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 programreg@lymepl.org
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.
Katherine Dugas.
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 programreg@lymepl.org to receive the Zoom link for this event.
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021
Time: 4:00-6:00 pm
Place: Thach Preserve, 131 Brush Hill Rd., Lyme CT
To register: education@lymelandtrust.org
You are invited to a walk guided by photographer Joe Standart, to experience light before and after the sun sets.
Reservations are required. Space is limited to 10 people including the leaders. Please be safe- wear a mask when meeting in the parking lot. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
The walk is part of the Lyme Land Trust amateur photography program: Imagining Lyme – A Visual Exploration of Lyme’s Preserves, which encourages people to expand their visual awareness while highlighting the beauty of Lyme Preserves through photographs.
The deadline for submission of photos for the fall/winter season using the category “Light” is March 19, 2021. Three photos of distinction will be chosen.
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 programreg@lymepl.org 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 programreg@lymepl.org to register for this virtual program and obtain the Zoom link.
Saturday, March 13 and April 17, 10:30 am:
“Forest Bathing along the Artists’ Trail”
outdoor experience with certified forest bathing guide Regan Stacey at the Florence Griswold Museum, ($45, for either on-site event).
Register at https://
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 jimdub@gmail.com.
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 jimdub@gmail.com.
Wednesday, March 18, 6 p.m.
“The ABCs of Pollinator Plants,” a free webinar by Suzanne Thompson, co-chair of Pollinate Old Lyme!, and the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.
Learn what native plants support your favorite birds and pollinating insects.
Email PollinateOldLyme@gmail.com for the Zoom link
Spring Equinox Flower Walk – Forest Bathing
Date: Sat March 20
Time: 10:00-11:30 am
Place: Young Preserve, Gungy Rd., Lyme CT
Contact Email: regan@
Photo by Jonnelle Yankovich
Celebrate the day on a gentle walk with periods of reflection and guided meditation. Flowers will be provided for you to carry and take home. If you wish to bring your own, please do. The walk is about 1-mile over easy to moderate terrain. Forest bathing is a supportive practice that invites us to engage with nature as we take in the restorative health benefits of being in the forest.
$30.00 per person. Registration required. Lyme Land Trust members receive 15% off with the discount code LLT15.
To register
The group is limited. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
For more information and to view upcoming programs:
Lyme Land Trust Events
‘The Other Side of the Ice’ presented by Sprague Theobald
One Family’s Treacherous Journey Negotiating the Northwest Passage
Saturday, March 20, 3 p.m.
Sprague Theobald, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and expert sailor with more than 40,000 offshore miles under his belt, always considered the Northwest Passage—the sea route connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific—the ultimate uncharted territory.
Since Roald Amundsen completed the first successful crossing of the fabled Northwest Passage in 1906, only 24 pleasure craft have followed in his wake.
From his home port of Newport, Rhode Island, through the Passage and around Alaska to Seattle, it would be an 8,500-mile trek filled with constant danger from ice, polar bears, and severe weather
What Theobald couldn’t have known was just how life-changing his journey through the Passage would be.
Unrelenting cold, hungry polar bears, and a haunting landscape littered with sobering artifacts from the tragic Franklin Expedition of 1845 make The Other Side of the Ice a harrowing story of survival, adventure, and, finally, redemption.
Email programreg@lymepl.org to register for this Zoom program.
OLD LYME — Old Lyme Historical Society opens its Spring Lecture Series Wednesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. with a presentation by Markham Starr titled, In History’s Wake: The Last Trap Fishermen of Rhode Island.
This slideshow covers the last of the four floating trap fishing companies in Rhode Island. This fishery, going back over 150 years, once dominated the coastline, but was quickly abandoned with the advent of the modern trawler.
The presentation follows the four companies as they build and fish their unique floating traps, which were over 1,500’ long.
This is a free, virtual event. All are welcome.
Register at info@oldlymehistorical.org to obtain the Zoom link.
This meeting includes an agenda item between New Business and Old Business for a Public Hearing as follows:
20-26 –Big Y Foods/Tony Coppola – 99 Halls Road & 25 Neck Road – Construct new convenience mart with retail motor vehicle fueling facility.
This is the controversial proposal to construct a new convenience store and gas station at the north end of Halls Rd. on land owned by Essex Savings Bank.
There are two opportunities to join the meeting remotely.
Via Webex:
https://oldlymect.webex.com/oldlymect/j.php?MTID=md7e689c717d8e5cc0a01ba…
Meeting number (access code): 129 901 7985
Meeting password: M2FraPiuY82
Via phone:
Call +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll
LYME/OLD LYME — The Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council (SECWAC) has announced that Binalakshmi Nepram is to speak on the peace movement by Indigenous women in India at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 23, via Zoom. The virtual presentation is free for members; $20 for non-members. Registration is required.
Binalakshmi Nepram will discuss the story of the forgotten, former Asiatic nation state of Manipur located on the Indo-Burma border. She will trace the struggle of the Indigenous Women of the state, now located in Northeast India, and how they developed a unique and unprecedented women’s movement.
Nepram will throw light on the unreported conflict region that is home to South Asia’s longest running war, where a martial law called the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been imposed on the population since 1958; she will also discuss the resilience of the people who have long struggled for democracy and rule of law.
Nepram’s presentation is part of the SECWAC 2021 monthly Speaker Series. Register in advance at https://scwac.wildapricot.org/
Binalakshmi “Bina” Nepram is an indigenous scholar and a woman human rights defender, whose work focuses on deepening democracy and championing women-led peace, security, and disarmament in Manipur, Northeast India, and South Asia.
She is the founder of three organizations: the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, the Control Arms Foundation of India, and the Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, Gender Justice, and Peace. In 2010 Bina also initiated the Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace to ensure that indigenous women in Northeast India are included in peace talks and peace processes.
Bina has authored and edited five books, including Deepening Democracy, Diversity, and Women’s Rights in India (2019), