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Headline News
Friday, December
20, 2024
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Today’s Quote:
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln
NOTICE
The Westport Fire Department has announced that open burning is now
permitted in the months of January 15th through May 1st. Call the Westport Fire Department
if you have any additional questions at Phone: (508) 636-1110.
 Friday, December 20, 2024 - New Bedford man arrested in Westport
cold case where woman was strangled, beaten
On
October 17, 2005, the body of 42-year-old Suzanna Alvarado was discovered
on the side of the road on Rt. 88 in Westport, Mass.
The
medical examiner determined that Ms. Alvarado had been beaten and strangled
to death. Ms. Alvarado had been
living in New Bedford and was known to work as a prostitute. The initial
investigation into Ms. Alvarado’s death failed to develop any
meaningful suspects. In 2020, a
complete forensic review of the case evidence began at the Massachusetts
State Police Crime Laboratory.
Click
here for full story
During
this review, a biological sample was discovered on Ms. Alvarado’s
shirt. Through additional investigation and testing, it was determined that
now, 62-year-old Simao Farias of New Bedford was the source of the
biological sample from Ms. Alvarado’s shirt and his DNA was
consistent with DNA taken from two other locations from Ms.
Alvarado’s person/ clothing.
Bristol
County District Attorney’s Office photo.
The
investigation into this cold case murder was a collaborative effort of the
Bristol County District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit, Massachusetts
State Police Unresolved Case Unit, Bristol County State Police Detective
Unit, the Westport and New Bedford Police Departments, Othram Laboratories,
and the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory.
The
Bristol County Grand Jury indicted Simao Farias for the murder of Suzanna
Alvarado on December 18, 2024, and he was arrested this evening. He will be arraigned in the Bristol
County Superior Court in Fall River tomorrow, December 19, 2024, at 2:00
pm, Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn announced. The case will be prosecuted by
Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Unit.”-Bristol
County District Attorney’s Office.
Friday, December
20, 2024 - Westport
Art Group (WAG) wishing
you a Wonderful Holiday!
 Key Volunteer Opportunity: WAG needs a Chair for our Scholarship
Committee - note from WAG President on this and other
opportunities below
New Classes - Classes are open to all; Adult classes
discounted 20% for WAG Members. Register now at WAG website.
AND don't forget WAGkids: NEW: Saturday morning workshop -
My fantastical world: in a glass container - January 18, 10:00 -
11:30.
NEW:
Monday Drawing Continues:
Jan. 6 - Feb.10, 9-12.
NEW: Beginning Oil Painting: Jan 6 - Feb 10,
1:30 - 4:00
NEW: Mandalas - Celebrating Courage and Change: Jan. 19, 1 - 4
NEW: Painting Snowy Landscapes in Watercolor Workshop: January 28,
9:00 - 2:00
Note:
If you are a teacher and have
an idea for a class, please email info@westportartgroup.com with
details
Friday, December
20, 2024 - Letter:
Westport is rising to the offshore wind challenge
Posted
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 3:13 pm
Westport's
newly formed Offshore Wind Advisory Committee (OSWAC) met for the second
time this past Thursday, Dec. 12. It will convene again on Jan. 16, 2025,
at 5:30 pm in Westport Town Hall.
At its first meeting, the
committee agreed to ask the Massachusetts Department  of Energy Resources if someone would join
us who could provide an overview of the state's authority specific to
offshore wind development, including onshore transmission corridor
permitting and construction. The committee also voted to ask Vineyard Offshore
if it might send someone who has expertise in cable and substation
construction and operation to speak (Vineyard Offshore is the developer of
the Vineyard Northeast project which, according to its construction and
operations plan posted on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's website,
intends to land its extra-high voltage cabling on Horseneck Beach and
trench it through the entire length of Westport).
Although
Vineyard Offshore seems disinclined to engage in public dialogue, Assistant Secretary
for Government Relations Johannes Buchanan responded with the news that he
and five other officials from the Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs (EEA) would be down for the December meeting. The other
officials were:
Michael Judge, Undersecretary for Energy, Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs
·
Alison
Brizius, Assistant Secretary, Coastal Zone Management
·
Lisa
Engler Berry, Deputy Managing Director, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
·
Andrew
Greene, Energy Facilities Siting Board
·
Dan
McKeirnan, Director, Department of Marine Fisheries
·
The
state officials gave a lengthy presentation touching on many aspects of the
EEA's role in the offshore wind permitting processes on land and in
Massachusetts' waters, which extend up to three nautical miles offshore.
The entire meeting can be viewed on the Town of Westport MA Government TV
website.
Comments
by committee and audience members begin at 4:30 pm. Our Boston guests left
Westport knowing three things: There is strong opposition to any plans to
land cables here. We are not dull witted. We will not roll over.
It
is very much worth noting the historic nature of Westport's new offshore
wind committee. To my knowledge Westport is the first town in the country
to have formed a regularly convening committee for the express purpose of
bringing discussions between town officials and industrial wind companies
out from behind closed doors and into a public forum before a Host
Community Agreement (HCA) has already been pretty much decided. Our select
board deserves our gratitude for that.
If
the standing room only attendance and heartfelt concerns of audience
members are indicative, then there are many Westporters who are not happy
about what they are hearing from the feds and the state, are cognizant of
Vineyard Offshore’s clandestine maneuvering
and deceptive practices and are ready to engage in this critically
important town-wide discussion.
