The town of Westerly has dismissed a criminal case against a beachfront property owner police say repeatedly spray-painted a shoreline right-of-way sign in Watch Hill. Last month, police charged David M. Roth, 76, with four counts of vandalism. Police believe Roth was responsible for vandalizing a sign that needed to be replaced multiple times over […]
Watch Hill
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Westerly Town Council holds ‘infomercial’ for embattled solicitor, prevents public comment at meeting
Westerly Town Solicitor William Conley Monday night defended himself against criticism from the public and some members of the Westerly Town Council over his office’s failure to submit legal research and analysis to the federal government prior to the transfer of the Watch Hill Lighthouse to a private non-profit earlier this year. Conley also denied […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Property owner suing RI over beach access law faces vandalism charges
A Westerly property owner making a legal challenge against Rhode Island’s new shoreline access law has been charged with repeatedly vandalizing a beach right-of-way sign near his home. Police say David M. Roth, who owns a $10.8 million property in Watch Hill with his wife but resides in West Hartford, Conn., spray-painted a beach access […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
CRMC approves incomplete yacht club dredging application over public protest
On Tuesday, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council unanimously approved an incomplete dredging application for Watch Hill Cove, despite public opposition from shoreline access advocates who faulted the proposal for failing to disclose a town-designated right-of-way that will be obstructed while the work is being done. State regulations say dredging applications must disclose all […]
Posted inLocal, South County Bureau
Westerly councilor flips off audience, makes ‘obscene’ gesture at public meeting
Members of the public are calling on the Westerly Town Council to take action against a councilor who repeatedly gave the audience the middle finger at a council meeting Monday night and made what several witnesses interpreted as an “obscene gesture.” Video of Monday night’s council meeting shows Councilor Robert Lombardo sticking up his middle […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Westerly beach parking bans are being called forms of ‘bigotry’
You could almost call this a tale of two towns, within the confines of one municipality. In downtown Westerly and nearby areas, drivers riding in two-way traffic pass between rows of vehicles parked on both sides of the street. Pedestrians stroll along sidewalks, and trucks make delivery stops in the middle of the road. But […]
Posted inArticle, Business
Coronavirus Is Here, And RI Summer Homes Are Filling Up
The coronavirus has some summer residents heading to their Rhode Island second homes earlier than usual.
