Letter to the Editor: An Open Letter to the Residents of Old Lyme from First Selectwoman Shoemaker

To the Editor:

Dear Neighbors:

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the First Selectwoman in Old Lyme. During my term I have listened to your concerns, acted on the issues under my authority, and made a conscientious effort to deliver results that matter. Together, we have made meaningful progress toward a more transparent, resilient, and responsive town government. I want to share our accomplishments and my goals for next term.

What We’ve Accomplished Together:

• Modernized the budget process for transparency and inclusivity. Boards, commissions, departments, and nonprofits now present their budget requests in public meetings, giving residents full visibility into how our town allocates resources.
• Achieved an AAA bond rating, allowing Old Lyme to borrow at more favorable rates and maintain strong financial health.
• Instituted full compliance with our Bid Policy, ensuring projects over $20K are now competitively bid for quality and value.
• Reestablished the dormant Flood and Erosion Control Board. The new board is actively pursuing projects to reduce flood insurance costs and improve shoreline resilience.
• Solved long-standing flooding issues on Cross Lane which restored emergency access.
• Rebuilt the sluiceway at Hawks Nest Beach to protect homes and roads, and decrease flooding.
• Utilized federal grants for the expansion and upgrading of the Emergency Operations Center. This new space enables efficient management during emergencies and additional training space for emergency personnel. 
• Created the Road and Public Safety Committee to address road safety through community-driven solutions. Their actions have made drivers more aware of their speed by placing electronic speed signs on roads. 
• Improved access to town meetings by implementing virtual options and ensuring reliable communication in all Town Hall meeting rooms. 
• Completed capital projects including ADA-compliant parking at Soundview, the installation of key-card entryways for town buildings, and the installation of cameras at Town Hall doorways.
• Collaborated with Lyme and the Senior Center building committee to complete the renovation of the Lymes’ Senior Center; delivered under budget, including the kitchen upgrade.
• Collaborated with the Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association when Yale New Haven Health cancelled the Town Nurse program, by providing resources for the hiring process of a Town Nurse. 
• Published a weekly newsletter, keeping residents informed of town hall news, town events, and special recognitions.
• Recruited police officers, to build our department toward full staffing levels.
• Instituted annual town government “Spring into Action” collaborative training; bringing all boards, commissions, and committees together to align efforts and share updates.

Goals for the Next Two Years:

• Provide channels for community engagement in the Planning and Zoning Committees’ zoning regulation rewrite to ensure residents have a voice in shaping Old Lyme’s future. 
• Increase virtual opportunities for meetings of all boards and commissions to ensure accessibility and transparency.
• Develop a policy for the undesignated fund balance, establishing guidelines for how large it should be and to return tax dollars to residents when the fund reaches a sustainable level.
• Host workshops to create formal long term capital plans, guiding infrastructure and investment decisions.
• Maintain open communication with Region 18 school district, ensuring alignment between town and school priorities.
• Advance resiliency and sustainability planning, preparing Old Lyme for future environmental and infrastructure challenges.
• Aggressively pursue state and federal grants, bringing your tax dollars back to Old Lyme. 
• Continue my open-door policy, listening to residents and acting on their concerns.

Thank you for allowing me to serve these past two years. I hope that I have earned your support on November 4^th.

Sincerely,

Martha H. Shoemaker,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the incumbent First Selectwoman of Old Lyme.