This
makes me prouder than ever of our town. For in coming together to
contemplate the gravity and generational consequences of what looks to be
coming our way, we are truly enjoining the
"WE" in Westport as we do our best to protect her.
Constance
Gee
Westport
Gee,
a member of the Offshore Wind Advisory Committee, is the founder of the
advocacy group Protect Our Westport Waters.
https://www.eastbayri.com/.../letter-westport-is-rising...
Thursday, December
19, 2024 - OBITUARY
 EverythingWestport wishes to note the passing of Roger J.
Chandanais, 95, of Westport, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the Grand Islander in Middletown. He was the
beloved husband of the late Regina Celeste (Mueller) Chandanais.
Mr. Chandanais was born in
Fall River, son of the late Albert and Eva (Allie) Chandanais and had
resided in Westport for over 60 years. He served his country in the United
States Army during the Korean Conflict of 1951. His son Rick followed in
his footsteps and went into the Army along with his granddaughter Jessica.
He was the owner and mechanic
of Roger's Welding, Truck and Trailer Repair Service in Westport. He was
very fond of fishing, scuba diving in the Westport River and going to
Martha's Vineyard and surrounding islands looking for shipwrecks. On one
occasion in September of 1994 he brought up a
16,000lb propeller from the S.S. Herman Winter ship. Roger and his son Rick
had built a surface sub to be able to raise the Hugh Propeller.
He loved his Country &
Western dancing and always had fun with the girls. He even built a dancing
studio for his wife to teach and to have fun. He had a passion for making
his critters. He loved teaching his granddaughter Jessica how to weld and
make these critters. He liked to go skiing, hunting, riding horses and
going on lots of adventures especially on vacations going out and
exploring.
Survivors include his son:
Rick Jay Chandanais and his wife Susan of Westport; his daughter: Renee'
Jeanne Worden and her husband Scott of Jackson, ME; 3 grandchildren:
Derrick Mastera of Dartmouth, Shannon Chandanais of Westport and Jessica
Worden of Jackson, ME; 3 great grandchildren: Aiden Mastera, Karysa Leite
and Rilynn Mastera, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late
Rachelle Jayne Chandanais and brother of the late Jeannette Murphy, Doris
Paul, Claire Mangum, Robert Chandanais and Raymond Chandanais.
Funeral service to which
relatives and friends are invited to attend will be Saturday, December 21,
2024 at the Potter Funeral Home at 6:00 P.M.
Calling hours will be
Saturday, from 4-6 P.M. prior to the service.
Thursday, December
19, 2024 –
OBITUARY –
 EverythingWestport wishes to note The passing of Robin
A. (Vieira) Metivier, 58, of Westport, who passed away peacefully at
home on Saturday, December 14, 2024 with her
family by her side after a long battle with Cancer. She was the wife of
Michael P. Metivier, they shared 39 years of marriage.
Mrs.
Metivier was born in Fall River, daughter of Bernice A. (Theodore) Vieira
of Westport and the late Robert A. Vieira and had been a lifelong resident
of Westport. She and her husband Mike co-owned Main Street Florist, Fall
River for the past 20 years. Her greatest joy was being around family and
friends who all knew her infectious smile, which warmed their hearts. She
was truly loved by everyone, especially her husband, her most precious
love, their son Dylan and their family dog of 16 years, Patch.
Survivors
along with her husband and mother include her son: Dylan Metivier of
Westport; her sister: Michelle Rapoza of Westport; along with many aunts,
uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral
Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be
Thursday, December 19, 2024 at St. John the
Baptist Church, Westport at 11:00 A.M.
Visitation will be Thursday at the Potter Funeral
Home, from 8-10:30 A.M. prior to the Mass.
Interment
in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
Robin
would always say. "At the end of the day, there's just not enough
time."
Thursday, December
19, 2024 -
OBITUARY
 EverythingWestport wishes to note the passing of Walter
D. 'Cookie' Quinn of Westport, who passed away peacefully on Thursday,
December 12, 2024 at Catholic Memorial Home
following a period of declining health. He was the husband of Mary T.
(Carroll) Quinn for 40 years.
Mr.
Quinn was born in Fall River, son of the late George and Loretta (Barnaby)
Quinn and had been a longtime resident of Westport. He was a graduate of
Msgr. Coyle High School in Taunton. Mr. Quinn was a Navy veteran of the
Korean Conflict. Prior to retirement, he was Fleet Superintendent for the
United States Postal Service, Fall River. He was a former member of the
Swansea V.F.W., the Tin Can Sailors, the Corky Row Club and Fall River
Clover Club. He was Past President and Life Member of the Southeastern Massachusetts
Football Officials Association and the Southeastern Massachusetts Baseball
Umpires Association. He was a founding member and longtime secretary of the
former Westport Fishermens' Association and the
former Assistant Shellfish Warden, Westport. He was also a member of both
the American Legion James Morris Post 145 and Bakers Beach Club, both in
Westport. He was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church, Westport.
Survivors
along with his wife include his son: Michael S. Quinn and his wife Melissa
of Penfield, NY; his 3 daughters: Kathy Chicoine and her husband Mark of
Virginia Beach, VA, Pamela Manchester and her husband Kenneth
"Skip" of Westport and Patricia Swift and her husband Scott of
Westport and San Diego, CA; 6 grandchildren: Maura Saraco and her husband
Cameron, Patrick Chicoine, Meggie Curran and her husband Tucker, Jordan
Manchester, Andee Manchester and Hallie Manchester; 3 great grandchildren:
Logan and Myles Saraco, Daisy Curran; a brother: Thomas Quinn and his wife
Barbara of Dartmouth; 2 step-children: William E. White III, his wife Susan
and their children: William E. IV and Alison Lee of Alexandria, VA and
Thomas C. White of Indian Rocks Beach, FL; along with many nieces and
nephews.
He
was the brother of the late John Quinn, uncle of the late Shawn Quinn and
the former husband of the late Rita Feitelberg.
The
family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of Unit 3 at Catholic
Memorial Home for the compassionate care they gave to Mr. Quinn.
Catholic
memorial service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Friday,
January 3, 2025 at the Potter Funeral Home at
11:30 A.M.
Memorial
visitation will be Friday, January 3, 2025 from
10-11:30 A.M. prior to the service.
Interment
in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
Saturday, November
30, 2024 –
OBITUARY -
 EverythingWestport wishes to note The passing of William
Frank Glaser Jr. of Westport, MA and Naples, FL who died on November 7,
2024. He was 93 years old.
Bill made many friends in
Westport over the 60 years he spent time here. His little cottage on the
Westport River is the place he loved the best, and it showed in how he
maintained and transformed the property, planned his family boat trips, and
entertained his family and his friends at the house, always welcoming and
light-hearted with his quick wit. He developed many beloved and enduring
friendships both at Elephant Rock Beach Club and Acoaxet Club, where he was
enthusiastically active in singles tennis, later playing doubles well into
his 80s, both in Westport and in Naples. He was a wonderful patient host to
the myriad of children and grandchildren at
"Camp Glaser" in Westport, teaching them to catch crabs at the
dock, row and sail, and kindly encouraging them to take small risks, such
as in climbing up the steep Knubble, or learning how to stand up on waterskis.
Bill
leaves behind his wife Linda; three children, Robert, Bradley and
Christina; stepchildren Kristi and Alan; eight grandchildren Nicole, Reid,
Andrew, Nicholas, Ben, Jessica, Lilly and Hadley; and two great
granddaughters Sophie and Brooklyn. Bill also leaves behind two sisters:
Carolin and Marne, and was predeceased by his sister Eleanor. Also of note
are nephews Tom, Ken, Jonathan, Tim and Steven.
Bill was a man who knew to
appreciate every minute, every person in his life, the passage of the
seasons, the osprey, and the beautiful sunrises over the river. He loved
deeply his friends and his family, and was deeply loved in return.
To
plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Saturday, November
30, 2024 – OBITUARY -
 EverythingWestport
wishes to note The passing of Geraldine A. Letendre of Westport,
Massachusetts leaves a void in the hearts of many, as we bid farewell to a
loving soul who departed on November 26, 2024. You can send your sympathy
in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.
She was predeceased by: her husband Robert R.
"Jock" Letendre; her parents, Manuel Medeiros and Aldina Oliveira
(Borges); and her siblings, Irene Medeiros and Manual Medeiros.
She is survived by her children, Carol Ann Rowe
(Leonard) of Marshfield, MA and Robert Letendre (Julie) of Westport; and
her grandchildren, Rachel and Jonathan Letendre of Westport.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 4th
2024 from 8:15 AM to 9:15 AM at the Silva-Faria Funeral Home (730 Bedford
St, Fall River, MA 02720). A funeral service will be held on Wednesday,
December 4th 2024 at 9:15 AM at the same location. A Mass of Christian
burial will be held on Wednesday, December 4th 2024 at 10:30 AM at the Our
Lady of Grace Church (569 Sanford Rd, Westport, MA 02790).
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a
donation in Geraldine's memory to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island, One State Street #501, Providence, RI 02908;
401-781-9474; https://wish.org.
 Saturday, November
30, 2024 –
OBITUARY -
EverythingWestport
wishes to acknowledge the passing of Normand Blanchette, 85 of
Westport passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on November 28,
2024.
Born on September 6,1939 in Westport, MA he
proudly served in the United States Coast Guard from 1959 to 1961, where he
was stationed at Group Cape Cod, Cape Cod Canal. He always had a tremendous
work ethic and always needed to keep busy. He worked as a member of the
Local 51 Plumbers Union for 42 years and owned his own business prior to
joining the union. He was an avid bowler and served as Treasurer for the
American Men’s Bowling League in Westport for many years. He was a
faithful New England sports fan.
Normand was the patriarch of his loving family,
preceded in death by his parents Jean and Rose Anna Blanchette and two
sisters, Jeannette LaFlamme and Juliette LePage and his twin brother,
Armand Blanchette.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years,
Frieda (Gerrald) Blanchette; his sister Bernadette Edmond; his three
children, Brian Blanchette (Darlene), Lonnie Blanchette (Rosemary) and
Michelle Ferreira (Brian). He was a loving grandfather of six to Rachel
Blanchette, Nicole Camara (Kyle), Lonnie Blanchette (Stephanie), Jenna
Ferreira, Benjamin Blanchette and Samuel Blanchette. He was also a loving
great grandfather of five to Addison Amaral, Sofia Camara, Jayden Camara,
Everly Camara and Levi Camara.
