Old Lyme Voters to Decide $48.2 Million Town Budget, May 18

OLD LYME, CT – Voters at the May 18 annual budget meeting will be asked to approve the proposed $48.2 million 2026-27 town budget, which includes $33.6 million in education spending.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Old Lyme Town Meeting Hall, 52 Lyme Street.

The tax rate is expected to increase by 0.6 mills to 16.86 mills, after the Board of Finance’s decision to use $1.2 million of town surplus funds to subsidize the increase. Without the use of surplus funds, the increase would instead be 1.1 mills, or 6.8%.

The town spending plan – consisting of town operations, education, debt and capital costs – represents an increase of $2.8 million, or 6.2%, over the current year. Education spending amounts to $1.2 million of the overall increase. 

School officials from the Region 18 school district have attributed rising costs to staff salaries, health insurance, and unforeseen special education expenses.

Also reflected in the proposal is $14.1 million in general government spending, up $925,972 from the current year. This includes operating costs for town hall departments, public works, police and other town services. 

Expenses for the coming year include a new public works maintainer and police officer, with the officer expected to be hired around January. The tax department assistant position would increase to full time.

Under the proposed budget, a homeowner with a house assessed at $350,000 could anticipate a $220 increase in taxes this year.

Members of the community who are registered voters and property owners with at least $1,000 in assessed value are eligible to vote. A summary of this budget can be accessed on the town website.