Westport
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Sunday,
May 25, 2014
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Quick
Article Index . . .
Westport sues
Monsanto over Middle School PCBs!
Fairhaven
Village Militia -- Spring Revolutionary War Encampment
Cleanup, annual planting, and butterfly release
at the Scattering Garden, Beech Grove Cemetery.
Westport Memorial Day services announced.
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Westport sues Monsanto over Middle School
PCBs! Westport has spent almost four million dollars to clean up
the PCB’s at the Westport Middle School, and has achieved a 95 percent
cleanup. Now they’re being told it will be $17 million to finish the job. EverythingWestport.com Thursday, May 22, 2014 The town and the
Westport school district have launched a lawsuit against a polychlorinated
biphenyls manufacturer in connection with the town's three-year fight to
remove PCBs from the middle school. In this David vs.
Goliath case the stakes couldn’t be much higher. "This has
been a likely scenario from the beginning," Town Administrator Jack
Healey said. "As the lawyers say, the town 'would like to be made
whole.'" Westport
Community Schools' Superintendent Ann Marie Dargon
referred to a press release from the town and school's lawyer — Malden-based
Richard M. Sandman of Rodman, Rodman & Sandman P.C. The release
states that the lawsuit is against the St. Louis, Mo.-based Monsanto Co. and
its corporate successors to recover the costs of removing PCBs from the
school. Healey said that
the town and schools are looking to recover more than "$3 million and
counting." He added that quarterly PCB monitoring Reached Wednesday,
Sandman said he feels confident of the town's chances. He said there is
evidence from other cases that the company was aware of the health impacts of
PCBs and other districts are also dealing with PCB contamination, so Westport
is not alone, according to a Fall River Herald article. Inset: workers move the furniture from the PCB-plagued Middle School prior to
cleanup efforts last year. "You are
going up against a big company. It has its challenges, of course, but we feel
good about it," Sandman said. Sandman said the
suit was filed about a week ago in U.S. District court in Boston. He said
cases there "move at a good clip" but it could take a few years for
the case to be resolved, the Herald said. Sandman's firm has
launched the suit with Scott Summy of Baron &
Budd in Dallas, Texas, and Robert Gordon of Weitz
& Luxenberg in New York City. In May 2011, PCBs
were first discovered in Westport Middle School at levels that "far
exceeded minimal safety standards set by the The PCBs were
discovered during a green energy window-replacement project at the school. Early last year,
selectmen signed a voter-approved loan for $4.3 million to pay for PCB remediation
and green repair work at the middle school. The loan carries a 2.78 percent
interest rate and will cost the town about $1 million in interest payments. Inset: the Westport Middle School was sealed and vented for worker safety and
to prevent PCB airborne contaminates from remaining in the building. The Town of
Westport and the Westport Community Schools announced in a May 13 press
release that it has filed a lawsuit against Monsanto Company, the
manufacturer of the building products containing polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) used in the construction of the Westport Middle School. The town is
seeking to recover the costs of removing the PCBs "from school buildings
in Westport" where the cancer-causing construction materials were used,
said the release issued by Superintendent of Schools Ann Dargon. Westport has spent almost
four million dollars to clean up the PCB’s at the Westport Middle School, and
has achieved a 95 percent cleanup. Now they’re being told it will be $17
million to finish the job. PCBs are man-made
chemicals commonly used from the early 1950s to the late 1970s in numerous
industrial and commercial applications in the construction and electrical
industries. The PCB-containing materials were used in caulking, insulation,
electrical transformers, and florescent light ballasts in thousands of public
and commercial buildings throughout the country during that time period, with
Monsanto being the only known U.S. manufacturer of the materials. According to
Superintendent Ann Dargon, "The Westport
Middle School was completed in 1969, and during its construction,
PCB-containing materials, including window and door caulking and light
ballasts, were used. PCBs can migrate out of these products and into
