Responding to a request by a new neighbor to consider the creation of an additional access path to a Westport preserve, the Land Management Committee was disturbed to discover wholesale tree trimming and plant removal (including Mountain Laurel- illegal to cut in Connecticut!) at one of our most beautiful- and undiscovered- properties directly on the Saugatuck River. The vegetation on this land, donated to ALT in the 80's for the public enjoyment of the River, was apparently deemed to be interfering with 2 uphill neighbors' views of the water; a swath of cut trees and a trail of wood chips leaves little question as to the identity- and the addresses!-of the perpetrators.
This ongoing battle against encroachment, dumping and attempted "claiming" of our properties for private use requires the expenditure of precious funds for legal fees, resurveying and installation of boundary markers (fences, signage,etc). In this appalling case, every effort shall be made to repair the damage and make this land more accessible to the public. We wish these funds were being spent on land aquisition and not on repairing damage caused by selfish neighbors!
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3 comments:
It was really interesting to view this underused preserve in the heart of Westport.The views are exceptional and it overlooks one of the undeveloped west bank areas of the Saugatuck river existing in Westport.It will be great to get this preserve to be more user friendly for fishing,kayaking and picknicking for our members and beyond...not just surrounding neighbors.
I am very happy to hear that ALT management committee is on track to stop the encroachment ASAP. This land should be available and benetit everyone. CW
Went back to this property today to check it out.We saw the tell tale survey ribbons marking the property lines.Progress.The weather was threatening with thunderstorms as we walked but it was serene and quiet.We viewed passing rowers from the Saugatuck Rowing Club and flushed a fox from the bank below,perhaps in the process of catching it's lunch.
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