He will be greatly missed and forever cherished by
everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made
to: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 207, P.O. Box 1214, Westport, MA
02790 or American Legion Post 145, 489 Sanford Rd., Westport, MA 02790.
Saturday, November
30, 2024 - South Coast Rail on target for a spring
opening!!!
Status: Phase 1 construction is
in progress along the Fall River Secondary Line, Middleborough Secondary
Line, and New Bedford Main Line. Service is anticipated to open to the
public by spring 2025.
See the South
Coast Rail construction activity update
Building
a better T!
Above:
Newly elected Nicole Pearsall voted in as Westport’s new
accountant
Saturday, November
23, 2024 - The Westport Select Board on last Monday
night unanimously approved the hiring of Nicole Pearsall as the town's
new accountant, promoting the long-time assistant to the top position. The
vote was 4-0, with Steve Ouellette absent.
Town administrator Jim Hartnett said Pearsall,
with 17 years’ experience at Westport Town Hall, has the
"institutional knowledge" necessary to take on the town's chief
financial position.
Congratulations to Ms. Pearsall!
.
Friday, November
22, 2024 - Westport educator recently received a
prestigious honor.
Reported
by Fall River Reporter
WESTPORT - The Massachusetts Down Syndrome
Congress has announced that the 2024 Outstanding Educator of the Year
Award went to Sherrie Lees, an incredibly dedicated teaching
assistant for Brenna Legendre for the last 11 years in the Westport
Community Schools.
Nominated by Brenna’s mother, Kim Tripp
Legendre, “Mrs. Lees goes above and beyond every single day by
working with the school administration and teachers to ensure Brenna has
the support she needs to succeed and be included,” explained Marissa
O’Donnell, who presented the award on stage at MDSC’s
Annual Educators Forum on behalf of her family’s Let It Shine Fund.
Sherrie constantly works with other educators to
develop critical modifications and accommodations, and problem-solve
scheduling challenges so that Brenna can thrive. “She takes her job
to another level by willingly attending seminars and asking questions if
she has a concern,” Kim said.
Having faced a personal tragedy in June, Sherrie
returned to work this September saying, “I need to be with Brenna,
she gives me the strength to move on.” According to Kim, “the
incredible bond between Mrs. Lees and Brenna is beautiful and priceless;
There is no team like the two of them.”
Congratulations Sherrie on being a 2024 MDSC
Outstanding Educator of the Year!
Wednesday, November
20, 2024 - A Westport man faces multiple felony charges for
allegedly breaking into a neighbor’s camper and destroying property
last week.
On Wednesday morning, Nov. 13, police were
dispatched to Tickle Road to investigate a resident’s breaking and
entering complaint. When they arrived, they found a camper with damage to
the door, and located tools nearby which officers suspect were used in
gaining access to it.
Officers checked in the camper but found nobody,
though they did find empty bottles of alcohol that the owner said did not
belong to him. However, the man said he had had problems in the past with
his neighbor, Brendan Hoey.
Officers went to a nearby home owned by
Hoey’s parents. His mother told officers that she believed her son
was involved in the break-in, and asked him to speak to the police.
Subsequently, police read him his rights and police said he admitted breaking
into the camper the previous night. That night, he said, he’d left
his parents’ home and broke into their garage, where he went to sleep
before deciding to break into the camper as the temperature dropped.
Upon searching his parents’ garage, police
found a motorized scooter that officers said had been stolen from the
camper owner’s property. Police said Hoey told them that he
didn’t know how the scooter got into the garage, and blamed his lapse
in memory on being intoxicated.
Police charged Hoey, 22, of 259C Tickle Road, with
two felony counts of breaking and entering into a building at night, felony
larceny over $1,200, and felony destruction of property over $1,200.
WESTPORT
PUBLIC NOTICE!
Click Here to review all
the details!
Saturday, November
16, 2024 – Click here
to review upcoming Recreation Department Programs:
Thursday, November
14 - Offshore
Wind once again in the news!
A new
Westport committee will tackle offshore wind topics. Why is it important
right now?
PHOTO | Constance Gee
WESTPORT
— After watching turmoil unfold in Barnstable and Nantucket over
offshore wind, Westport resident Constance Gee says she "didn't want
to see that happen in Westport."
So,
when she began hearing about Vineyard Offshore's plan to bring high-voltage
cabling for wind farm Vineyard Northeast through Westport via Horseneck
Beach, Gee started urging selectmen to form a committee that could bring
discussions around offshore wind projects into public view, she said.
As of Oct. 28, she got her wish when the selectmen voted to
establish the town's new Offshore Wind Advisory Committee, with her as a
member.
"I
thought this committee was important to have," Gee said, suggesting  a lack of transparency tends to be a
trend in communities' dealings with offshore wind companies prior to
residents being informed of what's been proposed. "I wanted to see
those discussions brought out into a public forum."
PHOTO
| Constance Gee
Now,
Gee says she hopes town officials, with the committee's help, will get to
have a say in the matter one way or the other according to "what the
majority of residents want;" but it remains unclear whether that will
be the case due to geography and ownership.
