Westport has come a long way since the town's Master Plan was written in 2016. With five years left on the plan, members of the Planning Board say it's time to set a good foundation for the town's future success and start addressing long-term issues that will affect nearly every facet of life here.

The board's Master Plan Review/Update Committee recently completed a close look at the 2016 document, recommending 10 courses of action to help Westport grow, thrive and respond to a changing world. Members are expected to outline the report before the Select Board this coming Monday.

"The challenges for the remaining five years of this planning cycle are to make the best use of the new modern facilities and to implement the new plans to serve the needs and desires of the community," the committee wrote in its report.

According to the report, among the town's major challenges over the next five years are:

The water plan

Under the town's integrated water resource management plan released this past January, priorities include preparing detailed plans and implementing water and sewer lines along the Route 6 corridor. Another priority is to implement wastewater treatment and water supply facilities to solve "urgent water quality problems" in various sections of town.

"Both the Route 6 sewer project and the community-based wastewater projects will contribute significantly to improving water quality throughout the Westport River and preserving this valuable natural resource that benefits the whole community."

Funding for infrastructure

With the new availability of federal grants through the American Rescue Plan Act, the town "should make every effort to position itself to receive its share of these funds. This is a unique opportunity to meet urgent needs with substantial support" from the federal and state governments."

Among other uses, the update recommends using funds for the Route 6/State Road sewer trunk system, "plus develop(ing) a water supply master plan."

In addition, funds should be allocated to help meet water and wastewater needs in "the older, dense residential clusters on the river, such as the Point and the Let, or urgent safe drinking water needs, such as in the Harbor."

Structural deficit

Over the past 30 years, Westporters have approved overrides of Proposition 2 1/2 only twice, putting the town in a precarious position.

"Without such overrides, the property tax rate tends to fall as property values increase and total tax revenues have not kept up with the rising needs for current budget expenditures. If this pattern goes unchanged, there will continue to be insufficient funding" to fully realize the benefits of Westport's new facilities.

"The people of Westport need to be informed about the causes of the structural deficit as well as the possible solutions so that they can understand why it needs to be addressed and how best to accomplish it."

Antiquated management structure

Westport, striving to provide modern services, has a "late 19th or early 20th century" governmental structure, committee members said.

"Urgent priority should be given to a study of current and future needs of town management," the report reads. Though a similar study was undertaken years ago, it was never acted upon, the committee notes.

"It is now time to revisit those issues (and) set forth proposals for the reorganization of the town administration "to be better able to qualify for funding, implement the recommended projects, and manage them effectively."

Support the schools

Though the town has invested heavily in education here over the past five years, the committee believes that a strategic plan for 2020-23 that came out of the superintendent's office should be supported. It calls for improved teaching and learning, broader family and community engagement, and the pursuit of new revenue sources and outreach.

"This new strategic plan should be supported by the community, particularly by approving more funding for operations and salaries to bring educational expenditures per student into closer alignment with those of other similar and neighboring towns in Massachusetts."

Zoning

Zoning regulations should be developed "in ways that reflect the expressed desires of the people of Westport."

Among the issues that should be dealt with are the Route 6 corridor.

"New denser residential development and higher value commercial development would provide increased revenues. Replacing current low-value property uses with higher-value residential and commercial development in the Route 6 corridor would generate a sizable increase in town revenues and also enhance scenic opportunities."

The report also recommends more affordable housing, as well as the possibility of linking higher density land uses along the Route 6 corridor with preservation of farm and conservation land in other areas "where public infrastructure is not planned."

This could be accomplished through Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) zoning.

"This creative approach allows density to be concentrated where infrastructure can support it while preserving our farmlands, woodlands, river and coastal areas."

Other areas that should be explored are the Science and Technology Overlay District, the issue of cell towers, solar power installations and offshore wind projects.

Referring to wind, "the people of Westport should be preparing to take advantage of this new source of clean energy and economic opportunity."

Expand high speed Internet

Recent surveys have shown that residents are dissatisfied with Internet services here. The town should establish an Internet Advisory Committee "to explore the possibilities of establishing a fiber optic Internet system, as well as determining how they would be financed and managed.

"There is clearly a strong desire for improved Internet services in Westport and there are ways in which this could be realized. The challenge is to make it happen."

The old high school

Many scenarios have been proposed for the reuse of the town's now vacant former middle/senior high school, including municipal offices, senior living and other public uses.

"The next step would be a market analysis to test the feasibility of each scenario. Disposition of this property on time is essential to minimize yearly maintenance and operational costs."

Climate resilence

One of the biggest issues facing Westport is the vulnerability of its coast and in May, the town completed the East Beach Corridor Vulnerability Study. A top priority was to establish a climate resilience committee, and the board wrote that the major goal remains in identifying and responding to "the many ways that climate change is going to impact the Town of Westport" over the next four decades.

Capital and Human Services plan

While the town has invested heavily in public safety, education and housing, "there is still a need to address the deficiencies of all other municipal facilities."

"A comprehensive plan, with priorities and budgets spread out over 5-10 years, is essential to keep pace with the town's growth and meet the needs of its changing demographics."

In particular, attention should be paid to the highway department's facilities, senior center, municipal offices and cemetery facilities.

In 2005, a UMass Dartmouth report recommended amending town by-laws to mandate capital planning alongside long-term fiscal planning, and called for the development and regular updating of a five-year capital plan.

"Sixteen years later, these recommendations remain unfulfilled."