Residents press council on Fort Road shoreline access as litigation continues

Residents and access advocates used the council’s public comment period to press for preservation of public shoreline access at Fort Road/Napa Tree Point and other Westerly shore locations.

Several speakers, including local private property owners and representatives of Harbor/Right‑of‑Way groups, said litigation (Watch Hill Fire District v. Town of Westerly) remains active and urged the new council to pause any settlement talks until public rights‑of‑way are guaranteed. Speakers pointed to a recent charter amendment, approved by voters, that bars the town from conveying or abandoning rights‑of‑way and said any negotiations that might diminish public access would conflict with voter intent.

Speakers summarized historical background they said supports town ownership of a right of way to Napa Tree Point and said prior resolutions and correspondence from local organizations and the fire district recognized public pedestrian access. Several asked the council to release executive‑session records and requested that the council use the charter amendment as guidance when handling the litigation. A number of speakers said they had invested years compiling deeds, maps and other records and urged councilors to consult those materials.

Council response and next steps: Councilors acknowledged public concern and said the charter amendment will guide the council’s approach. The council scheduled an executive session later in the evening to discuss the ongoing litigation (the session was called under the litigation exception to the open‑meetings law). The council did not disclose details of executive‑session discussion during the public meeting.

The council did not take a public‑record vote on the litigation during the open session; residents asked the council to ensure direct notice to affected property owners about any executive actions and to make meeting materials and historic evidence readily available to the public.