Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Monday, December 14, 2020
Quick Article Index . . .
Board continues close scrutiny of adult use
cannabis store permit
Holiday shopping in
Tiverton, RI
Allens Pond
Wildlife Sanctuary presents: Winter Explorers
State Representative Paul Schmid
sends holiday greetings and optimistic 2021 state budget news
Obituary - John J. Baughan May 16, 1928 – December 4, 2020
Town of Westport seeks public input for changes to Town
Beach pass availability.
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Board continues close scrutiny of
adult use cannabis store permit EverythingWestport.com Monday, December
14, 2020 Photos | EverythingWestport.com
Special to EverythingWestport.com Lingering concerns over
increased traffic, parking issues, and pedestrian access to the possible
site of the town’s first recreational cannabis sales outlet means that the
Planning Board will continue its review of Coastal Healing LLC’s application
to expand operations at 248 State Road (Route 6) for at least another month.
The company has already been
granted a permit by the Planning Board to operate a medical marijuana
dispensary at the site; the new application for a special permit proposes
the addition of “adult use” cannabis sales, cultivation, processing, and
distribution to the same 106,626 square foot building. At a Dec. 1 virtual public hearing
continued from late October, the board reviewed some minor and some
substantial changes made to the site plans and operating conditions being
sought by the applicant. Town Planner James Hartnett said some tweaks to the
original plans were made in response to routine comments from various town
departments. Other, more substantial concerns about increased traffic on
Route 6 and traffic jams at the site’s single entry and exit point also
prompted some bigger changes meant to address those issues, he advised the
board. Some of the most vocal
objections to the site plan came from Police Chief Keith Pelletier, who
recently sent a letter to the Planning Board expanding on the verbal
concerns he aired at the last public hearing. The chief suggested the site
probably couldn’t handle the heavy traffic flows generated at other
recreational marijuana outlets at peak times; gridlock at the entry and exit
points would likely cause back-ups on the two-lane state road, he fears. Coastal Healing commissioned a
new traffic study and adjusted the predicted flow for normal, post-COVID-19
traffic to the site slightly upward. The corporation then voluntarily agreed
to reduce potential traffic flows by allowing visits by appointment only,
limiting the number of customers to 40 per hour, with only six people inside
at a time, Hartnett indicated. Traffic engineer Jeff Bandini
told the Planning Board that the reduced vehicle counts should eliminate any
traffic back-ups in the parking areas or entry and exit points. The smaller
numbers of vehicles would not be “a significant impact on traffic
conditions, in terms of vehicles entering and leaving the site,” he
projected. Chief Pelletier later challenged
that assertion in the public input portion of the virtual hearing, saying
exiting vehicles crossing westbound lanes to reach a break in the median
strip could disrupt high speed lane traffic in both directions. He predicted
lots of accidents at the median break unless the cannabis store’s exit only
allowed right hand turns into the westbound lanes. The police chief admitted
that he believed “Route 6 is the best location” for a busy recreational
cannabis outlet, but stressed “we have to make it safe” with careful traffic
controls. Attorney Brian Corey
representing Coastal referred board members to the company’s Somerset’s
marijuana dispensary, Solar Therapeutics, saying they had no traffic issues.
The Somerset dispensary is off the main road and has 100+ parking spaces;
Coastal has just 40 which includes 12 employee parking spots. Several private residents also
urged the Planning Board to restrict exit traffic to right hand turns only
to prevent congestion at the median break, including former selectman R.
Michael Sullivan and Drift Road resident Jon Alden. Planning Board Chair
James Whitin and other members directed many of
their comments on the potential for traffic issues due to the addition of
adult use customers to the medical clients already projected to visit the
dispensary. Member John Bullard thought the
additional number of vehicles might also have an impact on nearby Route 177
as well; peak traffic projections called for 40 vehicles coming and going
from the site each hour. Member Manuel Soares suggested a sidewalk along the
front of the property, noting that a nearby bus stop at Holiday Lanes
Bowling Avenue might generate additional foot traffic to the cannabis store.
