WESTBROOK

The first public workshop outlining the purpose of the Coastal Resiliency Committees of Westbrook, Clinton, and Old Saybrook is scheduled for Sept. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Westbrook Town Hall Multi-Purpose Room. Further workshops are planned in fall as well.

In order to address climate change and the impact of rising sea levels on the area, the towns of Westbrook, Clinton, and Old Saybrook as well as the borough of Fenwick partnered together to form climate resiliency committees. For the shoreline communities, the threat of rising water levels is a serious concern. To combat that threat, the towns have established Coastal Resiliency Committees over the last year to work cooperatively to find solutions to problems posed by climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather events.

Now, the committees are seeking public input. Westbrook Town Planner Peter Gillespie said that community workshops are planned for Sept. 13, Sept. 26, and Oct. 10. The workshop on Sept. 13 will be in Westbrook from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Town Hall Multi-Purpose Room. Meanwhile, the workshop on Sept. 26 will be a virtual workshop also from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Oct. 10 workshop will be in Westbook, though the location is to be determined.

The workshops are meant to be detailed breakdowns of what the committees are doing and what the steps in the process are. Gillespie said that is not necessary for those interested to attend all three workshops as the same information will be presented at all three. As the planning process continues, there will be additional public forums.

In addition to the workshops, a website, www.4shoreresiliency.com, has been built to showcase the work the committees are doing. The site will contain more information about the project, keep people informed about upcoming events, and allow for the public to submit feedback. The site has an interactive map where residents can inform the committee where they have noticed issues due to flooding or erosion.

Gillespie also said that over the next several weeks, the committee will do “pop up” events at larger town events where the committee will spread the word about its work.

Background and Future Steps

Funding for the committees came from a $150,000 grant awarded by the Long Island Sound Futures Fund of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Gillespie said the town has matched around $80,000 in a combination of cash and staff expertise.

The grant has allowed the committee to hire consultants from Colliers Engineering and Design and Anchor QEA to draft the plan as well provide technical help. Gillespie said the consultants have been onboard since June and estimated the planning portion to take about a year.

Gillespie said that with the consultants on board, the next phase is for the committee to focus on engaging the public. “We want to hear what their experience and where they see problems with sea level rise or flooding and at the end of this process identify some solutions,” he said earlier this month.

Gillespie said that the end plan will have cost estimates for the potential next projects aimed at protecting town infrastructure, facilities, economic, social, and historical needs.

“We’re excited to be working together with the other towns. I’m not sure something like this has been done around here. What could work in one area might also work in another town too; these problems don’t respect town lines,” Gillespie continued.

He said he hopes the public would respond with more feedback. “This a unique approach that makes a lot of sense rather than an individual approach. People can participate and follow along on the website. They’ll be more updates in the future,” Gillespie said.