It would be years before its impacts would be felt in Westport, if ever. But with so much on the line environmentally and economically, the Westport Select Board is considering forming an advisory committee to keep on top of offshore wind developments, and specifically how Westport would be affected if transmission cables are ever routed up Route 88 from a possible landing at Horseneck Beach.

Along with New London, Ct., a Westport route is one of two potential landing sites included in a 2,600-megawatt Vineyard Wind proposal currently under review by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. In Westport, the lines from the site south of Nantucket would come ashore at Horseneck Beach, and would be routed under a portion of the Westport River and up the Route 88 corridor to points north.

Select board chairwoman Shana Teas stressed Monday evening that currently, "there is no proposal before the Westport Select Board, or any town official, regarding wind projects offshore."

Still, some said now is the time for Westport to force a seat at the table and either form a committee to watch over developments, or task one of the town's existing boards with keeping its eyes and ears open.

"Many people feel that this is something that is going to be happening," zoning board member Constance Gee told the select board. "We would like to be part of the discussion."

Gee, who is also a member of the newly-formed advocacy group Protect Our Westport Waters (www.protectwestport.org), said oversight is key and a dedicated committee crucial, as she believes offshore wind companies aren't necessarily interested in transparency.

"The way the wind companies work is they work with a couple of people, a couple of town officials, and it's all sort of done ... behind closed doors. Then once they're ready to go with it, all that the town officials have heard is their sales pitch and how good it's going to be for the town. And nobody has really learned about all the other aspects of what they are planning. It makes for better feelings and trust if there's a committee that is at the table at the beginning."

Not all agreed. Resident David Cole said that if a proposal that impacts Westport directly ever comes to pass, "we have a conservation commission that is specifically mandated to look at the environmental effects of such an activity."

Forming a new committee runs the risk of muddying the waters and its work could "turn into largely a propaganda machine," he suggested.

Phil Weinberg, who sits on the conservation commission, said he believes there could be a valid role for such an advisory committee, even though any impacts on Westport's environmental would come before the conservation committee anyway.

"I think there could be a possible role ... to look at the transmission line (and) other alternatives to where the landing should be. What I don't think makes sense is (asking) if the project should be constructed."

Teas agreed: "In my opinion, the charge would be only to advise the select board on issues that only impact Westport. I would be looking for advice on the impacts. It can't be, 'Are we for or against wind?' That's not the point. The point is to advise us that once it comes to us, how to deal with it."

Before Monday's meeting, town administrator James Hartnett prepared a potential list of boards that would be represented on the committee, including the select, planning and finance committees, as well as the conservation commission. That group could also include a representative of the fishing community.

"This is a big issue," select board member Richard Brewer said. "We've got people that want to do this (as a) watchdog, a set of eyes and ears. I think there's no downside."

Though they took no official action on whether to appoint a committee, board members agreed Monday to develop a draft charter summing up any potential committee's charge, and discuss the matter further at future meetings.