Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Quick
Article Index . . .
Neighborhood opposes cell
tower site
Protected 80-acre Main Road Farm to be
sold to 3rd Generation Farm Family from Westport
Jacqueline A. Zubeck
– Westport
Lean pickings for 2021 April Town
Elections.
Westport Historical Society introduces Archaeology
Audio Tour
|
Neighborhood opposes phone tower site A tsunami of resistance to proposed cell tower from
Westport Point/Masquesatch residents ZBA
meeting continued to May 12; a balloon test to be posted/advertised when the
test is scheduled
Special
to EverythingWestport.com Neighborhood
opposition to a proposed cell tower location at 67 Masquesatch Road in South
Westport remained strong at the continued Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) public
hearing on the special permit application on March 31. Dozens of residents
tuned into the virtual meeting, with many expressing their objections to the
site in the residential area. Municipal
Communications LLC is seeking a variance from zoning bylaws and a special
permit from the ZBA to erect a 150-foot-high monopole tower on a leased site
near the corner of Drift Road and Masquesatch Road, within sight of the
Westport Point Historic District. The company proposes to site a minimum of
12 panel antennae on the pole, and related equipment on the ground near the
base of the tower; the tower would be leased for the exclusive use of the
AT&T cellular network. Attorney
Brian Corey, Jr., representing the applicant, said a “stealth monopole” that
looks like a tall pine tree is being proposed. The design aims to reduce the visual impact
of the tower, which would extend several dozen feet above the existing tree line,
he explained. The
applicant asked for several zoning variances on setbacks, and placing a
commercial project in a residential/agricultural zoned area. The
variance is needed because zoning regulations allow cellphone towers only in
an overlay district including business and unrestricted districts, not in
residential/agricultural zones like the south Westport neighborhood. It also
requires the applicant to prove a site-specific hardship to the ZBA, which
closely questioned the attorney on that point of law. Atty.
Corey suggested that the site is the only suitable location for equipment
that will allow AT&T to fulfill its governmental mandate to provide
adequate service to the public. The antennae would give the
telecommunications company 100 percent coverage of the entire southern part
of town, including the town and state beach areas, he indicated. “The
hardship is that the town’s zoning is so “overly restrictive” that there are
no suitable locations for cell towers in business and unrestricted zones in
the southern part of town.” -
Attorney Brian Corey The
site “was identified years ago as a near ideal location” for a cell tower,
the attorney noted. All other potential locations in the area which were
explored would not provide 100 percent coverage for the beaches, he
explained. The
Masquesatch Road property was also considered “the least objectionable site
for the Historic District” view of possible towers, Corey said. Sohail Usmani, the company’s
consulting engineer, presented coverage maps showing poor service for AT
& T cell customers throughout Left: The star indicates the location
of the cell tower. At
the end of a lengthy presentation on the project plans at the March 31
virtual meeting, the Appeals Board and area residents seemed unconvinced that
there was a hardship for the company, which was urged to undertake further
exploration of alternate sites for cell towers in the southernmost part of
town. The hearing was continued to May 12 to give the applicant time to
arrange a balloon test that will demonstrate how high the monopole and
antennae will extend above the tree line. During
the hearing, ZBA Chair Roger Menard read copies of 14 letters and e-mails
from residents and town officials commenting on the application. Only one
expressed support for the proposed tower location; the 13 others expressed
various degrees of opposition to siting a tower in the residential
neighborhood. Over
40 interested residents and town officials tuned into the virtual meeting,
patiently waiting over two hours for their chance to further comment on the
plans. By the end of public comment
and debate, the hearing had turned into a 3.5-hour session. ZBA
Vice Chair Gerry Coutinho suggested that the board hire its own consulting engineer,
at the applicant’s expense, to review the technical data and coverage maps
presented with the plans. He also suggested a repeat balloon test to show
board members and area residents what a tower more than 50 feet above the
tree line would look like from various vantage points; the test was quickly
agreed to by the applicant’s attorney.
Above Left - AT&T Cell phone reception
before tower Above Right -
Cell phone coverage after the tower’s installation Coutinho
was particularly concerned over the possibility of the applicant suing the
town, and advised a cautious approach in determining a decision. ZBA
member Raymond Elias said he wanted input from the police and fire
departments to determine if they might benefit from use of the tower for the
First Net emergency communications network. Local
residents were quick to point out that Westport safety officials had their
own radio network Other
town officials have already weighed in on the plans via letters of
opposition. Planning Board member Robert Daylor, a
Drift Road resident, wrote that the applications should be denied because
they do not meet variance requirements. Rud
Lawrence, Chair of the Historical Commission which oversees the nearby
historic district, wrote that the tower would have a significant negative
impact on the aesthetics of the district. Historic preservation advocates
Betty Slade and David Cole echoed that opinion in written and in-person
comments at the meeting. Main
Road resident Maurice May, a lone voice in favor of the plans because of his
experience with the poor service in the neighborhood, suggested the
camouflaged tower would not have any great impact on the landscape, and
should be allowed. The
Zoning Board of Appeals continued the hearing to Wednesday, May 12th. A
second balloon test was requested; the test date will be posted/advertised as
to when it is scheduled, the clerk said. AT&T
proposed several years ago a similar tower on a horse farm off Olin Howland
Way; it was soundly rejected by Westport Point residents, and AT&T withdrew
from the project.
