All Change at Old Lyme Town Hall; Griswold’s 18 Years of Service Honored at Various Ceremonies

The outgoing Old Lyme Board of Selectmen shares a final moment together. From left to right, incoming First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, retiring First Selectman Tim Griswold and former Selectman Matt Ward.
All photos by Katie Balocca.

OLD LYME — Multiple farewells to retiring Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold were held during the past two weeks.

State Rep. Devin Carney (R) presented Griswold with a state citation acknowledging his lengthy service to the Town of Old Lyme.

Griswold served a total of 18 years in the Town’s top spot with 14 years as First Selectman from 1997 through 2011 and then again for another four years from 2019 through 2023. He did not run for re-election this year.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser acknowledged the support he had received from Griswold throughout his tenure as superintendent.

An event was held at the Old Lyme Country Club and then another last Tuesday in the Meeting Room at Old Lyme Town Hall.

Incoming First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker helped Griswold unravel the quilt.

This second ceremony was for the various local non-profits and Region 18 representatives to bid Griswold adieu.

Once unraveled, the quilt was clearly ‘a thing of beauty.’

Many of the non-profits created original quilt squares and then a quilt was sewn for Griswold, which was presented to him by incoming First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker at the event.

David Griswold spoke warmly of Tim Griswold’s work in Old Lyme’s VFW Post 1467.

Picking up on the quilt theme, Shoemaker commented in her first newsletter to the residents of Old Lyme that, “He (Griswold) truly is woven into the fabric of Old Lyme.”

Laurie Walker spoke on behalf of the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce and acknowledged Griswold’s contribution to that organization and the business community at large.

She added in the newsletter, “I personally thank him for the time he has provided to make this transition as smooth as possible in the First Selectman’s office.”