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Westport voters up allowed size of accessory apartments

Westport will ease size restrictions on in-law apartments, following a vote last week that zoning board members hope will make it easier for the elderly to stay in their homes, with their … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/13/22

Letter: Patience! Spring, and life, is returning

To the editor: It was such a long wet winter that the fields couldn’t be mowed until a few weeks ago. This did not please my beautiful pheasant and he fled next door where there was a nice … more

5/13/22

Will Newman's letters say nothing of substance

To the editor: Why does Westport Shorelines continue to publish the lengthy and sometimes incomprehensible rants from Will Newman? His May 5 opinion piece is just another example. He uses lots … more

5/13/22

Letter: Bristol County Sheriff Hodgson has to go

To the editor: Sheriffs should be held to the same law conforming, financially transparent and oath abiding standards as all other elected officials in Massachusetts. Because the tenure of … more

5/13/22

Westport Shorelines - Thursday, May 12, 2022

5/12/22

Cold case unit looks into Westport skulls

The unidentified partial remains of two people found in Westport over the past 12 years will be examined by the Bristol County District Attorney's Office's Cold Case Unit, in an attempt to provide … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/6/22

May baskets — our forgotten Rite of Spring

By Jenny O'Neill Westport’s old-timers have fond memories of a now forgotten tradition of May baskets. These hand-made paper or cardboard baskets, filled with small treats and trinkets, … more

5/6/22

Letter: America, imploding from within

To the editor: Ka-Boom! Could our democratic society implode from internal causes? Tragically, this is becoming thinkable and even likely. Many Americans seem clueless or … more

5/6/22

Westport toughens cell tower requirements

Telecommunications construction companies must now seriously consider alternative sites when they propose building cellular telephone towers in Westport, after voters at Tuesday's Town Meeting passed … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/6/22

Westport voters reject 'overly restrictive' sign by-law amendments

Voters at Tuesday's Town Meeting soundly rejected a proposed change to Westport's sign by-laws that many feared could restrict their right to put multiple signs on their property, and could hurt … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/6/22

Westport Shorelines - Thursday, May 5, 2022

5/5/22

A map from Mayflower Wind shows the projected route of cables required to transport power from its offshore wind farm to a connection at Brayton Point in Somerset, Mass. The connection requires a long stretch up Mt. Hope Bay, across land in Portsmouth, and up the Sakonnet River.

Offshore wind farm proposes cable connection through Sakonnet River, Mt. Hope Bay

The project developer contends it will generate enough clean energy to power 800,000 homes, and will plug into the grid that serves Rhode Island as well. But potential environmental impacts have yet to be discussed publicly. more

By Ethan Hartley | 5/4/22

Voters raise their hands to vote in favor of helping to fund the new Diman School project in Fall River.

Westport passes on override, OKs Diman and other projects at Town Meeting

Voters at Tuesday night's anual Town Meeting breezed through what could have been a contentious agenda in less than four hours, approving dozens of warrant articles in efficient fashion and with … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/4/22

Lt. Thomas Plourde is retiring from the Westport Police Department after 34 years of service to the town.

Veteran Westport cop calls it a career

Lt. Thomas Plourde, a member of the Westport Police Department for more than three decades, is nearly ready to turn in his badge. The Westport resident always wanted to be a cop, and said he lived … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/3/22

Voters give a near-unanimous show of support for the funding of an assistant town planner position at last year's Town Meeting.

Westport Town Meeting set for Tuesday

Westport is facing one of its toughest budget cycles in recent years, and residents who take part in Tuesday's annual Town Meeting will be asked to approve more than 30 warrant articles to keep town … more

4/29/22

Town Internet plan hinges on Town Meeting vote

Does Westport need better Internet connectivity? Many residents believe it does, and a warrant article on next Tuesday's Town Meeting agenda would, if passed, give the town the means to look more … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/29/22

The Acoaxet Chapel was built in 1872, on a $35 lot of land near Westport Point.

Acoaxet chapel at 150 years: Faithful paid $35 for the land

Editor's note: This is a second in a series of articles commemorating this year's 150th anniversary of the Acoaxet Chapel Association. By Neil Timpson From 1840 on, neighbors in Acoaxet, … more

4/29/22

Letter: Pay attention to the real threats to our liberty

To the editor: Liberty, in common usage, means “freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.” Thankfully, because of our constitution, we have a system of laws to … more

4/29/22

Letter: What about goose impact on Cockeast nitrogen loading?

To the editor: I read with interest, the article in Westport Shorelines entitled, “ What price green grass ?” and am very much in agreement with the general thrust of the … more

4/29/22

Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle

Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more

By Diane LeValley | 4/29/22

Westport Shorelines - Thursday, April 28, 2022

4/28/22

Tiverton Budget Committee member Joseph Sousa protests against President Joe Biden Monday in front of Stateline Tobacco on Stafford Road. Note: portions of his sign have been blurred electronically.

Tiverton official says he won't stop waving anti-Biden sign

"F*** Biden." The words on Joe Sousa's white sign, and a drawing of a hand with uplifted middle finger, are clear as day and leave no doubt where the elected Tiverton Budget Committee member … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/26/22

The United States Army Corps of Engineers says it will cost $2.738 million to remove tons of rubble from beneath Hix Bridge.

Watershed alliance takes closer look at Hix Bridge Plan

With the cost to the town up to nearly $1 million, members of the Westport River Watershed Alliance have offered — and received the go ahead — to take a closer look at the benefits of … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/22/22

Andy Pollock, executive director of Coastal Neighbors Network and Clare Foley, executive director of The Association for the Relief of Aged Women, are embarking on a partnership to improve the well-being of elderly women in Westport and Dartmouth.

New partnership aims to help elderly Westport women

Coastal Neighbors Network , one of the area’s newest charitable organizations, is partnering with The Association for the Relief of Aged Women (ARAW), one of the oldest charitable foundations … more

4/22/22

Westport Health Notes: Rabies clinic is Saturday

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health … more

By Tanja Ryden | 4/22/22