An aerial view of the 80-acre Main Road farm to be
sold to the Ferry Family. Protected
80-acre Main Road Farm to be sold to 3rd Generation Farm Family from Westport EverythingWestport.com Thursday, April 1, 2021
Above - Meet the Ferry Family (L to R), Andrew
Ferry, Shauna Ferry, Maia Ferry, Deborah Ferry, Michael Ferry Westport Land Conservation Trust
(WLCT) is selling the former Santos Farm on Main Road to a local farm family.
Andrew and Shauna Ferry along with Mike and Deborah Ferry, Andrew’s parents,
will own the 80-acre farm. This iconic farm, also known as the Sherman Hill
Farm, was protected last year in partnership with the Town of Westport. “I am thrilled to announce that
the Ferry family from Westport, led by 3rd generation farmers Andrew and
Shauna, will expand their family’s existing dairy business on Main Road” says
Ross Moran, executive director of WLCT. “We received six qualified
applications from local farm families and enlisted the help of local
community members, an agricultural finance professional, and farmers to
select the next owner. The Santos family created a legacy on this working
farm and made it a valuable part of our community. We are confident that the
Ferry family will continue that legacy well into the future.” The Ferry family is committed to
animal care, responsible farmland stewardship, and growth of their business.
They recently built a facility to process milk and yogurt at their Gifford
Road property. They have experience farming land protected with conservation
and agricultural restrictions, and they are committed to Westport. Andrew and
Shauna, along with their young daughter, will live at the house on the Main
Road farm, which will allow them to tend the herd of dairy cows they will
bring to the property. Shauna and I are so thankful for
the opportunity to purchase this protected farm with my parents, and to have
a home for our family. I’ve been farming in Westport alongside my father for
my whole life and can’t imagine doing anything else. - Andrew Ferry, Dairy Farmer “Shauna and I are so thankful for
the opportunity to purchase this protected farm with my parents, and to have
a home for our family,” says Andrew Ferry. “I’ve been farming in Westport
alongside my father for my whole life and can’t imagine doing anything else.” Mike and Deborah both bring a
wealth of farm experience from two established Westport families. Mike is a
second-generation farmer and Deborah’s father produced value-added dairy for
many years, including cheese. “We both grew up farming in Westport,” says
Deborah Ferry. “When Andrew decided to follow in our footsteps
we knew it would be hard for him to find the good, affordable farmland needed
to start his own dairy business. We are grateful that the community has
protected so many farms, and that Andrew and Shauna now have a chance to
raise their family and farm in Westport.” WLCT acquired the Santos Farm on
Main Road in December 2020, with the goal of protecting and reselling it to
an experienced farmer. WLCT raised over $5 million in public and private
funds to protect this farm; one of Westport’s largest unprotected working
farms and WLCT’s largest project to date. The Town of Westport and WLCT hold
a conservation restriction to ensure the property’s permanent protection and
to require its productive, prime soils stay in active agriculture. The farm
can never be subdivided, and additional houses cannot be built. “I am happy to see this land now
protected, and, perhaps more importantly, to see its legacy as a working
dairy farm continue with the Ferry family” -
Richard Brewer, Chairman, Westport Board of Selectmen “The people of Westport value our
rural landscapes and farmers, as reflected in our Master Plan and Open Space
Plan. The Santos family has been great stewards of this landscape and a
valuable part of our farming community for three generations,” says Richard
Brewer, Chair of the Westport Board of Selectmen. “I am happy to see this
land now protected, and, perhaps more importantly, to see its legacy as a
working dairy farm continue with the Ferry family.” This farm is part of a network of
over 2,100 acres of protected, working farmland across Westport. This land,
and Westport’s rural character, have been protected since the 1970’s with the
combined efforts of WLCT, the Town of Westport, Massachusetts Department of
Agricultural Resources, and other like-minded organizations, along with the
support of the Westport community and voters. “Now, more than ever it is so
important to support local agricultural production. We are losing farms every
day in Massachusetts and the best way to keep these farms alive is to support
their protection and to buy their products,” shared Moran. The sale is expected to be
completed in April 2021 and the Ferry family will immediately move cows onto
the land and start working the fields. Thursday, April 1, 2021
Terry was a graduate of St.
