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Old Lyme Emergency Services, Town of Lyme Give Latest Isaias Updates

August 7, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Tree down on Sill Ln. in Old Lyme. Photo by Kirsten Goiangos.

LYME/OLD LYME — UPDATED 3:01pm: Eversource reports that the outage level in Old Lyme is now down to 31.62 percent while in Lyme, it stands at 41.34 percent.

Old Lyme Emergency Management Services issued the following update at 12 p.m. (noon) today.

If you have an emergency, dial 911.

Restoration Status

Today, Aug. 7, 2020 the First Selectman signed a local Declaration of Emergency.

37.2% of residents remain without power. Specifically, 1993 residents remain out of power. The majority of outages are in the same affected areas.

Town crews and utilities are prioritizing roads which have downed trees and wires.

AVOID downed power lines, they should be considered live.

AVOID blocked roads

DO NOT remove cones or barricades.

To report your outage to Eversource call 1-800-286-2000.

Today, 08/07/20

Road clearing is underway at Grassy Hill Rd., Ferry Rd at RT.156, Griswold Ave., and Homestead Circle.

On Thursday, 08/06/20, power was restored to lower Four Mile River Rd., Hatchetts Hill Rd., The upper end of Shore Rd. (RT. 156). Tree crews cleared Ferry Rd. and Four Mile River Rd.

Work continued overnight to restore lines in Flat Rock Hill, Browns Lane and Mile Creek Rd. areas. We anticipate power being restored to portions of RT. 156 and Townwoods Rd., and the lower portion of Shore Rd. to Townwoods Rd.

On Wednesday, 08/05/20, power was restored to Halls Rd., portions of Lyme St. and the upper end of Shore Rd., and portions of Boston Post Rd.

Town wide telephone and internet service is being restored.

Safety

The Fire Department still continues to respond to a large number of carbon monoxide calls.

Please operate your generator safely and away from your home’s windows, doors and ventilation devices. Never operate your generator indoors. Secure portable generators if possible.

Lock your cars and homes, and keep a watch out for your neighbors. Be aware of phone scams and use reputable contractors for storm clean up. All public utility workers will have proper ID.

To report your outage to Eversource call 1-800-286-2000.

Remember to dispose of spoiled food.

Charging Stations and Potable Water Stations (bring your own containers)

To charge your cell phones or electronic devices, or if you need potable water, the following outdoor locations are available 24 hrs. a day until further notice:

The Respite Center at the Lymes’ Senior Center at 26 Town Woods Rd.
The Old Lyme Police Department at 294 Shore Rd.
The Boughton Rd. Fire Station at 189 Boston Post Rd.
Please do not leave your items unattended.

Storm Debris Removal

Do not put storm debris in the road, it is unsafe and will not be picked up.

Residents wishing to dispose of storm debris can do so at no charge at the Transfer Station on Four Mile River Rd., from now until August 15^th. There is a fee for contractors and landscapers.

Other Services

9-Town Transit is operating on a full route and regular schedule.

Garbage and Recycling services are operational. Do not put storm debris in the garbage or recycling cans. Debris should be brought to the Transfer Station on Four Mile River Rd.

For those in need of assistance, the Old Lyme Emergency Management Call Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call 860-598-0120.

To get up to date storm information follow Old Lyme Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter.

Blocked driveway on Sterling City Rd. in Lyme. Photo by Paul Hallwood.

This is the latest storm update from the Town of Lyme.

Tropical Storm Isaias has done considerable damage to the Connecticut power grid and caused numerous road closures. Connecticut currently has about 600,000 residents without power.

Power Outage Impacts

The Town of Lyme is presently 98% without power and the best guess is this situation could last three or more days for primary electric circuits and longer for secondary circuits.
Town Hall is operational with internet service, but without phones.
The Public Library is closed until power is restored.
The Hamburg Fire Station and Town Garage are without phones and being powered by generator.
Potable water is available outside the Hamburg Fire Station, along with a charging station for residents who may need to recharge their phones. Access inside the station and to the showers previously available in better times are not open due to the COVID restrictions.

Road Closures

There are numerous trees and electrical wires down on many town roads.
All tree removal possible has been accomplished by the Town Crew. What remains to be cleared must be addressed by Eversource crews and they are hard to find.
Wires may still be energized, so please stay away from downed wires and do not drive over any wires on roads.
Roads that are impassable or with unsafe sections include:
- Salem Road
- Beaver Brook Road
- Blood Street
- Honey Hill Road
- Sterling City Road
- Old Hamburg Road
- Tantumorantum Road
- Mt. Archer and Brush Hill intersection
- Mt. Archer and Honey Hill Lane intersection
156 (a state road) is passable but with many trees/wires closing one lane. Be cautious as they are not marked adequately.
148 (Ferry Road) is blocked close to Hadlyme Four Corners.

We suggest caution and patience as we wait for Eversource to reach the small towns.

Filed Under: Old Lyme, Top Story

CT’s Primary is Tuesday; Have You Completed, Sent In Your Absentee Ballot? Do You Know Where, When to Vote in Person?

August 7, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

LYME/OLD LYME — Connecticut’s Primary takes place next Tuesday. Hopefully everyone who requested an Absentee Ballot has now received it

For many Lyme and Old Lyme residents, this may be the first time voting by absentee ballot. Based on the information that Town Clerks received from the state, there will be three pieces inside the absentee-ballot packet:

the ballot;
an inner envelope (which you must sign and date); and
a blank outer envelope (for returning the above materials).

Town Clerks have been informed by the State that the instructions included in the absentee-ballot packet may incorrectly refer to a serially numbered envelope. This is, in essence, a typo – as neither the inner nor outer envelope has a serial number.

