The U.S. General Services Administration now says the deal to transfer the lighthouse to the Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association won’t be finalized until Westerly investigates concerns about public access to the land.
South County Bureau
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
‘Nothing will stick in the end’: Attorney General Peter Neronha ready to fight challenges to RI’s shoreline access law
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha will take the lead on defending the state’s new shoreline access law in the months, and possibly years, to come. Neronha has taken an interest in the broader shoreline access issue and is now involved in two other closely-watched beach access cases in Westerly.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Why journalism matters: A discussion with journalists Walter Robinson and Pamela Constable
Listen below to a discussion on the importance of newspapers and local journalism between veteran reporters Walter Robinson of The Boston Globe and Pamela Constable of The Washington Post. The event was hosted Sept. 14, 2023, by Literacy Volunteers of Washington County and recorded live in front of an audience at The United theater in […]
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Rhode Island’s new beach access law
The law passed earlier this year was challenged by a national law firm on behalf of a group of coastal property owners who say it violates the U.S. Constitution.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Westerly harbor commission members to resign in protest over unaddressed concerns with town solicitor
The move to effectively dissolve a key commission that makes recommendations on coastal policy comes as shoreline access advocates say they’ve lost faith in Westerly’s legal counsel to represent the town in matters related to rights-of-way to the shore.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Judge denies Weekapaug Fire District motion against town of Westerly
The decision comes amid multiple shoreline access cases involving the coastal town and a fire district that owns considerable beachfront property but doesn’t fight fires.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Watch Hill group says it ‘cannot legally’ guarantee public shoreline access under lighthouse property transfer
The disclosure contradicts characterizations of an agreement made public in July by Rhode Island U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Sen. Reed wants stakeholders to ‘work it out’ to settle uncertain future of Watch Hill Lighthouse property
Shoreline access advocates are calling for the property to be transferred to the town of Westerly to preserve open access instead of handing the land over to the Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Westerly Town Council president resigns amid turmoil in town government
Council President Edward Morrone had been under scrutiny for his ties to private interests in the Watch Hill community as disputes over shoreline access became a focal point for the Westerly Town Council.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Narragansett Indian Tribe has standing in case over failed land deal with Rhode Island
A federal judge says the Narragansett Indian Tribe can move forward with a lawsuit against the federal government in a case stemming from a failed land deal with the state. The recent decision is the latest development in a years-long battle between the tribe, state and federal government over properties that were promised to the Narragansett. They were supposed to be compensated for expected damage to a significant tribal site as a result of highway construction in Providence.