Paul’s School, Harvard College, Boston University School of Law, and served
in the United States Navy (1964-1967).
In 1981, he co-founded the law firm Vetter & White in Providence,
RI, where, for over 30 years, he practiced and managed the firm with his
partner George Vetter. During his time in Providence, he
and his beloved wife, Poo, raised their children. They summered and eventually retired in
Westport where Terry devoted his time to family, friends, sailing, and the
Westport Land Conservation Trust. As a mainstay at the WLCT, Terry advocated
for the preservation of Westport’s countryside for decades, first as a
volunteer, then a board member, and eventually as president. During his turn at the helm, he oversaw the
protection of over 1,000 acres of natural habitat, farmland, and historic
sites. He helped the small organization
of dedicated volunteers grow into one of the most well-regarded land trusts
in Southeastern New England. To know Terry was to respect his
character: he was a wise, witty, and genuinely warmhearted gentleman who
cherished family, friends, and the joy of living above all else. The sparkle
in his eyes will be profoundly missed. Benjamin (Terry) Vroom White III,
died peacefully at home after a prolonged struggle with Parkinson’s
Disease. He is survived by his wife of
51 years, Elizabeth (Poo) White; his siblings, James (Jim) White, Richard White,
and Charlotte (Holly) Cowan; his children, Charles White, Constance (Annie)
White and her husband Kenneth Rampino; his
grandchildren, Charlotte (Maisie) Rampino and
Isabelle Rampino; and many nieces and nephews. He
was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin V. White Jr. and Charlotte G. White,
and his older brother, Thomas White. Terry was a graduate of St.
Paul’s School, Harvard College, Boston University School of Law, and served
in the United States Navy (1964-1967).
In 1981, he co-founded the law firm Vetter & White in Providence, RI,
where, for over 30 years, he practiced and managed the firm with his partner
George Vetter. During his time in Providence, he
and his beloved wife, Poo, raised their children. They summered and eventually retired in
Westport where Terry devoted his time to family, friends, sailing, and the
Westport Land Conservation Trust. As a mainstay at the WLCT, Terry advocated
for the preservation of Westport’s countryside for decades, first as a
volunteer, then a board member, and eventually as president. During his turn at the helm, he oversaw the
protection of over 1,000 acres of natural habitat, farmland, and historic
sites. He helped the small
organization of dedicated volunteers grow into one of the most well-regarded
land trusts in Southeastern New England. To know Terry was to respect his
character: he was a wise, witty, and genuinely warmhearted gentleman who cherished
family, friends, and the joy of living above all else. The sparkle in his
eyes will be profoundly missed. A celebration of life will be
announced at a later date. To leave an
online condolence please visit www.potterfuneralservice.com. Memorial contributions in memory of Terry
White may be made to the Westport Land Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 3975, 573
Adamsville Road, Westport, Massachusetts 02790, www.westportlandtrust.org. Jacqueline
A. Zubeck - Westport Thursday, April 1, 2021
At the time of her death Dr. Zubeck held the tenured position of Associate Professor
of English at The College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx. A published
author and literary scholar, her passion for the works of Flannery O’Connor
and Don DeLillo produced papers, conferences, and courses for the benefit of
scholars and students alike. Passion infused with a relentless curiosity
drove her approach to teaching; a fine layer of chalk on her shoulders at
class end manifested her innate desire to instill the same in the minds of
her students. Born in 1953 in Tucson, Arizona,
the daughter of the late Richard K. Zubeck and Joan
Zubeck of Florida, her childhood was spent in her
parents’ native New Jersey. Her father’s jazz collection and an early stint
as a drummer in the school band provided the tempo for a lifelong love of
music. Thwarted in many pursuits as a young woman and betrayed in marriage,
she sought refuge and spiritual comfort at the Russian Orthodox Convent, Novo
Diveevo, in Nanuet, New York. Now “Nina” in the
Russian and Nyack communities and a loving and energetic aunt within the O’Donoghue family of Nyack, she still saw in education
the key to her independence. Jackie/Nina’s life informed her
teaching. Who better to emphasize the
value of education than someone who works for her BA at thirty
seven and a PhD at forty five? Who better to introduce Dostoevsky than
someone who taught herself the Russian language and immersed herself in
Russian culture? Who better to study the immigrant experience than someone
who wins a Fulbright to study her own? Who better to emphasize the value of
craft, culturally, spiritually, and physically, than
someone who pursues it from all angles and marries a craftsman? Jackie Zubeck
knew the pursuit could be made fun and inspired kids from two to twenty two to walk, talk, draw, and write. Blessed with an
eternally inquiring mind she wanted to know of you, of yours, and take you
all along on the inquiry. She loved and was loved for it, a lesson for us
all. She is survived by Warren’s
children, Wylie and Lily Barker, and step-children, nieces, nephews and
cousins. Her Funeral Service will be held
on Thursday, March 25, at 11 am in the Russian Orthodox Convent, 100 Smith
Road, Nanuet, NY 10954 followed by burial in the Russian Orthodox Cemetery.