Instructions for Completing Your Absentee Ballot

Based on the information received by the Town Clerks, these are the correct instructions to follow:

After filling out your ballot, insert the ballot in the inner envelope.
Sign and date the inner envelope. The most important thing to remember to do is to sign and date the inner envelope where indicated. Failure to do so will result in the ballot being rejected.
After signing and dating the inner envelope, insert it inside the larger outer envelope (the blank envelope).
Your ballot is now ready to be returned.

Instructions for Returning Your Absentee Ballot

To return your absentee ballot:

The official Ballot Box outside Lyme Town Hall. Photo courtesy of the Town of Lyme website.

FOR LYME RESIDENTS

You may walk into Lyme Town Hall and hand it to the Town Clerk.
You may mail it using the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots returned by mail must be received by the Town Clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 11.
You may insert it in the Official Ballot Drop Box located on the edge of the sidewalk at Lyme Town Hall. (See photo at left.)

Do not return your ballot via the mail slot in the door of Lyme Town Hall.

Voters who have questions on absentee voting are welcome to contact the Lyme Town Clerk at 860-434-7733 during regular business hours.

The official Ballot Box outside Old Lyme Town Hall. Photo courtesy of the Old Lyme Selectman’s Office.

FOR OLD LYME RESIDENTS

To return your absentee ballot:

You may walk into Old Lyme Town Hall and hand it to the clerk at our front desk.
You may mail it using the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots returned by mail must be received by the Town Clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 11.
You may insert it in the Official Ballot Drop Box located in front of the Old Lyme Town Hall. (See photo at right.)

Do not return your ballot via the mail slot in the door of Old Lyme Town Hall.

Please note that the Official Ballot Drop Box is for completed ballots only. No other material should be deposited in the drop box. You should only deposit your ballot in the Town of Old Lyme drop box if you are a voter of Old Lyme. Do not drop your ballot in the drop box of any other town. Voters who have questions on absentee voting are welcome to contact the Old Lyme Town Clerk at 860-434-1605 x 220 and x 221 during regular business hours.

FOR BOTH TOWNS

If at all possible, residents are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to return a completed ballot via the Official Ballot Drop Box rather than mailing it via the U. S. Postal Service. There are only a few days left until the primary, and this will ensure that the ballot is in Town Hall when it needs to be, in order to be counted.

In-Person Voting

FOR LYME RESIDENTS

For voters who do not plan to vote by absentee ballot and prefer to vote in person, the polls at Town Hall will be open on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

FOR OLD LYME RESIDENTS

For voters who do not plan to vote by absentee ballot and prefer to vote in person, the polls at our new location at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School gymnasium, 53 Lyme Street, Old Lyme will be open on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

FOR BOTH LOCATIONS

Masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Top Story, Town Hall

Winning Against Water Chestnut: Volunteers Clear Hadlyme’s Selden Cove, Creek Of New Plants

August 7, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

LYME — (from a press release issued by Friends of Whalebone Cove) The two-year community effort by volunteers to save Hadlyme’s Selden Cove and Selden Creek from being covered by a carpet of invasive water chestnut plants is achieving success.

After three “Paddle & Pull” work parties involving 25 volunteers in June and July, an inspection of Selden Cove and Creek last Thursday revealed almost no new plants have emerged in the last week. See photo below.

As a result, Friends of Whalebone Cove (FOWC) cancelled the “Paddle & Pull” work party scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Last year at this time a large portion of Selden Cove was covered by 5,000 – 7,000 square feet of water chestnut. See photo at head of article.

The FOWC has organized a total of 13 “Paddle & Pull” work parties in 2019 and 2020 involving almost 60 volunteers, who have put in more than 200 hours to remove water chestnut plants from both the Cove and the Creek.

Diana Fiske, FOWC President, expressed gratitude to all the volunteers who have pitched in to save Selden Cove and Selden Creek, saying, “It takes a village … There are so many people to thank for this effort. You know who you are, but I want to personally thank each and every one of you myself and thank the Connecticut River Conservancy for its support that has been critical in our work.”

She concluded, “Thank you all!”

Water chestnut — which dramatically impacts marine and upland wildlife anywhere it gets established — has invaded and taken over many other locations in the Connecticut River.

Friends of Whalebone Cove has managed to prevent water chestnut from getting established in Whalebone Cove and wants to reclaim those parts of Selden Cove where it has gotten a permanent foothold in recent years, because if it is allowed to spread, it is hard to eradicate and will change the ecology the two fresh water tidal wetlands and destroy the habitat eco-systems which species that live in the area rely on to survive.

Water chestnut is an annual plant, but its seeds can remain viable for 12 years, and each plant has enough seeds to produce 300 new plants in a future year.

This means that Selden Cove and Selden Creek will need to be monitored for the next two months for “late emerging” plants, and there will need to be volunteer work parties in future years to remove newly emerging plants from latent seeds dropped in prior years that could start massive new infestations.

Future “Paddle & Pull” work party dates scheduled in Selden Cove are:

August
Thursday 8/20 – 12 Noon
Rain Date: Fri. 8/21 – 1 p.m.

September
Thursday 9/3 – 12 Noon
Rain Date: Fri. 9/4 – 1 p.m.
Tuesday 9/29 – 9AM
Rain Date: Wed. 9/30 – 10 a.m.

If you would like to volunteer to help FOWC, send an email to: fowchadlyme@gmail.com

Filed Under: Lyme, Outdoors, Top Story

A Comment on Comments

August 7, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

We welcome comments, but when you submit one, please be sure to supply an email address that we can verify.

We have a number of comments sitting in the hopper that we can’t publish because they have — how shall we say this? — ‘creative’ e-addresses.

Examples of such e-addresses are ones like idontsharemyemail@gmail.com, noneofyourbusiness@gmail.com, and customerservice@abc.com.

