Charles A

Charles A. Costa BenchMark #4 Dedication –

A program of the Westport Cultural Council

By Jon Alden

Community Events of Westport Back to Community Events Home Page

Charles A. Costa, surrounded by friends and family, was honored by the Westport Cultural Council On Thursday August 9 when one of two BenchMarks at Town Hall was dedicated in his honor. The cast aluminum plaque reads, "In Honor of Charles A. Costa, For His Lifetime Dedication to Agriculture and Town Service. The bench, 'The Blue Wave' was designed and built by Cameron Webster, Westport native and the only Westport resident among the designers whose work was selected by the jury in the BenchMark design competition held last year.

Charles A. Costa was honored by the Westport Cultural Council in an outdoor ceremony at 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 9 at Town Hall. The second of the two BenchMarks on the north lawn of Town Hall was dedicated to him, highlighting his lifetime of dedication to agriculture and public service. His love and dedication to the soil was recognized as early as 1937 when, at age 20, the Bristol County Jaycees voted him their "Outstanding Young Farmer." Later on, his Harbor View Farm on Adamsville Road was recognized as a "Dairy of Distinction." In 1967, Charlie was selected as the District's Outstanding Conservation Award Winner by the Soil Conservation Service of Bristol County for his farming practices, which reflected an "outstanding interest in conserving soil, water and related resources." Through his political involvement at the town, county, state and federal levels, Mr. Costa was instrumental in saving many acres of Westport farmland and improving the town's quality of life. From 1955 to 1970 he was a member of Westport Board of Health and served as selectman for 12 years beginning in 1971. In 1964, he became the district supervisor of the Bristol County Conservation. In 1983, he assumed the position of assistant commissioner for the state Department of Food and Agriculture, and 10 years later became the executive director of the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.

The BenchMark project was sponsored by the Westport Cultural Council to create pedestrian-friendly destinations in Central Village. It was supported by the Helen Ellis Charitable Trust and contributions from many individuals and businesses.

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