As
of Monday's Select Board meeting, the final opening on the Westport
Offshore Wind Advisory Committee was filled. The membership is:
·
Shana
Teas (Select Board)
·
John
Bullard (Planning Board)
·
Jake
McGuigan (Conservation Commission)
·
Rick
Smith (Shellfish Advisory Board)
·
Maury
May (Economic Development Taskforce)
·
Joop
Nagtegaal (Westport River Watershed Alliance)
·
Constance
Gee (at-large, POWW)
·
Bill
Sheahan (at-large)
·
Christopher
Thrasher (at-large)
Article
by Ferreira Matthew Ferreira - The Standard-Times
More >>
BAN HAS
ENDED!!!
Monday, November
11, 2024 -
Westport Fire Department; Massachusetts shuts down outside fires of all
types
🚩🔥RED FLAG WARNING CONTINUES FOR OUR AREA🔥🚩
WESTPORT
- Effective immediately, the Westport Fire Department, under Section 10.10.2
of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, is placing a ban on
all outdoor fires. This includes the use of fire pits, candles,
chiminea, cooking equipment and other types of ignition sources until at
least Friday, November 15.
The Code grants fire officials the authority to prohibit all open
flames and other ignition sources under certain hazardous conditions,
including extreme drought.
Individuals
violating the ban or the open burning regulation may be subject to fines
and/or penalties.
Westport
Fire Department
5.0
(3) ·
Fire station
54
Hixbridge Rd · (508) 636-1110
Website
Directions
Westport
Fire Department - Station 2
5.0
(5) ·
Fire station
85
Briggs Rd · (508) 672-0721
BAN HAS
ENDED!!!
Wednesday, November
6 – WESTPORT - According
to local news, Westport will get an early Christmas present as the
town’s share of the $305 million Diman Regional Vocational
Technical High School project will decrease overall, following the select
board’s 4-0 approval last week of a new plan that sees the state
picking up a larger percentage of the project cost than was originally
expected.
Along
with state funds, Westport joins three other towns that, along with
Swansea, Somerset and Fall River.
Residents
here voted
at the 2022 Town Meeting to support what was then expected to be a
$7.6 million local share; in
April 2023, they voted again at the polls to fund that obligation
via excluded debt, which allows borrowing without impacting the
state-mandated 2.5 percent maximum levy increase per year and thus not
impacting the yearly operating budget.
Wednesday, November
6, 2024 –
WOW! Westport must be Trump country!
The above chart summarizes the vote counts for all the candidates and
write-ins in Westport.
Congratulations
to President Donald Trump for his stunning victory.
Dow
Surges. Bitcoin Leaps. And the Dollar Soars.
The
Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow are jumping higher as markets react to Trump
winning the U.S. election.
Monday, November 4 - Westport Town clerk prepares for upcoming Presidential Election on
Tuesday, November 5 from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Come
on out and Vote!
Keep
an eye out for updated information at https://www.westport-ma.com/town-clerk/pages/elections-and-voter-information
SCAM
ALERT Protocol!!!
Tuesday, October 29
- Avoiding and Reporting
Scams
WESTPORT
- If you receive a suspicious phone call, text message, or email that could
be a Westport scam, you should ignore and delete it. You can also report
the scam to the Westport Police Department:
Report suspicious activity
If
you notice suspicious activity in your neighborhood or suspect  fraud, report it to the Westport Police
Department.
Verify the identity of a police officer
If
you receive a call from someone claiming to be a Westport Police Officer,
you can verify their identity by calling the non-emergency number at (508)
636-1122
You
can also report scams to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO)
Consumer Hotline at (617) 727-8400. The AGO's Elder Hotline is available at
(888) 243-5337 for citizens over the age of 60.
Reporting
scams helps law enforcement track down scammers and disrupt ongoing scams
You
can also report scams to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO)
Consumer Hotline at (617) 727-8400. The AGO's Elder Hotline is
available at (888) 243-5337 for citizens over the age of 60.
Reporting
scams helps law enforcement track down scammers and disrupt ongoing scams.
You can also report scams at: https://complaint.ic3.gov
Tuesday, October
22, 2024 - Scenic
Westport has an embarrassment of natural riches.
Its
shoreline stretches 61 miles along Buzzard’s Bay and the Westport
River. Horseneck Beach offers two miles of surf, a campground, and an
ADA-accessible two-mile walking path. Cherry & Webb Beach, just down
the shore, offers a parking area, picnic tables, and a launch area for a
kayak or paddleboard on Westport Harbor. Allen’s Pond Wildlife
Sanctuary spans hundreds of acres of protected beach, fields, woodlands,
and extensive trail systems. East Beach is a stretch of rocky shoreline that
offers stunning views of the Elizabeth Islands across Buzzards Bay.
Saturday, October
19, 2024, 9:40 pm
BREAKING
NEWS ALERT
Massachusetts
on Thursday reported 970 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 10 deaths in the week from October
6-12.
The
state also reported that 1.2 percent of all total hospitalizations during
that timeframe in Massachusetts were related to COVID-19, meaning 178
patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, and that the seven-day percent
positivity was 5.46 percent.
See
more COVID-19 data on www.Globe.com.
Monday, October 30,
2024
Army
Corps set to begin second Westport dredging
Project.
Click here to read more
Town
officials expect work to begin by the second week of October.
