Letter: We want to sell camp to Westport but need answer soon

Posted 1/9/19

To the editor:

An open letter to the residents of Westport …

 My name is Martin Costa. I am co-owner of Westport Camping Grounds along with my mother, Tina Costa. It has come to my attention …

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Letter: We want to sell camp to Westport but need answer soon

Posted

To the editor:

An open letter to the residents of Westport …

 My name is Martin Costa. I am co-owner of Westport Camping Grounds along with my mother, Tina Costa. It has come to my attention that there is some confusion regarding our intent to sell the Westport Camping Grounds, preferably to the Town of Westport.

 Westport Camping Grounds was built in 1974 on a portion of 30 acres of land. My father, George, myself and my brother, Alan, physically carved 100 camp sites out of thick woodland. Last year, at the age of 90, my dad passed away, and my mother, who also is 90 and I, 61, decided it was a good time to put out the word that we were ready to sell after 44 years in business.

I am disabled also, and though I enjoy running the camp, my disability makes it more difficult each year to manage the camp duties. Last year, I notified the selectman’s office of our intention to sell, and because we are lifelong residents and love our beautiful town, my family would very much like to see this land remain town property. I wish we were able to donate the 30 acres to the town, but unfortunately, this is not an option. The income from the sale of this property will allow me the medical care I am going to need in my senior years.

The camp’s proximity to the elementary school and new middle/high school seemed to offer a win/win situation for both my family and the town. There is sufficient flat and dry land for sports fields within walking distances of the schools. This would save money by eliminating the need to bus students to the old high school fields or other sports complexes in the area. The contentious tennis court placement issue could be resolved along with great monetary savings by placing the tennis courts here. A second entry road will help lessen the traffic nightmare that will result from three schools worth of staff and students' vehicles and school buses. An additional parking area would also be welcome. There are two artesian wells in working order as well as restrooms, a snack bar, and two buildings that could be used for office space. Even if this land was not used for current needs, having 30 acres available for future use should be considered.

Though I have mentioned I wish to retire in a few years, this does not mean I wish to wait to sell. Word has spread rapidly about the availability of our land and several other business entities have come forward interested in purchase. I have not yet formally listed the property with my campground real estate broker because I want Westport to have the right of first refusal. But already I have shown the property to another party that wishes to keep it as a camp. One contractor has approached me with the possibility of building senior housing, and two solar companies are also interested in the land. I have not yet pursued these sale possibilities in an effort to give Westport time to decide.

A campground evaluation committee was formed last September to assess the camp property and an appraiser hired by the town visited six weeks ago. And although the Evaluation Committee has recommended that the town should indeed pursue negotiations to purchase our land, I have heard nothing. Meanwhile, these other interested parties are running out of patience and I am losing valuable opportunities to sell.

So I am asking the Town of Westport to negotiate a sale price with me that I believe will be fair to both seller and buyer. This should be done as soon as possible for everyone’s benefit. My family is even willing to sell at a lower price than these other parties have offered in an effort to keep our land under Westport’s control. In the big picture, the financial cost for Westport to buy this land far outweighs the logistics loss once another business buys the campground lands. On behalf of my family, I implore Westport to not let this opportunity pass.

Tina Costa, co-owner/president

Martin Costa, co-owner/operator

Westport Camping Grounds, Inc.

Westport

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