adjoining masonry, flooring, walls, and soil and can be released into the air
causing danger to those who come into contact with it." The PCBs were
first discovered in May 2011 during materials testing conducted as part of a
school window replacement project. Tests found PCB levels in the air and on
various interior and exterior surfaces "at levels that far exceeded
minimal safety standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)," the superintendent also said in the press release. A school-wide
cleaning and remediation effort has already cost the town more than $3
million, and quarterly PCB monitoring is continuing at a cost of about
$50,000 per year. Several areas of the building remain off-limits to students
who are at the greatest risk from PCB exposure. The EPA has
determined that PCBs are probable human carcinogens, and may have toxic
effects on the immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems of those
with prolonged exposure to the chemicals. Responding to an
inquiry about the lawsuit, Tom Helscher, a
spokesman for Monsanto, said the suit is without merit, according to the Fall
River Herald. "When the
former Monsanto sold PCBs, they were a useful product. Building materials
manufacturers used or otherwise incorporated them into their products,"
he wrote in an email. "Determining who is responsible and how
responsibility is shared among the several manufacturers, school boards,
building owners and the public sector will be determined by the rule of law,
state by state, as applied to the facts of the case," the Herald reported. The EPA has
determined that Monsanto's PCBs are probable human carcinogens and exert
significant toxic effects on the immune system, the reproductive system, the
nervous system, and the endocrine system. Students, teachers, administrators,
and other individuals who come in regular contact with PCBs at the levels
found in the Westport schools may be at an increased risk of contracting
these and other serious illnesses. The Town of Westport and Westport
Community Schools have asserted in their Complaint that Monsanto had
knowledge of the dangers of this product going back decades but failed to
warn of its dangers. Helscher went on to say that PCBs
were made by Monsanto Co. in the mid-1900s and used by manufacturers of
"hundreds of products for building construction to improve performance
and safety." He said that many
building codes required PCBs in electrical equipment in schools, hospitals or
buildings, where the risk of fires was a major concern. He said Monsanto
today focuses solely on agriculture, the Herald reported. "Where
Monsanto has been determined to have responsibility relating to PCBs, we've
met those obligations and we'll continue to do so," he added. Monsanto has quite a lot on
their plate lately. The company is under attack over their GMO (genetically
modified organism) products, and has lost several cases, even though they
have government support. The two town
entities are asserting in their U.S. District Court lawsuit filing that
"Monsanto had knowledge of the dangers of this product going back
decades but failed to warn of its dangers," the press release concludes.
The town is being represented on this matter by Attorney Richard Sandman of
Rodman, Rodman, & Sandman, P.C. of Malden, in cooperation with attorneys
in Texas and New York on behalf of clients in those states. A Monsanto
spokesman was quoted in the local media as saying the lawsuits were without
merit, and that his company was not the only manufacturer of PCBs contained
in hundreds of products during the nearly three decades of use. Not long
after the discovery of PCBs at WMS, school officials said that testing had
been conducted at other schools in town, and had not found any other
potential exposure sites in any of the buildings. "Students,
teachers, administrators, and other individuals who come into regular contact
with PCBs at the levels found in the Westport schools may be at an increased
risk of contracting these and other serious illnesses," according to Dargon. Fairhaven
Village Militia -- Spring Revolutionary War Encampment Fairhaven
Village Militia, Spring Revolutionary War Encampment this Saturday, May 24th
and Sunday, May 25th at Fort Phoenix, Fort Street, Fairhaven from 10:00 a.m.
Saturday to 3:00 p.m. Sunday. EverythingWestport.com Thursday, May 22, 2014 Photos/EverythingWestport.com – February 2013 Fairhaven Village Militia
winter revolutionary war encampment. The Revolutionary
War era will come to life once again in Fairhaven during a two-day historical
encampment scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 24th and 25th at Fort
Phoenix.