The
river’s entrance was last dredged in 2007 at a cost of $921,000.
WESTPORT
— The planned dredging of the Westport River's main channel could be
completed by the end of the year, the Army Corps of Engineers said.
The
project calls for removing sand accumulated along a 4,800-foot stretch at
the bottom of the river to improve navigation. The Corps of Engineers
announced the low bidder for the contract Friday.
Southwind
Construction Co. of Evansville, Ind.,
which was awarded a contract for $767,843, hopes to have its equipment in place
around the first of November 1, according to project manager Michael
Tuttle.
A
dredging crew from Land Remediation of Waterford, NY, is now on site,
working just off Westport's Spindle Rock Club Thursday.
"If
we have favorable weather conditions, we should finish before
Christmas," he said. The project will cost approximately $921,000. The
federal government will absorb 90 percent of the cost, and the state will
pay for the rest, Tuttle said.
A drawing showing the areas of the federal
channel into Westport Harbor to be dredged. - USACOE
By
Ted Hayes, Westport Shorelines
Mariners will soon get relief from the severely
shoaled federal channel into Westport Harbor, as a United States Army Corps
of Engineers dredging project expected to deepen the channel is set to
begin within weeks.
Read more >>
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Westport, MA
I've been in Westport since 1980 and
have made hundreds and hundreds of visits to this wonderful local business
(home of Westport donuts!)
Hope the eventual new owner is as
nice as the previous owners!
UPDATE!!!
December 2, 2024 - The landmark general store that's
been serving up treats from its picturesque home across from the Westport
River went up for sale this month and has found a new owner.
The Head Town Landing Country Store,
a beloved SouthCoast destination since its doors opened in 2008, will soon
be changing hands.
New owners are preparing to take the
reins of this longtime riverside gem and hopefully keep alive its tradition
as a go-to for all things delicious and locally made.
The 488 Old County Road property was
listed for sale by Equity Real Estate for $1.25 million, and is now under
agreement. May good fortune follow this transaction; and may they continue
to make the donuts!!!
Recent programs
and conversations: Westport’s Lobstering History
A conversation with some of
Westport’s longtime lobster fishermen, including David Borden, Richie
Earle, Grant Moore, and Russell Walters looking back on the evolution of
lobstering over a 70-year span and its impact on Westport, the changing
technology and the Cold War confrontation between the Westport-based
Prelude Corporation, an offshore lobstering company, and Russia. View at:
https://wpthistory.org/westport-historical-society-programs/
The last
Supermoon of 2024!
As the crisp chill of November sets
in, the last Supermoon of
2024 will grace the skies in a spectacular celestial display. Known as
the Beaver Moon, this lunar event carries centuries of history,
nature's symbolism, and the enchanting brilliance of a full Supermoon,
offering a perfect moment of reflection as winter approaches.
When to Watch the Beaver Supermoon
On Friday, November 15, at precisely
4:28 p.m. Eastern time, the Beaver Moon will reach its peak illumination,
lighting up the evening sky with extraordinary brightness. According
to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this year’s final
Supermoon promises to be larger and more radiant than typical full moons,
appearing nearly 30% brighter. A Supermoon occurs when the moon is closest
to Earth in its elliptical orbit. While it might not appear significantly
larger to the casual stargazer, the increased luminosity is unmistakable.
Wednesday,
September 25, 2024 – Emergency Preparedness Tips provided by our
local Fire Department.
Even though
getting prepared may seem overwhelming, it’s easy to do by breaking
it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
Click here
for all the info on the department’s Facebook page.
Monday,
November 11, 2024 - Westport Fire Department; Massachusetts shuts down
outside fires of all types
🚩🔥RED FLAG WARNING CONTINUES FOR OUR
AREA🔥🚩
WESTPORT - Effective
immediately, the Westport Fire Department, under Section 10.10.2 of the
Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, is placing a ban on all
outdoor fires. This includes the use of fire pits, candles, chiminea,
cooking equipment and other types of ignition sources until at least
Friday, November 15. The Code grants fire officials the authority to
prohibit any and all open flames and other ignition sources under certain
hazardous conditions, including extreme drought.
Individuals violating the
ban or the open burning regulation may be subject to fines and/or
penalties.
Fire Department’s
phone number: (508) 636-1110
Events
by Westport Recreation
Town
Hall Annex Gym, 856 Main Rd., Westport
Public · Anyone on or off
Facebook
Westport
Recreation Department: Programs & Memberships
https://www.westportma.myrec.com
Westport Recreation Department:
Online Registration by MyRec.com Recreation Management Software
Register online for activities,
memberships, facility reservations, and more.
Westport
Historical Society calls out for volunteers for transcribing historic
journal!
Click
here for all the information!
Purchase
of gravestones set in stone!
Westport officials warn that the purchase of gravestones is
not done through the Town or the cemetery department.
Applicants should choose a monument
company that will work with the Westport cemetery department. It is important for applicants to
inform the monument company if the applicant owns several plots or
gravesites within plots and to indicate exactly where the applicant wants
the monument placed. The
monument company will transmit that location to the cemetery department.
cemetery_fees_effective_7.18.22.pdf
(westport-ma.com)
Monday, September 16 – Keep up-to-date on Westport’s Enviroment
Profile!
What information is inside
this community profile?
