Discussion of road projects, including a proposal to pave a dangerous curve on West Shore Road, dominated the discussion at the Westport Island selectmen’s Meeting May 10.
The selectmen reviewed a proposal from Gene Reynolds & Sons Paving for four projects of varying sizes, including a curve of especial concern to the selectmen on East Side Hill. No decision has been made on the proposal.
“Any large paving project we always put out to bid,” said First Selectman George Richardson.
The selectman also discussed the purchase of a large mirror to help drivers negotiate the intersection of Rt. 144 and Ferry Landing Road. The mirror, when installed, will stand opposite the entrance to Ferry Landing Road and serve a double purpose. It will allow drivers making a left out of the new landing to see northbound traffic beyond a small rise on Route 144 and alert northbound traffic to vehicles exiting Ferry Landing Road.
“We wanted to make sure [residents] didn’t get hurt when exiting Ferry Landing Road and heading northbound,” Richardson said.
Westport Island resident Thomas Quinn of Bill Whorf Inc., donated a steel post on which to install the mirror.
A dedication ceremony for the Ferry Landing will be held on July 10 at 2 p.m., followed at 5 p.m. by the annual benefit barbeque for the Westport Island Fire Department. A small donation made at the town office gets attendees all the barbeque they can eat, as well as the opportunity to enjoy live, local music from the Back to Basics Bluegrass Band.
Selectmen also discussed committee assignments and expressed concern over a notice from Time Warner Cable warning of a possible interruption in offerings affecting, among others, cable channels E!, The Weather Channel, Starz! and Lifetime.
In a letter to the town, Time Warner said “we are confident agreements will be reached” allowing residents uninterrupted service, but Selectman Ross Norton doesn’t share that confidence.
“[Time Warner] keeps taking three or four channels away, and those are the ones we watch the most,” he said.
“They’re our only suppliers down in Westport Island,” said Selectman Jerry Bodmer.
