OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Annual Town Business Meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Lyme Town Hall Meeting Hall at 52 Lyme St., in Old Lyme. A maximum of 25 people will be allowed in the Meeting Hall and an additional number will also be permitted in the foyer.
The meeting will be conducted as a “hybrid,” as defined by the Governor’s Executive Order 9H. Instructions for attendance in-person and remotely are stated at the end of this article and are posted on the Town of Old Lyme website at oldlyme-ct.gov.
The agenda reads as follows:
1. To announce the recipient of the Board of Selectmen’s Citizen of the Year for 2020.
2. To accept the Annual Town Report for the fiscal year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, as submitted by the Board of Finance.
3. To consider and vote on the following proposed “Ordinance to Establish Town of Old Lyme Affordable Housing Commission”:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN OF OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT THAT:
a. Establishment. There shall be established an Affordable Housing Commission for the Town of Old Lyme.
Purpose. The Affordable Housing Commission will serve as a planning and advisory body, and as a center of expertise and communication, working through the Board of Selectmen and in coordination with other boards, commissions, and departments on matters pertaining to affordable housing.
Membership; terms of office. The Affordable Housing Commission shall be composed of five regular members and three alternate members who will serve staggered three-year terms, appointed by the Board of Selectman. The initial appointments by the Board of Selectmen shall be for one, two and three year terms, and thereafter all terms shall be for three years. The Commission is subject to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-167a (minority representation) and Ordinance § 101-16 shall apply to each regular and alternate member of the Commission.
Qualifications; vacancies. All Commission members and alternate members shall be electors of the Town of Old Lyme. Any vacancy in the regular or alternate membership may be filled for the unexpired term of such member by the Board of Selectmen.
Powers and duties. The Affordable Housing Commission shall, among other things:
A. Maintain an understanding of affordable housing needs in Old Lyme for the present and future, related statutory and regulatory requirements, public policy, and best practices; develop approaches to meet those needs and requirements. The term “Affordable Housing” shall be as defined by Conn. Gen. Stat. Ch. 126A (Affordable Housing).
B. Prepare an Affordable Housing Plan for adoption by Old Lyme, and perform periodic updates at least every five years, according to the provisions of C.G.S. § 8-30j.
C. Coordinate an annual review of housing data in preparation for publication of the Affordable Housing Appeals List by the Connecticut Department of Housing.
D. Work with the Old Lyme Planning, Zoning, Economic Development, and Open Space Commissions, and other town functions as appropriate, on planning and other matters related to affordable housing.
E. Advise the land use boards, commissions, and departments concerning applications that include affordable housing provisions as part of the approval process.
F. Make recommendations on housing policies and practices designed to meet the need for affordable housing in Old Lyme, including changes to zoning regulations and ordinances.
G. Develop and maintain a list of potential opportunities for affordable housing development; make recommendations and proposals to the Board of Selectmen.
H. Monitor legislation, regulations and public policy relevant to affordable housing.
I. Monitor the availability of grants, programs, partnerships and other resources to support affordable housing planning and development; make recommendations and proposals to the Board of Selectmen.
J. Monitor events, practices, and trends relevant to affordable housing
K. Develop and maintain a program of public engagement, communication, and education on the topic of affordable housing for the residents of Old Lyme.
L. Provide a point of contact and a forum for advocacy groups, not-for-profit organizations, and developers on matters pertaining to affordable housing.
M. Represent Old Lyme in regional forums and collaborations relevant to affordable housing.
N. Other responsibilities relevant to affordable housing as determined by the Board of Selectmen.
b. This ordinance shall become effective fifteen (15) days after the date of publication of notice of its passage, per Connecticut General Statutes § 7-157 (a).