We always invite commenters, who’ve used questionable emails, to resubmit their comments with a verifiable e-address, so if this message is resonating with you, we look forward to hearing from you!

Also please remember we will not publish comments that are abusive, defamatory, indecent, libelous, obscene, off-topic, pornographic, profane, threatening, unlawful, vulgar, or otherwise objectionable. Personal attacks on anyone or any group or organization, especially on other commenters, are not permitted.

We reserve the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions.

Comments that are long and/or include code of any kind, or include hyperlinks to objectionable material will not be posted.

Thank you for respecting these rules, which have been in place for almost 17 years, and almost never been abused.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Top Story

Deaths Announced of Stanley Suski (July 30), Wife, Nancy (March 9), Both of Lyme; Parents of Marcia Neville, Previously of Old Lyme

August 6, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Stanley J. Suski

Stanley Suski

Stanley J. Suski, 86, of Lyme and Niantic and a former Southington resident, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2020. He was the husband of the late Nancy (Coates) Suski who passed just 143 days prior. Stanley was born on Feb. 26, 1934 in Middletown, CT the son of the late John J. and Helen (Stronk) Suski. He was a US Army Veteran and a die hard Giants fan. Stan started working at the age of 10, delivering milk in Middletown, every morning before school, and in turn giving his earnings to his mother to help the family. After working as a medic in the Army, Stan worked for 38 years at Tuttle & Bailey in New Britain, and then worked for the New Britain School System until his retirement. In his much deserved retirement, he enjoyed spending time at Rogers Lake with his family, boating, relaxing, and sharing stories with his grandchildren of his adventures growing up.

He is survived by his children – his son Jay Suski and wife Renee of Durham, his daughter Marcia Neville and husband Silvio of Niantic, his grandchildren Kendall Suski, Emerson Suski, Aiden Suski, Laura Lima de Souza and husband Hugo, Mark Neville and Ethan Berman and a great grandson Ian Scott Lima de Souza. He also leaves a brother Henry Suski of New Britain. In addition to his wife Nancy he is predeceased by a son Scott Swanson.

Stanley’s family would like to sincerely thank Bridebrook Health and Rehabilitation of Niantic, and the wonderfully caring staff for their unwavering support and care to both Stanley and Nancy and to our entire family. Bridebrook has been his home with Nancy for the past nearly 3 years and we couldn’t be more blessed to have found you. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Saturday August 15, 2020 at 1 pm at Oak Hill Cemetery, Southington. Social distancing and masks please. There are no calling hours. DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St. Southington is assisting with arrangement For online condolences and directions please visit www.dellavecchiasouthington.com

Nancy J. (Coates) Suski

Nancy Suski

Nancy J. (Coates) Suski, 81, of Niantic, CT and previously of Lyme and Southington, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Monday, March 9, 2020.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Stanley J. Suski; and by her children Marcia (Silvio) Neville of Niantic and Jay (Renee Bauer) Suski of Durham, as well as her brother, James Coates of Terryville, Grandchildren: Laura (Hugo) Lima de Souza, Mark Neville, Kendall Suski, Emerson Suski, Aiden Suski, Ethan Berman, and newborn great grandson, Ian Scott Lima de Souza.

She was preceded in death by her son, Scott R. Swanson, her parents Cyril and Jean Coates, her sisters Ginger St. John and Gail Ryan, and by her first husband, Russell B. Swanson.

What Nancy enjoyed most in life was her family; her husband, children, and grandchildren. They were the lights of her life and she reveled in their every accomplishment. Nancy was an avid crocheter and crocheted numerous afghans for her family. The Christmas of 2018, she crocheted an afghan for each grandchild and her last afghans were crocheted for her new great grandson.

Nancy’s family would like to sincerely thank the ICU staff at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital and Vitas Hospice Care for her care in her final days, Dr. Suresh D’Mello for over 20 years of her medical care and being a very good listener, Drs. Donka, Goldberg, and Manthous for her elder care, and for Bridebrook Health and Rehabilitation of Niantic, and the wonderfully caring staff on the first floor rehabilitation unit and the second floor long-term living unit for their patient and kind attention to her needs and wants and for their constant, unwavering support and care to Stanley and to our entire family. Bridebrook has been her home with Stanley for the past 2 years and 3 months and we couldn’t be more blessed to have found you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 from 9-11 am and a Celebration of Life will held at 11 am at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Street, Southington.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Connecticut Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 659 Tower Avenue, First Floor, Hartford, CT 06112

Filed Under: Obituaries, Old Lyme, Top Story

Old Lyme Outages Now at 76.8%, Lyme Still at 98.7%; Roberge Says Most Roads Should be Open Thursday

August 6, 2020 by Admin 1 Comment

This tree at Saint Ann’s Church in Old Lyme is one of the many casualties of Tropical Storm Isaias. Fortunately no injuries have been reported due to the storm. Photo by Rita Bonita.

LYME/OLD LYME — UPDATED Aug. 6 @11:50am: According to the Eversource website, the number of houses without power in Old Lyme has now been reduced to 4,229 out of 5,506 households, which is equivalent to 76.81 percent.

We know from Facebook posts that power has been restored to the following streets/areas in Old Lyme:

Lyme St.
Rogers Lake
Library Ln.
Grassy Hill (Rogers Lake end)
Town Woods Rd. (part)
Saunders Hollow Rd. (part)
Hillside
Sill Ln. (part)
Lord’s Meadow
Beta Ave.
Wolcott Ln.

There may be more … we hope so!

The percentage without power in Lyme remains at 98.74 representing 1,328 households. The Town of Lyme issued an update earlier today in which it was stated, “… the best guess is this situation could last three or more days for primary electric circuits and longer for secondary circuits.”

