LYME — On Saturday, Aug. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m., the Lyme and Old Lyme Democratic Town Committees (DTCs) host their 2022 Summer Picnic at Lyme Public Hall, a short walk from the Hamburg Fair. All Democrats and Democratic supporters are welcome.
Senator Richard Blumenthal will be attending as the honored guest.
There will be picnic goodies galore to enjoy, as well as opportunities to mingle with friends, neighbors and local DTC members.
Parking for the event will be available in the parking lot of the Lyme First Congregational Church or the Subaru dealership (the $6 fee benefits the church and the local Boy Scouts.)
A $25.00 donation for the picnic is suggested. Find donation information to the Lyme DTC and Old Lyme DTC at these links.
OLD LYME — Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold gave LymeLine.com an update Wednesday via e-mail on the presentation scheduled Saturday on the Old Lyme Regional Wastewater System. The event will be held at 10 a.m. in the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.
Griswold advised that it will be hosted by the heads of the three private beach associations and Sound View Beach Association, and the chairs of the respective Water Pollution Control Authorities (WPCA).
Griswold stressed that this informational meeting is, “an update for beach residents and others.”
He added, “We think an update before seasonal residents head back home is a wise thing.”
Griswold also clarified that, “A number of distinguished guests [Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, State Senator Paul Formica (R-20th), State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd)] have been invited but only State Sen. Formica has responded – he will attend via phone. The US Senators have worked on trying to secure funding.”
Griswold reported previously in his Aug. 19 newsletter to residents that State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) is unable to attend.
Questions regarding the project can be submitted in advance to [email protected] for review by the committee. A panel will then select questions to be answered at the meeting and at the end of the presentation, the selected questions will be answered.
There will be no open Q&A after the presentation.
Griswold commented, “This is a very complex and expensive project. It includes not only sewers but storm water drainage and road repaving. The sewer shared assets went out to bid twice and, due to the very high cost, had to be rejected. We believe additional outside funding must become available for the entire project to be viable.”
The meeting will start with the introduction of the four WPCA entities involved with the project.
Then the following guests will make comments:
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- State Senator Paul Formica (R-20th) — by phone
- Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold (R)
The next agenda item will be a PowerPoint presentation regarding the project.
The final item will be a review of the selected questions regarding the project, which were submitted in advance. questions.
To attend this session virtually, visit https://oldlymect.webex.com/oldlymect/j.php?MTID=m7bb8ab96d52e54ddb27ed079eb689dfc or dial +1-408-418-9388 and enter access code: 2343 721 4416.
Board of Education Conference Room at Center School
August 31, 2022
6 p.m.
LIVE STREAM OF MEETING:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF2_W7yYtFwx067Ici9776Q/live
Agenda
Discussion and possible action on PreK-8 Facilities Project.
Regular Board of Education Meeting
September 7, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Conference Room at Center School LIVE STREAM OF MEETING: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF2_W7yYtFwx067Ici9776Q/live
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes
- Regular Meeting of August 3, 2022
- Special Meeting of August 31, 2022
III. Visitors
- Invention Convention Honors
- Report from Student Representatives
- Public Comment
While in person public comment is still acceptable, those wishing to make public comment virtually may use the following Zoom link: https://region18.zoom.sus/j/87635839590; Meeting ID: 876 3583 9590; +16465588656,,83527766795# US (New York). Those choosing this option will be required to follow the same expectations for those making public comment in person. After being recognized by the chairperson, participants must state their name and place of residence before making their comments to the Board.
IV. Correspondence
V. Administrative Reports
- Superintendent’s Report
- Business Manager’s Report
VI. Educational Presentation
- LOLHS English Department: The Teaching of the Classics
- Career Preparation at LOLHS
VII. Chair and Committee Reports (Facilities, Finance, Communications, Policy, LEARN, LOL Prevention Coalition)
VIII. New Business
- Approval of Bond Resolution and Referendum Date
- Discussion of Third Party Assessment of PreK-8 Facilities
- Goals for 2022-2023
- Tuition Student Request for LOLHS
- Old Business
- Closing of LOLHS Project
- Executive Session
- Adjournment
Regular Board of Education Meeting
October 5, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Conference Room at Center School
LIVE STREAM OF MEETING: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF2_W7yYtFwx067Ici9776Q/live
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes
- Special District Meeting of September 7, 2022
- Regular Meeting of September 7, 2022
III. Visitors
- Preschool Students
- Unified Sports Team Recognition
- Recognition of Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year
- Report from Student Representatives
- Public Comment
While in person public comment is still acceptable, those wishing to make public comment virtually may use the following Zoom link: https://region18.zoom.sus/j/87635839590; Meeting ID: 876 3583 9590; +16465588656,,83527766795# US (New York). Those choosing this option will be required to follow the same expectations for those making public comment in person. After being recognized by the chairperson, participants must state their name and place of residence before making their comments to the Board.