4. To consider and vote on the following proposed amendment to Ordinance § 41-2:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN OF OLD LYME, CT. that § 41-2 of the Old Lyme Code of Ordinances, the “Designation” of a Town polling place, shall be amended as follows: (material in parentheses is to be deleted from the existing text and underlined material is being added to it):
a. The (Cross Lane Firehouse on Cross Lane) Old Lyme Middle School Gymnasium, 53 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Ct., is hereby designated as the municipal polling place for all purposes.
b. This ordinance amendment shall become effective fifteen (15) days after the date of publication of notice of its passage, per Connecticut General Statutes § 7-157 (a).
To join the Town Meeting by phone, dial 1-408-418-9388 and enter access code: 179 998 7712.
To join the Town Meeting via Webex on a computer, click here: https://oldlyme
OLD LYME — A new initiative, Pollinate Old Lyme!, will have its public launch on Tuesday, Jan. 26, via Zoom presentations at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Interested participants will learn about Old Lyme’s new initiative and simple ways to be a part of a growing “pollinator pathway” where birds, butterflies, and insects are attracted to native plants and trees in yards or gardens.
Pollinate Old Lyme! is an initiative of Sustainable Old Lyme and includes over a dozen Old Lyme partner organizations hosting anchor gardens and providing educational opportunities during 2021.
Email [email protected] with your name and location to register for one of the two Zoom presentations and obtain the log-in information by return.
OLD LYME — A new initiative, Pollinate Old Lyme!, will have its public launch on Tuesday, Jan. 26, via Zoom presentations at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Interested participants will learn about Old Lyme’s new initiative and simple ways to be a part of a growing “pollinator pathway” where birds, butterflies, and insects are attracted to native plants and trees in yards or gardens.
Pollinate Old Lyme! is an initiative of Sustainable Old Lyme and includes over a dozen Old Lyme partner organizations hosting anchor gardens and providing educational opportunities during 2021.
Email [email protected] with your name and location to register for one of the two Zoom presentations and obtain the log-in information by return.
LYME/OLD LYME — Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau hosts a virtual screening of the compelling new documentary LIKE, Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. The event is free of charge and all are welcome.
Parents, educators and community members interested in attending must pre-register for the Zoom link either here or by visiting www.lsyb.org.
More than 2 billion people have smartphones today … and we check our phones on average 150 times every day. Technology makes our lives easier in so many ways – but what is the cost of our dependence, and our children’s reliance, on screens?
LIKE is a new documentary exploring the impact of social media on our lives. It reveals the true effects of technology on the brain and uncovers the impact social media can have on our lives. The film’s mission is to educate, inform and inspire people to effectively self-regulate their screen time.
Social media is a tool and social platforms are a place to connect, share and care… but is that what is really happening? When social media users chase “likes” or seek followers, they lose sight of the fact that their devices are now using them. The goal of the screening is to raise awareness about the hidden costs of social media as well as start a conversation about how to ensure our own, and our children’s, healthy use of technology.
The LIKE screening will be followed by an informative panel discussion featuring experts from the film.
The following day, Wednesday, Jan. 27, the film will be viewed by all students at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle and High Schools. This is a great opportunity to start conversation with your children about a real issue in their every day lives.
The film features interviews with experts including Max Stossel, Head of Education & Content at Center for Humane Technology; Leah Pearlman, Co-Creator of the Facebook “Like” button; Dr. Jerry Bubrick, Senior Psychologist at Child Mind Institute; Professor Jevin West, DataLab, iSchool, University of Washington; John Borthwick, CEO, Betaworks; and Professor Katie Davis, author of The App Generation.
To learn more about LIKE, visit http://thelikemovie.com
Editor’s Note: IndieFlix Group Inc is a global screening and streaming service that promotes and supports social impact films to create positive change in the world. IndieFlix screening service books offline community screenings in schools and corporations around the world while IndieFlix online streaming offers a monthly subscription based service to access thousands of high-quality shorts, features, documentaries, and series from around the world.
For more information, visit https://www.indieflix.com/
Join SECWAC virtually on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at 6 p.m. for a presentation by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser, New York Times and The New Yorker journalists, to speak on their book, ‘The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III.’ Register in advance.