Tree down on Whippoorwill in Old Lyme. Photo by Kirsten Goiangos.

Noting that, “Really good work in cutting and clearing” is taking place, Old Lyme Emergency Services Director David Roberge said in a phone call to LymeLine Wednesday afternoon that he anticipates, “The majority of roads will be open by tomorrow.”

Regarding the power situation, he commented that two major circuits located respectively at East Lyme and Essex, which both feed Old Lyme, are down so, “Old Lyme is kind of hostage to those getting repaired.”

Roberge spoke appreciatively of the work that Eversource is doing in Old Lyme, saying, “I’m a strong supporter of their efforts — their line crews are doing really good work.” He reminded residents to report any outages daily to Eversource and also to use generators correctly.

On the positive side, Roberge noted that 9 Town Transit and the drive-through meal program at Lymes’ Senior Center are both fully operational, but he also cautioned residents to be especially mindful of security at this time when the power is out, urging them to be sure to lock their cars and houses.

He added, “Police are doing additional patrols, but everyone needs to be security conscious.”

Asked if there were any areas which had experienced particularly severe damage, he responded that three areas had been identified, namely, Rogers Lake, Oakridge, and the area around Mile Creek Rd., Browns Ln. and Flat Rock Hill Rd. He noted that these three locations would be the focus of additional line-clearing efforts in the future.

Following his 11:30 a.m. update, Roberge plans to issue another official update at 7 p.m. this evening.

Filed Under: News, Old Lyme

Trees Down, Power Out All Over Lyme, Old Lyme; Lyme Estimates at Least Three Days Before Power Restored

August 5, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Tree and wires down at the entrance to Homestead Circle in Old Lyme. Photo by Jay Graves.

LYME/OLD LYME — UPDATED 9pm: “[It] looks like a war zone, wrote one reader from Old Lyme on Facebook talking about the state of her yard this morning. Tropical Storm Isaias hit Lyme and Old Lyme hard yesterday felling trees, bringing down power lines and making roads impassable.

As at 7:45 a.m. this morning, 98.59 percent of Lyme and 99.26 percent of Old Lyme are without power.

Trees are down all over the Lymes. This one is in the Astley’s yard in Old Lyme. Photo by Anne Astley.

The Town of Lyme issued the following update Storm Recovery Update at 12:32 p.m.

Power Outages & Road Closures
Operational Status of Town Facilities

Tropical Storm Isaias has done considerable damage to the Connecticut power grid and caused numerous road closures. Connecticut currently has about 600,000 residents without power.

Power Outage Impacts

The Town of Lyme is presently 98% without power and the best guess is this situation could last three or more days for primary electric circuits and longer for secondary circuits.
Town Hall is operational with internet service, but without phones.
The Public Library is closed until power is restored.
The Hamburg Fire Station and Town Garage are without phones and being powered by generator.
Potable water is available outside the Hamburg Fire Station, along with a charging station for residents who may need to recharge their phones. Access inside the station and to the showers previously available in better times are not open due to the COVID restrictions.

Road Closures

There are numerous trees and electrical wires down on many town roads.
All tree removal possible has been accomplished by the Town Crew. What remains to be cleared must be addressed by Eversource crews and they are hard to find.
Wires may still be energized, so please stay away from downed wires and do not drive over any wires on roads.
Roads that are impassable or with unsafe sections include:

Salem Road
Beaver Brook Road
Blood Street
Honey Hill Road
Sterling City Road
Old Hamburg Road
Tantumorantum Road
Mt. Archer and Brush Hill intersection
Mt. Archer and Honey Hill Lane intersection

Rte. 156 (a state road) is passable but with many trees/wires closing one lane. Be cautious as they are not marked adequately.
Rte. 148 (Ferry Road) is blocked close to Hadlyme Four Corners.

We suggest caution and patience as we wait for Eversource to reach the small towns.

Old Lyme Emergency Management issued the following statement at 6 p.m.

Yesterday the Town of Old Lyme sustained significant damage to the power grid due to high winds and tree damage from Storm Isaias.

If you have an emergency, dial 911.

We continue to have over 5,470 homes without power, and at least two major electrical distribution circuits supplying our town that are damaged. Heavily damaged areas still include: Rogers Lake, Oak Ridge, Flat Rock Hill Road, Browns Lane, Mile Creek Road and Ferry Road.

Emergency Management continues to be in contact with Eversource and restoration activities are in progress. Eversource and public works crews are working together to restore power in the heavily damaged areas. Town-wide utility line damage assessment and restoration efforts are in full force.

Please avoid all downed power lines.

Please avoid all blocked roads.

Please run your generator safely, and never indoors.

Lock your cars and homes, and keep a watch out for your neighbors. Secure portable generators, if possible. Be aware of phone scams and use reputable contractors for storm clean up. All public utility workers will have proper ID.

Be sure to call Eversource to report your outage at 1-800-286-2000.

Nine Town Transit is operational.

The Respite Center is open at the Lymes’ Senior Center at 26 Town Woods Road daily from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. If you need to charge your cell phones or electronic devices, or if you need potable water, you can go to the following locations:

The respite center at the Lymes’ Senior Center
The police station on Shore Rd.
The Boughton Road fire station

You must bring your own water container. The police station and fire station are available for charging and water 24 hours a day – however, please do not leave your items unattended.

Residents wishing to dispose of storm debris can do so at no charge at the Old Lyme Transfer station on Four Mile River Road from now until August 15th.

For those in need of assistance, the Old Lyme Emergency Management Call Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call 860-598-0120.

To get up to date storm information follow Old Lyme Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter.

Tree down in the Krasney’s yard in Old Lyme. Photo by Ellie Krasney.

Lyme Town Clerk Linda Winzer published this update at 11 a.m.

