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Residents press Westerly council to pursue Army Corps, grant funding as beach erosion worsens
Summary
Multiple residents urged immediate action on Atlantic Avenue beach nourishment and resiliency. Councilors said state and federal studies are underway and supported scheduling a workshop, while residents volunteered to help pursue grants and outreach.
Several Westerly residents urged the town to accelerate beach nourishment and resiliency planning, saying doing nothing is not an option.
Andy Lee, a long-time beachgoer, told the council "doing nothing is not a plan" and urged the town to contact the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act programs, and state grant programs. Lee offered to help lead neighborhood outreach and to pursue federal and state grants and noted examples where federal involvement and grants funded large-scale beach rebuilding elsewhere.
Christine Nowak, another Atlantic Avenue resident, said the beach and Atlantic Avenue were the reason she moved to Westerly and urged the council to commission a survey or ask the Army Corps for a feasibility review as a first step. Councilors said the state is convening a statewide commission on erosion and that the town has initiated preliminary contact with the Army Corps; some members urged a council workshop to set prioritized, time-sensitive action before current terms end.
Councilors emphasized the limits of what the town alone can finance and said they expect recommendations from ongoing state and federal work. One councilor cited a state commission established by a local legislator that is due to report in January. Councilors asked staff to improve communication about ongoing efforts and to consider a focused workshop on beach issues.
