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09/30/2011 - Westport Senator Mike Rodrigues lone
holdout. Bucking the political
establishment, Senator Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport, voted against a casino
bill amendment that restricts lawmakers from being employed at a casino until
a year after they leave office. "I felt the
amendment intruded on the responsibility of the independent gaming commission
that the bill would create," Rodrigues said. 09/30/2011 - Westport
is one of eight Buzzards Bay towns to receive a share of $180,000 in
environmental grants from the federal Environmental Protection Agency,
which were announced Thursday, according to the Fall River Herald.. The grants,
which will be administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy
and Environmental Affairs’ Office of Coastal Zone Management, are intended to
help towns test and treat stormwater discharges,
protect wetlands and wildlife habitats, improve water supplies and safeguard
open spaces.
09/28/2011 - Lafrance Hospitality Company
announces that the 2011-2012 Community Cares coupon booklets are available. These coupon booklets are available every year through different
United Way agencies, as well as other deserving organizations. It is
estimated that since their inception over 16 years ago, the Community Cares
program has generated well over $285,000 to support programs throughout the
area. The coupons are a collaboration between Lafrance
Hospitality Company, WSAR, East Bay Newspapers, and the Pepsi Cola Bottling
Company. Click here to get all the
details. 09/27/2011 - New
Story Hours program at Westport Free Public Library. Children 3 and up
are invited to attend a 10-week story hour on Tuesdays from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
from October 4 through December 6 at the Westport Free Public Library. The program will consist of
stories, music, finger plays, poetry and a craft project. Registration begins
September 12. For more information call 508.636.1100.
Their latest endeavor was the annual 40K/100K Bike Ride on September
18th. "It’s
wonderful to have such great support from our family, friends and the community
showing a fantastic turn out," said event organizer Robin Burns-Laubi.
"Their participation helped raise about $5,000 this year. Attendance is
the key to making our events a success and most importantly helping other
families during their battle with their child encountering the insidious
disease of cancer." Click here to see the video with photos.
Westport's
senator spoke on behalf of his friend and said he "was so happy that
this store has opened in my neighborhood." Town and state
officials, friends, relatives and neighbors crowded the parking lot to help Lino and Janet Rego celebrate
the realization of a dream that started over a year ago. More with photos. 09/23/2011 - The Westport
Town Nurse will be holding Flu
clinics for residents 18 years of age and older by appointment only in
September and October. The cost of the vaccine is covered by Medicare Part B and
HMO's. Vaccine is available for those without health insurance or
under-insured. Please call 508.636.1030 for an appointment.
FOURTECH Computer Services, Ageless Beauty Medical Spa, Platinum Plus+Sports,
Dancing The Dream Ballroom Studio,
Janet's Country Store and Deli,
and Grum's Restaurant, all dreams of their
owner/operators, offer Westporters a wide and
diverse spectrum of products and services. Read more with photos.
Coyne lost his
wife, Janet, to Ataxia on September 21, 2008. Ataxia is a
debilitating disorder that disrupts coordination because parts of the nervous
system that control movement and balance are affected. National
Ataxia Foundation. In other
business selectmen continued the discussion on the restoration of East Beach
Road, and looked to the possibilities of jetties, an artificial reef
(breakwater), and/or culverts under Gooseberry's causeway as long term
solutions to combat the devastating erosion of the battered beach by ocean
storms. And EMI
consultant Richard Kleiman proposed to selectmen a
partnership with the company on the town's acquiring up to 2 megawatts of
electricity over 20 years from a large-scale solar panel farm now being
considered in Dartmouth. The Town of
Dartmouth has expressed an interest in the Old Fall River Road project which
will be next to the power plant. Is this proposal a boon to Westport, or are
there long-term implications which could hurt the town's other future green
energy projects. In other
business, auto repair license renewals were approved for two State Road
businesses. More.
They were known for
their golden clam fritters and chowder, said one Tiverton resident, "and
it was a significant beginning-of-summer event when they opened for the
season. Cars and people would be lined up and down the street." The longtime
eatery and renowned clam shack hosted the ninth annual Singing Out Against
Hunger concert series over the weekend, and had the best Friday night ever in
the history of the event. More with photos.
For
her sharp eye Kate wins a $25 gift certificate to The Back Eddy Restaurant,
the area's best in waterside fine dining, serving exceptional seafood fare. Click
here to learn what Kate knew!
Like so many
other things in life, the wooden fork has a story. Sending directions
to visiting friends and relatives, Tom and Kate Schmitt of Westport often
included the phrase: “when you come to the fork in the road,” as a part of
instructions about which way to turn when one comes to the intersection of
Old Harbor and River Roads. Occasionally Tom and Kate would wonder aloud
about that term’s literal interpretation, and from time to time imagined how
drivers might react if, upon reaching the intersection, they were to
encounter a large fork. But last July
the fork disappeared. Read complete story. 09/14/2011 - Westport
voters to town - just say no! In a resounding statement for fiscal
restraint, Westport voters turned back by a margin of 3 to 1 two ballot
questions totaling $1.4 million dollars in override spending for school
parking lot repaving and the purchase of much-needed highway equipment. 2126 registered
voters out of 11,601 turned out to vote (18.3%), and results for all five
precincts mirrored the outcome of total votes cast. Question 1
authorizing up to $900,000 for highway vehicles and equipment was defeated
1556 to 564 (64%) and question 2 granting up to $500,000 in lot repaving and
lighting equipment for Westport High School went down 1653 to 468 (72%). Voters appeared
to have no appetite for more spending, a message echoed in a recent Westport
Taxpayers Association letter that was mailed to all Westport households. A swirl of
controversy surrounded the highway department article and probably clouded
the question, and voters flatly rejected repaving a parking lot when even the
school department balked at the question because of the much larger PCB
problem at the Middle School. The national
outlook on our faltering economy was a troubling backdrop for voters as they
went to the polls Tuesday. If voters
slaughtered the two ballot questions today, what will happen to the necessary
override to pay for the cleanup of the Middle School PCBs. "What will
happen to that override?" said an alarmed Registrar Liz Collins.
