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01/04/2023 07:17 AMWhile 2021 was a year of learning how to adapt to the changes brought on by 2020, 2022 was a year that saw things creep back towards normal. It was a year that brought moments of both joy, frustration, and confusion. The highlights are below.
January
The year begins with a high level of COVID-19 transmission working its way through the community during the aftermath of the 2021 holiday season.
New full-time Town Planner Peter Gillespie officially starts his new job with the town on Jan. 2.
February
Westbrook voters approve the receipt of $315,000 in grant money to purchase land from Toby Hill Associates that will help protect Westbrook’s water resources. The grant money is combined with money the town already has to purchase the land for a total of $521,000. The parcel of approximately 130 acres is located at the end of the paved area of Toby Hill Road to the northeast.
The town receives nearly $200,000 in state grant funding for sidewalks to connect the YMCA on Spencer Plains Road to the center of town.
On Feb. 25, Westbrook Emergency Management Director Carrie Campi informs the town she will resign due to what she terms “harassment” from Board of Finance (BOF) members Paul Winch and Chris Ehlert. Assistant Emergency Management Director John Palermo is promoted on an interim basis.
March
The Board of Selectmen (BOS) unanimously vote on March 8 to approve renovations to Ted Lane Field that will improve safety and allow the field to be used for both softball and baseball—at no cost to the town. To ensure that both boys and girls can enjoy the superior field, the grass infield is converted to a clay baseball field.
The BOF proposes a budget of $31,907,606, a $629,309 or two percent increase. The board also approves a capital plan with $3,467,530 worth of projects proposed for fiscal year 2022-’23.
The BOS votes to remove the interim tag and make John Palermo the town’s new Emergency Management Director.
April
A public hearing over the proposed budgets is held.
Residents come to the April 12 BOS meeting to share their thoughts on possibly bringing a dog park to Westbrook. First Selectman John Hall suggests the town could use town-owned land by the fields off of McVeagh Road as a possible site.
State Representative Devin Carney (R-23) announces that he is running for re-election as for the 23rd District, which includes Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.
On April 25, the Zoning Commission holds a public hearing over two proposed marijuana regulations. One proposal would establish a moratorium on cannabis establishments, and the other would establish new zoning regulations that allow for retail marijuana sales. The Commission continues both proposals without deciding to enact either.
A group of volunteers from the Clinton Premium Outlets pitch in with a spring cleanup of the town parking lot and gardens next to the Turtle Café.
May
On May 9, Westbrook voters overwhelming opt to support the proposed $31,907,606 2022-’23 town budget, a $629,309 or two percent increase in spending. The mill rate is set at 20.76 mills, a reduction of 4.24 mills or 17.0 percent.
The total proposed budget is made up of a town budget of $13,146,326 (a $380,357 or 3.0 percent increase) and an education budget of $18,761,280 (a $248,952 or 1.8 percent increase).
Big-ticket items in the capital plan include I.T. projects like bringing fiber optic service to the Town Hall, a boat for the harbor patrol and Harbor Commission, and $125,000 for design and engineering, so that a possible new community center can be presented to residents. Other items include funding for paving, sidewalks, and jetty replacement projects.
The BOF approves an appropriation not to exceed $19,500 to pay for the creation of the dog park.
The Zoning Commission votes to approve the moratorium on cannabis sales in town. The commission keeps open the public hearing over proposed regulations.
Colin Heffernan is unanimously endorsed to run against Carney for the 23rd House District seat.
Incumbent Democrat Christine Goupil of Clinton and Republican challenger Chris Aniskovich, also of Clinton, announce their candidacies for the 35th House District seat. The district is comprised of Clinton, Killingworth, and northern Westbrook.
Westbrook Volunteer Fire Department donates expired gear that still had some life left to Ukraine to assist with depleted Ukrainian fire departments in the ongoing war with Russia.
Tony Sharillo starts as the new CEO of the Valley Shore YMCA.
June
The 53-member senior class of Westbrook High School are blessed with one last sunshine-filled Friday together as they cross the stage and receive their diplomas during a graduation ceremony on June 10.
The taps finally open at Coastline Brewery, the new brewery located at 4 Grove Beach Road North.
The purchase of 130 acres of open space by Toby Hill Road is complete. The purchase expands Westbrook’s open space by about 20 percent.
July
To garner more community feedback on proposed zoning regulations concerning marijuana sales, a survey on the town website is launched for citizens to weigh in. The survey receives 154 responses.
The Zoning Commission approves regulation that allow retail marijuana sales by special permit in the neighborhood commercial district, the turnpike interchange district, the industrial district, and the light industrial district.
In light of an increase in rescue calls from people stranded on Salt Island and a recommendation from the Conservation Commission to close the island, the BOS begins conversations about the future of allowing access to the island.
After significant public outcry, the BOS says no changes will come to Salt Island’s access, but adds that continued educational and enforcement measures will be taken to keep visitors safe.
August
Hall informs members of the BOS and public at an Aug. 9 meeting that Leighton Lee III, the current owner of the David Bushnell House, is willing to donate the historic building to the town.
The BOS hires Sabine Nyenhuis, increasing Westbrook’s full-time police force from two officers to three.
The 63rd annual Westbrook Muster is held on Aug. 26 and 27.
September
At a town meeting on Sept. 22, voters unanimously approve the potential acquisition of the David Bushnell House at 121 South Main Street. Negotiations to complete the sale remain ongoing.
October
The town receives $4,104.11 as part of a larger settlement related to the opioid crises. The money stems from a major settlement finalized in early 2022. Four companies—Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson—agreed to pay $26 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits brought against the companies that alleged their business practices have contributed to the opioid epidemic across the nation. The four companies admitted to no wrong doing in the settlement.
Visitors to Westbrook’s Town Hall notice a new display in the lobby: a replica of the Turtle, the first submarine ever used in war that was designed by Westbrook resident David Bushnell.
November
Of the town’s 5,461 registered voters, 3,456 (64 percent) turn out on Election Day Nov. 8 to cast ballots. In the gubernatorial race, voters narrowly favor incumbent Democrat Ned Lamont, who goes on to win his re-election bid.
On the local level, voters favor incumbent Democrat Norm Needleman over Republican challenger Brandon Goff in the race for State Senator for District 33, Goupil over Aniskovich in the District 35 race, and Carney over Heffernan in the District 23 house race. Needleman and Carney won their respective races, but Goupil lost to Aniskovich in their showdown.
At a meeting on Nov. 28, the Zoning Commission opens a public hearing from BUDR Holding 3 LLC for a retail marijuana shop at 755 Boston Post Road.
December
Westbrook’s tree lighting is held on Dec. 4.