Stannard Beach Association
Board of Directors meeting July 28, 2013
George Dallas called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. and
distributed copies of the July 23, 2013 Draft study by Frank Bohlen “A
Discussion of the Factors Affecting the Erosion of Stannard Beach, Westbrook,
Connecticut and Means to Increase Stability and Longterm Resilience”.
At a prior BOD meeting it was voted to update the Kollmeyer
Report from 1988, which was to study the long term affects of nature on
Stannard Beach. Kollmeyer predicted that we would have much less beach by 2020,
but it has happened faster than that so we are looking at the updated
situation/study now.
The beach is under attack and doing nothing is not an
option, as the beach is the reason we are all here at Stannard Beach.
The Frank Bohlen Study suggests three things:
1.
Build T-groins and add 3 new groins as they
knock the power out of incoming waves and trap sand behind the groins.
2.
Nourishment – bring in a lot of sand and spread
it to fill in from the seawall to the sand flats. Do this in stages after T-groins
are built. Use granular sand which traps finer sand naturally.
3.
Rip rap – is like balls against the seawall to
stop undermining of the wall and pulling out of the sand. Do this last.
This is a long term project as it takes time to obtain DEEP
approval.
The approximate cost is $1 million plus.
How will we pay for it?
Suggestions include long term individual assessments of relatively
reasonable amounts with a scale based on current assessments and location of
homes, meaning distance from the water.
In the original study Kollmeyer suggested a breakwater
offshore, but currently DEEP does not like solid structures in the water. Also
the base is set in sand, which can shift, so the breakwater can potentially shift
and sink.
DEEP person in charge of Long Island Sound likes the idea of
T- groins, which would be 50’ wide by 80’ long. Can we use “TreX” material to
reduce deterioration and the need for maintenance? Do not know and is very
expensive.
The procedure for approval is that the DEEP looks at the
plan, then will probably send us to the Army Corp of Engineers next. Over the course of several years, first the groins are built, then the Ts are added,
then after the Ts are in, the sand is added. The rip rap is added last.
These measures are to defend our beach as erosion which is
happening at an accelerated rate, moving west.
First we need Board approval to start the process of
permitting, but is this the best course of action? The alternatives are spelled
out in the Bohlen report of 2013.
Board members requested a period of time to read the report
before voting on investing in the permitting process and that the entire
Association be sent the report, which lays out the facts and suggested options.
Board approval Voting will be done via
e-mail.
The permitting costs need to be determined - need estimates for drawing plans, and costs
to submit those plans and proposals. DEEP has specific procedures and
requirements.
Terence Beaty, Director New Homes and Land Division,
Prudential Connecticut Realty, presented to the Board as a guest speaker, that
the value of all of the beach Association homes is in the beach. If the beach is closed due to erosion,
seawalls falling down and septic incursion into Long Island Sound then all of
the Association homes are immediately devalued.
Waterfront owners will need to pay the most towards long
term individual assessments to pay for erosion mediation; each assessment will
be based on the current assessment and distance from the water. Additionally non waterfront owners need to be
welcomed by waterfront owners to use the entire beach. All Stannard Beach Association members need
to be informed of their rights to use the beach, and the responsibility of all
waterfront owners to allow every association member to use the beach in front
of their house.
Members of the erosion team/committee include:
John Petchler
Marty Webber
Maureen Keegan
Less Nathan
Sandy Seidman
Elin Katz
Mark Miller
Rhoda Eligator thanked the team for all of their work
Noel Bishop, Westbrook first selectman, would like to come
to the Annual Association meeting in August.
Mike Guinan reported on the Lyman-Brown ROW solution. The
Lymans have had water in their basement 3 times from the last 3 storms when
they have not had water previously. The
corner of the Lyman property is now a low point, after the re-grading of the
ROW. To remediate we can re-grade the ROW again, put in an infiltrator or drain
in the ROW, and/or re-grade the Wrang property. The suggested solution is to
install a curb from Caslin to Lyman and to do milling in front of the Brown and
Lyman properties. Sharon Bender noted that this only moves the water down 2nd
Ave pushing a water problem down the street onto other neighbors’ properties –
not solving the engineering problem at hand.
Michael Guinan made a motion, 2nd by George
Palmer, for up to $2000 to be spent on putting up a curb/burm/milling on the
south side of 2nd Ave from Caslin/Brown to Lyman/Fishman. Vote 13 for, 4 opposed. Motion passed.
Motion to adjourn by Marty Webber, 2nd by Merle
Katzman. Adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
