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01/08/2020 11:00 PMState Senator Norm Needleman (D-33) on Jan. 8 cheered the announcement by Governor Ned Lamont that $9.1 million in state grants will be released for the purchase and protection of 24 parcels of land statewide through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, including funding for open space acquisition projects in Westbrook and Clinton.
“It is extremely heartening to know that the Town of Westbrook will soon benefit from the acquisition of 147 acres of forest and the Town of Clinton will be able to protect 5.2 acres of wetlands near its town center,” said Needleman. “Connecticut’s continued dedication and focus on protecting its natural beauty continues to make us a nationwide leader on the environment. I would like to thank the Governor’s Office for its support of our region and the towns of Westbrook and Clinton for their tireless work to secure these properties.”
The following projects will be supported through the released grant funding:
• The Town of Westbrook will receive $315,000 to support the acquisition of 146.74 acres for the Toby Hill VIII project. The parcel is part of a 600-acre block of core forests, including some existing protected lands, with mixed coastal hardwood forestry and wild trout in the center of the property. It is upstream from a Connecticut Water Company well site. The property has a variety of scenic terrain and is favorable for passive recreation and accessible over an unpaved portion of a town-owned road.
• The Town of Clinton will receive $7,000 to support the purchase of the 5.2-acre Lot #30 West Road property, which falls within a proposed greenway location and is directly adjacent to the town beach. It functions as coastal wetlands, provides flood protection for residential properties, is less than a mile from the town’s commercial center, and will be accessed along a proposed coastline trail.