Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Friday, July 26, 2020
Quick Article Index . . .
The Handy House Heritage Trail is open!
Change orders adding up for new school building.
Now is an Important Time to Consider Quitting Smoking
and Vaping.
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World's leading drug companies,
universities and governments are racing to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 EverythingWestport.com Thursday, July 23, 2020 The world's leading drug companies, universities and governments are
racing to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, the
disease that has taken Companies and research groups in China, the early epicenter of the
coronavirus outbreak, are testing five of those vaccines in human trials. Meanwhile, U.S.-based companies are involved in the development of four
additional vaccines, including one that has NIAID
Director Anthony Fauci "cautiously
optimistic." The Trump administration established a federal program to
make 300 million doses of a successful vaccine available to Americans by
January 2021. Some scientists are testing tried-and-true methods, while others are
embracing new technologies like DNA- and RNA-based platforms. The goal is to
create a safe, effective vaccine that is easy to replicate -- at record
speed. 11 coronavirus
vaccines to keep an eye on By Felice J. Freyer and Jonathan Saltzman, Boston Globe Staff Federal officials have repeatedly expressed optimism that at least one
vaccine against the coronavirus will be proven effective and ready for market
by early 2021. As of this week, pharmaceutical companies worldwide were
working on 160 candidates, including 21 that are being tested in people,
according to the World Health Organization. The biggest splash this week came from Novavax,
a Maryland company that landed $1.6 billion from the US government’s
Operation Warp Speed program to support manufacturing and clinical trials for
its vaccine candidate. At least three key clinical studies are expected to begin later this
month: Moderna’s new trial of its experimental
vaccine, which would be the largest study to date in the United States;
Pfizer’s expansion of its trials with German firm BioNTech;
and Johnson & Johnson’s first trial in humans, working with a group at
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Each prospective vaccine goes through three phases of study in humans.
To speed the process, some vaccine developers are conducting two of the
phases simultaneously. Here’s an overview of each phase: Phase 1: Trials involve
small numbers of people, testing whether the vaccine is safe and provokes an
immune response. Phase 2: Trials expand
to hundreds of people, comparing the vaccine’s effects in different groups
and further testing its safety. Phase 3: Trials enroll
many thousands of people, to see if those who receive the vaccine are less
likely to become infected than those who receive a placebo. Below is a small subset of notable vaccine candidates that we believe
are of most interest to our readers. The list is not meant to be comprehensive
or to indicate any likelihood of success. Rather, it reflects a snapshot of
companies and efforts that have ties to New England; that have major funding
behind them and the ability to move markets; and that reflect a diversity of
approaches . . . . .
The Handy House Heritage Trail is
open! The new trail offers
opportunity for contemplation and discovery. EverythingWestport.com Monday, July 20, 2020 The Handy House Heritage Trail is open! Take a walk in the woods and
let the Westport Historical Society know what you think! The trail provides a link to multiple themes of local heritage from
the presence of Wampanoags to the changing nature
of the forest, and the impact of settlement on the land. The trail traverses
land forming part of the historic Handy House property which was preserved
with Community Preservation Act funding and contributions by many individuals
and businesses. The trail was constructed by Jay Raposa II as part of an Eagle Scout
project. Interpretive signage is supported in part by The Westport Cultural
Council through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered
by Bank of America. Trail signage was designed by Ray Shaw.