Route 156 (Hamburg Road) is closed from Old Hamburg Road to Beaver Brook as the tree/wire issue at the Toll House/Murphy’s Corner just before the Joshuatown Road entrance is addressed. There is no time frame for reopening the road – it all depends on what needs to be done to repair the wires and get the tree out of there.

Roads that are passable: Bill Hill, Town Woods, Beaver Brook (one tree but you can get through), Grassy Hill.

A large tree came down at Saint Ann’s Church, but fortunately missed the church. Photo by Rita Bonita.

Lyme Town Clerk Linda Winzer published this important message at 8 a.m. on Facebook:

The town crew worked extremely late last night doing all they are permitted to do to clear roads, and they have basically completed that. What remains are trees in wires and across roads that they cannot touch, that Eversource and their tree crews need to clear. Please be safe as we await their arrival and help.

Remember DO NOT GO NEAR OR TOUCH ANY WIRES. We don’t want an already difficult situation to become a tragedy.

As of this writing, Route 156 is passable, however it is extremely dangerous at the turn by the Toll House before the Joshuatown Road entrance. IF YOU MUST GO THROUGH THERE, USE EXTREME CAUTION. Route 148 (Ferry Road) is blocked close to the four-corners. Lyme town roads that have impassable or unsafe sections include Salem Road, Blood Street, Honey Hill Road at the top, Sterling City Road, Old Hamburg Road, Tantumorantum Road, the intersection of Mt. Archer and Brush Hill, the intersection of Mt. Archer and Honey Hill Lane.

PLEASE DO NOT GO OUT UNLESS IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU DO SO.

The phones at the Town Garage and the Town Hall are out. Please check on your neighbors if you can do so safely.

If you are in an emergency situation, dial 911.

She adds encouragingly, “As we did in 2011 with Tropical Storm Irene, we will get through this with Tropical Storm Isaias.”

Another view of the tree and wires down at the entrance to Homestead Circle in Old Lyme. Photo by Jay Graves.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Top Story

Tropical Storm Isaias: Gov. Ned Lamont Declares State of Emergency with Utilities Warning it Could Take Days to Restore 720K Outages

August 5, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Gov. Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency Wednesday morning as utility companies warned that Connecticut residents should prepare for days without electricity with crews still assessing the destruction left by Tropical Storm Isaias that cut power to more than 720,000 homes and businesses.

Lamont, who made the declaration while touring damage in portions of central Connecticut, will meet with Eversource’s CEO on Wednesday afternoon.

Visit this link to read the full article by Nicholas Rondinone and published on Courant.com

Filed Under: From Elsewhere, Lyme, News, Old Lyme

Delay Announced in Mailing Absentee Ballots for Aug. 11 Primary

August 3, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

The official Ballot Box outside Lyme Town Hall. Photo courtesy of the Town of Lyme website.

LYME/OLD LYME – The Town Clerks of both Lyme and Old Lyme published notices Thursday and Friday last week respectively on their town websites regarding the Aug. 11 Primary stating, “The State of Connecticut has informed us there was a delay in the mailing of the absentee ballots from the mail house in Rhode Island.”

The statement continues, “Town Clerks have been assured that the ballots were mailed beginning Monday, July 27, so you should be receiving yours soon if you sent in an application for one.”

The website pages with the statement from the Town Clerks for the Town of Lyme and the Town of Old Lyme also offer comprehensive information for voters on how to complete and submit the Absentee Ballot.

The Primaries being held are both Democratic and Republican and also include the Presidential Primaries.

Voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School for Old Lyme residents and Lyme Town Hall for Lyme residents.

The official Ballot Box outside Old Lyme Town Hall. Photo courtesy of the Old Lyme Selectman’s Office.

As these are primaries, individuals must be registered in either the Democratic or Republican party to be eligible to vote. The deadline has passed for an enrolled elector to transfer from one party to another to be eligible to vote in the Presidential Primary.

If you are a new voter and wish to enroll in a party to vote in the primary, mail-in applications must be postmarked, or received by the Registrar of Voters by/on Aug. 6, 2020.

If you are an unaffiliated voter and wish to enroll in a party, the mail-in application must be received (not simply postmarked) by the Registrar of Voters by/on Aug. 6, 2020.

The in-person enrollment deadline for new voters and unaffiliated voters enrolling in a party at town hall is Aug. 10, 2020 at 12 p.m.

Absentee ballots can either be mailed to the respective town hall or dropped off in the official ballot drop box. This latter method allows a contact-less and secure method to submit your ballot. Check the messages from the Town Clerks referred to above, which are on the town websites, for the latest information.

Old Lyme has relocated its polling place from the Cross Lane Firehouse to the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School gymnasium at 53 Lyme St., Old Lyme, where there is ample parking.

Lyme’s polling place remains at Lyme Town Hall.

For further information, contact the Lyme Town Clerk at 860-434-7733 or the Old Lyme Town Clerk’s office at 860-434-1605 x 220 or x 221 or visit the Town of Lyme website or the Town of Old Lyme website.

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Top Story, Town Hall

Lyme Ambulance Association Names Eisensmith as New Officer

August 3, 2020 by Admin 1 Comment

Lyme Ambulance Association’s newest officer is Erik Eisensmith.

LYME — (From a press release) The Lyme Ambulance Association has announced the appointment of Erik Eisensmith to their Emergency Management Services (EMS) team. Eisensmith has been named Driver Training Officer for the organization and brings years of professional driver training experience to the task.

A graduate of Wheaton College, Eisensmith has lived in Lyme for 15 years. As an executive of Overland Experts, LLC, he is well qualified for this important position. He and his company have taught specialty driving skills to military special forces, utility company personnel, and aid workers in the United States and abroad.