More information at http://secwac.org.
LYME — The Lyme Board of Selectmen meet Monday, Feb. 1, at 3:30 p.m., at Lyme Town Hall. This is a meeting that will be held in person at Town Hall and take place on Zoom.
To view the agenda or see instructions on how to attend the virtual meeting, click here.
LYME — Lyme Public Library will host a Valentine’s Day Workshop, presented by Lori Neumann, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2 p.m.
Embellish your own treasured keepsake set of Valentine Heart tins in this fun and simple project. The kit includes three vintage style heart tins, Dresden foil borders, Valentine scraps, stickers and an Italian Coccoina specialty Glue Stick. You need only have a pair of scissors available and your imagination.
Space is limited to 15 participants and there is a $15 materials fee.
Email [email protected] to receive the Zoom link for this event.
For more information, call the library at 860-434-2272.
LYME/OLD LYME — Connecticut Audubon hosts Superb Owl Sunday on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m.
This popular live owl event is being held virtually this year. All are welcome.
Join Mary-Beth Kaeser from Horizon Wings as she introduces these local owl species: Great-horned, Eastern Screech, Northern Saw-whet, Barred and Barn owls.
The fee for this fun hour of owls is $5.
Register at this link and you will receive your Zoom link in your registration confirmation.
All proceeds benefit CT Audubon’s education and conservation programs in the Greater Hartford Region.
HARTFORD – On Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23) will join Bi-partisan Women’s Legislative Caucus Members State Rep’s Donna Veach (R-30) and Christie Carpino to host an informational webinar to discuss resources available to women- and minority-owned businesses.
Register for the forum using this link.
The webinar will feature Fran Pastore, CEO of the Connecticut Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) and is expected to cover the WBDC’s Equity Match Grant Program.
The Equity Match Grant Program provides grants to women-owned/minority-owned businesses to help businesses pivot, expand or restructure during the pandemic and beyond. Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000 for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on business.
“The funding businesses receive through grants provided by the WBDC and other organizations is crucial to getting some of these businesses over the hump and to continue thriving, without them many would be forced to not just close temporarily, but forever,” Rep. Veach said. “It’s important that businesses know the type of funding is available to them in order to prevent that from happening.”
“Outreach to local businesses, especially those owned by women and minorities, is so important right now,” said Rep. Carpino. “I am excited to partner with WBDC to bring this information into the community.”
“The grants from Women’s Business Development Council are a good opportunity to women and minority-owned businesses if they need extra resources due to the coronavirus pandemic,” said Rep. Carney. “The Council is always there to assist business owners and those considering starting a business with training, education, and funding opportunities.”
Trita Parsi presents, “A New US Paradigm for the Middle East”
OLD LYME — The PGN Library hosts commuter advocate Jim Cameron, who will answer questions and offer a status update on CT transportation crisis addressing topics like:
•Will riders return to commuter rail?
•Who will pay to keep the trains running, and where will money be found for our highways?
•How will new residential / workplace trends affect CT’s economy?
Click here to register and receive a link for this virtual program.
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Call-In Phone: 1-408-418-9388 Access Code 24735882
As the Board will convene in the Meeting Hall with limited public access, persons wishing to listen to the meeting may call the above phone number to participate in the meeting.
