Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Photos | EverythingWestport.com except as noted
‘where lines meet’ - Local
artist showcases her latest project at Dedee Shattuck Gallery.
Westport’s Animal Action Committee may
recommend local regulations.
Fall River community welcomes the merger of Battleship
Cove and the Marine Museum.
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Westport’s Animal Action Committee may recommend local
regulations. 12-member
Committee defers action, pursues dialogue for now. EverythingWestport.com Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Special Correspondent to
EverythingWestport.com WESTPORT – The town’s Animal Action Committee spent two hours at their
most recent meeting reviewing the responsibilities of each town department
that is involved in animal abuse cases, looking for ways that enforcement
efforts on the local level can be improved to prevent reoccurrences of the
deplorable conditions discovered at a tenant farming site off American Legion
Highway this past summer. The police department, animal control officer, Agricultural Commission,
Board of Health, Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, and Building
Department were all represented at the Tuesday, January 17th meeting, along
with an at-large member appointed to represent the interests of concerned
residents.
Inset: Westport Detective Sgt. Cestodio
explains the complex police process in pursuing criminal complaints in animal
neglect/abuse cases. Cestodio explained that police officers need to have “probable cause”
of a current or past crime to go on private property to investigate such
cases. An officer needs proof of guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” to make an
arrest or file charges with the district attorney or state attorney general,
he said. “It has to be terrible” to lead to an arrest or criminal complaints
being filed, the detective noted. “Most cases are not that black and white”
and charges aren’t filed until investigations that are “thorough and
well-documented” can be conducted, he indicated. If police discover proof that an animal has been abused, “our priority
is to (first) protect those animals from further harm,” then seek enough
evidence to prosecute the owner,” Cestodio said. Contrary to popular belief, the town’s animal control officer is
primarily responsible only for dog and cat complaints, not livestock matters,
Town Administrator Tim King reported. The supervision of that officer has
recently been shifted from the Board of Health to the Board of Selectmen, and
the officer has been appointed by the state as a municipal animal inspector
for the first time. A handout from the state Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)
detailed the duties of local animal inspectors, whose primary responsibility
is rabies control in the domestic and wild animal population. A secondary
duty is to conduct “barn inspections” designed to take an annual census of
domestic animals; check that they appear to be in good health; and have
adequate food, water, and shelter. The state guidelines also indicate that animal inspectors are
responsible for checking the ear tags of cattle and llamas coming into town
from out of state, using a permit form issued by the DAR; and assisting state
and local officials with controlling outbreaks of animal disease. On the local level, the town’s Agricultural Commission serves as a consultant
to other town departments, advising livestock owners on best management
practices and trying to mediate disputes between farmers and neighbors, said
Chairman Ed Ferreira. “We have no authority for any kind of discipline” for
animal owners causing problems, and no enforcement duties, he
noted.
Inset: Board
of Health Chairman, Bill Harkins made the point the health board is not
responsible for farm animal neglect/abuse regulation as Animal Action Committee
chair Shana Shufelt listens. The state Division of Animal Health likes to keep track of sheep, goats
and poultry growing operations, but no permits are required on the local
level for such animals, Harkins noted. Budget cuts have reduced the efforts
of state animal inspectors, who used to attend all area animal auctions to
check on livestock that were being sold for slaughter. Municipal animal inspectors are supposed to be “knowledgeable” about
all domestic animals and livestock, but no training or veterinary experience
is required, Harkins pointed out. They can order a
quarantine and that medical care be obtained by owners if an animal
appears to be ill, he noted. Large scale livestock growing operations are governed by state health
regulations, and problems with such operations are reported by local
inspectors to the state for investigation, he explained. Resident Jon Alden suggested that it was unfortunate that the Board of
Health has taken so much public blame for the tenant farm abuse cases. “The
animal inspectors report to the state,” he noted, and the local Board of
Health “is not responsible for the health of farm animals” except for pigs
and horses governed by local permitting requirements. Selectman Shana Shufelt agreed “there is
plenty of blame” to be shared by state officials in the Westport abuse cases,
suggesting one goal of the animal action committee is to find ways to
“clarify” the accountability of both local and state officials in such
cases. While the Board of Health only has enforcement responsibilities for
piggeries and horse stables under its own permitting regulations, Harkins
said his board would consider adopting regulations for other animals if
recommended by the animal action committee. In neighboring Dartmouth, local health regulations require that a
permit from the Board of Health is required to keep any domestic animals or
livestock on your property. That is one option the animal action committee is
likely to consider; but Harkins said that in a Right to Farm community, his
board will be wary of putting an “unfair burden” on farmers or other animal
owners.
