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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.)

 

View image on TwitterThere 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.

 

 

 

 

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