"It will decimate the school department's budget." Click here for more analysis
by precinct. 09/13/2011 - After
two false starts, Westport voters will finally face two debt exclusion questions today
totaling $1.4 million. The special election originally postponed
from August 9th was further postponed until August 23rd, then finally set for
September 13th. Editor's note: these debt exclusion
questions do not address PCB remediation costs being incurred to clean the
Middle School. Those moneys estimated at $2.18+ million will be requested in
a future override appeal. Already carrying
close to $11 million (including the new fire station) in debt exclusion,
taxpayers will have to decide the value of a new high school parking lot and
new highway department vehicles and equipment when faced with the probability
of an additional $2.5 million in debt exclusion lurking this fall to pay for
the Middle School PCB remediation efforts. The school
committee had put forth an additional two articles totaling $1.1 million to
address the PCB problem, but Chairwoman Michelle Duarte passed over both
articles in the August 9th special town meeting when advised by town counsel and the Town Moderator that the amount could not
be substantively changed when Duarte wanted to increase the dollar total to
$2 million. Town voters
recently approved a $2.5 million "green" school window/roof
improvement project, and during implementation school officials learned of
the PCB problem. It's a little
overwhelming to say the least.
The Westport Taxpayers Association is using the
vote as a referendum on the embattled Highway Surveyor Jack Sisson, who gave
an impassioned presentation at this year's town meeting that his department
is becoming hamstrung with an aged fleet of vehicles. The Bristol DA and Westport Police have declined
any further action on the charges leveled against Sisson by a lengthy
Massachusetts Inspector General's report issued last June. Chairman Jack Baughan
of the Capital Improvement Planning Committee said his committee has examined
the highway department's needs for the past seven years and unanimously
recommends the equipment under consideration. "Involved Westport citizens, town employees
including the Town Administrator, and Board of Selectmen have all
collectively agreed to upgrade the department's equipment," Baughan said. The five precinct polling areas will be open from
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling places are: Precinct
A, American Legion Hall, 489 Sanford Road; Precinct
B, Town Hall Annex, 856 Main Road; Precinct
C, Alice Macomber School, 154 Gifford
Road; Precinct D, Briggs Road
Fire Station, 85 Briggs Road; Precinct E,
Westport High School, 19 Main Road. 09/12/2011 - The
middle school opened for a belated first day of school Thursday, but the cafeteria
and main offices were closed off after test results showed contamination from
PCBs was still too high. Those two
areas of the school will remain closed until at least Wednesday as the school
district waits for new test results. The latest tests showed that
contamination in the cafeteria and main offices were more than double the
allowable amount, School Committee member Eric Larrivee
said. Read more. 09/12/2011 - The 18th
annual Westport Rock, Rhythm and Blues Festival opened Saturday with a
September 11 remembrance, and the flag flew at half mast in honor of all the
victims and heroes of the attack on the World Trade Center.
"We know
it's a bad economy and we really appreciate you coming out to support the
kids," event organizer Frankie Ray told the crowd on Sunday. "And
there will be a 19th Festival next year!" Left: Frankie Ray auctioned off a lot of
donated items including this one-of-a-kind neon sign donated by a local beer
distributer that hung in Gillette Stadium during the Patriot's last march to
a Super Bowl win. A recent 'Shake
Your Grove Thang' fundraiser dance contributed another
$1234 to A Wish Come True. All in all a
pretty productive benefit. Click here to see video
footage of Friday night's Bluegrass Invitational Band's performance. Click here to view video clip of Saturday's
Motorcycle Poker Run. Click
here to see video Saturdays
bands with an amazing performance by a local woman's pantomime of Janice
Joplin. This perennial
"rock-a-ganza" benefits A Wish
Come True foundation, a local nonprofit organization founded in 1982, granting wishes to
medically qualified children ages 3 through 18 who have a life-threatening
illness and live in Rhode Island and areas of southeastern
Massachusetts. More to come with video
and photos.
Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 1. Four bands including the Bone Shakers kept Sunday in rock and roll
music; 2. Nicki Castonguay's
check for $3100 was big, both in size and dollars; 3. and so was the check from a benefit dance; and 4. Frankie Ray gets a grateful kiss
of appreciation from A Wish Comes True's Rosemary Bowers! 09/09/2011 - Newly revised list of all Appointed Town officials and town boards
published as of September 9, 2011. Click here to review list.
PDF
But there’s a smaller project on the local film
roster that’s already begun production in Westport. Work started Monday for
“Frank the Bastard,” a gothic thriller that will be filmed primarily in New
Bedford, Dartmouth and Westport, but will take place in Maine. "It's an independent film," producer Ged Dickerson of NY Productions told
EverythingWestport.com, "and we'll have to sell it at the (film)
festivals to get it off the ground."
More.
"The
robbery and vandalism down there is unbelievable," East Beach Residents
Association president Carol Novo told the board. "There is a bottleneck
of cars from rubberneckers and sightseers." In other
business, Selectmen took matters into their own hands and unanimously passed
a motion to safely secure 202 Drift Road and provide a rat treatment program
after hearing from the Town's building inspector, Ralph Souza, and Board of
Health Chairman, John Colletti. The Westport home was savaged by fire July
4, 2010; 24-year-old Shannon Pearce was saved by quick action from Westport
firefighters. Dramatic early-morning rescue
saves woman from burning, smoke-filled house. The house has
since fallen into ruin and, for all intent and purpose, has been abandoned,
prompting numerous complaints from abutters.
