As interest builds in Westport campground site, town still deciding on next steps

Solar farm among possible uses for site adjacent to elementary school

WESTPORT — There’s a group in town that would love the town or school district to purchase the Westport Camping Grounds, adding it to the school campus on Old County Road and giving the district more land to work with.

That prospect is under pressure, as other entities are seeking out campgrounds owner Martin Costa, according to Costa and Selectmen Vice Chairman Steven Ouellette.

Selectmen last week, in response, discussed extra efforts to put forward an evaluation committee to look into the town or school district buying the campgrounds, which encompasses 33 acres and is adjacent to the elementary school property.

Costa told The Herald News this summer he plans to retire within four years and would like to sell the property to the town or the school as his first choice. He noted that his second choice would be for the land, owned and operated by the Costa family for four decades, to be maintained as campgrounds.

He confirmed this week that, although the property is not officially “for sale” and is not yet listed, word of mouth has advertised his campgrounds.

Costa said that Borrego Solar recently reached out to him and has expressed interest in developing the property as a solar farm. Costa also said that another private entity reached out to him this week with interest in maintaining the land as campgrounds.

Costa said that private party will soon be getting a tour of the property.

Ouellette last week told fellow selectmen about the interest in Costa’s property. Ouellette indicated it should give the town more incentive to assemble the campgrounds evaluation committee, which is still in need of more membership.

“There are two seats open. We recently received a request for appointment so there is still at least one seat available if we appoint a new one,” Ouellette confirmed.

Last summer, a petition was circulated, as residents were asking school and town officials to consider buying the campgrounds and incorporating it into the incoming 5 through 12 school building campus. The new building would replace the dormant middle school, which will soon be demolished. The building is also on adjacent grounds to the town’s elementary school.

Proponents for the town or schools purchasing the campgrounds have noted septic system, well water and other concerns connected to the proposed building project.

School Building authorities said the state School Building Authority building project is under a tight schedule and would not be able to incorporate the campgrounds into its current footprint.

Owners Project Manager Dan Tavares and others have noted the district or town could still purchase it at a later time and expand the district’s sports fields or other recreational areas.