The 0.7-mile trail covers three centuries of landscape history,
tracing the shift from Native American to European dominance in New England. Interpretive signage will help visitors explore the forest from the
perspective of the early 18th-century settlers and through the eyes of the
local Wampanoag tribes, who had inhabited this region for more than 10,000
years. The trail can be accessed from the Handy House main visitor parking
lot, 202 Hix Bridge Road. It is open dawn to dusk. Handy House Heritage Trail Committee members include Chairwoman Libby Baylies), Yvonne Barr, Emily Hoeffel, Holly Herbster, and Jenny O'Neill. Many thanks to the numerous
individuals who helped them along the way: ·
Nick Burns ·
Brendan Buckless (WLCT) ·
Billy Capese ·
David Cole ·
Mike Dyer ·
Rupert Grantham ·
Sean Leach ·
Jay Raposa ·
Jay Raposa II and scouts ·
Ray Shaw ·
Betty Slade ·
Emily Vogler ·
Poo White
Thank you to those who supported the project financially: Anonymous
donors, Community Preservation Act grant for the purchase of the property,
the Westport Cultural Council through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis
Charitable Trust administered by Bank of America, and Members and supporters of the Westport Historical Society. Westport
Historical Society Phone:
508.636.6011 Email: westporthistory@westporthistory.net Website: www.wpthistory.org
Change orders adding up for new school
building EverythingWestport.com Thursday, July 23, 2020
Special to
EverythingWestport.com The Westport School Building Committee approved more than $150,000 in
change orders for the new junior-senior high school going up on Old County
Road at its July 15 meeting, and got its first hint of the extra expenses
being added to the project’s total cost due to the COVID-19
epidemic. For the biggest of the change orders, a host of minor revisions in
design specifications and building infrastructure components totaled
$137,708. The most expensive items included plans to relocate roof drains
($6,799), rework some ducting and smoke exhaust vents ($31,810), and change
the steel supports in several locations ($26,887). Minor items included such
fine details as adding $829 for locks on equipment cases in science rooms;
one new addition was $15,363 budgeted for granite curbing for the parking lot
of the adjacent public library. COVID-19 jacks up costs The building committee also expanded the construction budget by
$75,435 with a change order covering the costs of health, safety and security
provisions taken through May 23 to help protect the workforce during the COVID-19 epidemic. “The extra expenses include the cost of daily temperature checks for
workers, expanded hand-washing stations and sanitizing efforts, expansion of
worker parking areas, security personnel, and the relocation of porta-johns.
- Owner’s
Project Manager Frances Hughes Hughes said most of the additional precautions were required to meet
state and local Board of Health guidelines for workplace safety during the
epidemic. Additional costs for health and safety measures will be tracked
from this point onward, and presented for approval as further change orders,
she indicated. Building committee co-chair Dianne Baron suggested that the extra
costs were justifiable since “we have lost no time because of anyone being
sick, so far.” The building project is on schedule, and proceeding without
any major disruptions because of the epidemic, she and other members were
informed by Agostini Construction Manager Bob Gilchrist. “We’re on schedule, and things are going well,” Gilchrist said at the
end of his report. “We’re very lucky having all this
move forward the way that it has” despite the epidemic, Baron agreed. Westport Town Administrator Tim King told fellow committee members
that State Senator Michael Rodrigues is trying to get an earmark in the state
budget to cover some of the epidemic-related costs for the school
construction project. The town has already received well over $1 million in
grant funding from the state for unanticipated COVID-19
expenses. The final change order approved at the July 15 meeting was for $10,724
in design and specification changes for the five new tennis courts going up
behind the school. The elimination of recycled asphalt material for the base
coat, adding “blended lines” to the standard striping for youth development
play, and improved accessibility made up the changes recommended by the U.S.
Tennis Association. Superintendent Gary Reese endorsed the proposed changes to the
project, indicating that the revisions would qualify the town for a $40,000
grant from the national tennis association.
The design subcommittee is also checking out the possibility of
striping one of the five courts for pickleball
play; two courts will have the different color striping recommended for youth
development training activities. The retaining walls supporting the elevated courts have been
completed, and overhead lighting is being installed, project managers
reported. The pavement binder coat is scheduled to be laid down at the end of
August. Without the ongoing extra costs for COVID-19
issues, the latest change orders bring the total of change orders to $559,012
so far. At this point, about $2.9 million remains in the $3.5 million
construction contingency account, it was noted. So far, the town has submitted invoices for $33.3 million in project
costs to the Mass. School Building Authority, which is granting just over 49
percent of total costs to the community. To date, about $13.5 million in
reimbursements have already come in, representing about 36 percent of the
grant funding being provided. The committee was provided its usual video update on the progress of
construction, including drone footage showing all parts of the new building
roofed over with the exception of the gymnasium roof. Most exterior brick
work has been finished, and inside, drywall crews are putting up wallboard in
hallways and classrooms.
