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Westbrook Conservation Commission notes open-space budget cut, resolved lawsuit and public Earth Day request
Summary
Chairman Randy Bell reported the town’s open-space purchase allocation was cut from $50,000 to $25,000; the commission learned a lawsuit brought by Daniel Granniss was resolved in the commission’s favor; and resident Lexi Larson requested Westbrook hold its Earth Day event at Town Hall on April 21, 2026.
At its March 17 meeting the Westbrook Conservation Commission recorded a reduction in the town’s annual open-space purchase allocation from $50,000 to $25,000 this fiscal year. Chairman Randy Bell referenced a Hartford Courant article noting the state’s land-protection goal of 21 percent and observed that Westbrook currently has about 23 percent of its land protected, framing the budget discussion around continued aquifer and open-space protection.
Bell said he is interested in purchasing the Wallace property for conservation to protect the aquifer and reminded members that another budget meeting is scheduled for March 30, 2026. The minutes also record that a lawsuit between Daniel Granniss and the Conservation Commission was resolved in the commission’s favor. The commission received a public comment from Lexi Larson asking the town to hold its Earth Day event at Town Hall on Tuesday, April 21, 2026; she said an owl and guide are already booked and asked commissioners to advertise the event. Members also noted trail brochures created by a former intern will be placed in kiosks and discussed the extent of trail clearing needed.