Read more with photos. 09/06/2011 - State
Senator Michael Rodrigues speaks out to the greater Fall River community
on the importance of mentoring. "Today’s
youth is tomorrow’s future, and it concerns me that we as a community are not
doing more to ensure the future we leave behind to our children, and
grandchildren, is one that is progressive. 09/05/2011 - The Westport Cultural Council has set an
October 15 postmark deadline for organizations, schools, and individuals to
apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community. 09/05/2011 - South Coast Music Together
offers free class. Why make music a priority
for your family's fall activities? Music learning supports all
learning, from spatial reasoning skills, to language development, to fine and
gross motor development, plus it's fun! When you play and learn, sing
and dance, the whole family develops musical skills to use throughout life.
The joy music brings to life can make those sleepless nights, and long
car rides, so much more enjoyable, and create memories which last a lifetime.
So participate in making music, and join in the play! Read more.
The
economic agricultural engine that has driven Westport since the late 1800's
was spared the heavy damage inflicted on the coastline, particularly East
Beach and East Beach Road. To
a man, they all said "things could have been much worse." "I
lost an acre of corn, right in the middle of the field," said Andrew
Orr, Westport's youngest farmer who achieved fame when he acquired in 2007
the large lot on the corner of Sodom Road and Adamsville Road and captured
the interest of the national press. "The
corn stalks were knocked down, all twisted and tangled together."
09/03/2011 - Registration begins September 12 for a 10-week story hour on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. from October
4th through December 6th. For more
information call the children’s librarian at 508.636.1100. Read more about
this event and other upcoming community activities on our Community Bulletin Board. 09/02/2011 - Westport Council of Aging releases
their September newsletter -
Evergreen. Click here to view and print a copy.
"We lost a lot of sand on Horseneck
Point and 'boaters' beach'," Harbormaster Richie Earle said. "The
dunes took a real beating." “There is no East Beach Road right now,”
said Richard Spirlet, Westport's select board chairman at a recent emergency
meeting, a sentiment echoed by Fire Chief Brian Legendre who said the
"town beach is gone." 08/30/2011
- Selectman
Antone Vieira was elected chairman and Edward
Goldberg vice chair as the Energy Committee was reorganized at last night's
town hall meeting. New members joined an existing town board committed to the
Hixbridge Road wind turbine, and tried to find a
mutual way forward with the controversial commercial project. More later.
The wet and wild weather is gone, but the
troubles are just beginning for East beach summer residents. Many of the perennial summer residents were
left without a spot on which to place their trailers after tropical storm
Irene wreaked havoc on East Beach; in some areas as much as fifty feet of
shoreline was lost. Damaged sheds, platforms and wooden
walkways littered the area and, along with large rocks, cobblestones, sand
and other bulky debris, made the road impassable, only open to foot traffic. Septic system tight tanks were exposed and
raised concerns over sanitary conditions, and as of yesterday power had not
been turned off to the tropical storm-ravaged area, posing a potential threat
to unsuspecting property owners. They looked to Selectmen for the next step
in their return. "We'll bring you up-to-date with what
we have right now," Board of Selectman Chairman Richard Spirlet told the
residents. Many may have lost their lots to erosion
for good. Westport's Russell Plamondon
rents a lot on the north side of East Beach Road and for the most part he
escaped unscathed. His neighbor across the road on the water side wasn't so
lucky. "She lost maybe 50 feet of water
frontage and basically has no solid ground left on which to put her
trailer," Plamondon said. More with photos. 08/30/2011
- 'Good night Irene, good night Irene . .
. I'll see you in my dreams.'
This Huddie Ledbetter ballad may be a classic, but
the folks who live along Acoaxet's Atlantic Avenue
are singing a different tune today. This picturesque seaside lane with the rose
hip-covered sand dunes edged with split rail fence took a beating from tropical storm Irene as she bashed the
area with sea and windpower, breaking through the
barrier dunes in several places, smashing down the fence and flooding the
bucolic thoroughfare with sand so deep it had to be plowed like snow by
Westport's highway department. Beach
Avenue was under water. The Elephant Rock Beach Club survived just fine,
thank you. Read more with photos and dramatic video footage. Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4
You gotta hate a
hurricane. > > Click here for video footage of Irene belting Westport. < < The
tropical storm that would be a hurricane spared the flood but spoiled the
roadways, decorating them with copious amounts of twigs, branches, entire
limbs, and more than just a few trees. East
Beach took a big hit, leaving the oft bedeviled shore road impassable,
littered with walkways, sheds, cinder blocks and rocks, and slimed with mud
and sand. Read more with photos and dramatic video footage. And
as a finishing touch, the street was blanketed with the ubiquitous
cobblestones. A large, weighty sea turtle, exhausted by the strong surf and
tides, lost its way and expired on the shattered asphalt surface. Phone
poles were down and as much as 50 feet of beach front was lost to erosion,
leaving some summer campers scratching their heads as to where their trailers
will go next. The
seasonal residents were evacuated by Saturday, the trailers being hauled off
days before up Horseneck Road for safe storage on local farmland. Most
never expected they might never return. Three
sailboats broke their harbor moorings and ended up in the marshes. Click here for exclusive after-the-storm photos.
Left: a
struggling tern attempts to fly into the face of tropical storm Irene while
fishing for breakfast. Tropical
storm Irene, gusting to 65 knots, flooded Westport Point and the Head, and
lashed tree tops and corn fields, often sounding like a freight train
barreling down the tracks. Bushels
of leaves from the lush summer growth were blowing through the air like
confetti in a New York City parade, though nobody was celebrating the
spectacle. Oh
my, they are exciting to watch but the mess from tropical storms are a
nightmare to clean up. Most
of Westport was without power throughout the day, and cable users had to pull
out their dusty radios as Charter Communications was down for the majority of
the town. Direct
TV, we love you. Low
tide at the height of the storm kept the tidal surge to a manageable, but
thespian, level. Click here for exclusive storm photos. >
> Click here for video footage
of Irene belting Westport. < <
Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4
2 inches of rain are expected. Left: Hurricane warning
flags wind-whipped at the Horseneck Point Life Saving Station. Reported conditions at the Buzzard's Bay
buoy off Cuttyhunk Island as of 7:00 a.m. are wind
speeds of 38 knots with gusts to 45 knots.
