Westport ShorelinesShorelines eastbayri.com THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017 VOL. 23, NO. 13 $.75 Walking of the bulls III MICHAEL S. GORDON PHOTO, COURTESY OF MASSLIVE.COM. A look inside Longmeadow High School. Dueling school designs brings price cuts ‘Custom’ design plan drops well below $94M earlier estimate If one idea behind introducing a sec- ond option for a new Westport school was to find savings, that effort appears to be paying dividends. Last week, backers of both the initial Westport ‘custom designed’ plan and the more recently introduced ‘model school’ option, based on the recently built Long- meadow, Mass., High School, got the chance to pitch their plans. In the process came surprise announcements of considerable cost reductions. Jonathan Levi, the architect who pro- duced the custom design, said that the JIM MCGAW grade 6-12 school his firm has designed “Old bull” Chuck Copley of Little Compton, left, and “young bull” Mike Jupin of Westport make their way down Adamsville Road on Friday, can be be built for between $78 million St. Patrick’s Day, on the first leg of their 11-plus mile walking challenge. and $83 million, including demolition of the old middle school and inclusion of a larger gym. Old bull vs. young bull St. Patty’s long walk ends in tie That’s a drop of nearly $16 million from what had earlier been described as BY BRUCE BURDETT their St. Patrick’s Day Old Bull vs. Young Bull There, “We paused for a cold one then a $94 million project. It also puts the [email protected] Walking Challenge. Chuck hikes for the Vet- turned around and went back the same custom plan in the price ballpark of the Eleven-plus miles, three hours, pub-to- erans Spinal Association; Mike for 21 route,” Chuck said. Longmeadow HS design. pub and back again — and it’s a tie! Friends (Down Syndrome). The colorful pair — Chuck with his shock Mr. Levi said some of that reduction “Old bull” Chuck Copley of Little Comp- The third annual walk took the duo, as of long white hair and cane with American could be accomplished by modular con- ton and “young bull” Mike Jupin of West- always, from the Westport Social Club down flag, Mike in his tie-dyed painter suit — struction — building the structure off- port strode past the Westport Social Club Main Road, to Adamsville Road, to John drew lots of horn toots and waves from site in sections and assembling them at parking lot finish line side by side on St. Dyer Road to Crowther’s Restaurant on Patrick's Day, thus splitting the winnings of Pottersville Road in Little Compton. See WALK Page 2 See LONGMEADOW Page 2 Mixologists start something fresh Two parts mixologist, one part mentor, and a dash of open market, and you've got Two Gals — one great new local business EAST BAY LIFE Page 2 Westport Shorelines March 30, 2017 LONGMEADOW: Board hears school plan comparison From Page 1 the current middle school site off Old County Road. He said other construction savings have been identified that still enable the larger gymnasium and such amenities as a chorus room, additional common spaces and a television studio that some on the building and school committees have sought. Mr. Levi also said the committee could consider a CMR — “construction man- ager at risk” building method in which the construction manager commits to delivering the project within a guaran- teed maximum price. That method, as opposed to a general contractor, might also enable the hiring of more local con- struction workers and vendors. Proponents of this plan have contend- ed that its “H-design” building wing lay- out does a better job of segregating young students from high school age students. It would incorporate common dining area, gym, auditorium and other facilities. Earlier, OMR Architects, designer of MICHAEL S. GORDON PHOTO, COURTESY OF MASSLIVE.COM. Longmeadow High School, contended Students explore the new Longmeadow High School on opening day after February vacation in 2013. that their plan, too, could be readily adapted to the mission of providing sep- arate middle and high school age sec- The Longmeadow model would pro- tions. vide room for baseball and softball dia- OMR Project Manager Jeanne Roberts monds and tennis courts. said that plan realizes savings through An OMR representative said that the increased reimbursement from the Mas- Longmeadow HS was built for $47.9 mil- sachusetts School Building Authority lion in 2011 which equates to between and other factors stemming from the fact $60 million and $65 million in 2018 dol- that it follows a model that has already lars. Add to that around $8.5 million to been built. There would also be consid- tear down the middle school and the erable savings — several million — in total cost was estimated at from $76 mil- reduced and capped architectural and lion to $83 million. If the town decides it management costs. wants the extra gymnasium space, that The Longmeadow model offers slightly would cost an additional $2 million-plus. more interior space but requires a larger They’ll discuss the options further this building footprint, she said, a fact that week but several on the school and build- reduces outdoor athletic space. ing committees said they are drawn to The “custom model” would provide the original (custom) plan for the ways it space for baseball, softball, field hockey, separates older from younger students soccer fields and tennis courts, the com- and for the added athletic fields space, mittee has been told. among other things. The design approved by Westport in late December calls for an “H” shape that would enable separation of middle and high school classrooms. In this view, school entrances from Old County Road are in the foreground, sports fields toward the rear. WALK: Two charities served by long hike From Page 1 Still, the return trek to Westport Friday was no cake walk. “That last long (gradual passing cars. uphill) stretch was brutal on both of us.” “One woman pulled over and said, ‘Why He carries the cane not for walking help don’t you guys put some clothes on, it’s cold but as tribute to his late wife. out!’ We were both wearing t-shirts. She died a few years ago and during her But the cold was no problem, Chuck said, last year, “ she couldn’t walk so well. It was since the fast place kept the blood moving. her cane so it’s always with me.” And he has another cold-weather tactic. Both men are regulars at these establish- “Cayenne pepper inside the sneakers,” ments, and “the contest was born out of something he heard that Green Bay Packers these two playing pool together and busting fans do at frigid Lambeau Field. “It really chops,” says Rebecca Haines, whose father does keep the feet toasty.” Bob owns the Westport Social Club. There’s something of an age advantage “That is how it started,” Chuck agreed. “I — Chuck is 76, Mike nearly 40 years his said something like, ‘You kids don’t know junior. But those who know him say that, how to walk these days,’ and that’s all it when it comes to long-walking, Chuck is took.” William Lapointe MBA, CPCU not to be taken lightly. Last year Mike pulled ahead over the final H W Lapointe Insurance He trained for this year’s ‘competition’ couple hundred yards to win the walk. P.O. Box 4098, Fall River MA 02723 with brisk walks up and down the hills of Could he have won this year had they not Phone: (508)678-8341 • [email protected] Fall River — “Try it sometime — not easy.” agreed to finish together, Chuck was asked. Nationwide, the Nationwinde framemark and Nationwide Financial are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. “I’ve walked all my life,” as a young man “Don’t know, maybe not, but 30 years ©2012 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. All rights reserved.LAM-1805AO (10/12) mostly in Fall River, now in Little Compton ago, that might be another story.” down to the beach and back. Back at the Westport Social Club Friday, “I go to the doctor once a year and he “we played some pool, had a few beers, Find more photos at eastbayri.com 24/7 can’t believe it” — knees, hips, “they’re all razzed each other — same old.” still good.” Westport Shorelines March 30, 2017 Page 3 — Eyes on Owls — TIM MARSHALL Marcia Wilson of "Eyes on Owls" shows a barred owl to the audience on Saturday at Westport High School Saturday. Residents packed the auditorium for two shows that day in the event sponsored each year by the Westport Land Trust. ABOVE: A barn owl takes its turn in the limelight Saturday. RIGHT: Ryan, a volunteer from the audience, gives his best hooting imitation of the Eastern screech owl. Marcia Wilson with two of her smaller participants — an Eastern screech owl and an American kestrel during the Eyes on Owls event held by the Westport Land Trust. How to reach us Index WESTPORT SHORELINES For news contact: For advertising information contact: Kathy Norton, Around Town...............8 (USPS #021-729) Advertising Representative Bruce Burdett, Editor 424-9119 At the Library ..............9 1 Bradford St, Bristol 401-424-9120 [email protected] Obituaries.................11 253-6000 • 253-6055 (fax) [email protected] For subscription or newsstand information contact Opinion ....................6 Mailing address: P.O. Box 90, Bristol, RI 02809 Circulation Department Published continuously since 1995. 1-800-382-8477 A weekly publication of East Bay Newspapers, [email protected] 1 Bradford St., Bristol, R.I.