Press & News
The Public’s Radio — Feds complete Watch Hill Lighthouse transfer, and public access guarantees aren’t included
By Alex Nunes — The official transfer of the property deed to a private nonprofit comes after months of delays and legal research that didn’t result in public access protections to the historic property and popular fishing grounds.
The Public’s Radio — ‘It does not look good’: Westerly solicitor in the hot seat over shoreline access representation
By Alex Nunes — Advocates for coastal access point to the town’s tepid pursuit of beach rights-of-way, questionable changes to boat mooring policies, and highly restrictive parking rules in exclusive shoreline areas. Now access advocates say the general public faces a newer threat: Westerly’s own town solicitor. They say his past actions in shoreline access matters continue to raise doubts about whose interests he’s serving in critical ongoing legal cases.
The Public’s Radio — Watch Hill Lighthouse transfer on hold now amid questions over shoreline access
By Alex Nunes — 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.
Westerly Sun — Westerly Town Council President Morrone resigns from post
By Ryan Blessing — Town Council President Edward P. Morrone submitted his letter of resignation Tuesday morning at Town Hall and pointed the finger at the actions at a recent council meeting as one of the reasons he stepped down.
Projo — Citing concerns about public access, Westerly seeks to acquire Watch Hill Lighthouse
By Antonia Noori Farzan — The Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association, which has maintained the property since the 1980s, says it will continue to provide public access once it takes over. But some in Westerly have doubts.
Westerly Sun — Watch Hill Lighthouse limits access after problems with rude people, large crowds
By Dale Faulkner — Large crowds attributed to COVID-19, the summer heat, and our local pop mega-star have combined to force visitor limitations at the Watch Hill Lighthouse.
The Public’s Radio — Town of Westerly will request ownership of Watch Hill Lighthouse property
By Alex Nunes — The move comes three weeks after U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced the property was slated to be transferred to a private non-profit in Watch Hill.
WRPI — RI expected to assume ownership of 3 historic lighthouses
By Michael DeFusco — The National Park Service is recommending transferring ownership of three historic Rhode Island lighthouses from the federal government to the state government.
ABC 6 — 3 R.I. lighthouses to be turned over to state organizations, nonprofits for preservation
By Gino DeAngelis — Sen. Jack Reed said that three historic Rhode Island lighthouses are expected to be turned over to new owners for preservation. The trio of lighthouses are currently owned by the federal government, but were deemed “excess property” and needed to be sold or demolished.