What Irene lacks in wallop is made up in
reach as the enormous storm was producing rain in northern Massachusetts
while still centered over Virginia. The hurricane never maintained a clearly-defined
eye once it made landfall. High tide in Westport is 8:00 a.m. this
morning with low tide at 1:45 p.m. this afternoon, ideal conditions to
minimize Irene's tidal surge impact on Westport. The lumbering tropical storm is expected to
pick up its directional speed and move northwest of Westport by late Sunday
afternoon, and then travel quickly out of the US and into Canada by early
Monday morning.
Left:
Carl Tripp of F.L. Tripp and Son boatyard is tying double dock lines, high on
the piling, to the Nansu. Sunday wind speeds have been downgraded to
gusts up to 65 knots, and seas in Buzzard's Bay between six and eight feet. The big story now with Irene is the
potential for a storm surge that could flood coastal waters and low-lying
areas, depending on a race condition between the storm's speed and expected
arrival on Sunday, and tomorrow morning's high tide. The harbormaster's office has not issued
any warnings except to stay off the water, and the harbor mouth is still
open, although not advisable to navigate. Surf's up on East Beach, and the ubiquitous
surfers (pictured above, right) are already testing their abilities as handfuls
of local residents gather to gawk at the waves. The DCR has closed Horseneck Beach and
evacuated all trailers from the campground, and Westport has closed all town
beaches and evacuated all trailers from East Beach. The storm's track has moved slightly to the
east, putting Westport back into the outer fringes of Irene's reach. Read more later with photos. Read this morning's earlier story with photos. 08/26/2011
- From
an original field of over two dozen candidates, Westport
Selectmen unanimously picked Westport
could hardly pick a better candidate. Selectmen
were to interview two finalists Monday night, but instead selected John
"Jack" F. Healey as interim Town Administrator when the second
finalist withdrew from the race. Healey's
22-year career tenure as Town Manager with Middleboro may just provide the
staying power and statesmanship that Westport needs as the town continues
forward through a year highlighted by confusing tax overrides, PCBs, noise
pollution, and an embattled highway department. "It'll
be fun; it's what I like to do," the seasoned Town Manager told
EverythingWestport. A
grandfather of five, Healey is as comfortable with hip waders and surf rods
as he is in "jaw-boning" with town department heads. More with photos.
08/18/2011
- Westport Planning
Board to sponsor Planning and Zoning Workshop. Workshop to gather
and exchange ideas about economic development along the Route 6 Narrows
District. The
Town of Westport Planning Board invites local businesses and residents to
participate in a planning and zoning workshop on Saturday, September 10, 2011
from 9 am to 12 pm at Whites of Westport, 66 State Road, Westport. Click here to get all the details. 08/18/2011
- Highlighting
their 25 years of growing Massachusetts' own wine, Westport Rivers
Vineyard is proud to introduce Grace. The
long anticipated arrival of their aperitif Chardonnay is over. Read more. 08/17/2011
- Legislation to create special
identification on Veteran’s driver’s license and identification cards has
been filed by State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport) and State Representative Robert Koczera (D-New
Bedford). “This designation allows distinguished
veterans whom have served our nation with honor and reside here in the
Commonwealth a way to be recognized,” Said Rodrigues. “Veterans will be able
to effortlessly prove service to collect their entitled benefits.” Read more. 08/15/2011
- The Art drive,
an over-the-weekend open studio tour through the coastal villages of Westport
and Dartmouth featured three Westport artisans, each incorporating a unique
discipline in the arts. Westport High School students were on exhibit at
South Wharf, South Dartmouth. Click here to watch the video of these accomplished artisans, and the rising young
stars of Westport High.
08/12/2011
- District
Attorney Sam Sutter responds to critics of his office's decision to forgo
prosecuting Westport's Jack Sisson. Like a bad penny that keeps turning up,
the case of the recalcitrant Highway Surveyor will just not go away. Read his letter to the editor as published in the Fall River
Herald. 08/12/2011
- Westport's Senator Michael J. Rodrigues recognized as
Legislator of the Year. Senator Michael J.
Rodrigues, First Bristol & Plymouth District, was recognized as the Massachusetts Association of Vocational
Administrators (MAVA) Legislator of the Year at a ceremony held
during the MAVA annual summer meeting at the Devens
Conference Center, Devens, MA on Wednesday, August
10, 2011. School administrators, including career technical
school Superintendents joined in recognizing Senator Rodrigues at the
ceremony. The presentation of this award allows the vocational technical
community to formally recognize all that Senator Rodrigues has done in
support of the Commonwealth’s career and technical education delivery system
as well as the students served by CTE program including his outstanding
leadership as the Legislature’s champion for SkillsUSA
Massachusetts, a career and technical student organization dedicated to work
force development. More.
And
there are many. Click here to read more, and view photos
and a video clip. View video clip now.
Two expert speakers will reveal the
emerging knowledge and recommendations for treatment, testing and prevention
of Lyme Disease and Tick Borne Illness. Senator Rodrigues will discuss
pending Lyme legislation in his opening remarks. Read more
and learn how this year's chipmunk explosion in Westport may be contributing
to the deer tick population.
Local businesses supported the COA's
signature summer party for seniors with raffle baskets, plus the donation of
a surprise last minute gift certificate to Lepage's
Seafood Restaurant by Westport selectman James Coyne. Amy Fragoza
(left) of Westport won the very popular gift basket prepared by Heather
Wilson and others. Click here for the video.
"I'm heading over there for a
hamburger," said Westport Selectman Jim Coyne as he left the very brief
special town meeting. Local politicians and town residents joined
Westport's seasoned citizens for a night of fast food, even faster cars, and
sweet French Louisiana Cajun music, all under the big tent on the COA's front
lawn. Left: Westport State Senator
Michael Rodrigues checks out Jack Wilkinson's '55 Chevy 350 CI
ground-pounder, one of the many classic cars at the COA's Family Picnic and
Car Cruise.
