Westport
in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Wednesday,
January 15, 2014
photos/EverythingWestport.com
Quick
Article Index . . .
Westport
Selectmen spotlight heroic efforts of three area residents.
State
Senate passes Election Reform Bill.
Roof
repairs underway at
Westport’s historic Town Hall.
Personal
Color Analysis at The Shattuck.
Beer & Food 101 at Lees Market.
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Westport Selectmen spotlight heroic efforts of three area
residents. EverythingWestport.com Monday, January 13, 2014 Photos |
EverythingWestport.com Charlotte Underwood started out
last Tuesday morning like any other, but when she spotted from her kitchen
window an object floating down the Westport River’s West Branch, she set off
a series of events that eventually saved the life of avid duck hunter and
Westport resident, 51-year-old Dr. Gregg Angell. Angell’s two companions died
in that tragic capsizing of a 15 foot aluminum skiff.
The departments involved declined the offer
of public recognition. “That’s what they do; that’s what the get
paid to do,” Selectmen Vieira said he was told by the first responders of the
fire and police departments, and the town’s Harbormaster when they declined
public recognition of their efforts in the recent search and rescue operation
that resulted in the saving of Westport resident Dr. Gregg Angel’s life. Inset: from the left, Charlotte and William
Underwood, and Board of Selectmen Chairman Antone
Vieira Jr. and Vice Chairman Richard Spirlet. But in a stirring moment of acknowledgement
and gratitude, the Selectmen presented a certificate to William (Woody) and
Charlotte Underwood for the actions they took that day. Selectmen recognized the two as ‘spotlight citizens’ for their
“actions taken on Tuesday, January 7th 2014 which resulted in the survival of
one of Westport’s residents.” “The two took additional steps when
Charlotte observed an object floating down the West Branch of the Westport
River from her kitchen window,” Vieira read from the citation. “They notified the harbormaster which
resulted in the search and rescue effort. Woody and Charlotte Underwood are
examples of what spotlights citizens are all about. They took the extra steps
to investigate and report, out of an ordinary sighting that resulted in the
saving of a life,” Vieira read. Woody Underwood offered this advice to those
in attendance: "If you live on the river and see anything at all, call
it in," he said. See related
story below. Selectmen also recognized with a citation
acting Highway Surveyor Chris Gonsalves for his selfless
actions that resulted in the locating and Gonsalves had gone to the scene to volunteer his assistance. Inset: from the left, Charlotte and William
Underwood, acting Highway Surveyor Chris Gonsalves,
and Board of Selectmen Chairman Antone Vieira Jr. Not dressed for the weather without heavy
outwear, hat or gloves, nevertheless, Gonsalves
with police officer Jeff Majewsk, in the brutal
conditions, took Gonsalves’ vehicle out onto the
beach and headed west where they came upon and retrieved the bodies of Steven
James, 53, of Marshfield and Robert Becher, 55, of
Cromwell, CT. “Without thought for his own safety and
well-being, highway department employee Christopher Gonsalves
accompanied police officer Jeff Majewski into the
frigid waters in the west end of (Cherry & Webb Beach) at the mouth of
the Westport River in an effort to save two lives.” “Mr. Gonsalves is
being recognized for his unselfish act in the preservation of another human
life,” Vieira read from the citation. “These are truly the people we’d like to
recognize,” Vieira said.
From left: Westport Selectmen
Craig Dutra and Steven Ouellette, Charlotte and William Underwood, acting
Highway Surveyor Chris Gonsalves, Board of
Selectmen Chairman Antone Vieira Jr. and Vice
Chairman Richard Spirlet.
The Bristol County District Attorney's office
reported that the recent deaths of two duck hunters are most likely "a
tragic accidental drowning." Gregg Angell, 51, of Westport, Robert Becher, 55, of Cromwell, Conn., and Steven James, 53, of
Marshfield, were hunting very early Tuesday morning near the mouth of the
Westport River when the 15-foot skiff they were in capsized. A U.S. Coast Guard crew found Angell later
that morning on Corey's Island, a marshy, low-lying island between Horseneck Point and F. L. Tripp & Sons Marina &
Boat Yard. He was transported by helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital, where
he was treated for severe hypothermia and frostbite. Angell has since been
released from the hospital, and is at home recovering, according to his wife. Bristol County District Attorney's office
spokesman Gregg Miliote said a final report from
the Medical Examiner has not yet been completed. "However, there is no suspicion of foul
play," he said. "To date, investigators have not located any
flotation devices or life preservers," Milote
said. EverythingWestport.com Wednesday,
January 15, 2014 The 21st Annual
Buzzards Bay Swim will be held on Saturday June 28, 2014 from 7:00 – 11:00
a.m. starting at Davy’s Locker, 1480 E Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, with
the finish at Fort Phoenix State Beach, Green Street, Fairhaven. Celebrate clean
water and join the fun with the 21st annual Buzzards Bay Swim Saturday, June
28, 2014. You’ll join more
than 300 individuals, families and teams, ages 12-83, on this 1.2 mile swim
across the calm, clean water from New Bedford to Fairhaven where enthusiastic
fans and a breakfast celebration await you.