The traffic consultant said pedestrian visitors were not considered in his
traffic and parking plans, and he would need to study that aspect in further
detail before suggesting additional revisions to plans. Whitin
echoed Soares’ concerns that having customers walking across the busy
driveway lanes was a bad idea, and also felt provisions for safe foot
traffic to the store had to be addressed in the site plans. Fall River’s Northeast
Alternatives and the Traffic Commission agreed at a meeting to explore
several solutions to their traffic problems. Installing signs to help direct
traffic out of the dispensary’s parking lot as well as “no parking” signs on
residential streets were among possible solutions put forward. Though
residents suggested the dispensary shuttle customers from an off-site
parking lot or consider creating a driveway directly off William S. Canning
Boulevard, Jared Gosselin, Northeast Alternatives’ director of security,
said such solutions wouldn’t be feasible. Attorney Brian Corey Jr.,
representing Coastal Healing, questioned whether the corporation’s
application was getting such extra-close scrutiny because the product to be
offered is recreational marijuana. Adding a sidewalk in the state highway
layout was a matter “outside my client’s control,” and one not required of
other businesses in the commercial zone, he argued. The corporation’s offer
to restrict access by appointment only was a major concession to address
traffic concerns, the attorney said. “Coastal Healing is going above and
beyond any other business in Westport” by voluntarily restricting customer
numbers, he suggested. He felt the site could safely handle “many more” customers
than the six per hour agreed to, and had “more than an adequate number of
parking spaces,” Corey added. If there are back-ups at the driveway,
security guards will block the entry point until it clears, he asserted. Whitin said the special focus on traffic issues was
because “it has been a problem” at all other recreational cannabis sales
outlets in Massachusetts. Corey countered with an example of the company’s
similar sized adult use cannabis outlet on a busy two-lane road in Somerset,
where police have reported no traffic jams. It's important to note that
although the applicant is applying for a recreation sale license/permit, it
has not been granted yet as Westport residents at this year’s Special Town
Meeting overwhelmingly voted to ban recreational sales in Westport. Coastal
Healing LLC’s plans are based on the overturning of the ban at next year’s
annual town meeting. Planning Board chair Jim Whitin said at the meeting that pot sales in Westport
are legal as the board feels the state’s Attorney General will reverse the
town’s ban as the zoning requirements restricting the sale of retail
marijuana were not overturned at the Special Town Meeting. Holiday Shopping in Tiverton, RI Tiverton Farmers
Market continues to feature local vendors at a Christmas Pop-up Saturday
Market EverythingWestport.com December 4, 2020 TIVERTON - After a successful
holiday market right after the Thanksgiving holiday, the Tiverton Farmers
Market continues to bring special events. The Christmas Pop-up Add this market onto your Holiday
to-do list for some last-minute gifts, decorations and specialty foods.
Vendors will be set up inside the main community hall, extend to the other
community spaces as well as outside on the porches and lawn. Closed during the two week
“Pandemic Pause”, the Tuesday market will be back up and running Tuesday,
December 15th, 2-6pm. The Tiverton Farmers Market will continue to bring
safe, easy access to fresh and local produce, meats, seafood, art, and music
on Tuesdays. Come shop safely. Entry to the market is FREE and
open to the public and free parking. Handicap access ramps and parking also
available behind the main community hall. Vendors may include: (working
list)
Buns Bakery Captain's Finest Scallops &
Shrimp Coastal Greens Fieldstone Kombucha Gnarly Vines Movement Ground Farm Sakonnet Lobster Scallops, A New England Coastal
Cookbook The Holistic Trick Young Family Farm No Joke Smoke BBQ Z Pita Chipz Peppermint Panda - TBD Art: Avant Gardens Barehand Creations Chryssa Udvardy Ceramics Core.org Creative Designs by Liz Dapper Flapper Earth Essence Herbals Goddex Apothecary & Vestal Candle Insidesigns JFD woodworking JodiBees LLC, A Hive of learning Laura Golding Reiki Jewelry Mermaids Baubles NeuMoon Malas Nicole Lebreux
Designs Oceanside Treasures Paper Quilling by Kim Please Sit