What wasn't expected was how little time it
took. "It's probably a world record,"
Town Moderator Steven Fors quipped. In less time than it took the handful of
voters in attendance to pledge alliance to the U.S. flag, the articles to
transfer $100,000 from the town's stabilization fund, and to approve a
proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion article for $1 million were unanimously
passed over. School Committee chairwoman Michelle Duarte
made the motions to remove the two articles from a vote, citing the cleanup
costs are expected to be twice what was anticipated. Now what? Read more with photos. 08/10/2011
- South Coast
Music Together is now enrolling for the fall session. The session will
begin the second week of September, and last ten weeks. Classes are held in
Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Marion, and are designed to teach music the way
children learn: through play! Read more.
"My field across the street was always
flooding because of stormwater runoff," the
longtime apple grower said. "The town is responsible for drainage." The vitriolic atmosphere surrounding
Westport's embattled Highway Surveyor has ensnared the 110-year-old farm into
a brouhaha over which Smith is confused and angry about what he feels are
town services that his farm has paid good taxes over the years to obtain. "I called the highway department many
times and they never got back to me. I finally called Spirlet (Westport
selectman Richard Spirlet) and said I was going to sue the town." Read more.
Click here to watch the video clip. Dr. Carlos Colley, after a brief
presentation to the select board last night, announced he would pass over on
both articles at tonight's special town meeting, leaving many to wonder why
have a town meeting at all. "It has to go on as planned," according
to Town Clerk Marlene Samson. "Is there any way to reduce the
precinct costs?" asked Selectman Jim Coyne. The two articles, one for $100,000 from the
town's stabilization fund and the other a debt exclusion for $1 million,
would have funded the Middle School's PCB decontamination costs. "There could be much discussion about
these articles," Selectman Tony Vieira said. "And it certainly
would be warranted." Click here to view the special town meeting
warrant now. PDF Dr. Colley, after meeting with School
Committee members yesterday afternoon, and being informed by both Town
Counsel and the Town Moderator Steven Fors, that
the $1 million article could not be upped at Town meeting, decided to take a
pass (no vote would be taken on the articles.) The cleanup is now estimated to be upwards
of $2.37 million. "When the costs of the cleanup become
more clear, we'll move the articles forward in the fall at the next special
town meeting," Dr. Colley said. "We will fund the cleanup from our
existing budget for now." In other business the selectmen skirmished
briefly over the Wild and Scenic River Act with Selectman Steven Ouellette
shouting "you guys voted to delay it!" The special town meeting is tonight at 7
p.m. in the Westport High School auditorium.
Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5 08/08/2011
- Westport cameos. 1. Bill Russell, winemaker extraordinaire, checks Westport Rivers
Vineyard's signature Pinot Noir Red in the cask for flavor
("fruit-forward, berry rich"). The release later this summer of
this very difficult variety to produce is the vineyard's first in its 25 year
existence. 2. Susan Strauss is
swimming with the fishes as the Westport artisan sets up a school of
surprising stripers at the Vineyard to promote the upcoming ART DRIVE next
week. 3. The sensuous sights of
South Watuppa Pond greet those walking the bike trail on its northern shore. 4. Sunset Music Series events at
Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery produce, well, some beautiful sunsets. 5. Herons, and hawks, and egrets (Oh
My!) fish the herring run on River Road. Click here to read and see more pictures of this week's
cameos.
A
DA's spokesperson said a lack of manpower is one reason the office chose not
to pursue the case. Sutter,
after reviewing the 34-page Inspector general's report said his decision does
not exonerate Sisson of any wrongdoing, and that he will prosecute any
charges brought to him by the Westport Police Department. Westport
Selectmen took up the matter with the Police Department at Monday's 6:00 p.m.
select board meeting. Police Chief Keith Pelleteir
said his department has no active investigation of the Highway Surveyor, and said his department will take no independent action in the matter. Recently
departed Michael Coughlin, Westport's former Town Administrator, protests the
decision. Read his Letter to the Editor. 08/07/2011
- St. John the Baptist Church wrapped up its
Annual Parish Fair Sunday with breakfast and raffles. This perennial Westport favorite ran over the weekend and was
blessed with good weather and an even better turnout.
Above: (pictures taken
Saturday) making the malasadas; Merle Toupin with this year's machine pieced, hand quilted
raffle quilt, "Got the Blues"; and Grandma's Attic, packed to the gills
with merchandise and bargain hunters.
"It'll
come out of the school budget," School Superintendent Dr. Carlos Colley
said. "But I'm not sure from where." The
meeting then raised the ugly specter of where to relocate students if the
remedial efforts aren't finished, or fail to reduce the PCBs to an EPA
acceptable level by the school's September opening date. "We'll
have to pick an answer from a bad lot of possibilities," one school
committee member said. The
Committee will meet Monday to decide whether they will request Selectmen at
Monday night's meeting to push off Tuesday's special town meeting to request
additional funds to cover the cleanup, possibly up to $1.8 million. Is
a new school on the horizon?
In
a stunning announcement, David Dionne resigned on Monday from the Westport
Energy Committee, citing interference by the Board of Selectmen. The
location of the commercial wind turbine behind the town's new Hix Bridge Road fire station was controversial from the
start. An
abutter to the project put a petition into circulation last week, garnering
hundreds and hundreds of signatures against the project. Click here to read Dionne's letter. PDF 08/04/2011
- In Weak
Economy SouthCoast Youth Corps Program provides rare opportunity for local teens. With
a national unemployment rate that still tops 9 percent, we are still hearing
a great deal in the news about how to find a job these days. But for
teenagers looking for summer employment, the task can feel next to
impossible. Among teens, the national unemployment rate is close to 25 percent,
and in SouthCoast cities like Fall River and New
Bedford, the unemployment rate stands at a staggering 70 percent. However, in
a time of cut backs and layoffs one program is expanding to offer youth
employment that provides opportunities for learning and personal growth in
addition to a steady paycheck. Click here to get all the details.
