This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
12/29/2021 06:00 AMIf 2020 was a year of unprecedented change due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a year of learning how to adapt and rebuild with the virus. On top of navigating the new normal, 2021 was also a year that had plenty of good, bad, and strange moments. The highlights are below:
January
On Jan. 21 a public hearing is held to get feedback on the town plan of conservation and development.
Resident Carter Growie is surprised with a citation from the state recognizing his decades of fundraising efforts for Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries.
The Oxford Academy finishes its installation of 186 solar panels as part of efforts to work toward sustainability.
February
On Feb. 11, those 65 years and older become eligible in Connecticut to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, helping protect the most vulnerable population.
Mary Nyman, the longtime Westbrook Public Library Children’s librarian, announces her retirement effective in the spring.
March
An online survey for Westbrook residents designed to gauge interest in a town community center receives robust interest with 280 responses in under 24 hours of first going live.
The Westbrook High School production of A Chorus Line takes place March 25 to 27.
April
School officials announce that an in-person prom will be held this year after the event was canceled in 2020.
The town proposes a revisit 0.5 percent increase for its total proposed Fiscal Year 2021–’22 budget, which comes in at $31,278,297. The proposal represents a $146,667 year-over-year increase.
The eligible age for people to receive COVID-19 vaccines is lowered to 18 and over, allowing much more of the general public to get vaccinated.
May
On May 13 voters approve Westbrook’s budget by a vote of 94 in favor and 3 opposed. The total budget represents an increase of 0.5 percent; however, the town’s mill rate remains flat.
The Westbrook Senior Center re-opens on May 17.
Westbrook Public Schools announce the appointment of Matthew Talmadge as the new Westbrook Middle School principal effective July 1.
The Valley Shore YMCA announces major renovations are coming that will be completed by the beginning of 2022, thanks to lead donor and longtime member Bob Brady.
On May 26, Governor Ned Lamont, along with Connecticut Acting Commissioner of Education Charlene Russell-Tucker and Connecticut State Librarian Deborah Schander, name Westbrook Middle School a Top Performing School—2020 for the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge.
June
On June 17, voters attend a On June town meeting to appropriate money for capital projects that were approved at the May. The $1,821,707 worth of projects included in the plan are money for police rifles, a new vehicle for the fire marshal, and a paving program. Other projects include IT upgrades, two-way radio battery replacements, building repairs, sidewalk improvements, and harbor dredging.
First Selectman Noel Bishop surprises voters when he announces that after almost 15 years as first selectman, he will not seek an eight term in the fall.
On a cool but sun-filled evening on June 11, the 48 members of the senior class don their caps and gowns at Westbrook High School’s graduation.
The town announces an online survey of about people’s perception of housing needs in Westbrook and possible housing strategies for the future. The survey is part of the process of preparing an Affordable Housing Plan as required by state law.
Residents are delighted and spooked when a large black bear is spotted several times in the area near Stewart McKinney National Wildlife Preserve over the course of a few days.
The Board of Selectmen (BOS) votes on June 8 to form a committee that will digest the community center survey from earlier in the year and make recommendations on how to proceed.
July
Over the weekend of July 24 and 25, unregistered or non-compliant moorings are removed at Middle Beach due to safety concerns and following numerous complaints to the Harbor Management Commission.
The town’s political parties announce their slates for the November election. The Democrats nominate Chet Bialicki for first selectman and Vince Gentile for the Board of Selectman. The Republicans nominate John Hall for first selectman and Joe Campbell to serve on the Board of Selectman.
In an effort to increase STEM class offerings at the middle and high schools, Westbrook Public Schools announces five new robotics courses starting this school year with more to come next year.
August
Westbrook’s Zoning Commission opts to take a “wait and see” approach before deciding on whether to adopt policies for the sale of recreational marijuana in town.
Starting Friday, Aug. 27 and running to Sunday, Aug. 29 the annual Westbrook Tattoo and Muster rolls back into town with a parade on the 28th.
The Planning Commission as well as the Zoning Commission approve an application to convert old medical offices located at 4 Grove Beach Road North into a brewpub.
September
Julia Farnoli, a senior at Westbrook High School, organizes a charity doubles tennis tournament named Team Up for Treatment or TUFT on Sept. 19 at the Westbrook Tennis Courts. The money raised helps to fight ovarian cancer.
The town holds a ceremony in recognition of the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The BOS holds a public hearing to get feedback on what the public thinks should be prioritized with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on Sept. 28.
Residents are shocked and saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Jack Reynolds, a Westbrook resident and longtime teacher in neighboring Clinton.
Planning zoning and development coordinator Eric Knapp announces his resignation.
October
Westbrook’s Kirtland Landing closes from Oct. 12 to 22 to undergo improvements. The work is done by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services.
Westbrook High School student Jami Sacco finds a way to bring Republicans and Democrats together by organizing a charity softball game of the candidates from the two parties. The money goes to charities that support Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
The candidates for the Board of Selectman take the stage in the Oxford Academy to answer questions from the crowd on wide ranging issues important to residents at the Council of Beaches annual Candidate’s Forum. The event is recorded to broadcast for those at home.
The BOS votes to separately re-advertise the town planner and zoning enforcement officer roles separately in an attempt to fill ongoing vacancies in the land use office.
November
Westbrook voters turn out to elect Republican John Hall to be first selectman. Hall is joined on the board by Republican Joseph Campbell and Democrat Chet Bialicki. Hall beats Bialicki in the race for first selectman by a margin of 1,401 votes to 917 votes.
In the race for second and third selectman, Campbell receives 1,400 votes while and Democrat Vince Gentile gets 906 votes.
The American Legion holds a veteran’s day ceremony on the green on Nov.11.
In an effort to make sure that both boys and girls can enjoy the field, Westbrook Little League is hoping to get permission to redo the ball field at Ted Lane to make it compatible for Softball ahead of next spring’s season. No resolution is reached and the little league board decides to revisit the issue later in the winter.
The new BOS is officially seated.
A COVID vaccine is approved for those aged 5 and over.
December
Westbrook holds its annual Tree Lighting and Parade on Dec. 5 on the Town Green. Activities include a firepit, refreshments, musical performances, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The BOS announces it will look into various the options for fixing the library roof after a roof assessment report showed problems with the roof and recommended it be replaced or fixed.
As the year came to a close, Westbrook was in the majority of Connecticut municipalities listed in the red zone for COVID cases as the state encountered its highest-yet rate of positive tests since the start of the pandemic.