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07/22/2022 09:35 AMIn light of an increase in rescue calls from people stranded on Salt Island and a recommendation from the Conservation Commission to close the island, Westbrook leaders are mulling over ways to keep island visitors safe.
Salt Island is a small island located only a few hundred feet off the coast of Westbrook in the Long Island Sound. Easily accessible at low tide, it has long been a popular trek for nature lovers and the curious. At one time, the island had also been included in the Westbrook Land Conservation Trust’s 10 hike challenge which was meant to encourage residents to explore Westbrook’s hiking trails. The hike to Salt Island has since been removed from the challenge.
However, the island can be a bit treacherous for those not familiar with the area. Emergency Management Director John Palermo explained that people who get to the island are often not prepared for how fast the tide comes in, leaving them stranded on the island. Additionally, Palermo said that there is a strong current in the area at high tide which can take people by surprise and lead to tragic repercussions.
“We’ve lost people there before,” Palermo said. “None this year but we have had people drown trying to swim back.”
Palermo said that as warm weather arrives, people are naturally drawn to Westbrook’s scenery. For those not from coastal areas, they often overlook the dangers.
“The summers are getting busier, and more people from the cities and other places who didn’t grow up around the water are coming down,” said Palermo. “It does seem to be that the fire department is going out to rescue people more this year than before.”
At a meeting in June, the Conservation Commission voted to recommend to the Board of Selectmen (BOS) that the island be closed for the summer. The Commission cited the number of people getting stuck on the island as well as the strain it places on emergency services who need to patrol the area and perform rescues.
The BOS took up the matter at a meeting in June and again on July 12. Members did not voice agreement with the Conservation Commission’s suggestion to close the island, but said more discussion is needed on the issue. In the meantime, the BOS agreed to increase signage in the area to warn of the danger of visiting the island. The signs will be posted in both English and Spanish.
Palermo noted that Salt Island is very hard to patrol, and that it could stretch agencies thin trying to do so.
“If the patrol boat is there [and] then drives away, people will just go right back out,” said Palermo.
Asked if he thought the island should be closed, Palermo said, “It’s a really tough decision. You want people to enjoy nature and ever since I was a kid people would be going out there. But you do need to be safe.”
Palermo reiterated that in his opinion, more education is needed about the importance of observing the tides and making sure visitors leave at the appropriate time.
“The water is not just a playground. It can be very dangerous if you’re not careful,” said Palermo.
Representatives from Water’s Edge Resort and Spa, Westbrook Fire Chief William Cusson, Resident State Trooper April Moran, and Rick Potvin from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been invited to the July 28 BOS meeting to discuss the matter further.