The
Westport Fishermen's Association also announced the winners of their first Annual
WFA Striped Bass and Bluefish Tournament. Paul Martin came in first place winning $250.00
cash for reeling in “The Largest Striped Bass”. The first place bass weighed
in at 39.25lbs. 47.75 inches. Gary Ritz came in second with 34.30lb, and Mike
Roy came in third with 33.35lb. Click here to read more about these events and about the
restoration history of the Horseneck Point Life Saving Station. 08/03/2011
- Next Tuesday, Westport voters will be
asked to approve at a special town meeting (the second in less than a month) two
spending articles totaling $1.1 million to clean up PCB contamination at the
town’s Middle School. However, with one week left until the vote, it appears
few town and school officials - never mind voters - are clear on the scope of
the PCB contamination and what the cleanup will entail. The recent editorial
in the Fall River Herald News expresses their opinion. Read it now. Selectman
Vice Chairman Craig Dutra will appear at the Westport ROMEOs luncheon this
Thursday noontime, and is sure to be asked the tough questions posed by the
Herald. Make plans to be there. (See our Event Listings for details.) 08/02/2011 - Terry Somerson
and Suzanne Thomlinson, Co-chairs of the Westport Cultural Council, seek your
feedback. To
better serve our community, they are interested in your opinion. Please click
on the link below to complete their simple
survey. It will take just a few seconds and is completely anonymous: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NVPWJ3M The
Westport Cultural Council is a town committee of volunteers appointed by the Board
of Selectmen. The WCC administers two grant programs -- one grant sponsored
at the state level by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and a second grant
by the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust. Since its founding in 1984, the
Westport Cultural Council has awarded almost $400,000 in grants that
supported over 500 cultural programs and events benefiting Westport citizens.
Terry
and Suzanne can really use your view, and thank you in advance. Westport
Cultural Council, Westport Town Hall, 816 Main Road, Westport. www.westportculturalcouncil.org. Read more
about other announcements on our Community Bulletin Board that can
use a helping hand.
Former TA
Michael Coughlin left for his new position in Cohasset on July 28th, but not
before being bid a hearty bon voyage at Westport's Paquachuck Inn by friends
and associates. Left: Michael Coughlin was given a good
sendoff at Westport Point last Thursday by Westport's State Senator Paul
Schmid. "We'll
select the top 3 or 4 for follow-up," Chairman Richard Spirlet said.
"They will be interviewed in a public session, including those who
expressed a desire for confidentiality." In other
business, a memo will go out to all department heads and to all heads of
committees that are under the selectmen that "if they have any questions
or concerns while they search for a new TA, they can contact any member of
the Board of Selectmen. If they have a request for use of the town’s legal
counsel, you would contact the select board chairman for approval,” Spirlet
said.
Tire
tracks in the sand next to the split in the road indicate a vehicle may have
ripped the fork from its mounting and dragged it off. Like so many
other things in life, the wooden fork had a story. Sending
directions to visiting friends and relatives, Tom and Kate Schmitt of
Westport often included the phrase: “when you come to the fork in the road,”
as a part of instructions about which way to turn when one comes to the
intersection of Old Harbor and River Roads. Occasionally Tom and Kate would
wonder aloud about that term’s literal interpretation, and from time to time
imagined how drivers might react if, upon reaching the intersection, they
were to encounter a large fork. But is there a silver lining to this fairy tale? Read on.
Surrounded by
four generations of her family, Evelyn Potuchek was
presented the Boston Post Cane by Selectmen on April 25th of this year. The
longstanding New England tradition presents a cane, that belongs to the town
and not the person who receives it, to the oldest living resident who may use
it for as long as they live. Read more about her
arrangements. Evelyn Potuchek
is awarded Boston Post Cane. 08/01/2011 - Stefan Grein
is proud to announce the opening of his new computer services company, FOURTECH Computer Services at 780
Main Road, Westport. They will hold an open house today starting at 9:00
a.m.. The new company will feature business IT
solutions, network administration, remote support, diagnostics, virus
removal, and our all time favorite - troubleshooting. "We will
specialize in both PC and Apple computers," Grein
said. You
can reach them at (508) 636-4112 or email: sgrein@fourtechsupport.com. Visit their website at: www.fourtechsupport.com.
“We’re not playing bluegrass,” she
matter-of-factly stated during a recent phone interview with Michael Bialas in mid-May.
“We’re playing music that comes from bluegrass." The Summer Concert was opened by singer Charlie Cover, a longtime
favorite, who teamed up with young Thatcher and Joanne who have quite an act
of their own. Is Westport ready for this caliber of
entertainment? More with photos and video.
Last
month, potentially dangerous levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were
found inside the school as a result of original caulking used to seal the
40-year-old building's windows. Cement used to adhere ceiling panels has also
been identified as a culprit. Banned
in 1979 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PCBs are now
listed in the top 10 percent of the EPA’s most toxic chemicals. Products made
with PCBs still may be present in older buildings, typically in fluorescent
lights and caulking. And
to the dismay of school officials and parents, such is the case at the
Westport Middle School which houses 550 students.
Left: Louis Gitlin explains
the importance of the TIF agreement in seeking additional state aid for his
business expansion at last night's special town meeting. The
Tax Increment Financing Agreement (TIF) between the town of Westport and Mid
City Steel will give the local business a discounted tax rate for 10 years, resulting in a modest savings of
$12, 500 to the company as compared to $110,715 in new tax revenue for the
town of Westport over the next 11 years. Tax
incentive programs of this type encourage business owners to either build or
expand in Westport. According
to Louis Gitlin, President of Mid City Steel, the
original Durfee Lanes bowling alley property, now
the home of the new Mid City complex, was assessed by the town at $700,000
but will be valued at close to $2.5 million once all construction is
complete. The
TIF agreement, the first of its kind in Westport and previously approved by
Selectmen, appeared as an article at the special town meeting. It was
recommended by the Finance Committee. The
11-year agreement provides for no tax discount for the first year, with a
sliding scale increasing taxes to full value over the 10 years. Click here to view the article. PDF Read
more with photos.
