Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Quick Article Index . . .
EverythingWestport notes the passing of Sam Jonsson, 41.
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EverythingWestport.com Monday, December 3, 2018 To the Editor: Last week, November 27th, the Planning Board met with the School
Building Committee (SBC) for the Site Plan Review of the new school in
Westport. The Town of Westport's Zoning By-Laws approved by Town Meeting has a
site plan review process. Under Article
15.1 Powers and Administrative Procedure it states "The
Planning Board may impose, in addition to any applicable conditions specified
in this section, such conditions as reasonably appropriate to improve the
site design and/or mitigate the impacts of the proposed development."
Above: PCB and asbestos abatement work is fully underway
at the Old County Road site of the former Westport Middle School. When
completed, the building demolition will start immediately. Photo |
EverythingWestport.com The Planning Board may also under Stormwater
Management, 11.5.8 “require that exiting drainage problems on/or adjacent
to the site be mitigated as a condition of approval." As a retired educator who has been involved in over 40 different
school designed projects from elementary schools, junior highs, regional high
schools, and numerous college and university projects, I for one appreciate
and support the participation and input of the Westport Planning Board. Breaking News: Planning Board threatens to hold up Westport Middle School project
over drainage plan. Click here to read fill
article. I am a member of the school building committee, and also hold a
doctorate in education administration. I do not speak for the SBC and I did
not support the site plans as presented to the Planning Board. I will
continue to support and I have always supported this new school project. Nevertheless, it is my professional opinion that changes to this site
plan are needed. In addition, as a school building
committee member, former selectmen for 6 years, and former finance committee
chair, I can't just let one point of view be heard on this matter. Drainage from the present Elementary School needs to be corrected
to not adversely affect neighboring taxpayers’ property. The proposed tennis
court needs to located on a flat area either on site
or other areas where proposed or existing ball fields now exist. Construction
of the tennis courts on a steep hill requiring an 18 foot retention wall to
level the court playing area is extremely costly and a maintenance nightmare.
I would like to personally thank the Westport Planning Board for their
role and participation in this process. I believe their input could be
valuable to the Westport School Building Committee, and the taxpayers of
Westport! Dr. Antone Vieira Westport Editor’s note:
The Fall River Herald reported today that “SBC officials vowed to address the
drainage issue and work with the Planning Board on a solution that appeases
board members. SBC Chairwoman Dianne Baron questioned if a site plan
rejection could stymie the project and said that is a question for legal
counsel. She indicated that the SBC does not want to take a divisive approach
and wants to work with the Planning Board.” EverythingWestport notes the passing of Sam Jonsson,
41. Sam was the former Veteran’s Agent for the town of Dartmouth and a
very active member of the Dartmouth V.F.W. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, December 9, 2018
Sam had a precocious and curious mind and was an avid reader of the
most diverse subjects. He had a quick wit and was the first to cheer people
up with his playful humor. He loved bluegrass, country, and classic rock
music and was a true child of the 80s in many ways. Sam was always incredibly athletic and showed natural talent at any
sport he would try. He had a highly competitive nature and was someone you
always wanted on your team. In recent years he played on a local softball
team and often led the league in home runs. He loved New England sports and
especially the Patriots. Sam was an amazing gardener with such a green thumb he could make
vegetables grow with the snap of his fingers. His garden was a sight to
behold. He was a passionate cook and a phenomenal baker and was happiest in
the kitchen preparing meals together with and for his family and friends. He
was in his element most in the great outdoors, and loved fishing, hiking,
hunting, or spending the day by the ocean. Sam received his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Norwich
University. He spent many years as a commercial fisherman, and also worked
for the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sam was the former Veteran’s Agent for the town of Dartmouth and a
very active member of the Dartmouth V.F.W. In 2010
Senator Scott Brown appointed Sam as his constituent services representative
for the Southeastern Massachusetts region, where he served as the senator’s
liaison to the community. Sam enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves at the age of 17 and served
multiple deployments overseas. In the midst of war he rose to the highest
enlisted rank in the United States Army of Sergeant Major. He was a recipient
of the Bronze Medal for Valor, the Army Commendation Medal, a National
Defense Service Medal Bronze Star, and several times was awarded the Army
Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Component
Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, as well
as many others. For those who had the pleasure and great honor of knowing him, Sam
will be truly missed. Graveside service with Military Honors to which relatives and friends
are invited will be Saturday, December 8, at Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport at
11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded
Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Arrangements under the direction of the Potter Funeral Home, 81 Reed
Rd., Westport, MA 02790. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralservice.com.. ©
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