SAY YES Westport

07/26/2023

Thank you to all who came out to support the override. While not successful this time, the facts are still out there, and still pertinent to the future of the town. Government exists not to torture us, but to enable the things too big to be done by individuals. That’s what taxes pay for.

If you voted, for or against, make sure you stay involved and learn all you can about the challenges of funding public services in a small town. If you didn’t vote, get on board and take on the responsibility each of us has to participate in local democracy.

A special thanks to all those who put up signs, gave money and effort, and believed in this campaign. Tell your friends why.

07/25/2023

Some information to consider as you go to vote. The override will help support this important town (and democratic society!) institution.

07/25/2023

It's your turn, Westport. Make your voice heard Tuesday, July 25, from 10 am-8 pm. Here are the polling places:

• Precinct A: Our Lady of Grace 569 Sanford Road
• Precinct B: Town Hall Annex, 856 Main Road
• Precinct C: Macomber School, 154 Gifford Road
• Precinct D: Briggs Road Fire Station, 85 Briggs Road
• Precinct E: Old Westport High School, 19 Main Road

Results will be posted on the Town website as soon as available.

07/24/2023

One reason why the rural Westport Community Schools struggle — inadequate state aid.

“That was a Rural Commission Report found it is fundamentally more expensive — again, it is fundamentally more expensive — to educate students in rural districts,” said Taunton Public Schools Superintendent John Cabral, citing the report’s findings that districts with under 1,300 students cost 17% more to operate than the state average.”

What are the needs of rural towns and schools? Primary sources below.Small districts receive insufficient state aid due to under-calculated operating costs.Districts with 1,300 or fewer students cost 16.7% more per pupil to operate than the state average. Small K-12 regional districts cost 22.7% mor...

07/24/2023

With just two days until the July 25 election, we have one more video to share: Sue Brayton, Westport's Treasurer/Collector, giving the plain facts about the current dire state of Westport's budget.

Here's some more info for you to chew on before you head out to vote on Tuesday:

8️⃣7️⃣ - Current staffing levels are the same (or worse) than they were in 1987, despite massive changes and requirements from the State.

💲💲 - With or without an override the Town has to budget for mandatory increases in OPEB and Health Insurance costs, among others.

👩‍🚒👨‍🏫👩‍💼 - A NO vote means lay-offs for an already depleated Town staff and a reduction in Town services.

We've said it before, we'll say it again: this is NOT a conversation about national politics. This is about dollars, cents, and how Westport can keep up with required obligations from the State to maintain services for residents.

Read the facts and vote YES for our future.

07/21/2023

Special election on Tuesday, July 25! Final results will be posted as soon as available on

ADA Transition Plan Committee – 1 VacancyAgricultural Commission Alternate – 2 Vacancies (Alternate)Bike / Walking Path...

07/20/2023

The Westport Council on Aging is one of the most critical support services our Town offers, especially as our population gets older. They are also one of the areas that has been hurt the most through budget cuts over the past ten years.

On July 25, their success - and Westport's capacity to continue to serve our older residents - is on the line. Check out this video with Beverly Bisch, the Director of the Council on Aging, that outlines how their budget and reserves have been slashed and what a YES will do to support their work.

07/18/2023

They quietly serve (except when they are using the sirens…) and take care of us. So glad to be able to depend on our fire department. Invest in them and the rest of town with a “YES” at the special election next week!

Provided is our call volume for the months of May and June.

07/14/2023

Folks, this isn't national politics. This isn't 24-hour news personalities with conspiracy theories or Big Government misspending your hard earned money. This is dollars and cents for how towns like ours function.

Westport has the lowest residential tax rate in Bristol County. There's not enough revenue coming into the town every year to counteract expenses, which keeps us in a hole that hurts schools, public safety, and basic infrastructure. Propositions like the one we are facing aren't cash grabs...they are a needed to make sure our Town doesn't fall deeper into the hole we are already in.

It will fund education. It will fund Police and Fire personnel. It will help us catch our footing on the slippery slope we've been on for more than a decade.

If you want Westport to stay special, we need to actually support it. Join us in saying YES on July 25.

Map of all Bristol County Massachusetts Property Tax Rates for 2023.

07/13/2023

Want a sign? We've got them! Email [email protected] and we'll deliver it! Show your support for the override vote -- and tell your Westport neighbors and friends! And don't forget to vote....YES.

07/13/2023

If you missed July 11th public forum, or if you want to see it again, here’s the video (thanks to Westport Community TV!) Short, factual presentations and lots of good, substantive questions and answers. If you can’t watch it all, make sure you watch (at 9:55) Lawrence Holsworth’s presentation from the Finance committee, and don’t miss Shana Shufelt’s presentation at 28:00. Please share with Westport friends!

07/11/2023

Don’t forget the Public Forum tonight! Get your sign and get some answers. Westport Middle-High School, 7-9 pm.

We'll be handing out free yard signs (lookit how pretty they are!) at the Public Forum About Westport Override on Tuesday, July 11 starting at 7pm at Middle-High School.

Come by, bring your questions, and get your sign!