After a presentation by Bob Fusari of HOPE Partnership, a non-profit developer of affordable housing in Old Saybrook, the Board of Selectmen voted to establish an ad hoc committee to explore the benefits of affordable housing for Westbrook and working with HOPE Partnership to present findings to the Board of Selectmen.—Becky Coffey

“I’m in favor of a committee that would explore the need for affordable housing,” said Selectman Jim Crawford. “I’m reluctant to move forward too aggressively. We need to build people’s understanding about affordable housing.”

First Selectman Noel Bishop had initially suggested that the selectmen go further and endorse the concept of affordable housing and work with HOPE Partnership to develop a plan of action for the town.

The selectmen voted in the end instead to have an ad hoc committee return to the selectmen with a report before taking further action to develop an action plan.