WOOLWICH

Town officials have begun a process they hope will lead to an improved and expanded swimming area behind the town office.

Bruce Engert, the town’s code enforcement officer, said Thursday he and three members of the Selectboard met with a state Department of Environmental Protection official at the site, along with Selectpersons Allison Hepler, David King and Lloyd Coombs.

The town will apply to the DEP for a Natural Resource Protection Act permit that would allow it to disturb soils adjacent to Nequasset Stream. Such a permit is required when an activity will be located in, on or over any protected natural resource, or adjacent to a coastal wetland, great pond, river, stream or brook or wildlife habitat within a freshwater wetland.

In this case, the NRPA permit would allow the town to remove underbrush and improve the site, Engert said.

Currently, there is a boat launch and picnic area at the site. Swimmers are using the boat launch area, which presents a safety issue, Engert said. The permit would provide for better access to the stream, he said.

“We’re trying to further develop the area,” Engert said.

Town officials are prepared to get a professional involved, and complete the NRPA application for DEP review, Engert said. The process will take at least three months, he said.

“It’s pretty much in the hands of the state,” he said. “Hopefully, it will come to fruition.”

lgrard@timesrecord.com