for two years now has received
attention at several Zoning Board of Appeals, selectmen, and Planning Board
meetings. Inset: According to former
Selectman Richard Spirlet, increased kayaking activity has severely eroded
the eastern boat ramp creating dangerous conditions. Photo | EverythingWestport.com The WRWA has made
plans to convert the former “head garage” into the group's education center
and headquarters. Meanwhile, Head of Westport Neighborhood
Association members and other concerned parties have raised concerns about the
potential impact to the adjacent Westport River, as well as whether
that area is already sustaining more traffic than it was designed to
handle. Above: Erosion damage to the east public landing due to
overuse and lack of maintenance. Above: Snow fence has been installed along the banks to
prevent youngsters from falling into the river. Photos |
EverythingWestport.com Above: Stonewall
repair work performed in 2015/16 already shows signs of degradation due to
water action, winter and periodic flooding of the Head Landing.(see below) Tiverton tests positive for Eastern
Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Public reminded to guard
against mosquito bites. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, July 16, 2017 PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
(DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)
announced Friday, July 14th that mosquito samples collected in Tiverton, Pawtucket
and Westerly on June 26th have tested positive for Eastern Equine
Encephalitis virus (EEE.) These are the first findings of EEE in Rhode
Island this year. All the positive mosquito pools are species that bite birds and
mammals (including humans.) There are no
confirmed human cases of EEE in Rhode Island. However, because summer and fall are peak seasons for mosquito- borne disease transmission to people, Rhode Islanders should be aware
of the symptoms of EEE. Severe cases of EEE (involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the
brain) begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and
vomiting. If you think you or a family member may have EEE,
it is important to consult your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis. In addition to EEE, Rhode Island tests
mosquitos for West Nile Virus (WNV). To date, there
have been no confirmed local findings of WNV in a
mosquito sample. There are no confirmed human cases of WNV
in Rhode Island. With WNV and EEE
established throughout the state, the public is reminded to eliminate
mosquito breeding grounds and avoid bites, where possible. The following
precautions are advised: ·
Remove anything around your house and yard that
collects water; just one cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes. ·
Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper
drainage, and repair holes in window screens. ·
Remove any water from unused swimming pools, wading
pools, boats, planters, trash and recycling bins, tires, and anything else
that collects water, and cover them. ·
Change the water in birdbaths at least two times
a week, and rinse out birdbaths once a week. ·
Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following
active ingredients: DEET (20-30% strength), picaridin, IR3535, and oil of
lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol. Do not use
bug spray on infants under 1 year of age. ·
Minimize outdoor activity at dawn and at dusk
when mosquitoes are most active. ·
Put insect netting over strollers and playpens. ·
Wear long sleeves and long pants whenever
possible, particularly if you are outdoors during dawn and dusk. Controlling mosquito populations and promoting personal protection
against bites are central to Rhode Island's action plan for WNV and EEE. In partnership
with RIDOH, DEM distributed mosquito larvicide to local communities in late May to treat area
catch basins. Catch basins are prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes in both
urban and suburban settings. Horses are particularly susceptible to WNV and EEE. Horse owners are
advised to vaccinate their animals early in the season and practice the
following: ·
Remove or cover areas where standing water can
collect. ·
Avoid putting animals outside at dawn, dusk or during
the night when mosquitoes are most active. ·
Insect proof facilities where possible and use
approved repellants frequently. ·
Monitor animals for symptoms of fever and/or
neurological signs (such as stumbling, depression, loss of appetite) and
report all suspicious cases to a veterinarian immediately. If you are unsure
if your horse is properly vaccinated you should consult with your
veterinarian. ·
Horses are the most susceptible domestic animal,
but other, less common species such as ratites (emus, ostriches, etc.) and
camelids (alpacas and llamas) are occasionally infected. Owners of ratites
and camelids should consult with their veterinarian regarding vaccination of
their particular animals. Mosquitoes are trapped weekly by DEM and tested at the RIDOH State Health Laboratories. The RIDOH
State Health Laboratories have recently changed their testing methodology to
use a more sensitive testing method which may account for an increase in
positive results going forward. DEM issues advisories on test results from
late June through September, with additional reports as necessary. Test
results are pending for the remaining traps set on June 26th and additional
traps set on July 5th and July 10th, and will be included in future
announcements. Typically positive test results trigger additional trapping to
assess risk; today's findings will result in additional trapping in the
Tiverton, Pawtucket and Westerly areas where the positive mosquito samples
were found. Visit www.health.ri.gov/mosquito for additional mosquito prevention tips and
for local data. For more information about DEM divisions and programs visit www.dem.ri.gov . Follow them on Twitter @RhodeIslandDEM
and/or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM
for timely updates. - - - - - End - - - - - ©
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