Down Caning Revive Home & Garden Salubrious Endeavors Seaside Botanicals Sweet Annies
Decor Tiverton Middle School PTO Violet Drury Jewelry Wolfe and Hound Music: Julio Amaro COVID 19 rules and regulations:
All attendees must wear masks. All windows and doors will be open to
circulate air flow. Disinfectant wipes and gloves will be available at the
entrance. Consideration for the health and safety of vendors, customers and
volunteers is paramount. Social Media Links: ·
https://www.facebook.com/TivertonFarmersMarket/ ·
https://www.instagram.com/tivertonfarmersmarket/ Allens Pond
Wildlife Sanctuary presents: Winter Explorers EverythingWestport.com December 4, 2020
Do you know how to dress for
different winter conditions? What to do if frostbite sets in? How to build a
fire on top of the snow? Or maybe how to build a shelter outside? Kids ages 9-15 will learn these
among other winter outdoor skills with Mass Audubon Educators during our
Winter Explorers program series. Register for any of the four individual
sessions, or sign up for the full bundle to enjoy a discounted rate! They’ll kick things off on
Saturday, December 12th with Winter Attire,
where they’ll conduct experiments to learn what fabrics are best (and
worst!) at keeping us warm and dry. Additional sessions include Winter First
Aid on January 23, Fires & Cooking on February 13, and finally Shelters
& Knots on March 14. Preregistration is required for
all programs unless otherwise noted and can be completed at www.massaudubon.org/allenspondprograms.
For kids ages 9-15; $25/session per Mass Audubon member, $30/nonmember
($80/$96 for full series). Add a family membership to your registration to
use the member price! Programs are run in small groups and comply with
current Municipal, State, and Mass Audubon Covid-19 protocols. State
Representative Paul Schmid sends holiday greetings and optimistic 2021 state
budget news EverythingWestport.com Sunday, December 6, 2020 WESTPORT – The holidays are
right around the corner which means 2020 is almost over!
With everything going on due to
the COVID-19 pandemic, our annual budget session was pushed around a lot
this year. With that being said, I am proud to give some of the highlights
of what I and my colleagues in the Legislature have been able to get for the
Southcoast in terms of funding for the upcoming 2021 Fiscal Year. Chapter 70 Education Funding Westport: $4,599,462 Fall River: $137,016,364 New Bedford: $166,091,904 Freetown: $459,454 Freetown-Lakeville Regional
School District: Money in the Freetown line is
for the Freetown Elementary School only. The Freetown Lakeville Regional
School District represents other schools in the district. Unrestricted Government Aid Funding for Police, Firefighters,
and Other Emergency Services Westport: $1,291,919 Fall River: $25,304,963 New Bedford: $24,427,447 Freetown: $1,008,321 Shannon Grants $11,330,000 for the Senator
Charles E. Shannon, Jr. community safety initiative to combat gang violence
through prevention and intervention An increase from 10 million the
previous year Head Start $15,000,000 for Head start
education programs across MA. This is an increase of $4.5M from the FY20
house budget. Veterans $50,000 for the Veteran’s
Education Service Center at Bristol Community College Seniors and Elder Affairs ·
Home and
Community Based This provides $17,433,295 for adjustments to rates for home
and community-based services provided by home health aides, homemakers and
personal care homemakers. Agencies must spend the additional funding on
worker compensation and other eligible costs, such as PPE. ·
Community Choice: Provides $237,165,314 for health
care services for MassHealthmembers who are
seniors eligible for community-based waiver services, so that more people
can receive services in the community. This appropriation reflects an
increase of $4,650,300 over FY20. ·
Food
Security ·
$13M for
the MA Healthy Incentives Program ·
Paired with
$2M in emergency funds, totals $15M, an increase of $10.5M from FY20 house
budget ·
$30M for MA
Emergency Food Assistance Program, a partnership with Feeding America’s
nationally-certified food bank system Local ·
$25,000 for the maintenance and repair of open spaces
and athletic fields in the town of Westport Legislative Actions for 2021 As we move into a new
legislative session, I want to reach out and ask everyone what my team and I
should focus on in terms of legislative priorities for 2021 and beyond. If you have a concern or simply