The highlight of
the weekend will be the firing of the fort’s five large cannons, scheduled
for dusk, approximately 7:45 p.m., on Saturday. When fired near sundown, the
cannons’ plumes of flames and smoke make a spectacular sight. The Fairhaven
Village Militia, which is sponsoring the event along with the Fairhaven
Office of Tourism, is made up of members who are interested in local history
of the Revolutionary War period. They hold historical encampments in
Fairhaven and nearby communities and host educational programs. The group’s
commander, Ellsworth Sylvaria Jr., is a descendant
of Bartholomew West, whose home was burned by the British in 1778. Member
Wayne Oliveira was originally a member of the Fourth Old Dartmouth Militia
group that was started by the late Donald R. Bernard before the nation’s
Bicentennial. Other members have served as volunteer guides at the fort for
the Office of Tourism. Members range in age from four years to
seventy-something. “We have been
holding encampments at Fort Phoenix since 2003,” said Tourism Director
Christopher Richard. “Since we started programs at the fort, thousands of
people, including hundreds of school children, cruise ship passengers,
visitors and local residents have visited us at Fort Phoenix. They find our
presentations are both educational and entertaining. The militia has also
taken part in events at Fort Taber in New Bedford, has camped in Mattapoisett
and participated twice in Dartmouth Day at Alderbrook
Farm and at Acushnet’s sesquicentennial events.” “At the
encampment, the group is depicting camp life during the Revolutionary War
period. There will be regular demonstrations of musket firing, but there will
be no large-scale battle re-enactments.”
Both the cannon firing
and the overnight encampment will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain.
The militia’s camp will open to the public from 9:00 a.m. until sunset on
Saturday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Weather permitting. For more
information, call the Office of Tourism at 508.979.4085 or email Fairhaventours@aol.com.
Center
hosted reception for leaders in biomanufacturing
sector; event showcased SouthCoast’s growing life
sciences industry. EverythingWestport.com Thursday, May 22,
2014 On Tuesday, April
29th Westport’s State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues joined with the University
of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the SouthCoast
Development Partnership, and MassBio in hosting the
SouthCoast Life Science Reception to bring together
leaders in academia, industry, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and
government officials dedicated to advancing the Life Sciences in the SouthCoast. “This event
demonstrated the strength and breadth of the life sciences on the SouthCoast, as well as emphasizing the remarkable
position that our region is in to develop and grow this industry. The success
of the SouthCoast’s burgeoning
life sciences hub will help to address urgent medical needs across the globe,
as well as spurring economic growth in our corner of the state” said State
Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport). Rodrigues, the founder of the
Biotechnology Caucus during his time in the House of Representatives,
continued, “When you bring together academia, business, and the public
sector, there is no goal too ambitious.” “As the state’s
premier public research university, the UMass System appreciates its central
role in helping to strengthen the Commonwealth’s life sciences ecosystem
across all regions of the state, including the SouthCoast,”
said Michael F. Collins, MD, Senior Vice President for the Health Sciences
and Chancellor of UMass Medical School. “The University is pleased to
participate in and host the Southcoast Life
Sciences Receptions, where we look forward to showcasing our key initiatives
in the region, particularly the Massachusetts Accelerator for Biomanufacturing, which will be an important and
value-added resource for the life sciences community in Massachusetts.” “The SouthCoast has an important role to play in our state’s
life sciences ecosystem, and tonight’s event highlights the region’s unique
strengths,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, PhD., President & CEO of the
Massachusetts Life Science Center. “The SouthCoast
and the surrounding region are a great place for life sciences companies to
do business, and we have made them even stronger by “The
Massachusetts Accelerator for Biomanufacturing
(MAB) in Fall River’s Life Science Technology Park is yet another example of
the vision and commitment of the Commonwealth to position itself as the
global leader in life sciences,” said Robert Coughlin, President & CEO of
MassBio. “This is clearly a statewide success story
that will result in jobs and future economic benefits for the SouthCoast region, while accomplishing the ultimate goal
of addressing the unmet medical needs of patients both near and far.” The Massachusetts
Life Sciences Center is the agency charged with implementing the state’s
10-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative, proposed by Governor Patrick in
2007 and approved by the Legislature in 2008.