This fully-supported event includes multiple starts for more
accomplished swimmers and swimmers who prefer to have a safety kayak escort. By participating
in Swim Buzzards Bay, you are making the statement that clean water and a
healthy environment are important and helping to raise much needed funds to
help protect our precious Buzzards Bay.
Your fundraising ($150 minimum) will go directly toward education,
conservation, research and advocacy programs at the Buzzards Bay
Coalition. Early-Bird
Registration is free through April 1st, $10 from Wednesday, April 2 –
Thursday, May 15, and $25 on a space-available basis from Friday, May 16
until Saturday, June 28. This is a great
training swim for triathlon competitors and is appropriate for fit families
as well. Register online
at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim. Cost: $0-10-25
plus $150 fundraising minimum. For more
information please contact Storey Duff at:
508.999.6363 x236, email: duff@savebuzzardsbay.org,
or visit their website.
Swimmers celebrate successful
Buzzards Bay Swim State Senate passes Election Reform Bill. EverythingWestport.com Friday, January
17, 2014 BOSTON – The Senate
on Thursday voted 37-1 to pass legislation reforming the election laws in the
Commonwealth by authorizing early voting for state and federal elections and
primaries, allowing residents to register to vote on Election Day and
creating an online voter registration system. The bill also allows 16 and
17-year-olds to preregister to vote. “Encouraging
participation in our elections through voting is hugely important for a
strong democracy,” Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) said. “I was proud
to support these long overdue reforms that will modernize our state’s
election laws.” “This bill will
modernize the state’s election system and bring us in line with many other
states that have already successfully implemented early voting,” Senate
President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “Supporting the right to vote
should be our top priority and these changes are necessary to help us reach
that goal.” “The legislation
offered today takes significant steps to update our election laws for the
modern day Massachusetts family,” said Senator Barry R. Finegold
(D-Andover), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. “The time
has come to make these election modernizations. Early voting,
preregistration, and online voter registration will make our elections more
accessible by expanding access and participation in our elections. The
fundamental right of voting is the bedrock of civic engagement and our
democracy.” “Encouraging participation in
our elections through voting is hugely important for a strong democracy,”
Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) said. “I was proud to support these
long overdue reforms that will modernize our state’s election laws.” “The importance
of voting should be stressed from an early age with the hope that young people
will recognize this responsibility and carry it through into adulthood,” said
Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre), Chair of Senate
Ways and Means. “This bill takes important steps to streamline the process of
voting and registration and will encourage civic engagement across the
Commonwealth.” Under this bill,
Massachusetts would join 32 other states and the District of Columbia that
allow early voting. Early voting would begin 10 business days before the
election and end two days before the election. The first early voting period
would occur in 2016. This bill would
also place voters on the inactive list only after not voting in two
consecutive federal elections and not responding to a notice from the city or
town. Under current law, a voter can be placed on the inactive list for not
filling out an annual census. If a voter does not vote in two additional
federal elections, the voter will be removed from the voter list. ü
In addition to building an online voter registration system, the
Secretary of State would create a secure online portal to allow voters to
easily check their voter registration status and polling place. ü
The bill also allows a voter whose political designation does not list a
candidate to receive a ballot for the political party of the voter’s
choosing. The legal definition of “political designation” does not include
the republican and democrat political parties. ü
The bill also does the following: ü
Allows 17-year-olds to vote in municipal elections in Lowell if voters
in Lowell approve the measure; ü
Eliminates the requirement of a check-out desk at polling places; ü
Requires municipal election officials to attend annual training given
by the Secretary of State regarding applicable state and federal election
laws; ü
Eliminates the requirement for a cancellation device on voting
machines; ü
Clarifies that the police detail requirement at polling locations may
not apply to early voting sites; and, ü
Establishes an elections task force to review early voting and
expanding technology, including costs, administrative requirements, reductions in wait times on Election Day, the feasibility
of additional early voting sites and hours, voter turnout, Election Day
mobile alerts and online voting. The Legislature
moved an amendment filed by President Murray to the Massachusetts
Constitution to third reading in October that would also allow for early
voting in the Commonwealth. Any constitutional amendment proposed by the
Legislature must be passed by two successive Legislatures and also requires
approval by voters in Massachusetts before it can take effect. The Senate bill
and the House bill will now go to a conference committee to produce a
compromise bill for final passage and consideration of the governor. Roof
repairs underway at Westport’s historic Town Hall. EverythingWestport.com Friday, January
17, 2014
Roofing
specialists from J. F. Shea Co. of Mattapan got a spell of mild weather to
continue the repairs on the Town Hall’s roof. New slate, copper
flashing, leading, and ‘ice and water’ membrane are being used to restore the
hips, ridges and valleys on the 1938 building’s slate roof. Town Hall
entrances are protected by scaffolding during the repair. Slate is one of
the most aesthetically pleasing and durable of all roofing materials, and has
been known to last for 200 years. Leaking during
heavy rain storms around the main brick chimney alerted town officials back
in 2012 to the need for repairs. Flashing used during a repair several years
ago around the chimney was insufficient, resulting in the rotting of
underlying wooden support layer, causing the leaking. Emergency caulking
failed to contain the leaks. Westport voters
appropriated $260,000 from CPC funds at the May 7, 2013 Special Town Meeting
(Article 5) to repair the hips, ridges and valleys on the 1938 building’s
slate roof. Some Special Town Meeting attendees questioned why the roof
couldn’t be replaced with asphalt shingles, but CPC members objected to
deviating from the slate for historical reasons, and said asphalt wouldn’t
qualify for CPC funds.