Eisensmith exemplifies the professionalism of Lyme Ambulance Association volunteers. Given the gravity of the Association’s core mission, the association is fortunate and grateful for the deep pool of talent living in Lyme.

Lyme Ambulance Association is staffed by residents who share a common profile: competence, commitment and compassion. Eisensmith embodies this profile when asked why he has volunteered his talents, saying, “It’s not a job, it’s a passion.”

Lyme Ambulance Association is an independent, not for profit association staffed fully by volunteers.

For more information, call 860-434- 5667 or visit the Lyme Ambulance Association’s website.

Filed Under: Community, Lyme, News, Top Story

Florence Griswold Museum Cancels September Traditional Benefit Event, But Will Host Auction Online

August 3, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

The Florence Griswold Museum has cancelled their popular Benefit Auction & Dinner Dance traditionally held in September of each year but will still host the auction online.

OLD LYME — In an email to supporters of the Florence Griswold Museum, Director Becky Beaulieu has announced the cancellation of the Museum’s 38th annual Benefit Auction & Dinner Dance, which is traditionally held in September.

Describing it as “sad news,” but noting it, “probably comes as no great surprise,” Beaulieu goes on to explain that staff are however, working hard to, “reimagine our most crucial fundraiser of the year in ways that may not be traditional, but will certainly be fun, spirited, and beneficial to the Museum and its mission.”

She notes that, “… the Auction will still go on – but entirely online.” and advises everyone who would have attended the gala — and even those who might never have been — to watch their mailboxes and the Museum website for information on “how to preview the online auction items, which you will be able to bid on September 13-26.”

Beaulieu adds, “We’ll also be sharing more ways you can toast the Museum and partner in this event’s success –even from your own living room—so stay tuned for more from us in the coming weeks!”

She concludes, ” Your support of this event and the work it makes possible has never been more needed or appreciated.”

Filed Under: Arts, News, Old Lyme, Top Story

Services Announced for David Lawrence Allyn of Old Lyme

August 3, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

OLD LYME — David Lawrence Allyn, 66, of Old Lyme, beloved husband of 40 years to Donna (Diangi) Allyn, passed away May 4, 2020, after a courageous 9-year battle with cancer. He was born May 3, 1954, in New London and was raised in Mystic, graduating from Stonington High School in 1972.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A service will be Saturday, August 8th …

Visit this link to view the full obituary published Aug. 2, on TheDay.com.

Filed Under: Obituaries, Old Lyme

LYSB Collecting Filled Backpacks for Teens in Need, Deadline Monday

August 2, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

LYME/OLD LYME — Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) is collecting backpacks filled with school supplies to be distributed to teens in foster care, and local teens in need.

The majority of students receiving these backpacks are in middle and high school.

Suggestions for items to possibly include in the backpacks are: spiral notebooks, folders, paper, pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, markers, tissues, rulers, and calculators.

Deliver backpacks and supplies to LYSB at 59 Lyme Street, Old Lyme on or before Aug. 10. Backpacks cannot be accepted after that date.

LymeLine.com and LYSB thanks readers for their support of children in need in our community.

For further information, call 860-434-7208

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Top Story

Old Lyme Congregational Church Food Pantry is Big Y Community Bag Program Beneficiary for August

August 2, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

OLD LYME — The Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantry located at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme’s has been selected as a beneficiary of the Big Y Community Bag Program for the month of August.

The Big Y Community Bag Program is a reusable-bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work.

The church’s food pantry was selected as the August 2020 beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Big Y located at 980 Halls Rd. in Old Lyme.

The food pantry will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during August, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

Filed Under: News, Old Lyme

All Lyme, Old Lyme Churches Continue Online Services, Christ The King Also Offers In-Person Masses for (Max.) 100

August 2, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

LYME-OLD LYME — In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, all churches in Lyme and Old Lyme are again planning online services for this Sunday, Aug. 2. Christ The King, however, will also offer in-person masses with a restriction on the number of congregants.

CHRIST THE KING CHURCH:

At Christ The King, public attendance will now be allowed at weekday mass only (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.), in accordance with directives from the Norwich Diocese. All who attend will be required to wear face masks, use hand sanitizer, and follow social distancing guidelines. This mass will continue to be live-streamed via Zoom for those who cannot come to church or are in a vulnerable population and wish to stay home..

Details of this weekend’s services are as follows:

Public attendance is now allowed at weekend Masses, as announced by Bishop Cote. Christ the King Church will return to its usual schedule of Masses: 5 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

All who attend will be required to wear face masks, use hand sanitizer, and follow social distancing guidelines, and attendance will be limited to no more than 100 at each Mass. Because of this, a brief survey has been created — only three questions — which will helps determine how many parishioners to expect at each Mass.

If you are sick, have a fever, or think you may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, stay home.

The Sunday obligation to attend Mass is still suspended, and Masses will continue to be live-streamed via Zoom for those who cannot come to church or prefer to stay home.

Click here for links to participate to live-streamed Masses.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LYME:

Email Pastor Susan Olson at pastorsusanolson@gmail.com or Emily Bjornberg for the URL to view the Sunday service. Pastor Olson sends a reminder that it is communion Sunday.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF OLD LYME:

Visit this link for this morning’s (Aug. 1) service.

The Church will also host a Fellowship Hour via Zoom at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Visit this link for more details of how to access the event.

SAINT ANN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
Online services are available at this link.

SOUTH LYME UNION CHAPEL:
Worship services are being held online at 11 a.m. each Sunday. Email Karen Geisler at karengr007@gmail.com for connection details.

Filed Under: Community, Lyme, Old Lyme

Neviaser Confirms Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Will Reopen Fully in Fall, Assuming No Change in COVID Count; Parent Survey Indicates Overwhelming Support

July 31, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Curriculum Director Michelle Dean responds to a question during Wednesday evening’s ‘Community Conversation.’