The Westport School Department requested at last
night's Selectmen's meeting a no-bid $100,000 work order to perform emergency
repairs to the Middle School's immediate PCB threat to insure the school's
opening, with another $1 million for a longer-term solution. The select board then voted to hold a special town
meeting on August 9 to determine the amounts to be added, if any, to the
now-delayed special town election. Dates on special town meetings and elections are
determined by town bylaws. In other just as
contentious business, Westport Selectmen referred Jordan's Way resident's
complaints back to the owner of A&E Recycling, and suggested they meet
and work out their problems. Chairman Richard
Spirlet said the board could not issue a cease and desist order, but
suggested the parties get together to work out their differences. Read more.
Such
is another Land Conservation Trust Barn Dance, and the cows did come home (in
1978). Left:
Westport's Paul Tamburella and guest demonstrate the
finer art of the Cajun
two-step. The
warm, sultry night was just right for the fast tempo and euphonic pandemonium of the piano accordion and
washboard belting out zydeco. Whiskey river jitterbug anyone? Careful of the
manure. More with photos. 07/22/2011
- The preliminary
first and second quarter Westport Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills
for Fiscal 2012 were mailed out on July 1. Click here to learn where to pay
them, and about
other recent town announcements.
Several
hundred people from all over the state had come to participate in Patrick's
fourth of his six-town “Summer Conversation” tour, and the popular Governor
found himself right at home in this dockside "town hall meeting"
that many politicians have come to dread when facing constituents uncertain
about their future. He
fielded the tough questions and charmed the crowd with probity laced with old
time humor. Despite
the heavily humid and soupy late afternoon fog, Patrick displayed a clarity
of mind addressing issues from the national to the very local. The
second-term governor was clearly in his element and taking no prisoners. View photo album now. More story later
with complete video.
The
property includes the popular Christmas tree farm that has served Westporters for generations. Read more.
"We're one of the very few
municipalities and town governments without one," said select board
chair Richard Spirlet. The purchase order program is in response
to the highway department's acquisition of disputed equipment and alleged
wrongdoing by the embattled Highway Surveyor. And
Westport School Superintendent Dr. Carlos Colley threw a possible monkey
wrench into the upcoming $1.4 million debt exclusion override ballot question
due to PCB contamination found in the caulking and adjacent surfaces of
windows being replaced at the Middle School as part of a green energy program
recently implemented with the passage of a $2.5 million dollar debt exclusion
ballot question in the March 1st special election. "We
will not open the Middle School if the airborne PCB contamination is higher
than that allowed by the EPA," Tony Vieira said. Selectmen
also asked for input from town board heads and the audience to help in
determining a job description for replacing departing Town Administrator
Michael Coughlin. Some
pretty meaty questions to address at this 11th hour.
Cornell also won the Mary Elizabeth Post
Award (Award of Excellence.) Two other local area artists also won Awards of
Excellence. Over 350 entries from talented area painters and sculptors have
turned the annual LC Summer Art Show into a most prestigious event indeed. Read more with photos. 07/18/2011
- Westport
artisans shine in 2011 Open Studio Tour. Summer visitors to the coastal
villages of Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island may marvel at the
field stone walls running through the open countryside, and admire the
ocean-side seascapes and stunning sunsets. And so do the artisans. Westport's pastures, ponds, preserved
history and water influence may be why so many artisans call it home. So many artisans, in fact, that this
bucolic seaside community supports two open studio tours, more than just a
handful of home studios and high-end galleries, and more community art shows
than you can shake a stick at. The first leg of the annual South Coast
Artists Studio Tours highlighted the artistic sensibilities of the many
artists who do call Westport home, and hundreds of visitors came out this
past weekend to meet them.
From the left: the
pottery magic of Wayne Fuerst; Stacy Goes at the Vineyard; Sharon Andrade in
her home studio; and the watercolors of Heide Hallemeier at the Westport Art Group with the southcoast 'scapes of Paul Vien. 07/17/2011
- Special Summer Book Sale at Library. Need a
few paperback novels to read in the last weeks of the Summer? While sorting
thousands of donated books for their large
annual sale in September, the Friends of the Westport Library have selected
several hundred paperbacks for a two-week sale, July 25th through
August 4th, during regular library hours
at the Westport Public Library, 408 Old County Rd, Westport, MA. The titles are appealing and stock will be
refreshed to keep the selection ample. All books $1.00 each. 07/17/2011
- Sunday
belonged to the trucks and the boys and girls who drove them as the Westport Fair wrapped up its 56th
season under sunny skies and to the roar of diesels and gas engines testing
their limits on the track. Rosie's Roger Defoce
and his racing pigs were never better.
Click here for Friday night photos. Click here for Thursday photos. Click here for Wednesday Fair photos. SNETP Association 8 pickup truck class
pulled from 9-5: Animal tent featured Dairy Cattle - Youth 4H Showmanship and Fitting Breed
Classes; Lighthouse Assembly of God Church band
from 1-3 in the Entertainment Center; Center Ring was Kid's day with pedal
pulls at 2; garden tractor concrete slab pulls (kids only age 12 and under)
at 6:30; and the bad boys of tractor pulling were back starting at 7 on the
main track - homemades, farm superstock,
and farm stock. Shuttlecock entertained from 7-8 and 9-10 to wrap up the fair
in the Entertainment Center. The racing pigs of ageless Roger Defoce were nightly attractions. Craft building and
carnival rounded out the day. Click here to discover the
little known history of the Westport Fair.
Visit the Westport Fair’s website.
