Much has been said over the past couple of months regarding the controversial Jacobs Beach Project. From residential concerns regarding diminished Long Island Sound views to questions on the number of added trees to the beach, architect and Guilford resident William Thompson wants townspeople to understand the full scope of the project before the Wednesday, Dec. 5 Planning & Zoning Public Hearing.

"Much has been said about the proposed improvements for the Jacobs Beach Park. Discussion is good. It shows that many among our residents care," Thompson said. "As a longtime resident I have been privileged to work toward upgrading our facility. It seems important to clarify several things that have been mentioned recently about the plan."

One point that the architect wanted to get out to the public is that several areas of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have been involved. Leading the environmental efforts has been professional wetland scientist, certified ecologist, and professional soil scientist Jeffrey Shamas.

Prior to the public hearing, state- and federal-level review took place with the Guilford Design Review Committee and the Historic District Commission. Thompson and other professionals working on the project also consulted with professional engineers from Thomas Stevens and Associates.

Thompson explained that the plan uses the current "best practices to improve storm-water management and civil design" and said that the structural improvements were designed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency engineering standards in mind, promoting key goals of the Connecticut General Statues Chapter 444 Coastal Management.

"Structures proposed deliberately are located in the more central area of the site to further reinforce separation from surrounding coastal and wetland resources. It encourages better public use and access to our precious waterfront," said Thompson. "Part of the very criteria for approval of the STEAP [Small Towns Economic Assistance Program ] grant that I helped write over a year ago with Parks & Recreation requires conformance with this intent of the statute. The fact that our town received the maximum grant amount further implies that the plan meets these core coastal management goals."

The STEAP grant was awarded to the town in the amount of $500,000. Parks & Recreation Director Rick Maynard said the total cost of the project is approximately $900,000.

With less than one week to the continued Planning & Zoning public hearing, further comments, questions, or concerns regarding the project should be emailed to planning.zoning@ci.guilford.ct.us. Residents may also call Thompson at 203-453-0066 or the Parks & Recreation office at 203-453-8068. The hearing will take place at the Community Center at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5.