want to register an idea for a legislative action you would like to see
taken, please email my Legislative Director Jessica Katon
with any questions or concerns you may have. Jessica can be reached at Jessica.Katon@mahouse.gov December Office Hours I will be holding office hours
throughout the 8th Bristol District on Monday the 7th from 9:00 am - 1:30
pm. I will be convening a socially
distant office hour setup. All hours will be held outdoors in the parking
lots of the following locations and will allow for a socially distant
meeting with my staff or I to listen to questions or concerns: At 9:00 am, I will be available
at the Westport Council on Aging, located 75 Reed Road in Westport. At 10:00
am I will be at the Freetown Council on Aging located at 227 Chace Road in
East Freetown. To wrap up the morning, I will be at the Little Phoenix
Restaurant located at 4128 Acushnet Ave in New Bedford at 11:00 am and the
Flint Senior Center in Fall River, located at 69 Alden Street at 1:00 pm. Local Recognitions As the holidays get near, I
would like to end my newsletter with some people in the communities we serve
who have shown that, even in the midst of a global pandemic and more, that
there are always things to celebrate! Freetown Town Clerk Jackie Brown After decades of making sure
Freetown has been kept running, and running smoothly at that, our beloved Jackie
Brown is retiring. Senator Rodrigues, Representative FIola,
and myself all wish Jackie a very happy and relaxing retirement! Wood Producer of the Year:
Gurney Sawmill I am proud to represent a community
that has such hardworking people in it. Case in point, the team over at
Gurney Sawmill in Freetown has been recognized as Wood Producer of the Year.
A well-deserved honor and
congratulations to Paul Darling, his daughter Jennifer, and his son Jon and
the entire the Gurney Team! Veteran of the Year: Justin Latini This year, the Veterans
Transition House of New Bedford recognized Justin Latini
as Veteran of the Year for all his work in the Southcoast and beyond for our
veterans. Carol Freitas, Westport’s
Veterans Service agent, and I were on hand to present Justin with his
much-deserved award. Nobody deserves this award more than Justin and all I
can say is, from one veteran to another, thank you for your service! If you have any further questions
for my team or I please do not hesitate to reach out! We can be reached at my District
Office at (508) 567-5675, or by email at Paul.Schmid@mahouse.gov. Please continue to wear a mask
and practice social distancing whenever possible. Obituary
- John J. Baughan May 16, 1928 – December 4, 2020 A memorial
service for Jack will be planned at a later date. EverythingWestport.com Monday, December
14, 2020
Mr. Baughan
was born in Minneapolis, MN, on May 16, 1928, to Jay T. and Mary Hicks Baughan. He is preceded in death by his sister, Dr.
Marjorie White of California and Australia. He was a graduate of the United
States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and served in the United States
Air Force as a B-26 combat pilot during the Korean War. He received eight
decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross while assigned to the
13th Night Intruder Squadron of the 5th Air Force Far East, and as group
combat operations officer for the 3rd Bomb Group. Lt. Baughan’s
commitment to the Air Force, while unshakable, did not always extend to
compliance with regulations. He narrowly avoided reprimand one afternoon
when witnesses could not positively confirm it was Jack’s bomber that
“buzzed” the wedding reception of the base commander’s daughter. Following his service in Korea,
Jack attended a graduate engineering program at the University of Toronto,
where he met and married Beverley Bartlett, and where the couple’s first two
children were born. After several senior management posts with Curtiss
Wright Corporation in Canada and New Jersey, Mr. Baughan
graduated from The Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. He
served as Executive Vice President of Leesona
Corp. in Warwick, RI and later as Group VP for the Textile Machinery Group
of Rockwell International in Hopedale, MA and Pittsburgh, PA. In 1979, he
stepped away from the corporate world to acquire Valcourt Industrial Supply
Co of Fall River, MA, which he owned and managed for 25 years. During his
time at Valcourt, Jack developed a heart for the city and people of Fall
River. Active in a number of civic organizations, Jack was particularly
proud of The Salvation Army, whose Advisory Board he chaired for 25 years.