Data for several health
and environmental topics are presented in this profile as well as
population information. Terms that might be unfamiliar are in bold and
defined in a glossary at the end. This profile also describes how baseline
health, environmental, and social indicators available on the EPHT public
website can inform climate and health adaptation planning in your
community.
Read more . . . .
Small
Group Exhibits planed this spring at Westport Art Group
Click
Here for more information
Possible small group Thursday-Sunday
shows this upcoming Spring;
shows will be in the South Gallery only. Small groups should be all WAG members,
between 2-6 artists. The proposal should include:
The
names of the artists to be included, minimum 2 artists
The
kinds of artwork to be included, mediums and subject matter
Approximate
number of pieces of artwork to be exhibited
Possible
opening and closing dates (for example Thursday -Sunday, one or 2 weekends)
Artist
bios + artist statements (can be short)
Images
of artwork, at least 2 per artist
Show
theme (optional) These exhibitors will have to publicize, create labels and
sales spreadsheets, hang the show, provide gallery sitting, supply any
reception refreshments and do any show related building cleanup. WAG will
provide email publicity to our large mailing list. WAG square terminal will
be available for sales. A $100 registration fee will be charged by WAG. WAG
will collect 25% of the sales of any artwork in the exhibit with
registration fee applied toward first $400 of sales. Proposals should be
sent to the Events and Exhibit Committee at info@westportartgroup.com
Note: If you are a teacher and have an
idea for a class, please email info@westportartgroup.com with
details.
On-Going
Now at the Library!
Michael's Book Store is now open. Fiction and non-fiction titles are added
weekly. Adult books are $2.00, children's titles are 25
cents.
Click here for more public library information
Knuble Beach, Westport MA
Beach
Permits
ONLINE
ORDERING GUIDE WESTPORT, MASSACHUSETTS
Westport offers several beach options for
Residents and Non-Resident Property
Owners.
Parking permits are required at all beach
locations which can be obtained through the Beach Committee using their
online system. Permits are not available to non
residents who do not own property in
town.
Please see https://www.westport-ma.com/town-clerk/pages/town-beaches
for rules and regulations.
Horseneck Beach and Gooseberry Neck are
State Beaches. For more information regarding Massachusetts Parks and
Facilities, please go to: https://www.mass.gov/locations/horseneck-beach-state-reservation
The Westport Free Library may have a
Horseneck Reserve Beach Pass available for check out as well.
How to Purchase Beach Passes Online: Westport will be using City Hall Systems
for all purchases. You are also able to use this system to pay town tax
bills in the same cart. Please log into the website and follow the prompts.
Log in here: https://epay.cityhallsystems.com
Beach
permit ordering guide 1.pdf (westport-ma.com)
Bookstore
in the Westport Library
The nearest used bookstore is right in
the Library with several hundred books to choose from. Find a good
read for $2.00. New choices added weekly. The children's/young adult
shelf has lots of gems for $0.25 each. Shelving is located next to the
circulation desk and in the front hallway. Pay at the circulation desk.
Proceeds benefit the Library.
2025 Westport
Budget in Brief!!!
Westport, Massachusetts's 2025 town
budget is $52,859,194, which is $22,707 more than the original
budget.
This figure was reached after amendments
were made at the Town Meeting, including adding $5,000 to the library
budget and reducing the principal payments line item by $134,418.
The Massachusetts Legislature's 2025
budget includes investments in education, transportation, health care,
housing assistance, and workforce development. Some of the budget's
highlights include:
Transportation
$1.3 billion in investments for
transportation and education, including funding for the MBTA and Regional
Transit Authorities
Early intervention
$30.9 million for early intervention
services for infants and young toddlers with disabilities and developmental
delays
Housing
$231.5 million for the Massachusetts
Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), $115 million for local housing authorities,
and more
Libraries
$46.6 million for libraries, including
$15.6 million for regional library local aid
Cultural Council
$25 million for the Massachusetts
Cultural Council to support local arts, culture, and creative economic
initiatives
COUNTRY
TRAVELERS 2025 Schedule!
Veronica F Beaulieu – 646 Main Rd, Westport, MA 02790
– 508.636.4889 vfb0859@aol.com
2025
Schedule Revised
COUNTRY TRAVELERS
Veronica F Beaulieu – 646 Main Rd,
Westport, MA 02790 - 508-636-4889 vfb0859@aol.com
In addition to Encore Casino trips on
last Tuesday of each month for which reservations are needed, the following
trips are planned (subject to change)
January 8, Foxwoods leave at 8 am return by
4:30, reservations by Jan 1
Feb 18 - 20 –
Harrah's Atlantic City, 2
shows, Motown and Debby Boone (You Light Up My Life) $50 slot play, $50
food...2 nights accommodations, round trip
deluxe motor coach, taxes, baggage
handling, drivers gratuity TRAVEL INSURANCE INCLUDED...$330 dbl, $320 tpl,
$430
June 10 -12 - Lancaster
PA – Round trip Deluxe
Motor Coach, 2 nights at the loverly EDEN RESORT, 2 breakfast buffets at
hotel, $30 bonus at Wind Creek Casino, Shady Maple Smorgasburg Dinner,
Dinner in an actual Amish Home, NOAH at the Sight and Sound Theater
(reserved seats, up front)Guided Amish Farmland Tour, Pretzel and Home Made
Root Beer Stand, Chalk Talk with artist Elva Hursst in her studio, Bird in
Hand Farmer's Market, Baggage handling, taxes and gratuities $569 per
person double, $559 Triple, $719 Single
June 22 - 30 - Sao
Miguel Azores, Octant Ponta Delgarda (5 Star Hotel) includes daily breakfast, 3 Full Day
Tours to see the entire island including lunch each day, farewell dinner
before coming home, all transportation and transfers in USA and Azores.
