Letter to the Editor: Alternate Michael Barnes Seeks Appointment to Vacant Seat on Old Lyme Zoning Commission
“It is my passion for this town, where I grew up, went to school, and am now raising my own young family, that drives me to protect what we have,” Barnes writes.
To the Editor:
As a lifelong resident, volunteer, local business owner, and parent in Old Lyme, I am writing to share my intention to seek the open, remaining term on the Zoning Commission seat that is being vacated – and to ask for your support in urging our Board of Selectmen to appoint experience over politics.
The Board of Selectmen is currently tasked with filling a critical vacancy left by Michael Fogliano, an unaffiliated member who stepped down after being elected this past November. Because a zoning term lasts five years – more than twice the length of a selectman’s term – the decisions made by this commission carry generational weight. I am seeking to serve out the remainder of this term because I literally love Old Lyme like no one you have ever met. It is my passion for this town, where I grew up, went to school, and am now raising my own young family, that drives me to protect what we have.
Since February 2020, I have served as an alternate on the Zoning Commission. I am currently in my sixth year and sixth consecutive appointment. Out of more than 100 regular and special meetings held by this commission over the last six-plus years, I have missed a total of only three, maintaining a 97% attendance record. While I have watched many alternates and regular members come and go, my commitment to being fully prepared has never wavered.
My dedication extends beyond zoning. As a long-serving member of the Harbor Management Commission, I have poured countless hours into bettering our town – often at the expense of time away from my family and business. I led the effort to re-establish and open Horseneck Creek waterfront park and secured several high-dollar grants to improve our waterfront access facilities for residents.
Furthermore, I am currently the only member of the Zoning Commission who owns and operates businesses right here in town. This gives me a vital perspective on how zoning laws impact our local economy. Many current members of our zoning leadership are senior in age. While their service is valuable, I am eager to be a strong voice for the younger demographic and working families who deserve equal representation in shaping our town’s future.
Right now, Old Lyme is in the midst of a complete rewrite of its zoning regulations. During phase one, I insisted on thoroughly vetting every single new definition. Some on the commission viewed this careful review as “slowing down the process.” However, I firmly believe that when new terms are encoded into law, they carry lasting consequences for our property rights. I am not a “yes man.” I make my own independent conclusions based on the facts, and I refuse to be rushed into making uninformed decisions that could hurt our community.
With a major regulatory rewrite underway, and the two newest alternates passing on the seat, I am the most experienced person ready to hit the ground running on day one. We cannot afford a steep learning curve.
Because I choose to serve as an unaffiliated resident, I do not have a political party endorsing me. My only loyalty is to the people of Old Lyme. I ask my fellow residents who value independent, thorough representation to please reach out to the Board of Selectmen and urge them to appoint me to the Zoning Commission Regular Member Seat.
Sincerely,
Michael Barnes
Old Lyme Zoning Commission alternate member
Harbor Management Commission member
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I have never met Michael Barnes, but I just read his letter and he absolutely deserves to be assigned a permanent seat on the Old Lyme Zoning Commission by the Selectmen. His intelligence, diligence, and love for our quiet, bucolic town is obvious. I only pray he can help prevent ill-conceived development projects which will inch-by-inch morph Old Lyme into East Lyme.
Mike, I applaud your courage to seek a full seat on the zoning commission however, the reality of this happening is slim to none. Qualifications for the position become second to your political affiliation, and unfortunately, as in unaffiliated voter, the Democratic majority will never accept you, but they will suspect you. This is just the current environment that we live in in our town of old Lyme. It starts at the top and goes down through all the commissions, it’s just the way things are here in our town.
This is exactly why we cannot remain silent while political insiders make decisions that belong to the people. When experience, qualifications, and independent thinking take a back seat to party loyalty, taxpayers are the ones who lose. Our town deserves appointments based on merit, transparency, and a genuine commitment to serving the public—not political calculations. If we want better government, we have to speak up and hold our leaders accountable. Change only happens when citizens refuse to accept politics as usual.
You have my support Michael! The commission needs more “independent” thoughtful oversight.
The latest agenda/public notice for approval of adding wording for middle housing to the zoning reg.’d (which i am totally in favor of) yet none lf the parameters for this new type of housing section is mentioned, max.lot coverage min/max bldg. area, etc. Like buying a house without seeing it or knowing how many br’s it has?!!!?
What are they thinking…or planning.
I hope you become a permanent member.
There are moments when experience, commitment, and institutional knowledge should matter more than politics. I believe this is one of those moments.
As Old Lyme considers who should fill the open seat on the Zoning Commission, I strongly support Mike for this important role.
Our Zoning Commission is making decisions that will shape Old Lyme for decades to come. With a complete rewrite of our zoning regulations underway, this is not the time for someone to learn on the job. It is the time for someone who already understands the regulations, has attended the meetings, has done the homework, and has demonstrated a long-term commitment to serving this town.
Mike has done exactly that.
For more than six years, he has served as an alternate on the Zoning Commission with an exceptional attendance record and a reputation for coming prepared. He has never treated the position as ceremonial. He has taken the responsibility seriously because he understands that zoning decisions affect every property owner, every neighborhood, and the future character of Old Lyme.
His service extends well beyond zoning. As a longtime Harbor Management Commission member, local business owner, volunteer, and parent, Mike has consistently invested his time and energy into improving our community. His work to reopen Horseneck Creek waterfront park and secure grant funding for public waterfront improvements demonstrates that he doesn’t simply talk about serving Old Lyme—he has a proven record of doing it.
What I appreciate most is that Mike approaches issues thoughtfully and independently. He has shown that he is willing to ask difficult questions, carefully review proposals, and take the time necessary to understand the long-term consequences of decisions. That kind of careful judgment is exactly what we should expect from those entrusted with protecting our town.
This appointment should not be about party affiliation. It should be about who is best prepared to step into a complex role on day one and continue the important work already underway.
Old Lyme deserves experienced, independent, and dedicated public servants. Mike has demonstrated those qualities through years of consistent service, and I believe he is the right choice to complete this term on the Zoning Commission.
I encourage the Board of Selectmen to appoint the candidate whose experience and commitment have already been proven through years of service to our town.