2023 brought a little bit of everything to Westbrook. It was a year that brought moments of joy, frustration, and confusion. The highlights are below:

January

On Jan. 10, First Selectman John Hall tells the Board of Selectmen (BOS) that the Town has assumed control of the David Bushnell House, one of the oldest homes in Connecticut.

Despite vocal objections from some members of the public, the Zoning Commission approves an application from BUDR Holding 3 LLC to open a retail cannabis store at 755 Boston Post Road with several conditions.

February

A group of residents file an appeal with Middletown Superior Court in hopes of overturning the Zoning Commission’s retail cannabis application approval.

At a town meeting on Feb. 23, Westbrook residents approve the appropriation of over $30,000 in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) money for a conceptual plan for a wastewater system in Westbrook’s downtown.

March

At a meeting on March 14, the BOS votes to fund an appraisal of a 12.7-acre property on Horse Hill Road that the Town may eventually purchase.

A large crowd comes out to a March 27 Zoning Commission public hearing over a controversial application that, if approved, would allow for 12 sports gambling kiosks in a portion of the Dead Eye Saloon Restaurant. Though the in-person crowd is largely against the application, the commission tables making a decision.

April

A public hearing over the proposed budgets is held.

On April 12, about two weeks before the Zoning Commission is expected to vote, the sports gambling kiosk application is denied.

BUDR Holding 3 LLC files an application to modify some conditions of its earlier approval. The conditions have to do with certain prohibitions on times of delivery, parking lot paving, and landscaping. The applicant also asks the commission to approve the conditions without a public hearing, a request which is denied.

The Lee Company announces that Marietta S. Lee will take over as president and CEO. Current chairman William W. Lee will retire but remain chairman of the company’s Board of Directors.

May

On May 9, Westbrook voters overwhelmingly support the proposed budget of $33,348,689, a $1,441,083 or 4.5% increase over the current fiscal year budget. The proposed budget is a sum that includes a proposed town budget of $13,934,569 and a proposed education budget of $19,414,120. The mill rate is set at 21.32, a 2.7% increase.

On May 23, several town officials gather at Westbrook Marine Center for a special occasion: the christening of Westbrook’s new patrol boat. As of Memorial Day weekend, the boat is active.

On May 25, the BOS approves using interns on Salt Island to ensure visitors to the island are safe, following a rise in emergency rescues from the island in 2022.

June

Due to wildfires in Canada, Connecticut residents notice a smokey smell and decreased air quality for several days.

Unfortunately, due to the rain, the Westbrook High School seniors and their guests are forced to have graduation in the gym on June 16. But the rain does nothing to dampen the mood of the day for the 66 members of the senior class.

At a Westbrook Zoning Commission meeting on June 26, the commission rules on several cannabis-related items:

-It votes to deny an application from two citizens who sought a zoning text amendment that would have prohibited retail cannabis stores in the Neighborhood Commercial District.

-It votes to deny the application from BUDR to change conditions related to delivery times and paving but does approve a request to leave a generator and utility box on the property.

- It votes to approve an application to open a cannabis food manufacturing business at 1244 Old Clinton Road.

July

All new applications for retail cannabis are on hold for six months after a July 24 vote by the Westbrook Zoning Commission. The moratorium, which is proposed by the commission itself, will allow the commission time to study the issue further. The moratorium has no effect on the previously approved retail cannabis application.

August

The Economic Development Commission begins seeking donation pledges to fund a public mural downtown that would celebrate Westbrook’s maritime history. The mural would go on the side of The Turtle Café facing Route 1 in downtown Westbrook. The estimated cost is $32,000.

Westbrook students head back to school on Aug. 31.

September

As of Sep. 5, Westbrook officially has a new full-time Zoning Enforcement Officer as the Town hires Eric Salmon.

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, partner to form climate resiliency committees. The first public workshop outlining the purpose of the Coastal Resiliency Committees is held in the Westbrook Town Hall Multi-Purpose Room. Further workshops are planned as well.

The Town receives an estimate of $12 to $13 million to construct a wastewater system in downtown Westbrook.

October

At a town meeting on Oct. 10, Westbrook residents vote to disband the Police Advisory Board/Traffic Authority (PA/TA) after the board previously voted to recommend the move. However, the deletion of an ordinance must be approved by residents at a town meeting. At the town meeting, residents unanimously vote to delete the ordinance.

November

Not much changes on Election Day, Nov. 7, as the entire BOS runs unopposed. In addition to Hall being elected First Selectmen again, Joseph Campbell and Chet Bialick are reelected to the BOS. In an unusual move, only the race for the Zoning Commission was contested due to the Democratic Town Committee only running six total candidates. In that race, Republicans Dwayne Xenalis (966 votes) and Linda Nolf (935 votes) defeat Democrat Ryan Engels (803 votes).

A town-wide Veterans Day celebration is held Nov. 10 on the Town Green.

December

On Dec. 4, Westbrook officials hold a meeting for downtown property owners to review the conceptual wastewater plan for the town center and the price tag attached to it. Further discussions will be needed before a final decision is made. Under the proposed plan, a gravity sewer collection system would service 50 properties in the targeted area. The sewer lines would be hooked up to each property, and existing septic tanks would be pumped out and closed. A cost estimate to construct the proposed plan is about $12,577,904. Furthermore, each property would pay an annual maintenance fee to use the service. Further meetings are planned before a vote takes place on the project.

At a BOS meeting on Dec. 12, the board approves a tax incentive policy that proponents hope will attract new businesses as well as help expand ones already in town. The move must be approved at a town meeting, which has not been scheduled at press time.