At last night's brief 5:30 p.m. special
Selectmen's meeting, four Selectmen (Craig Dutra was absent) voted 4-0 to
reschedule the special election until August 23. They also voted 4-0 to put
two simplified debt exclusion questions on the ballot: one for the $500,000
override for the school department, and the other for the highway
department's $900,000 override. Both had been approved as a single article at
the recent town meeting. Selectmen rejected a "menu-style"
approach presented by Town Administrator Michael Coughlin for specific line
item approvals as too confusing to an electorate not familiar with the
detailed requirements of both departments, instead opting to approve what the
electorate had actually voted on at town meeting. Click here
to view video clip.
Betty
Michaels (pictured left), an abutter to the proposed wind turbine, said her
family's land is in jeopardy of losing its value. "Nobody will want to
live next door to that turbine," Michaels said. Atlantic
President Simon B. Thomas, while acknowledging a visual impact, said he
believes the 24-acre town forest behind the new fire station presents an economically viable wind
turbine location. Westport rented
a device to study feasibility of a windmill on the site several months ago. Read more about the Secondwind Triton transportable SODAR wind profiler set up behind the new Hix Bridge Road fire station. Lees Market
produced a wind feasibility study a while back and, after review "market
manager Al Lees III decided, although the windmill provided a payback period
of less than 10 years, it would not be a good investment for him at this time
in his life," according to former Energy Committee member Brian Valcourt. When
asked about alternative sites, Thomas agreed wind turbine power production is
better along the seacoast but "resistance to them is greater in those
areas, and hookup to the grid is more expensive." This
controversial Energy Committee project is sure to generate a lot of wind on
its own over the evaluation phase, and has prompted selectman Jim Coyne
recently to comment that it's "not the Wind Turbine Committee but the
Energy Committee" meaning the committee should be investigating other
projects as well such as solar panels at the capped town landfill with the
same fervor as the proposed wind turbine.
The town's chief procurement officer wants
the embattled Highway Department's purchasing power handcuffed, and the
select board resisted. And in a stunning reversal of past
appointments, the select board on votes of 3-2 reorganized the Energy
Committee and Community Preservation Committee, ousting long-term members and
increasing committee membership. The meeting was mostly dedicated to the
Fiscal 2012 annual committee appointments, but there were more than just a
few surprises. On a brighter note, VFW Post 145 Commander Lino Rego awarded Certificates
of Appreciation to Westport's State Representative and State Senator for
their steadfast support for Westport veterans' organizations and Westport's
veterans, and the Selectmen applauded them. More with photos.
And not a cover was left unturned. And so it goes at the mammoth Quaker Book
Fair put on by the Religious Society of Friends for the last 50 years. From King Lear’s Madness to Mad
Magazine, there’s something for everyone. Tens of thousands of titles in
literature, novels, romance, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy to
history, media personalities, science, education, health, hobbies, gardening,
boating, psychology, religion, self-help, cooking, art, music and large
print.
"The crux of all our year's books come
from here," said Jon Zell and Deborah Butler, newlyweds from Lancaster,
MA. "We share them with all our friends and relatives." "There is so much fun, so many books,
and so many people," Jon said. "It's a great day out." "Excuse me," Deborah said.
"I have to go back for another load!" Click here to read more with photos and a startling
video clip.
There were no records set Saturday. Christopher Zablocki
of Essex, CT took second 14 seconds later, and Providence, RI's Patrick
Moulton rounded out the top three with a time of 24:29. Katie DiCamillo,
also of Providence, took top women's honors at 26:40. Temperatures in the 80s with humidity too
match put 500+ runners to the test - beat the heat with measured running and
sprints at the finish line. Westport's Nick Lydia Gollner
was Westport's top finisher taking 17th place with a respectable 29:42. "It was hot and I was really
sweating," said DiCamillo. More with photos of the top runners and video. Click here for race results. Click here to watch the video.
07/07/2011 - Select Board sound bites. This past Monday's
Selectmen's meeting began to address the pressing problem of finding an
interim Town Administrator and a permanent replacement. "We have three
courses of action for finding a permanent replacement," Chairman Richard
Spirlet said. " We can appoint a "blue-ribbon" panel to find a
candidate, contract the services of a consultant to locate candidates and
make a recommendation, or simply have this board make an appointment after
interviewing candidates. An
interim administrator could be picked from any one of several current or
former town officials, or "we could fill the vacancy with an experienced
town manager or administrator looking for a part-time gig," Spirlet
said. Whatever
they do, Town Clerk Marlene Samson should be at the top of their list. 07/05/2011
- Westport
parade a patriotic palette of red, white and blue. Thousands of
residents, skukes and tourists lined Westport roads
three deep to celebrate the perennial event that propels this bucolic seaside
community amidst a swirl of red, white
and blue into summer.
From the left: 1.
Steel from the World Trade Center on display courtesy the Westport Fire Department; 2. Snoopy and his copilot on a
John Deere pursuing the Red Baron; 3. Westport's most decorated WWII veteran
rides on a WWII era jeep; and 4. an innocent bystander is caught in a
crossfire between water cannon-yielding, antagonistic float riders and
hostile spectators on the warpath. And
they came early to claim coveted shady spots along Main Road near Partners,
Town Hall and Lees Market where lawn chairs, tailgates and bales of hay were
the place to be this Independence Day to witness fire trucks, floats and And
goose bumps and nationalistic pride were both raised as a steel beam from the
World Trade Center passed silently by carried on an army surplus deuce and a
half bearing the inscription "We will never forget." Town
Administrator Michael Coughlin was the parade's Grand Marshal. Click here to view 129 photos in our photo
album (broadband/DSL). Enjoy the sights and sounds of our nation's birthday
local celebration. Click here for Parade Video Part 1. Click here for Parade Video Part 2. Westport
in Brief - Sunday, July 3, 2011
Westport
in Brief - Sunday, June 17, 2011
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