On Wednesday the three members of the Greenwich House delegation visited Camp Seton, 238-acres of private woodlands featuring two lakes and five miles of hiking trails owned by Greenwich Scouting.
In addition to touring the scout reservation, including climbing tower, swimming pool, nature center, fishing dock and more, the three State Representatives had a chance to see the damage done to a key bridge in Sept 2021, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
Scouting Executive Kevin O’Shea said that the sudden, heavy rain had overwhelmed a stream that feeds into Lake Hillegas, causing it to forge a new path that wiped out an embankment and 25 trees, and destroyed the bridge.
The State Reps secured $250,000 funding for the bridge repair from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
“We met with them and worked tirelessly with the Governor’s office to assure that we could secure the proper funding for this capital project,” explained State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151).
“We’re very grateful that Governor Lamont supported our request and included it in this year’s budget,” he added.
Camp Seton is located in State Rep Rachel Khanna’s 149th district.
“I am thrilled that we were able to secure these funds for Camp Seton,” Khanna said. “Scouting is so important in providing children the skills and self-confidence they will need in adulthood and these funds will help Greenwich Scouting in its mission to do that, and to continue to serve youth from Greenwich and surrounding towns.,
Mr. O’Shea, along with VP for Finance James Adams and Activities Director Chris Roehler all expressed that Greenwich Scouting was very grateful for the funding as September marks the two-year mark since the bridge was wiped out, requiring a large detour within the Scout reservation.
Leadership at Greenwich Scouting will work with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Town’s Wetlands Agency and S.E. Minor & Co as they begin to plan the repairs, starting with where to put the new footings, but also issues with soil and wetlands.
“I’m proud of the advocacy of Rachel and Hector,” Meskers said. “This is a delegation that delivers for the Town of Greenwich, bringing resources back to the town, and in this case, for the town’s children and one of its gems, Greenwich Scouting.”
