The board deliberated on a plan for preserving East Beach, emphasizing the need for immediate, near-term, medium, and long-term strategies to protect against coastal erosion and storm impact. Immediate steps highlighted included addressing road overwash protection and protecting roadway pinch points adjacent to town-owned shoreline property. A presentation detailed the detrimental effects of cobble removal from East Beach, a practice deemed illegal due to its exacerbation of the road’s vulnerability. The board discussed funding these preservation initiatives through multiple sources, among them the town of Westport funds and the Coastal Resilient Grant Program.

Amidst the discussion, the legality of actions taken by the highway department was brought into question, as well as the necessity for a comprehensive beach management plan. The board debated the feasibility and legality of various actions, including the raising of roads and the redistribution of sand and cobble, to mitigate the effects of erosion and storm damage. The importance of adherence to FEMA regulations was underscored, given the potential for sea level rise and more extreme storms due to rising ocean temperatures.

The vulnerability assessment of the Westport River area also received attention, specifically regarding the bridge and adjacent areas prone to flooding during storms and high tides. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on emergency services if the bridge were compromised, prompting discussions on contracting with MBL Land Development for consulting engineering services to provide alternate options when the primary field engineering firm is unavailable.

The board discussed the Hixbridge Landing renovation project, which includes coastal renovation measures, stormwater management, and parking area reconfiguration to increase parking capacity. The necessity of impervious surfaces for managing spills and the redirection of stormwater was debated, as were concerns about the condition of the landing’s ramp and the increase in motorized boat use in the area.

The Planning Board also addressed environmental impact concerns related to water supply and potential contamination. There was a debate about the adequacy of Geotech work and the necessity for setting groundwater wells for water sampling. This was particularly relevant to the investigation of contamination in public wells along Sanford Road.

Additional discussions ensued on the potential threat to public health due to backflow prevention issues and sewer regulations along Route 6, including the abandonment of septic systems by the Board of Health. A conflict of interest issue involving a contractor and a relevant complaint by the Board of Health was debated.

The planners’ reports included various updates on ongoing projects and grant applications. Notable among these was the discussion on the Route 6 sewer project, with plans to meet with Senators to discuss potential funding sources such as the Community Development Block Grant and Congressional directed spending.

Finally, the meeting addressed administrative items including several Approval Not Required (ANR) requests, with the board endorsing the reconfiguration of lot lines for properties on River Road and American Legion Highway, despite concerns about zoning violations, driveway access, and access easements for the involved properties.