Inset: Building Commissioner and local
Zoning Officer, Ralph Souza. “Zoning (bylaws) are really silent on farm stuff,” Souza noted. His
department only gets involved in cases where farm structures housing animals
or visited by humans caring for those animals are suspected of being
unsafe. He suggested a tenant farm bylaw be drafted requiring property owners
to report any renters who are keeping animals to town officials. Ferreira
added that the Ag Commission would support such a bylaw, feeling that
landowners should be held accountable for problems created by their
tenants. King said the action committee needs to address ways to create “clear
local authority” for investigating and resolving animal abuse cases as it
moves forward. “We need a local layer” of authority for local inspections and
intervention for dealing with animal-related problems when they are discovered,
he agreed. Shufelt,
appointed chair of the advisory committee, said the advisory panel would
start discussing recommendations for specific local actions to be taken at
its next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 13.
Above: Town
Administrator Tim King thought the next meeting’s topic, “Should be what are
the different ideas that people might have to address the problem of...
making sure that there’s clear local authority to investigate complaints and
obtain information from people who keep livestock... and to investigate the
problem.” King later added, “We must be sure the person receiving the
complaint has the authority to follow up on it.” ‘where lines meet’ - Local artist showcases her latest project at
Dedee Shattuck Gallery. Making Space & Collecting Time. EverythingWestport.com Monday, January 23, 2017 Photos | EverythingWestport.com ‘where
lines meet’ is a photographic installation to create a space for contemplation, conversation,
and community. This project ‘where
lines meet’ is an
installation of medium format film photographs of the same vista facing south
over Buzzards Bay, the view from Heather’s home. The project began innocently
as snapshots meant to record time, but quickly built into a reflective
rhythmic ritual of getting back to life and art after the artists’ battle
with cancer. Beyond the beauty of each photograph, the collection intrigues and
soothes with the dynamic and subtle power of both its consistency and
comparison. It was in the collecting of the images that it became obvious to
Heather this was a continuation and distillation of her art and her life. Over the course of the exhibit, Heather will host talks from scientists
to Buddhists, offer yoga and meditation, and collaborate in small Saturday
suppers with local cookbook author Karen J. Covey. The three Saturday suppers following the opening reception will bring
together an intimate group for an evening of local food and conversation. To learn more, visit: www.heatherhobler.com
or www.dedeeshattuckgallery.com. About Heather Hobler: Heather Hobler is an artist, yoga teacher,
and mother living in Mattapoisett. Her work has been included in several
group and solo shows in both Boston and New York. The project will be on display
at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery, 1 Partners Lane, Westport, MA from Wednesday,
January 25th through Sunday, February 19th, 2017. Artist reception is
on Saturday, January 28th 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Calendar of Events All events are free
and open to the public. Gallery Open: Wednesday-Sunday 12:00 –
5: p.m. Artists Reception Saturday January 28th 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Yoga with Heather -
please bring your own mat January 26th, at 11:00 a.m. January 29th, at 4:00 p.m. February 1st, at 11:00 a.m. February 5th, at 4:00 p.m. February 12th, at 4:00 p.m. Nicki Doane, yoga teacher and founder Maya Yoga February 6th at 6:30 p.m. Nicki will share her sincere devotion to yoga thru chants and storytelling.