He could be seen each Christmas season “ringing the bell” to raise funds for
the poor. He served also as Chairman of Junior Achievement of Greater Fall
River, and enjoyed opportunities to help young people understand and access
the benefits of education and a satisfying career path. Jack moved to Westport, MA in
1988, where for many years his family enjoyed membership in the Acoaxet
Club. He served on the Town of Westport Finance Committee for 15 years,
including a term as Chairman. He also served on the Capital Planning
Committee, and was an unsuccessful candidate for Selectman in 1992. Jack’s
personal interests included boating on the Westport River, tennis, and
spending evenings at home with family around the fire pit where he often
mixed and served his signature “GrandDad Special”
beverage concoctions. Jack maintained a lifelong passion for West Point and
the US Military, serving on the West Point Board of Trustees for many years
and President of the West Point Society of New York. He was always an
enthusiastic supporter of Army football. Mr. Baughan
is survived by his wife, Beverley, and five children, Michael (Julie) of Winston
Salem, NC; Peter (Grace) of Washington, D.C.; Mark (Ines) of Hong Kong; Mary
Louise Howley (Kevin) of Hamilton, MA; and Nicholas (Eileen) of
Philadelphia, PA. He was especially proud of his 15 grandchildren, each of
whom mastered the phrase “Beat Navy!” at an early age. He always made time
for them with his good humor, calm perspective and wise counsel. Starting from his time flying
night combat missions in Korea, Jack embarked upon a personal faith journey
that, with the encouragement of Beverley, developed and matured into a true
love for Jesus over the course of his lifetime. It was this love and trust
that gave him peace at the time of his passing. He and Beverley were active
members of the Spirit of Christ Church, in Dartmouth, MA. At the time of his death, Jack
and Beverley were residents of The Cottages at North Dartmouth, where they
made many new friends. The family wishes to express its
heartfelt thanks to the amazing caregivers at The Cottages, as well as to
the truly outstanding COVID care team at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. A memorial service for Jack will
be planned at a later date.
Above: Aerial
view of Horseneck Beach, Cherry and Webb Beach, East Beach, and the entrance
to Gooseberry Island and its beach. Town
of Westport seeks public input for changes to Town Beach pass availability. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, December 6, 2020 The Board of Selectmen will
welcome public input on town beach passes at their next meeting on Monday, December
21, 2020. The discussion will surround the
Beach Committee’s proposal to limit the number of passes issued to
qualifying residents and landowners to two (2). The Board of Selectmen is particularly
interested in hearing from those households who have acquired more than two
passes in a season. Westport has a large, beautiful state
beach (Horseneck Beach) within the community; Westport beach passes are not accepted
for parking at this beach. Also, state-run Gooseberry Island has an
expansive beach with parking controlled by the state which is open to all –
there is no charge for parking. The Town of Westport beaches
include: Cherry & Webb Beach, East Beach, and Knubble
Beach on Beach Avenue. Together, the parking spaces for all the Town beaches
is only approximately 150-175. Yet there are more than 3,000 beach permits
issued each year. Some households purchase one or two but a few hundred
purchase three to four, and one household purchases eight per year. Westport’s Beach Committee develops
policies for the Town Beaches and the beach permits; the Board of Selectmen has
the final say on these policies. Recently, the Beach Committee presented a
proposal to the Select Board that they establish a limit of two passes per
household. At the Board of Selectman’s December
7, 2020 virtual meeting, they considered the Beach Committee’s recommendation.
After comment was heard from the Board members and other attendees at the
remote meeting, the Board felt it was necessary to gather further public
from residents and landowners. The public is encouraged to
provide their comments and concerns on the beach pass proposal. All meetings
continue to be by remote participation. Interested parties can join the
remote meeting with the following computer link: https://meet.google.com/ace-tajh-etx
or by phone at 1.510.761.7508, enter the pin number and # when prompted: 981
327 222#
Above:
Cherry and Webb Beach (Horseneck Beach is in the background) - - - - - End - - - - - © 2020 Community Events of
Westport All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