IV. Correspondence
V. Administrative Reports
- Superintendent’s Report
- Business Manager’s Report
VI. Educational Presentation
- Report on Results of Annual State Achievement Tests (SAT, AP, SBAC and NGSS)
VII. Chair and Committee Reports (Facilities, Finance, Communications, Policy, LEARN, LOL Prevention Coalition)
VIII. New Business
- LOLHS Field Trip Request
- Setting of Graduation Date for Class of 2023
- Budget Process Timeline
- Appropriation to the Reserve Fund for Capital and Nonrecurring Expenditures
- Policy Review
- Childrearing Leave Request
IX. Old Business
- Closing of LOLHS Project
X. Executive Session
XI. Adjournment
View of the Farmer’s Market at Tiffany Farms.
LYME — ‘The Farmers Market at Tiffany Farms’ in Lyme will open today from 9 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. with fresh farm produce, baked goods, seafood, maple syrup, and more on sale.
Jen Tiffany stands proudly in front of the 2020 Farmers Market that she and her husband Bill Hurtle will host again this summer at Tiffany Farms.
This Farmers Market, which evolved from the Lyme Farmers Market of yesteryear, is a perennially popular destination for both local and regional shoppers.
Jennifer Tiffany and her husband Bill Hurtle run the market and are excited this year to introduce “Community Service” and “Hospitality” tents.
For the Community Outreach tent, Tiffany explains, “We will be compiling a list of approximately 20 different organizations and providing one group per week with the market venue as a form of outreach.”
She stresses, “The idea is to not promote sales of their product or enhance collection of donations. It’s quite simply to provide the selected group a platform giving them the opportunity to spread their cause — in other words, to say, “Here we are and this is what we are all about.”
The hospitality tent, Tiffany explains, will be a resting spot for those who just need to sit a spell, noting, “We had some very faithful, strong-willed but physically-challenged visitors attending the market last year and this tent will be out of respect for them.”
A view of the iconic Tiffany Farms where the Farmers Market will be held.
Tiffany notes, “All Department of Agriculture, Markets, Department of Health and CT Grown guidelines will apply.” She aspires to the same look as [Lyme Farmers Market at] Ashlawn,” with the aim being to offer a “very classy ” market, focused on Co
LYME/OLD LYME — Setting the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Building Referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 8 — the same day as the state elections — has, in Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold’s words (sent via text), been, ” … very complicated with, I believe, five lawyers working out the details.” Those details were required to be filed with the State of Connecticut today.
Griswold went on to explain, “Electors will vote on the candidates by ballot and on the school referendum question (yes/no ballot) in the same room,” but, “Qualified voters who are not electors may vote only on the referendum question in a separate room.”
Lyme Selectman John Kiker similarly confirmed by text, “… regular voting will be in [Lyme] town hall and the referendum voting will be in the [Lyme Public] library.”
Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser noted by email that Lyme-Old Lyme Schools are sending out a Fact Sheet to all Lyme and Old Lyme residents and property owners next week, which, along with additional information on the referendum, will help to clarify the difference between ‘electors’ and ‘qualified voters.’
The Fact Sheet explains that an ‘elector’ is any registered voter in either Lyme or Old Lyme.
It then goes on to state that, “A qualified voter who is not an elector is any citizen of the United States of the age of 18 years or more who, jointly or severally, is liable to the Town of Lyme or Town of Old Lyme for taxes assessed against him or her of not less than $1,000 on the last completed grand list of the Town, or who would be so liable if not entitled to an exemption under subdivision (17), (19), (22), (25) or (26) of Section 12-81 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and is not an elector (registered voter) of the Towns of Lyme or Old Lyme.”
This difference between the two is significant as qualified voters (who cannot vote in the state elections in Lyme or Old Lyme because they are registered to vote elsewhere) must by state statute physically vote at a location at least 75 ft. from that of registered voters.
Therefore, in Old Lyme:
- ‘Electors’, i.e., registered voters, will vote in both the state election and on the school building referendum in the LOL Middle School Gym.
- ‘Qualified voters’ (who are not electors) will vote solely on the LOL Schools Building Referendum in the LOL Middle School Cafeteria.
Meanwhile in Lyme:
- ‘Electors’, i.e., registered voters, will vote in both the state election and on the LOL Schools Building Referendum at Lyme Town Hall.
- ‘Qualified voters’ (who are not electors) will vote solely on the LOL Schools Building Referendum in the Lyme Public Library.
Regarding the unusual need for two polling locations in both Lyme and Old Lyme, Griswold stressed, “The Registrars must man and equip the two separate voting locations in each town,” noting, “The school will be responsible for the costs related to the school referendum.”
The ballot question for the LOL Schools Building Referendum will read as detailed below and and then ask for a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ response.
“Shall the resolution appropriating and authorizing bonds in the amount of $57,555,000, of which it is expected that an estimated $9,775,000 shall be reimbursed by the State of Connecticut, for the planning, design, demolition, construction, renovation, equipping and furnishing of Mile Creek School, Center School, Lyme Consolidated School and Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and related costs, be approved?“
Two public meetings will be held in advance of the $57.6 million LOL Schools Building Referendum on respectively Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. at Lyme School, and Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at Mile Creek School.
Polls will be open in both towns on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information on the referendum from LOL Schools, visit https://www.region18.org/district-information/referendumwww.region18.org, email [email protected] or call 860-434-7238.