Contributions in her honor may be made to the Jacqueline A. Zubeck Scholarship Fund, The College of Mount Saint
Vincent, 6301 Riverdale Ave, Bronx, NY 10471. To leave a note of condolence,
please visit www.waring-sullivan.com
Lean pickings
for April Town Elections – Tuesday, April 13th. Only two contested races, and
four open seats with no candidates pulling papers. EverythingWestport.com Friday, April 2, 2021
But it just may be a lack of
interest. There are two questions on this
year’s ballot that should be of concern to you. Housing Authority: One Seat for five years ·
Richard E.
Ziomek ·
Veronica
Beaulieu Commissioner of Trust Funds: One Seat for Three Years ·
No
candidates pulled papers Landing Commissioner: Two Seats for Three Years ·
Jefferson
Bull Fish Commissioner: One Year for Unexpired Term ·
No
candidates pulled papers Fish Commissioner: One Seat for Three Years ·
Everett
Mills Planning Board: One Seat for Five Years ·
Mark L.
Schmid Library Trustee: Two Seats for Three Years ·
Donald
Davidson Library Trustee: One Seat for One Year Unexpired Term ·
Laura Nelson School Committee: Two Seats for Three Years ·
Nancy
Stanton-Cross ·
Antonio Viveiros Board of Health: One Seat for Three Years ·
Philip
Weinberg Assessors: One Seat for Three Year ·
Sue Ann
McDermott Select Board: Two Seats for Three Years ·
Ann Boxler ·
Richard
Brewer ·
Walter Moniz
Political Ad Attn: Voters for Precinct A and Precinct
E: Precinct location information below: ·
Precinct A voters will continue to vote at Our Lady of
Grace Church Hall for the foreseeable future, per vote of the Board of
Selectmen. ·
Precinct E voters will be voting at the Westport
Junior-Senior High School gymnasium again for the annual town election on
Tuesday, April 13th, 2021. Precinct A - Our Lady of Grace
Church Hall, 569 Sanford Road Precinct B - Town Hall Annex, 856
Main Road (south-side rear entrance) Precinct C - Alice A. Macomber
School, 154 Gifford Road Precinct D - Fire Station, 85
Briggs Road Precinct E - Westport
Junior-Senior High School gymnasium, 19 Main Road Click on the link below for Early
or Absentee Voting Information – The state provides all the guidelines. https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleabsentee/absidx.htm
Below is a sample ballot:
Westport
Historical Society introduces Archaeology Audio Tour EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 4, 2021 WESTPORT – The Society is
excited to introduce their first mobile tour designed for use on your
smartphone. You can consider this to be your personal audio tour guide! This tour focuses on the
theme of archaeology. Visitors can walk the Handy House Heritage Trail in the
virtual company of Holly Herbster, a professional
archaeologist who has worked in southern New England for more than 30 years.
As you walk along the trail, she will guide you through the more than
10,000-year human history of Westport. From the era of woolly mammoths to the
current future advances in archaeological techniques, her tour enables you to
see the landscape from a new perspective. The easy-grade 0.7-mile
trail can be accessed from the parking lot at 202 Hix Bridge Road. The tour is
free. Download the app for iPhone or Android here. In a time of isolation and
social distancing, the Westport Historical Society has harnessed smartphone
technology to provide a new way to explore history. Their first mobile tour
designed for use on a smartphone provides visitors with their personal guide
along the Handy House Heritage Trail. “An early spring walk in
the woods allows you to see many more landscape features that disappear once
the leaves come out,” said Libby Baylies, Chair of
the Trail Committee. “In the future we plan to offer other types of audio
tours, such as a geology tour which is currently in the works. We are always
open to new ideas and welcome suggestions. We thank Holly Herbster
for sharing her knowledge, Ray Shaw for his many artistic talents and the
hardworking members of the Handy House Trail Committee: Yvonne Barr, Emily
Hoeffel, Poo White, Cindy Pilskaln, Holly Herbster, and Jenny O’Neill.” The tour is set up
primarily as an audio experience to be listened to as the visitor walks the
trail. Each audio segment is triggered automatically. “The experience is more
like a continuous podcast,” said Jenny O’Neill, Executive Director of the
Westport Historical Society. “I wanted visitors to focus on the environment
around them rather than on their phones. This is a pilot project and we would
be interested in any feedback from visitors.” The Westport Historical
Society will continue to offer low-tech options for visitors and families
through an Archaeology Scavenger Hunt, a hand-out that is available at the
trailhead kiosk and an upcoming StoryWalk for families
in May.
- - - - - End - - - - - © 2021 Community Events of
Westport All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