To date the Center has invested or committed more than $520 million to
fund capital projects, workforce development initiatives, companies and
scientific research projects across the state, leveraging an additional $1.3
bill in third party investment and creating thousands of jobs. This has included
major investments in the SouthCoast region. Thanks in large
part to the Center’s investments, Massachusetts has
emerged over the past six years as the global leader in life sciences. According to a recent study by two noted
economists at Northeastern University, the life sciences are now the
fastest-growing sectors of the Massachusetts economy, and Massachusetts is
adding life sciences jobs faster than any others state. Fall River’s
Massachusetts Biomanufacturing Accelerator will
confirm the SouthCoast’s standing as a regional
leader in the life sciences industry. The MAB enables companies to: Confirm bench-scale manufacturing
processes at pilot production scale (proof of process). Perform process bridging
studies in support of FDA equivalency filings Demonstrate new biomanufacturing technologies processes and research
findings at scale. Produce bulk pre-clinical
animal testing and research-use-only product. The MAB will be a
major asset to the SouthCoast, acting as a key part
of the life sciences ecosystem and infrastructure. The MAB, working in
conjunction with the region’s academic and entrepreneurial scene, is expected
to boost major economic growth and development among the life sciences on the
SouthCoast. Cleanup, annual planting, and butterfly release at the
Scattering Garden, Beech Grove Cemetery. The garden
clean-up will be held this Saturday, May 24th; on June 7th there will be an
annual planting day, to include a butterfly release, remembrance time, and
light refreshments. EverythingWestport.com Thursday, May 22, 2014 Photos/EverythingWestport.com
from Scattering Garden Dedication Day September 8, 2007. There will be two upcoming events at the Scattering Garden, Beech Grove
Cemetery. The Scattering Garden is a place for grieving parents The garden clean-up will be held this Saturday, May 24th, from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. – rain date will be May 25th, 1 to 4 p.m).
This day will focus on preparing the garden for planting and identify
specific garden needs, such as flowers and mulch. On June 7th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be an annual planting
day, to include a butterfly release, remembrance time, and light refreshments
- rain date June 8th from 1 – 3 p.m. The Scattering Garden, Beech Grove Cemetery, is located at 947 Main
Road, Westport, to the right of the main building. The garden was created in 2007, and is maintained for and by parents
who have experienced the death of their child, at any age. The garden is a
place to reflect, to remember, and to honor their child. If you would like to help them in honoring their children, please join
them for as much time as you want. Lowe's Heroes, The Ronald Desrosiers Memorial Fund, and the Helen E. Ellis
Charitable Trust Grant all provided funding for the garden. Since it was
created, parents have continued to visit, clean, and plant in the garden. The
Cemetery Department has also been extremely helpful by assisting in the care
and upkeep, as well as adding to the garden’s beauty.
Throughout the year, feel free to visit and help maintain the garden,
for them and others who will someday have the need to visit. For those
Westport parents who have a miscarriage, the Scattering Garden provides a
place to scatter ashes, and a memorial place for which to care. The loss
of a child at any age is so very difficult, by creating a place especially
for bereaved parents, it is their hopes that parents will not feel isolated,
they will know they are not alone, and that as a community, we care and we
remember their child. They will always remember. They will also be replacing some items, such as the bird bath, bird
houses, and garden stones, and are in need of bird seed and some annual
flowers. There are very limited volunteer funds available, so if you would like
to donate any of the above-mentioned things, if you have any questions about
the clean up or planting day, or to RSVP (requested but not required), please
contact Melissa Pacheco at 508.971.0773 or email Melissa at krp12102@yahoo.com.
Westport
Memorial Day services announced. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, May 25,
2014 Jerry LeBoeuf of Westport’s
Department of Veterans’ Services invites all Westport residents to attend the
Ceremonial Wreath Laying Services this Memorial Day. Please join
Westport veterans in honoring and remembering those who died while serving in
the United States Armed Forces. Wreath
laying ceremonies. You are invited
to attend this Memorial Day’s wreath laying ceremonies at: 8:00 a.m. VFW W.A.&R
Ouellette Post #8502 located at 843 State Road.