- Approval of Minutes: 19 January 2021
- Communications:
- TEC Associates – Vegetation Management Plan for Amtrak Corridor
3. Appointments:
- Parks & Rec Commission – 3 Year Term – John Flower (R)
- Economic Development Commis. – 5 Year Term – Sheri Cote (U) or
Mora Rowe (D)
- Halls Rd. Impr. Committee – No Specific Term – Steven Calcagni (D)
- Rogers Lake Authority – 3 Year Term – Maneesha Joshi (D)
- Sound View Commission – Alternate – 1 Yr. Term – Frank Maratta (R), Jackie Miano (R) & Paul Orzel (U)
- Tree Commission – Alternate – 1 Year Term – Fred Behringer (R)
5. Old Business
- COVID
- COVID Cases YTD in Old Lyme
- Employee COVID Protocol
- Project Updates
- Sound View Sidewalks – Update
- Hains Park Restroom Bldg. – Update
- Grassy Hill Rd. Bridge – Discuss Options
- Ferry Rd. Sidewalk – Update
- Tantummaheag Landing – Draft Agreement
- Police Union Contract – Contract Signed
- Annual Town Meeting – Citizen of the Year, Town Report, Affordable Housing Ordinance & Change in Polling Location
- Senior Center – Use of Funds for Building Expansion Consultant
6. New Business:
- Finance Dept. – Increase hours from 30/week to 35/week
- Ethics Commission – FY 2022 Budget Request
7. Public Comment:
8. Other Business:
9. Adjournment:
Exploring the Importance of Pollinator Pathways
To register for this Zoom program, email [email protected]
You will receive a zoom link several days before the presentation.
Learn about Pollinator Pathways with eco-friendly gardening experts Jim Sirch and Mary Ellen Lemay.
Jim Sirch is Education Coordinator for the Yale Peabody Museum for Natural History. Mary Ellen LeMay owns a company that specializes in the use of natural systems for habitat restoration.
The presentation is free and open to all, brought to you by the Friends of the Lyme Public Library. For more information call the library: 860 434-2272.
OLD LYME — Old Lyme’s Duck River Garden Club (DRGC) continues to hold virtual presentations and meetings on Zoom while COVID restrictions are in place. These DRGC presentations are open to the public and require advance registration.
Virtual socials take place at 6:30 p.m., presentations at 7 p.m., followed by a business meeting for members.
Join DRGC on Monday, Feb. 22, via Zoom to hear Katherine Dugas, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) research technician, discuss current insect and plant disease conditions in Connecticut, including latest known migration of invasive Spotted Lanternfly, Emerald Ash Borer and Southern Pine Beetle.
Brush up on your insect ID skills, learn about the latest threats to our environment and what you can do to help.
Katherine is daughter of Albert and Denise Dugas of Old Lyme.
Dugas earned her Bachelors Degree from Connecticut College in 2005 and Master’s Degree from URI in 2008. She works in the Insect Information and Plant Disease Information Offices of CAES.
To register for this free program, call or email Karen Geisler, DRGC president, 860-434-5321, karen
Check DRGC’s website and the club’s public Duck River Garden Club of Old Lyme Facebook page for any changes to planned programs.
DRGC welcomes new members, who can join via the membership form on the website. For further information on membership, contact Karen Geisler. Attendance at DRGC virtual programs counts toward the required two meetings for prospective club members.
LYME — Lyme Public Library hosts an Eco-Safari of the Connecticut Watershed presented by Jim Arrigoni on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.
The Connecticut River is recognized as one of the most ecologically and culturally important rivers on the East Coast. In this interactive webinar, conservation biologist Jim Arrigoni will take you on a virtual tour of the watershed, highlighting the flora and fauna and unique aspects of its natural and human history.
Email [email protected] to receive the Zoom link for this event.
Animal Tracking presented by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
Saturday, March 6, 2pm
In this Zoom presentation sponsored with the Lyme Land Trust, you will learn to identify the tracks of local wildlife as well as how to interpret the stories they tell. In addition, you will also meet an owl who leaves telltale tracks behind from a hunt.
Presented by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic, CT. Founded in 1946, DPNC provides environmental education programming for all ages on a wide variety of natural history and environmental science topics.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lyme Public Library for March 2021.
Email [email protected] to register for this Zoom program.
- Science related to public health and our youth
- Marijuana industry right now
- Status of legalization of marijuana in Connecticut
Wednesday, March 10, 6:30 p.m.
The Old Lyme-PGN Library hosts a free Zoom lecture titled, “Your Carbon Footprint,” by Old Lyme resident Alan Poirier.