LYME/OLD LYME — “We are not planning to go to a hybrid plan.”

That was Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser’s response when asked Wednesday evening if LOL Schools were going to change their reopening plans for the fall in light of Governor Lamont’s recent decision no longer to mandate that schools in Connecticut must fully reopen in the fall. This change of heart by Lamont allows the option for schools to implement hybrid plans (a combination of in-school and remote learning.)

Neviaser spoke to LymeLine by phone after moderating the first of two ‘Community Conversations’ hosted by LOL Schools in which parents were able to discuss reopening plans with key members of school administration and faculty in a virtual Zoom event. He stressed during the ‘Community Conversation’ and while talking to LymeLine that the plan to re-open schools fully, “Assumes the health data remains the same.”

If the local health department were to advise, “an increase in the number of cases in the school community,” or the community in general had occurred, the plan would be reviewed immediately with health department and might then be changed.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser moderates Wednesday’s ‘Community Conversation.’

Noting that it was some of the larger towns and school districts, which had been resistant to Lamont’s original plan to reopen all schools fully, Neviaser noted that because Lyme-Old Lyme is a smaller school district, “We can work safely [within the social distancing and other requirements.] We have the data to support it,” whereas larger schools do not have the space to accommodate them.

Neviaser told LymeLine that his “general take” on whether parents in Lyme and Old Lyme wanted to send their children back to school was that they were “very eager” to do so and therefore the district was “working hard to make that happen.” His opinion was based not only on what he heard during the ‘Community Conversation’ but also from the responses to the parent survey sent out after the district had submitted its Reopening Plan to the state.

That survey had yielded more than 350 responses from parents and approximately 90 percent of those indicated, “Families plan on sending their kids back to school,” said Neviaser.

Asked how the teaching staff felt about resuming to in-school teaching, Neviaser responded, “They’re very supportive,” adding, “More than 65 people worked on preparing the reopening plans for the district and the majority of those were staff members.”

Emphasizing again that, “The plan is flexible and will change if the health data changes, ” Neviaser concluded that as of now,”The general consensus is very positive. People recognize we all need to work together. The vast majority is being very supportive and helpful,” adding encouragingly, “Really, they’re being wonderful about it.”

Editor’s Note: We talked at some length Wednesday evening with Superintendent Neviaser about how the LOL School sports program might look in the fall but he noted a plan was being sent out from the state within the next few days. The plan has just been received and so we will write an article incorporating that latest information shortly.

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Schools, Top Story

Old Lyme’s Confirmed COVID Cases Reduced to 21 Plus Two Fatalities; Lyme Constant at Six

July 31, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

LYME/OLD LYME — Today, we have received a correction from Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold in consultation with Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) to the Old Lyme data, which we were previously given. The number of cases attributed to Old Lyme has been reduced to 21, while fatalities remain at two.

We have adjusted our records accordingly and present the revised numbers below.

Meanwhile, Ledge Light Health District confirmed to LymeLine.com in an email Tuesday evening (July 28) that five new COVID-19 cases have been identified in Lyme taking the cumulative total in that town to six.

Stephen Mansfield, LLHD Director of Health, gave the following details of the confirmed cases in Lyme to date:

Male, age 34
Female, age 61
Female, age 34
Male, age 1
Male, age 34
Male, age 20

Mansfield confirmed that the 34-year-old male in the list above is the original case, which had been previously identified.

Earlier Thursday, July 28, Griswold notified LymeLine by text that a new case of COVID-19 had also been confirmed in Old Lyme. This latest case is a 20-year-old male.

This is the 21st confirmed COVID-19 case in Old Lyme; in addition, there are two fatalities. Nine of these surviving cases are male and the remaining 12 are female. The two fatalities were a 61-year-old female and an 83-year-old male.

Yesterday, in a press release, Governor Ned Lamont and Department of Public Health (DPH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Deidre S. Gifford expressed concern with recent COVID-19 outbreak clusters among teens and young adults in Connecticut, stating, “Statistics from Connecticut and elsewhere show that 18 to 29-year-olds represent substantial numbers of new COVID-19 infections in recent weeks.” Both Lyme and Old Lyme have recent cases of 20-year-olds testing positive for COVID-19.

To demonstrate the growth in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Old Lyme, the table below is a summary of the cases that LymeLine.com has reported since March 31 when the first case was announced and also includes both fatalities.

Date	Cumulative no. of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Old Lyme
March 31	1
April 4	4
April 9	6
April 10	7
April 15	10
April 18	12
May 1	13
May 15	15
May 26	16
June 8	17
June 10	18
June 14	19
June 22	21
June 24	22
July 17	22
July 28	23

Details of all Old Lyme’s confirmed surviving cases to date are now as follows:

Female, age 64
Female, age 21
Male, age 27
Female, age 53
Female, age 61
Female, age 29
Male, age 40
Male, age 53
Female, age 60
Male, age 45
Female, age 20
Female, age 43
Female, age 48
Male, age 70
Male, age 67
Female, age 68
Male, age 50
Male, age 21
Female, age 48
Female, age 34
Male, age 20

Griswold has previously noted that the 21-year-old female with a confirmed case (#2 in the list immediately above) was tested in Florida, but used an Old Lyme address although she does not live here. Because she gave the Old Lyme address, Griswold said that Ledge Light Health District must report her as an Old Lyme resident.

Filed Under: News, Old Lyme, Top Story, Town Hall

Old Lyme Voters Will Use New Location for Aug. 11 Primary

July 31, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

The official Ballot Box outside Old Lyme Town Hall. Photo courtesy of the Old Lyme Selectman’s Office.

LYME/OLD LYME –Democratic and Republican Primaries, including Presidential Primaries, will be held Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School for Old Lyme residents and Lyme Town Hall for Lyme residents.