8:15 a.m. AL James Morris Post #145 located at 489 Sanford Road. 8:30 a.m. Latessa
Square on Tickle Road
in memory of Andre Roland Latessa and all Westport
residents killed in Vietnam while serving. 9:00 a.m. Fontaine Bridge, named after Spec. Normand
Edward Fontaine, who was killed in the line of duty during the Vietnam War. 9:10 a.m. Westport Point on Main Road flower bouquet
to honor those who perished at sea. Memorial
day parade steps off at 10 a.m.
The group returns
to Westport Town Halll 856 Main Road at 9:30 a.m.
where the Parade Marshall will assemble the parade, which will begin 10:00
a.m. The Parade
proceeds to Beech Grove Cemetery, 947 Main Road and returns to Town Hall.
10:20
a.m. Beech Grove Cemetery at Veterans Memoriam Plot to honor and remember
those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces Memorial Day Program Guide at Beech Grove
Cemetery Ceremony to Commence at approximately 10:20 at the flag post.
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. service at Town Hall 856 Main Road,
WW I Memorial. A wreath will
also be placed sometime early morning at Maple Grove Cemetery. For information
please contact the town Veterans’ Services Department at 508.636.1028, cell: 774.226.0721
cell or by email: veterans@westport-ma.gov. Click here to take a virtual tour of the 2012 laying of seven ceremonial
wreaths. Click here to view video of 2012 wreath laying
ceremony at VFW on State Road. To view video of
Memorial Day Parade 2012, click here. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, May 25,
2014 Dedee Shattuck
Gallery is pleased to present Paint Pattern Print Texture: Exploring the
Blurred Lines Between Textile and Paint, an exhibition of five artists
examining the shared language of painting and textile work. The exhibit runs
from June 4th through June 29th.
Daphne Taylor uses fabric and thread to
create meditative quilt drawings that embody her unique artistic expression
and harmony. The stitching ranges from the intrigue of loose gestural
drawings to the focus of geometric paintings. This exhibition includes whole
cloth and pieced quilts as well as a group of small embroidered drawings.
Taylor's work is elegant, quiet, and introspective. Pat Coomey
Thornton creates colorful
and exuberant semi-abstract works in gouache, acrylic, watercolor, ink and
graphite. Often, Thornton digitally manipulates her abstract paintings and
studies by tiling, repeating, flipping and tessellating them as a screen
printer might do. These digital compositions are then printed on silk,
georgette, cashmere, and cotton creating textile pattern from her dynamic
design elements. Sophia Narrett will receive her MFA in
painting from RISD this spring; her study of painting informs her figurative
embroidered works. Figures, both nude and dressed in various period attire
relate in narrative scenes dreamlike in nature. The works are vexing,
haunting, and intriguing. Bold colors and complex hand stitching create
strong energetic compositions. Elin Noble experiments with textile
dyeing, stitching, and patterning in an artistic process that marries the
scientific and the intuitive. Her Fugitive Pieces series interprets quilt
making in an expressive and thought-provoking way. Fabrics dyed with layers
of rich color are articulated with circuitous stitched lines, complimenting
and contrasting the dye colors. The quilts are almost action paintings in
process and aesthetic. Eck Follen uses encaustic painting and
mixed media to create works that use color, texture, repetition, symmetry and
asymmetry to explore visual ideas. The works are thoughtful and beautiful and
showcase Follen's signature expertise of color and
design. These five
artists are not concerned with the traditional definitions of
"painting" and "textile art" but see extraordinary
opportunities in the boundaries between them, boldly creating works that
can't be fully classified by either term. Click here for a preview of Paint Pattern
Print Texture: Exploring the Blurred Lines Between Textile and Paint.
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