Westport Select Board Approves Police Promotions Amidst Financial Discussions and Community Concerns

In a recent meeting, the Westport Select Board approved several key police promotions, addressed ongoing community concerns about a controversial project, and navigated financial constraints affecting the local budget and capital improvement plans. The meeting also covered updates on various grants received by the town and ongoing development initiatives.

0:00During the meeting, the Chief of Police presented several promotion requests within the department. Detective Sergeant Brian McCarthy was promoted to Lieutenant, effective February 16, 2025, following a unanimous board vote. McCarthy’s extensive history with the department since 1998, including various roles, was noted. This promotion subsequently opened a Sergeant position, for which Field Training Officer Nicholas Fashi was also promoted, effective the same date. The board unanimously approved both promotions. Additionally, Paul Ree was appointed as a Reserve Police Officer, bringing extensive law enforcement experience from his state police career and military service. These promotions and appointments are part of the department’s ongoing efforts towards Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission certification, as highlighted by the Chief of Police.

15:54Financial discussions dominated the meeting, with a focus on the town’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Concerns were raised about the town’s resources, with a member stating, “the reality is we have significant Capital needs that go far beyond our resources.” The capital planning process was described as a “triage,” illustrating the challenges in prioritizing necessary projects. Collaborative efforts among department heads helped rank requests, and the board approved the capital improvement list for submission to the finance committee.

The budget discussion was marked by concern over the state’s recent budget proposal, particularly the disappointing 2% increase in Chapter 70 funding for education. Historical context showed fluctuating funding from 2014 to 2023, with a notable drop in the current year. The town also faced a $300,000 increase in assessments related to charter schools and school choice. A preliminary budget figure of $652,000 from free cash was noted as a starting point for addressing the school department’s needs, though the gap between requests and planned allocations was significant. The board emphasized the challenge of sustaining a 5% increase, with further meetings planned to discuss the budget comprehensively.

30:57A controversial project concerning its size and aesthetics continues to raise concerns among neighborhood representatives. Despite advocacy for design modifications, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has shown minimal willingness to accommodate changes. The board plans to revisit this issue by the end of February to decide on the project’s future. Currently, there are no earmarked funds for construction, posing additional challenges.

In terms of development, the planning department secured a Community Planning Grant of $91,500 to develop a neighborhood plan for the Route 6 corridor. This plan will include drafting new zoning districts for various housing and commercial developments. The fire department also received a $199,000 grant for essential equipment.

During a public hearing, a petition from Verizon New England Inc. and NSTAR Electric Company (Eversource) was discussed regarding a new jointly owned pole on Old County Road. The proposed pole aims to support an existing misaligned pole due to road curvature. Assurances were given that the placement would not interfere with pedestrian movement and would not require tree trimming.

Updates from various liaison committees were shared, including the Affordable Housing Trust’s review of a land purchase proposal and the opioid settlement committee’s data collection efforts to develop a harm prevention grant program. An upcoming meeting concerning the long-term building committee’s evaluation of town buildings was also mentioned, alongside discussions on the Vineyard Wind project.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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