Residents who applied for an Absentee Ballot for this primary should have received it earlier this week.

If you are a new voter and wish to enroll in a party to vote in the primary, mail-in applications must be postmarked, or received by the Registrar of Voters by/on Aug. 6, 2020.

If you are an unaffiliated voter and wish to enroll in a party, the mail-in application must be received (not simply postmarked) by the Registrar of Voters by/on Aug. 6, 2020.

The in-person enrollment deadline for new voters and unaffiliated voters enrolling in a party at town hall is Aug. 10, 2020 at 12 p.m.

Absentee ballots can either be mailed to the respective town hall or dropped off in the official ballot drop box. This latter method allows a contact-less and secure method to submit your ballot.

Old Lyme has relocated its polling place from the Cross Lane Firehouse to the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School gymnasium at 53 Lyme St., Old Lyme, where there is ample parking. Lyme’s polling place remains at Lyme Town Hall.

Filed Under: News, Top Story, Town Hall

A la Carte: Last Week, Pesto, This Week, Pasta … But ‘e Fagiole!’

July 31, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Lee White

It was a nice week: a little rain, a lot of sunshine, my first trip to the beach and low humidity. One evening, friends and I had dinner at Filomena’s, outside under a big tent, and listened to the New London Big Band, minus about six members, play mellow jazz. The decibels of the speakers were just right, it threatened to rain but didn’t and the food, as usual, was yummy.

I cooked quite a bit at home, on the grill and even in the kitchen, since my condo is air-conditioned. I also spent some time at two different farm markets. At my CSA, I got carrots, blue green beans, some lettuces, flowers and some cheese.

At the Groton Farm Market in Washington Park, I bought some cranberry beans, basil and tomatoes. I asked whether the tomatoes at Whittles were local, and she said they were their own. “We don’t have many yet, but these are our own,” she explained. I was very surprised; this is the first time I can remember when local tomatoes arrived before sweet corn.

When I got home I tasted one of the tomatoes and there was no doubt it was local. As I made myself my first summer BLT, I thought what I might make with some of my harvest and I found pasta e fagiole (pasta and beans) that I had written about in 2005.

I looked up cranberry beans and saw that it took under half an hour until they softened. I found pepperoni links, some canned cannellini beans, ground beef and pepperoni in the freezer and a big can of fire-roasted Muir Glen diced tomatoes. I had frozen my own basil pesto and decided I would use that instead of parsley.

On Sunday afternoon, I made the pasta and beans. It was really good, maybe even better than before, since so many of the ingredients were so fresh.

If you have air-conditioner, make it now. If not, save that recipe for fall or winter.

Pasta e Fagiole

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
A handful of baby carrots, diced into small pieces
3 stalks celery, diced small
1 pound ground beef (optional)
½ pound pepperoni, thinly sliced (optional)
1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
About half of pound of cranberry beans, cooked
About half of pound of blue green beans, cut into 1 inch slices
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes (preferably Muir Glen but another will do)
1 small can tomato paste
2 tablespoons basil pesto (optional, but delicious)
2 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
½ pound pasta (ditalini, tubetini or small elbow macaroni), cooked
freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or romano cheese

In a large heavy-bottomed pot, brown onion. garlic and carrots in olive oil until light golden. Stir in celery and continue cooking until celery is tender. If using ground beef, add and cook until no longer pink. If using pepperoni, add now. Stir in beans, tomatoes, tomato paste and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer, cover and cook about half an hour, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and parsley. Add pasta to soup and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan or Romano.

About the author: Lee White has been writing about restaurants and cooking since 1976 and has been extensively published in the Worcester (Mass.) Magazine, The Day, Norwich Bulletin, and Hartford Courant. She currently writes Nibbles and a cooking column called A La Carte for LymeLine.com and also for the Shore Publishing and Times newspapers, both of which are owned by The Day.

Filed Under: Nibbles, Old Lyme, Top Story

Deadline to Complete Old Lyme’s Walk Audit, Online Walk/Bike Survey, July 31

July 31, 2020 by Admin 4 Comments

Where do you go on your bike in Old Lyme? Complete the Sustainable Old Lyme Walk/Bike Survey to help the Sustainable Old Lyme Committee in their work.

OLD LYME — UPDATED 7/31 — edits in red: Do you like to walk or bike around Old Lyme?

If so, the Sustainable Old Lyme Committee would like more information about how you enjoy the town while walking or bicycling.

A new feature is now available for those who like to walk on Lyme Street in the form of a paper Walk Audit, which asks about the experience of walking along Lyme Street between the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and the Town Green (at the junction with Ferry Rd.)

The Walk Audit is available at Old Lyme Town Hall and at shops along the route — no computer required!

But if you prefer to use a computer, there are two options: the Walk Audit is available online at this link. When completed, it should be printed out and returned either to the Old Lyme Town Hall at 52 Lyme St. or The Chocolate Shell at 18 Lyme St.

The second option is an online Old Lyme Walk and Bike Survey, which asks more general questions about your experience walking and biking in the community. The survey is available at this link.

The committee wants to hear from everybody, but especially from those who are older or who have special needs. The questionnaires are short (20 questions) and all questions are optional.

The survey and walk audit will be available until TODAY, July 31.

During the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen’s meeting held July 6, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal urged as many residents as possible to complete the survey. She explained later to LymeLine.com in a phone conversation that the objective of the survey is to, “Provide evidence to help make Old Lyme more walkable and bicycle-friendly.”

For more information about Sustainable Connecticut, visit https://sustainablect.org.

Contact the survey organizers through that website or email them at rogerslakehealth@gmail.com or walkauditol@gmail.com.

Filed Under: Old Lyme, Outdoors