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12/28/2020 11:00 PMJanuary
Westbrook First Selectman Noel Bishop looks ahead to 2020 with optimism and the intention to provide residents with needed services while keeping taxes down.
Police search for the driver in the Dec. 24 hit-and-run accident on Spencer Plains Road that ended the life John Ingalls, 36, four days later. A warrant is issued in late January for the arrest of the suspect.
A consultant hired by the town to review plans for the proposed two-way radio infrastructure project presents his report to the Ad Hoc Radio Project Committee on Jan. 8, eliciting a mix of reactions.
Work begins on the Valley Shore YMCA (VSYMCA) on-site solar array, which will provide the building with around 90 percent of its energy needs.
Governor Lamont announces Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program awards, which include $315,000 for Westbrook, to be applied toward its purchase of nearly 147 acres belonging to Toby Hill Associates.
Westbrook town employees participate in a training session provided by the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency to prevent cyber attacks on the town’s computer systems.
February
Middlesex Habitat for Humanity (HFH) holds an open house for residents to learn about its upcoming home build on Hammock Road North.
Westbrook Visiting Nurses receives an award of excellence and is designated as among the top 25 percent of home health agencies by the ABILITY Network, a self-described “leading healthcare technology company.”
Lee Company embarks on two major expansion efforts, costing around $8.6 million, that will provide increased and upgraded space to its employees as well as enable the company to add jobs over the long term.
Nationally, flu season has been fairly severe, but Westbrook Public Schools report that it’s a typical, not especially rough year.
Repair of the first of Westbrook’s eight 50-year-old jetties is completed, on budget ($164,585) and ahead of schedule.
Hoping to avoid causing panic, Westbrook’s Department of Public Health prepares for the coronavirus by distributing CDC guidelines to local businesses about symptoms, the period of onset after exposure, and measures to avoid spread.
March
Westbrook Public Schools Superintendent Patricia A. Ciccone announces her June retirement.
Westbrook High School (WHS) performs The Little Mermaid the weekend of March 5 through 7, right before schools shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In advance of an interactive public meeting on March 12, Westbrook places signs around town to pique interest and encourage participation. In March, however, due to COVID-19, the town replaces the in-person meeting with an online survey.
Westbrook Health Director Zachary Faiella orders “body care establishments” closed. Town Hall closes for deep cleaning. Bishop announces that the Transfer Station will re-open, with some restrictions.
On March 23, Westbrook schools begin distance learning. The Westbrook Library is closed until further notice.
The 1,100 employees of The Lee Company receive with their March 26 weekly paycheck a $50 gift card to a local restaurant.
As of March 27, Westbrook closes its public beaches due to gatherings of people not following social distancing protocols. Westbrook has two confirmed COVID-19 cases.
April
On April 9, Westbrook announces its first confirmed COVID-19 death. There are eight confirmed cases in the town.
9 Town Transit continues to offer services to riders, with some adjustments to protect passengers and staff.
While closed to the public, VSYMCA staff turns its focus almost entirely to community service, such as providing online exercise programs and organizing emergency childcare.
The Board of Selectmen (BOS) authorizes the Board of Finance (BOF) to adopt the proposed town and education budgets and set the mill rate for the 2020-’21 fiscal year. A virtual BOF meeting on April 29 allows residents to weigh in.
Marinas like Harry’s Marina report selling out slips well in advance of “normal” years.
May
Westbrook Middle School Principal Taylor Wrye announces his resignation as of the end of the school year.
Westbrook Library hires a new director: Timothy Kellogg will begin on July 2, replacing long-serving director Lew Daniels.
Social Services Coordinator Elizabeth Carpenter, together with other town employees and entities like the United Way, works with volunteers to provide free homemade masks to those who need them. Carpenter also works with the United Way and Council of Beaches to provide struggling local families with gift cards; Troop F of the Connecticut State Police takes up a collection to provide $50 gift cards to local residents in need.
VSYMCA announces that its day camps will open this summer, with provisions in place to keep campers and staff safe.
The budget is approved by the BOF at its May 5 meeting, resulting in a 1.3 percent increase in the mill rate.