Nicki's unique approach to practical yogic philosophy opens one's
understanding to yoga on a profound and dynamic level. Mark Rasmussen,
President of the Buzzard's Bay Coalition February 8th at 6:30 p.m. Mark will discuss trends in the health of Buzzards Bay over the past 30
years and how through science and advocacy we can lead the way in restoring
the waters of Buzzards Bay. Q & A to follow. Jamie S H Bogart,
Lloyd Center for the Environment, Shoebird
Conservation February 15th at 6:30 p.m. Jamie will discuss his work with conservation of area shorebirds and
present phots of both common and rare birds that come through with area. Q
& A to follow. Jennifer Francis,
PhD, Research Professor, Rutgers Department of Marine & Coastal Sciences February 19th at 4:00 p.m. Jennifer will discuss connections between climate change and extreme
weather. Q & A to follow. EverythingWestport.com Thursday, January 26, 2017 Robert Emmett Carroll, 80, of Westport, MA passed away on Thursday,
January 19, 2017. He was the husband of Nance M. (Lewis) Mr. Carroll was born in Providence, son of the late Patrick A. Carroll
of Ireland and Lillian B. (Dunbar) Carroll of Tiverton and was a longtime
resident of Westport. He was a graduate of Hope High School and Providence College. He was a
serviceman of the U.S. Navy, stationed in Korea. He was the owner/operator of
The Bayside Restaurant, Westport. Mr. Carroll was a member of the Westport Beach Committee and a former
member of the Westport School Committee. He was a former Big Brother to
Steven and a correspondent for both the Providence Journal and the Washington
Star. Bob was a progressive thinker, a gentle giant and a prolific writer who
spent hours with "the goodest dog ever",
Patsy Cline, dreaming of ways to make the world greater. He is lovingly survived by his wife of 51 years, his sons: Robert E.
Carroll and wife Doreen of Fall River and Matthew A. Carroll of Westport; his
daughters: Alicia M. Carroll of Riverside, RI and Catherine E. Spivey and
husband Steven of Dartmouth; 8 grandchildren: Bobby, Kylie, Matthew, Lillian,
Rye, Phoenix, Grace and William; and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Maureen Dyer. Celebration of Life to which relatives and friends are invited will be
Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Allen's Neck Friends Meeting in Dartmouth at
2:00 P.M. Irish wake to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mass
Audubon's Allen's Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, 1280 Horseneck Road, Westport, MA
02790 or to The Sun, P.O. Box 5866, Harlan, IA 51593-5366, a
literary magazine near and dear to Bob. Fall River community
welcomes the merger of Battleship Cove and the Marine Museum. $1
million grant from the Manton Family Foundation, is intended to interest a
national audience. Marine Museum to get new look to the facade of the
building, and a new retail store. Battleship Cove Press Release Sunday,
January 29, 2017
Starting this spring, residents and visitors to the city will be
treated to "world-class story-telling" highlighting the nation's
rich military history with four new tours, exhibits, innovative programming,
interactive components and a fresh, updated campus focusing on a sailor's
life at war and at sea, according to a news release. Under the merger, The Marine Museum will become The Maritime Museum, a
historical and nautical museum representing the span of sea history,
including the famous Fall River Line and RMS Titanic. It houses more than 150
scale models, 30,000 photographs, videos, uniforms and other artifacts.
"The Maritime Museum is key in connecting the
maritime history of Fall River to the greater story of naval heritage,"
officials said in the release. The Maritime Museum has spent the last year re-inventing itself with
improved lighting, a Kid's Cove learning area and a host of innovative
programs. For Both museums can be visited for one admission price and membership will
also cover both museums. In addition, the website and social media sites will
be combined to give guests one consistent voice and hub for the most
up-to-date information on events and programs. © 2017 Community Events of
Westport. All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
