Select Board Approves Oyster Restoration Notice of Intent

Select Board · Meeting of August 24, 2026

WESTPORT — The Westport Select Board approved a notice of intent for a 10-acre oyster restoration project in the Westport River, giving the town permitting control over the Nature Conservancy-led effort. Coastal project manager Dan Goulart said wild oyster populations have declined 95 percent statewide and that five public meetings produced no organized opposition. The board, with its regular chair absent, also voted 4-0 on 16 other items: a side letter with Teamsters Local 251 letting the town hire outside consultants to clear a Board of Health backlog in septic inspections and Perc tests, a shared inspectional-services clerk position meant to save half a position's cost, a $30,000 transit grant, three Mass State 911 Department grants totaling over $70,000, and $3,600 for cemetery-screening trees at the fire station.

The board also honored outgoing Council on Aging Director Beverly Bish after 11 years of service, "much appreciated for everything you've done."

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 3,809 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.