This event is promoted by Sustainable Old Lyme.
Sign up for the Zoom link at http://oldlymelibrary.org.
Asian Fusion Cooking Demonstration with Chef James Martell
Thursday, March 11, 5 p.m.
James Martell, the head chef at On the Rocks Restaurant at the Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam, will demonstrate how to prepare an Asian Fusion dinner as well as mocktails and cocktails to complement the dish. Learn how he makes tuna rolls, quick kimchi, and Buffalo Chicken Rangoon.
Email [email protected] to register for this virtual program and obtain the Zoom link.
OLD LYME — Do you believe that access to healthy food is important?
Do you believe that a community should support members in need?
Do you have interest in growing food and cultivating relationships between neighbors, friends and community members?
If your answer to any or all of those questions is, ‘Yes,’ then you might wish to consider joining a discussion to plan a community food garden to support the nutritional needs of the shoreline community by providing local food pantries with fresh produce.
Jim Ward, a resident of Old Lyme since 2006 whose wife attended Old Lyme schools and taught in the district, is the initiator of the project. Asked how he came up with idea for the garden, he explained, ” While I have always been interested in gardening and landscaping, my interest in the garden was initiated while I was participating in the 2020 UCONN Master Gardening Program.’
Ward continued, “As a participant in the program you are responsible for a certain amount of outreach hours and I volunteered and continue to volunteer at the Food for All garden in Clinton.”
Noting, “The atmosphere at this very successful Food Bank garden was one of a small community,” he pointed out that there were always plenty of volunteers, who between them had, “A broad range of gardening skills, from no gardening experience to master gardeners.”
Moreover, Ward emphasized, “Everyone shared their knowledge of gardening and cooking … along with local and national political conversations.”
The catalyst for trying to start the endeavor in Old Lyme was simply, in Ward’s mind, the type of community found in Lyme-Old Lyme, which Ward felt, “Would be very supportive of this type of initiative.” He therefore set out, “to replicate the Food for All garden project.’
His plan was not only wholeheartedly supported in principle by the volunteers of the Clinton garden, but he noted that in addition, “They gave me access to their records and provided advice on the daily and annual demands of the garden.”
Finding a location for the garden in Old Lyme did not prove quite so straightforward, however. Ward said, “My wife and I researched town-owned lands defaulted to the Town, but didn’t find any that were suitable and could see why many were defaulted.”
Finally, the seed of an idea evolved, when, in Ward’s words, “We thought of Town Woods as it had water, electricity, parking, restrooms, proximity to the Senior Center and it served as a hub of activity for many residents.”
Asked what has happened since the potential site was identified, Ward explained, “Through generous cooperation of the Parks and Recreation Commission and with site approval by the Old Lyme Inland Wetlands Commission, a parcel of land behind the Field House at Town Woods Park has been secured.”
He added enthusiastically, “The location, amidst the park’s organically-managed fields, with access to water, electricity and parking, is ideal.”
The timeline for starting the project is, according to Ward, “Totally dependent on funds.” he states, “With the generous assistance of the Parks and Recreation Commission, we have cleared the large hurdles of land and water, so the next big hurdle will be the fencing for the garden.”
What is his best guess for how things will progress? Ward responds, “With that being said I would love to see a fence up, some site prep, and soil testing by this fall with a small planting next spring.”
The proposal was mentioned at the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen’s meeting last Tuesday, Feb. 16, when Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal described the project as, “A really neat thing,” and “Pretty exciting.” First Selectman Timothy Griswold felt the board needed one of their members to “Prepare a checklist of what we [the board of selectmen] need to do,” and coordinate the effort between all the town boards and commissions involved. Selectman Chris Kerr agreed to take on that role.
The next step for the project is a kick-off virtual planning meeting scheduled for Monday, March 15, when, says Ward, “We will discuss organization of a non-profit, fundraising, sustainability, outreach, education and community engagement.” There are two options timewise for the meeting, 12 noon or 6 p.m.
