Old Lyme Selectmen Reverse Course on Housing Appointment, Stand By Zoning Alternate

OLD LYME, CT – Republican Shaun Mastroianni is in as a full member of the Affordable Housing Commission after the Board of Selectmen on Monday reconsidered his appointment based on further information from the commission. 

During the annual flurry of board and commission appointments left over from last week’s meeting, selectmen also reappointed Michael Barnes to the Zoning Commission. The five-year alternate member had defended his position after his name failed to appear on the commission chairman’s list of recommended candidates.

The unanimous vote to appoint Mastroianni – who was rejected 2-1 last week for a full seat despite serving as an alternate and being endorsed by the Affordable Housing Commission’s co-chairs – came after First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker said she learned from commission members that Mastroianni was expected to serve as a co-chair once appointed.

Mastroianni, who ran unsuccessfully for state Senate against state Sen. Martha Marx, D-New London, and for a spot on the regional Board of Education, has served as an alternate on the Affordable Housing Commission since March. 

Shoemaker and Selectman Jim Lampos, both Democrats, last week chose Democrat Ross Higgins after Republican Selectman John Mesham’s motion to appoint Mastroianni was not seconded. Shoemaker said one full seat would remain open until an application from Ken Girty, the candidate recommended by the co-chairs, could be finalized by the town clerk. 

That seat instead went to Mastroianni, with Girty appointed to an alternate position. 

Shoemaker cautioned board and commission members not to make succession plans for chairmanships until after selectmen have filled all open seats in order to avoid similar situations in the future. 

‘Not a Yes-Man’

On the Zoning Commission, three alternate positions went to Barnes and James Quarto, both unaffiliated voters, and to Democrat Mary-Gardner Coppola. 

A letter from Zoning Commission Chairman Paul Orzel to selectmen had recommended Coppola, Quarto and Abe Krisst. 

“These individuals bring levels of expertise in education, federal insight and organization and affordable housing, further strengthening the Zoning Commission’s knowledge base,” Orzel wrote. 

Barnes said he’s the only commission member who operates Old Lyme businesses open to the general public, giving him a practical perspective on how zoning regulations affect residents. 

Barnes also serves on the Harbor Management Commission. 

He disputed the suggestion, which he attributed to Orzel, that he stalled progress during the first phase of an ongoing, comprehensive rewrite of the zoning regulations.

He said he was making a “rigorous, line-by-line review” of new definitions introduced in the revision because any changes can have unintended consequences.

“I am not a yes-man,” Barnes said. 

He described the commission as a forum for diverse viewpoints. 

“I have the right and the duty to hone in on issues that others might overlook, and I will not be quiet just because others are ready to move on before the work is done correctly,” he said.  

Mesham said he was strongly in favor of returning Barnes to the commission. 

“I think Michael’s done an excellent job,” he said. “I’ve served on some commissions or committees with Michael, and it’s very important to have someone on this board who actually has to live and work by the regulations and rules.” 

Selectmen voted unanimously to appoint Barnes. 

Orzel could not be reached for comment.

Ongoing Dispute

Former Selectwoman Jude Read during the meeting’s public comment session objected to last week’s appointment of George Frampton Jr. to an alternate position on the Affordable Housing Commission. 

Frampton is currently engaged in a legal dispute with the town over a strip of land bisecting the Tantummaheag Road property he purchased with his wife in late 2020 for $1.15 million. He maintains the town has no claim to it, while local officials say it has long been used as a public landing on Lord Cove. 

Read referenced a draft federal lawsuit submitted to the town in 2024 naming elected officials and volunteers – including herself – as defendants. She said it’s not in the town’s best interest to appoint someone involved in an ongoing dispute. 

The lawsuit has not yet been filed. Selectmen have held numerous executive sessions, but no public action has been taken. Legal bills as of this summer showed the town had spent more than $70,000 on the matter. 

Those named in the draft lawsuit in their official and individual capacities were Shoemaker, Read, then-First Selectman Tim Griswold and Harbor Management Commission members Teri Lewis and Barnes. Also named was Mesham, then acting solely as a private citizen. 

“I, for one, feel bullied and threatened and don’t think this person should be appointed to serve on any board, committee or commission until the dispute is settled and/or the threat of the lawsuit is withdrawn,” Read said, urging selectmen to leave the seat vacant.

Frampton declined to comment Tuesday.

He remains an alternate member with a term set to expire in January 2028.