Inset: workers have repaired the left roof hip in this photo, and are
currently working on the right-hand valley and adjoining hip. Note the lead
shielding on the right-hand hip put in place before installing the slate. The original,
main slate roof is still in place and, with occasional minor repairs, could
easily last another 100 years, according to Shea. The life span of
slate “generally” depends on where the slate was quarried. Vermont and New York
slate lasts about 125 years; Buckingham, Virginia slate lasts 175 years or
more. Slate will easily
outlast copper flashing, requiring the periodic maintenance of roof ridges,
hips and valleys. J.F. Shea is
using slate acquired from Hilltop Slate, a Middle Granville, NY-based
quarrier and producer of natural slate.
Above: J.F. Shea
employees Kevin Stuart (left) and Luis Santos are cutting, shaping, and
installing new slate tiles using techniques that date back hundreds of years.
Above, left: slate from
Vermont and New York insures long life for the replacement tiles. Right: This chimney, the main
culprit for the leaking roof, needed extensive repairs to plug the seepages.
Above: It was quite a
stretch for the bucket truck to get Stuart and Santos over the peak ridge of
the Town Hall. Personal Color Analysis at The Shattuck! The Shattuck will host sessions on January
29th and 30th. Interested persons must respond to reserve a place; only 12
spots available. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, January
19, 2014 Last November Dedee
Shattuck journeyed over to Martha's Vineyard for a color analysis with
House of Colour consultant, Wendy Jacobs. http://www.houseofcolour.co.uk/wendyjacobs/
“I now know which
colors make me look more refreshed and healthy,” Dedee said. “It was
transformative, and I only wish I had done it 50 years earlier, and saved
myself lots of time and money.”
Please respond by email to reserve a place;
there are only 12 spaces available and will be first come first
serve. Personal Color Analysis - $165 per person
January 29th Session 1, 9 a.m.
- noon (3 spaces available) Session 2, 1 – 4 p.m. (3
spaces available) January 30th Session 1, 9 a.m.
- noon (3 spaces available) Session 2, 1 – 4 p.m. (3
spaces available) Color analysis is
the start of an exciting journey, in which you discover how to create your
personal brand. You have unique skin tone and eye color, which means
some colors make you look great, and some have completely the opposite
effect. This inspiring
and revealing color analysis session will help you: v
Discover your unique blend of colors harmonizing with your natural skin
tone, hair and eye color. v
Learn how to use your unique and comprehensive range of colors v
Find out how to add color to outfits and accessories giving you a
wonderful mix and match in your wardrobe v
Discover a new sense of excitement and self confidence v
Understand the best essential make-up colors for you v
Know and wear your correct colors that will make you look healthier,
younger fresher and more dynamic giving you a renewed sense of excitement and
confidence. v
Choose clothes, accessories and make-up in the best colors to ensure
your wardrobe will all work together saving you time and money and you won't
make those 'bargain' purchases that never get worn. During the color
analysis, you will see yourself (and the others in your small group)
transform when draped in your "right" colors, and see the opposite
effect when in your "wrong" colors. You will discover the
colors for clothing; accessories, hair color, and make-up that make you look
your absolute best. Wendy will also
apply make-up (foundation, blush, lipstick) in your colors to show you just
how much of an impact even our cosmetics make in our overall
appearance. You will take
away a leather wallet containing all of the colored fabric swatches that look
great on you. House of Colour American made, private-label cosmetics will be
available for sale, if interested. Dedee Shattuck
Gallery, 1 Partners Lane (off 865 Main Road), Westport, MA Email: dedeeshattuckgallery@gmail.com
Beer
& Food 101 at Lees Market. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, January
19, 2014 Keep the date of February
6, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. open for a rare culinary delight! Amy Fowler,
foodie and beer enthusiast will educate you on how to pair foods with various
styles of beers. From India Pale Ales to fruit beers, Porters to Saisons, Amy will teach you that there is more to pairings
than food and wine. This event is sponsored by Westport's
Premier Microbrewery, Buzzards Bay Brewing.
This is a sit
down event so availability will be limited. Register with Becky Turner at
Lees Wine & Spirits. If you have any questions about the event, contact
Becky HERE. Cost is $10 per
person and you will receive a $10 Lees Market gift card and beer-themed
takeaway bag the night of the event. Lees Market, 796 Main Road, Westport, MA 508.636.3348 © 2014 Community Events of Westport. All rights
reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
