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Wells Select Board accepts $2.89 million NOAA grant, approves Route 1 study resolution and schedules multiple public hearings
Summary
At its Oct. 1 meeting the Wells Select Board unanimously approved multiple routine and major items: accepting a $2,890,294 NOAA grant for Drakes Island bridge and marsh work, approving a Route 1 corridor resolution to pursue concept design and funding, and scheduling Oct. 15 public hearings on an intrusion notice, moratorium extension and a possible license revocation.
The Wells Select Board on Oct. 1 approved a package of actions that combine near-term project funding with longer-range planning. The board voted to accept a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grant of $2,890,294 to support construction or reconstruction work on the Drakes Island bridge and associated marsh restoration; staff said the Wells Reserve would receive a portion of the grant as a subrecipient and the town would execute an agreement to distribute funds.
Town staff provided a detailed update on FEMA-related storm-recovery work and coastal resilience needs. Carol Murray reported 15 active FEMA projects stemming from January storms and said the town is due about "round numbers $300,000" in reimbursements as specific files are closed out. She emphasized two seawall projects as critical to finish before winter and described dune loss and scour under footings in parts of Wells Beach as outstanding vulnerabilities.
The board also approved a resolution to advance the Route 1 corridor project into concept design and funding outreach. Officials said total costs could run in the $32 million–$35 million range and that a typical town match might be about 10 percent, which would imply a local contribution in the low millions spread across phases and years. Select Board Member (speaker 9) moved to adopt the resolution; the motion passed on a recorded vote of 4-0.
Several procedural hearings were scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024, at 6 p.m.: a public hearing on a notice of intrusion regarding a structure at 100 Atlantic Avenue, a hearing on a one-time 180-day extension of the town’s large-scale development moratorium, and a hearing to consider suspension or revocation of Old Marsh Golf Course’s business license related to a long-standing encroachment issue. Town staff said an inspection of the Old Marsh site is scheduled for Oct. 10 and that the owner expects to complete required work by that date; if the property is compliant, the public hearing will still occur but the town may note compliance.
Routine business included approval of accounts payable and payroll warrants dated Oct. 1, 2024 (accounts payable $1,289,835.68; general assistance warrant $1,153.72), renewal of the Pizza Market malt & wine license and approval of other appointments and donations. Motions for those items were moved by Select Board Member (speaker 9) and seconded by Member (speaker 6) where recorded; multiple votes were recorded as 4-0.
Board members closed the meeting after an executive-session appointment block and formal adjournment.
