Debate Continues on Eventual Fate and Use of Long Beach West

Click on the videos to hear special speakers, including Mayor John Harkins, representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection, and Town Conservation Administrator Brian Carey explain where the town is at in the process.

Below, Marcia Stewart, president of Protect Your Environment of Stratford, summarized what some still believe is the best option for the town, reprinted on the back of the agenda of Thursday night's meeting. Stewart wrote:

"Long Beach West is Stratford's 'special - one of a kind' barrier beach with an extremely high number of endangered threatened plants and wildlife species that rest, nest and pass through or stay year-round.

"The Town Council initiated 'The Long Beach West Task Force' in 2004 to determine the 'best and highest' use of the land. The documented study indicates best uses to be passive recreational, educational programs, protection of the beaches and dunes, wildlife and natural resources plus maintenance of the land.

"A petition circulated throughout town in 2008 listed six reasons for selling Long Beach West to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved by a 60 - 40% referendum vote:

• Ensure public access
• Protect valuable waterfront as open space
• Remove cottages at no cost to taxpayers
• Provide amenities to enhance recreation at no cost to the taxpayer
• Eliminate the town's legal responsibilities for the property
• Desposit money from the sale of land in a restricted trust account and use interest for the care of the land

"The wildlife service will care for the land and open it to the public for passive recreation and educational programs, protect plants and wildlife and the land itself where it meets Long Island Sound as it did approximately 10,000 years ago.

"This would be a legacy to our children and their children's children."

There was some debate within the meeting itself  on whether the town should retain ownership of Long Beach West, as it currently intends to do, and thus control its fate despite the potential costs. Some members of the audience including Lordship resident Morgan Kaolian continued to argue in favor of federal purchase of the land, a mandate they pointed to with the 2008 referendum.

However, Mayor Harkins stated Thursday evening that there never was $10 million available from the federal government to purchase the property. "The referendum should never had been held," he said, adding that the town has a tremendous opportunity before it and should choose to look forward rather than backward.

Upon further discussion, the mayor added that the town could opt to sell the land or the rights in the future  if current efforts proved unsuccessful or other mitigating circumstances occurred. However, at this time, he said, a group will be appointed to try to find ways for the town to keep ownership and to protect and enhance Long Beach West, and will presumably make a recommendation to the Town Council to consider.