A Facebook page criticized by members of a town board for allegedly spreading misinformation, and using Westport’s official crest as its profile photo without permission, has changed that photo to Pinocchio, the wooden boy whose nose grew whenever he lied, after being publicly called out by members of the Infrastructure Oversight Committee earlier this week.

The Westport Coalition for Truth has just over 100 followers and about 62 “likes,” but is anonymous, with no indication who the followers are or who serves as administrator. Posting since mid-March, the page has been critical among other things of the town’s proposed $35 million Route 6 sewer and water project, referring to those behind it as supporters of “fake news.”

At Wednesday’s IOC meeting, members said it’s time to offer a counterpoint to the falsehoods they say they’ve seen online.

“I think we were all shocked about all the misrepresentations that were floating around Facebook,” member Robert Daylor said. “We’ve sort of considered ourselves above the fray, but I think we should get down in the trenches,” suggesting three IOC members get together and start their own page “to try to get the truth out there.”

“It’s blatant, some of the stuff that they put on there that’s not true,” member Manny Soares added.

IOC chairman Steven Ouellette said he has tried to have three or four similar pages shut down through official Facebook channels, but never got anywhere.

As for the page using Westport’s official crest as its profile, Ouellette said prior to Pinocchio's arrival that there’s not much to be done — “technically we could get a cease and desist, but it’s going to cost the town.”

A message sent to the page by the Westport Shorelines was returned via email. Unsigned, it reads:

We the members of the coalition thank the IOC committee for acknowledging us publicly in the Rhode Island newspaper. We hope it brings us more followers as we need all voters in the know and to possess that truth. We thank Ted Hayes for reaching out as well.

Yes Ted, this page just began as a result of the Route 6 proposed project. It is a forum where people message us and ask us to ask their questions for them as well as some individuals who write their own posts. So the size is not where we expect it to be in the future. Not that size matters, except for the number of Town lies.

We did not realize the logo was an “official” seal, so we removed it when that was brought to our attention. We love this Town and it is sad that those in charge are NOT willing to listen to residents but just push their agendas, some tied to personal gain and others professional or political gain. Even on the selectboard you can watch youtube where the male selectmen flat out ignore the female selectwomen. One selectwoman actually suggested not asking for the whole $35 and was backlashed. It's on video, see for yourself.

In no way do we feel the current administration represents the people. So, if that fact hits a nerve with some of you or all of you. Good. Maybe it will remind you that it is in fact the Taxpayers you serve.

We love how the IOC claims we are spreading fake news, yet provides no specifics. Come on Manny, what is incorrect? Unlike you I will be the first to revise an error. Every presentation on Route 6 was vague and inaccurate and the IOC avoids answering questions with accurate information.

Let’s try for the 10th time:

Why do you imply the Town’s drinking water is unclean??? That’s a lie. FEMA would be here if we had a town wide water contamination. The Board of Health would have to publicly declare a state of emergency. We are not Flint Michigan.

Why do you imply the project has economic benefit??? That’s a lie. No one did a financial analysis on this. The handful of companies you named will not cover the cost of the project in a 1,000 years.

Why do you imply it good for the environment when that’s a lie???? The nitrogen levels are fine and have been coming down since 2,000. What is changing is extremists are pushing government to reduce the benchmarks and that's all political BS.

We’ll wait knowing you can’t answer these questions and keep telling those who will listen to VOTE NO at Town Meeting on this and every other ask for money where you choose not to provide complete supporting documentation in a sufficient timeframe before the vote.