All are welcome and he stresses, “Differing viewpoints, experience, backgrounds and ages are encouraged. No gardening experience is required.”
To register for either March 15 meeting and obtain the Zoom log-in information or raise any questions, email Ward at [email protected].
OLD LYME — Do you believe that access to healthy food is important?
Do you believe that a community should support members in need?
Do you have interest in growing food and cultivating relationships between neighbors, friends and community members?
If your answer to any or all of those questions is, ‘Yes,’ then you might wish to consider joining a discussion to plan a community food garden to support the nutritional needs of the shoreline community by providing local food pantries with fresh produce.
Jim Ward, a resident of Old Lyme since 2006 whose wife attended Old Lyme schools and taught in the district, is the initiator of the project. Asked how he came up with idea for the garden, he explained, ” While I have always been interested in gardening and landscaping, my interest in the garden was initiated while I was participating in the 2020 UCONN Master Gardening Program.’
Ward continued, “As a participant in the program you are responsible for a certain amount of outreach hours and I volunteered and continue to volunteer at the Food for All garden in Clinton.”
Noting, “The atmosphere at this very successful Food Bank garden was one of a small community,” he pointed out that there were always plenty of volunteers, who between them had, “A broad range of gardening skills, from no gardening experience to master gardeners.”
Moreover, Ward emphasized, “Everyone shared their knowledge of gardening and cooking … along with local and national political conversations.”
The catalyst for trying to start the endeavor in Old Lyme was simply, in Ward’s mind, the type of community found in Lyme-Old Lyme, which Ward felt, “Would be very supportive of this type of initiative.” He therefore set out, “to replicate the Food for All garden project.’
His plan was not only wholeheartedly supported in principle by the volunteers of the Clinton garden, but he noted that in addition, “They gave me access to their records and provided advice on the daily and annual demands of the garden.”
Finding a location for the garden in Old Lyme did not prove quite so straightforward, however. Ward said, “My wife and I researched town-owned lands defaulted to the Town, but didn’t find any that were suitable and could see why many were defaulted.”
Finally, the seed of an idea evolved, when, in Ward’s words, “We thought of Town Woods as it had water, electricity, parking, restrooms, proximity to the Senior Center and it served as a hub of activity for many residents.”
Asked what has happened since the potential site was identified, Ward explained, “Through generous cooperation of the Parks and Recreation Commission and with site approval by the Old Lyme Inland Wetlands Commission, a parcel of land behind the Field House at Town Woods Park has been secured.”
He added enthusiastically, “The location, amidst the park’s organically-managed fields, with access to water, electricity and parking, is ideal.”
The timeline for starting the project is, according to Ward, “Totally dependent on funds.” he states, “With the generous assistance of the Parks and Recreation Commission, we have cleared the large hurdles of land and water, so the next big hurdle will be the fencing for the garden.”
What is his best guess for how things will progress? Ward responds, “With that being said I would love to see a fence up, some site prep, and soil testing by this fall with a small planting next spring.”
The proposal was mentioned at the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen’s meeting last Tuesday, Feb. 16, when Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal described the project as, “A really neat thing,” and “Pretty exciting.” First Selectman Timothy Griswold felt the board needed one of their members to “Prepare a checklist of what we [the board of selectmen] need to do,” and coordinate the effort between all the town boards and commissions involved. Selectman Chris Kerr agreed to take on that role.
The next step for the project is a kick-off virtual planning meeting scheduled for Monday, March 15, when, says Ward, “We will discuss organization of a non-profit, fundraising, sustainability, outreach, education and community engagement.” There are two options timewise for the meeting, 12 noon or 6 p.m.
All are welcome and he stresses, “Differing viewpoints, experience, backgrounds and ages are encouraged. No gardening experience is required.”
To register for either March 15 meeting and obtain the Zoom log-in information or raise any questions, email Ward at [email protected].