On July 9, Branford will be the first of three Connecticut towns hosting a "rising seas" public hearing, geared to gain input to help determine what steps the state, as well as local officials and the public, can take to deal with the effects of extreme storm events coupled with rising sea levels.

The public hearing is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, July 9 at the Blackstone Library and will be led by the bi-partisan legislative Shoreline Preservation Task Force. The task force has been studying the topic since February and is now holding the public hearings to listen to concerns and recommendations of local residents, business owners, and others.

"The public hearings will allow the task force to hear from local residents about how rising sea levels and extreme storm events are actually affecting their property and their community's shoreline and beaches. We want to hear from the people who live and work in these communities about what should be done now and in the future to deal with these issues," said Task Force Chairman State Representative James Albis (D-East Haven).

Branford State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-102) and Branford-Guilford State Representative Patricia Widlitz (D-98) are members of the Task Force and will be at the public hearing on July 9 to hear from residents of their towns, they said.

The Branford public hearing is open to residents of any town. Other hearings will be held Monday, July 23 at Penfield Pavilion in Fairfield and Monday, Aug. 6 at UConn Avery Point Campus in Groton. The task force is expected to make recommendations for next year's legislative session.

For more information, contact Paul Summers at the Legislative Office Building at 800-240-8522 or paul.summers@cga.ct.gov.