Call for further information.
Aug 5 - Twin Lobsters Luncheon Show or (Prime
Rib) at the Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA – Neil Diamond and Band
Tribute, Sweet Caroline, Forever in Blue Jeans, America the list goes on
and on!
Oct 28 - 30 – Tropicana Resort in Atlantic
City, 2 shows “The Queen of Disco” Donna Summer Tribute and Mutts
gone Nuts $100 in bonuses (slot and food)
Schedule subject to changes and
modifications.
In addition to Encore Casino trips on
last Tuesday of each month
for which reservations are needed, the following trips are planned:
Dec 10 - Aqua Turf Club dinner/show Holiday
Classics with the Cartells featuring a sing-along with Santa and Mrs. Claus
$109
Schedule subject to changes and modifications.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Westport
Community TV Videos
Click
here to watch Westport Community Videos!
Westport Community TV -
YouTube
www.youtube.com/@westportcommunitytv/videos
15 Best Things to Do in Westport
Above: Cherry & Web Beach
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
FOWL Fall
2024 Newsletter Now Available!
Click Here to view current Newsletter
Westport
Blood Pressure Clinic
Wednesdays 8:30 - 11:30 am at
the Town Nurse's Office, Town Hall Annex, first floor.
Monday,
October 16, 2023 – Keep
up-to-date on Westport’s Enviroment Profile!
What
information is inside this community profile?
Data for
several health and environmental topics are presented in this profile as
well as population information. Terms that might be unfamiliar are in bold
and defined in a glossary at the end. This profile also describes how
baseline health, environmental, and social indicators available on the EPHT
public website can inform climate and health adaptation planning in your
community.
Read more . . . .
Westport
Historical Society seeks donations!
Our heartfelt thanks to those of you who
have already donated! We wish that all our supporters could share with us
what we witness first-hand of the Westport Community’s active
participation in our many and varied programs, e.g., young children gleefully
wielding magical wands and miniature
broomsticks and carefully preparing their
own protection spells at our Halloween event, or the outpouring of
community interest in the tireless efforts of our gravestone cleaning team
as they literally uncover the history of those buried in Westport’s
cemeteries, or
the joyful interactions at our gathering
of Westport’s Polish families.
Thank you, to you our supporters, for
making a year of so many such moments possible!
Click here to read current WHS Newsletter - Winter 2023 newsletter
Talk to
trees at Handy House Heritage Trail
The trees of the forest can’t wait
to meet you. Make sure you stop along the trail so they can introduce
themselves!
Download your trail
brochure here!
Red Maple, Yellow Birch, Red Oak,
Sassafras, White Oak, Hickory, Eastern White Pine, and Tupelo or Black Gum!
Handy House, 202 Hix Bridge Road,
Westport
Read more with photos>>
Westport
Transfer Station Hours!
Posted on: Friday, December 20, 2024
* * * * * * * *
Please note the new hours the Transfer Station will be open to the
public:
Saturdays & Sundays: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 8:30 a.m. a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and holidays: Closed
Bulky Items and Construction/
Demolition Debris are accepted.
VSO will
be at the Council of Aging third Thursday of each month
We are very happy to announce that
the Westport Veterans Service Officer, Carol Freitas, will be at the
Westport Senior
Center on the third Thursday of each month from 2:00 – 4:00
p.m. Carol will be available to
answer any questions and address any veteran concerns.
508.636.1028
Wag Poetry Group - Twice Monthly
WAG Poets meet in
person in the gallery the second Monday and final Thursday of the month
from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. They continue to welcome new members. Free to all
who are interested! For more information, please contact info@westportartgroup.com or Sarah Bartlett
at sarbar66@gmail.com.
About Wag Poets
WAG Poets are interested
in furthering our craft as writers by meeting regularly to receive/offer
constructive feedback on our work. Twice monthly we meet in the inspiring
WAG gallery space with copies of a new poem, seeking specific feedback on
our work.
See the Painting
page for
details and to sign up!
The Westport Food Pantry now has a permanent home at the
Westport Grange on 931 Main Road.
Volunteers are on site Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – noon to receive food,
gift cards and monetary donations.
They also distribute food every Monday,
9:00 a.m. – noon. Recipients remain in their cars while their
volunteers place a grocery bag of basic items in the car trunk. All CDC
protocols are followed.
Checks can be made out to The Town of
Westport with Food Pantry written on the memo line. All monetary donations
go into a specific account for pantry use only.
The pantry was started by the town as an
emergency response to the chaos created by the COVID-19 pandemic
and Westporters have been extremely generous. To date they have been
able to distribute 28,000 lbs. of basic food and household items, all made
possible by town resident donations, and over 20,000 lbs. of produce
provided by a Farms to Family program of the USDA by way of the United Way
of New Bedford. Thank you everyone!
Stop by, say hello, see what we do. And
donate.
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