As of May 15, Westbrook re-opens its West Beach parking lot, but only to residents. The BOS votes to restrict fireworks and unsecured structures at the beach.
Westbrook’s Memorial Day Parade is canceled.
Local Frances Coneybeer Russell releases her third children’s picture book, I’m Really Afraid, which she wrote to help young children work through their fears and questions about the COVID-19 pandemic.
June
WHS’s virtual commencement ceremonies stream on June 12.
Parks & Recreation offers a slate of programs for kids and adults with safety precautions in place.
Westbrook Land Conservation Trust announces a matching donation program to help the town raise some of the remaining $145,000 needed to purchase the Toby Hill parcel.
After serving for 40 years, Lew Daniels retires as director of the Westbrook Public Library.
July
Faiella reminds residents that pandemic or no, mosquitoes and ticks pose a public health risk.
The annual Westbrook Council of Beaches’s Stuff a Cruiser food drive raises more food and funds than ever before: 1,766 pounds of food, plus several thousand dollars in cash.
Despite the pandemic, 10 WHS students find jobs through the school’s summer work program.
August
Tropical Storm Isaias rages through the area on Aug. 4, causing more than 700,000 residents to lose power across the state.
Westbrook residents have the chance to vote on which of two public mural renderings by artist Tony Falcone, both of which feature the submarine known as the Turtle, will be painted on the side of a building near the Knothe Lane parking lot in 2021.
Work begins on the installation of a pilot passive nitrogen removal (PNR) septic system outside the Riggio Building.
With the help of volunteers, HFH raises the roof at the home it’s constructing on Hammock Road North.
On Aug. 20, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is arrested on a yacht anchored off the Westbrook coast.
Westbrook Fire Chief Mike Jenkins, under fire for offensive social media posts, resigns from his post on Aug 25. On Aug. 31, the Board of Fire Commissioners votes to accept his resignation and to remove Jenkins from the fire department entirely for one year. The town retains Jenkins as a public works employee.
After State Representative Jesse MacLachlan (R-35) drops out of the race, north Westbrook voters have a choice between Democrat Christine Goupil, Green Party candidate John May, and Republican John Hall III.
September
Westbrook Public Schools open for full-day, in-person learning.
State Representative Devin Carney (R-23) is challenged in his run for his fourth term by human rights attorney Dave Rubino of Old Lyme.
Shoreline native and first-time candidate Brendan Saunders announces a run against State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33).
Thirty percent of the WHS student body quarantines for 14 days after the district is notified about a positive case in the school community.
Bishop and other town Republicans are accused of usurping the authority of the BOF after the BOS appoints a replacement for former BOF chair Paul Connolly (R).
October
At its Oct. 6 meeting, the BOS ends a legally dubious practice of issuing town tickets for moving violations.
The VSYMCA offers a free six-week Strong program beginning Oct. 19 designed to get people back into healthier habits.
Registrars of voters are ready for the Election Day: There will be hand sanitizer available, masks and social distancing will be required, and voting carrels will be sanitized between voters. Additional staff has been brought in to count the larger-than-usual number of absentee ballots.
HFH announces the new owners of the home being built on Hammock Road West: the Buzases, a family of six.
The Board of Education appoints Dr. Kristina J. Martineau as its new superintendent of schools, effective Dec. 1.
November
Democrat Norm Needleman is re-elected as state senator for District 33 with around 55 percent of the vote, beating Republican challenger Brendan Saunders.
Republican Devin Carney is re-elected to his fourth term as state representative for District 23, prevailing against Democratic challenger Dave Rubino with more than 55 percent of the vote.
Democrat Christine Goupil wins the race for the General Assembly’s 35th District with around 50 percent of the vote versus Republican John Hall III’s 48 percent and Green Party candidate John May’s 2 percent.
A Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant will fund construction of sidewalks along Boston Post Road from Bellstone Avenue to the intersection with Grove Beach Road.
As the state receives COVID-19 vaccine in December, the Connecticut Area Health District will be one of those across the state tasked with vaccinating critical workforce groups like police, firefighters, EMS providers and public health staff.
December
Despite setbacks, WHS theater students stream their performances of two short plays online.
Bill Fish retires after eight years on the town’s Energy Committee, after spearheading its streetlight conversion project.