Twin River Announces Opening Dates
for Sportsbook, Racebook and Restaurants at both Rhode Island Casinos Need to get out? This could be
your chance!! EverythingWestport.com Friday, July 24, 2020 Twin River Management Group announced it will re-open additional
amenities on a limited basis next week at both of its Rhode Island
properties, Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and the Tiverton Casino Hotel
in Tiverton. Specific
amenities and dates include the following: Sportsbooks in Lincoln and Tiverton will open Wednesday, July 22 at
12:00 pm. Open Wednesdays –Sunday, Noon –8:00 pm until further notice. Please
note that furniture has been removed from the Sportsbook in Lincoln. The Racebook at Twin River Casino Hotel in
Lincoln will open –Wednesday, July 22 at 12:00 pm. Open Wednesdays –Sundays,
Noon –8:00 pm in the grandstand area until further notice. The Racebook will remain closed at Tiverton
Casino Hotel. Wicked Good Bar & Grill (Lincoln) and the Casino Café &
Grille (Tiverton) will re-open on Tuesday, July 21st at noon with limited
menus. Open Sundays –Thursdays, 12 –9 pm and Fridays & Saturdays 12 –10
pm. All COVID-19 protocols remain in place
including six-foot distancing, wearing of masks at all times and thermal
temperature readings for admittance to the casino. A complete list of health
and safety guidelines may be found at www.twinrivercasino.com/reopening
and https://www.twinrivertiverton.com/reopening/
Now is an Important Time to
Consider Quitting Smoking and Vaping. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, July 26, 20120 By Morissa Vital, Southeast Tobacco-Free Community
Partnership Seven Hills Behavioral Health We all know that smoking is harmful to one’s lungs. As our lives are
disrupted by the coronavirus, this fact raises concerns about the damaging
impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) may have on those
who smoke or vape. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the
National Institute on Drug Abuse, says, “Because it attacks the lungs, the
coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could be an
especially serious threat to those who smoke tobacco or marijuana or who
vape.” While the long-term impact of vaping is not clear, there is evidence
coming out that vaping, like smoking, harms the ability of the lungs to fight
infection. Despite the stressful times we’re living in, people who smoke or vape
may want to quit to improve their ability to fight the coronavirus. The
stress may have led others to relapse and start smoking or vaping again. It’s
never too late to try to quit. People who smoke and vape know how hard it is to quit because
nicotine, the drug in tobacco and vaping products, is highly addictive.
Now may be a good time for those who smoke or vape to call the
Massachusetts Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free
coaching and support 24 hours each day, seven days a week. Enroll online,
access quit planning tools, peer support and motivational text messages at www.KeepTryingMA.org. Up to eight weeks of FREE nicotine replacement help from patches, gum
or lozenges are available through the Helpline (with medical eligibility).
With coaching and quit medication people can be twice as likely to quit for
good compared to those who try to quit on their own. Quitting improves one’s health right away; lungs start to heal, and
the body starts to repair its ability to fight infection. For more
information, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.KeepTryingMA.org. ### The Southeast
Tobacco-Free Community Partnership supports communities’ efforts to lower
smoking prevalence and exposure to secondhand smoke; enhance state and local
tobacco control efforts by exposing tobacco industry tactics, mobilizing the
community to support and adopt evidence-based policies, and changing social
norms. Funded by the Massachusetts. Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program, Community Partnerships serve
as a resource for local coalitions, health and human service agencies,
municipalities, and workplaces on tobacco intervention efforts. - - - - - End - - - - - ©
2020 Community Events of Westport
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