Westport News

This is the March Edition of the Westport Public Access Newsletter. We currently have 28 different programs running weekly for your enjoyment. Included are brief descriptions of some of our locally produced programs.

WACC 17 is the Town of Westport’s Public Access Channel on Channel 17. It is offered free of charge for residents to air community notices and programs that they have produced. Any town resident can take advantage of the services regardless of cable television subscription. Cameras are available for borrowing.

In addition to the facilities at the Town Hall Annex, we maintain a second studio at The American Legion Hall, 489 Sanford Rd., Westport, MA. Our purpose is to train town residents how to use the production facilities and assist them in getting their shows to the viewers. Topics range from sports, entertainment, local history and human interest.

Our bulletin board features notices from area non-profit organizations, and other messages of interest to the community. Messages to be posted can be sent to us by mail, fax or e-mail.

Programming runs usually from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm, 7 days a week. Each show runs several times to allow for our viewers to watch the shows at their convenience. Check the town website, local listings in The Chronicle newspaper and the Community Bulletin Board for airtimes. To find out more, contact us by any of the following ways.

856 Main Road

Westport, MA, 02790

Other times by appointment.

Valerie Bain - Coordinator

Derek Frates - Coordinator

This program series is a discussion group that presents topics of Westport’s history. This month’s show features Dana Reed, Joan Manchester and Barbara Moss.

This variety show program is hosted by George Cataldo. It is produced at the American Legion Hall on Sanford Road and covers musical, local events and entertainment topics.

This program series produced at different locations around Westport, presents interviews with local residents discussing Westport’s history. The current program is the History of Westport Point United Methodist Church with

Pastor Katherine Mitchell, Glenda Taber Broadbent and

Shirley Taber Palmer.

The current program features “Weave a Web of Wonder”, a summer camp for young artists.

This show presents programs sponsored by the Westport Historical Society that are given the second Thursday evening of the month at the Bell School House or the Senior Center. The programs are on a variety of subjects of interest to the general population of Westport and surrounding towns. We also interview individuals and groups about town on subjects such the art scene, authors, biographies, music, fairs and senior activities. The current show features the Waite Potter House Slide Presentation.

“Westport Matters” has been aired on the public access channel 17 from early 1993. The shows were taped at various locations. There have been about 450 different shows dealing with topics of local interest. The current show interview with Dedee Shattuck about her book "FARMERS".

sponsored by the Westport River Watershed Alliance, The Lloyd Center for the Environment, the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, the Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary and the Buttonwood Park Zoo which took place at the Zoo on Saturday, Feb. 16

Bringing the community coverage of local and regional sporting events has been a successful venture for Channel 17. The University of Massachusetts/ Dartmouth Athletic events have been aired including; Football, Ice Hockey, and Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Dartmouth High School Hockey Games will also continue to be shown. The team represents a unique combined effort, with Students from both Westport High School and Dartmouth High School playing for the team. If anyone is willing to volunteer to videotape other Westport High School Sporting Events it would be our pleasure to broadcast them. Just contact us at:

Channel 15 is the Town’s Government Access Channel. We currently air the Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, Finance Committee and the Westport Historical Commission meetings on a regular basis.

Currently playing is a special program of the Estuaries Committee Meeting from February 13, 2008. The speaker was Brian Dudley from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Check the town website, local listings in The Chronicle newspaper and the Community Bulletin Board for airtimes.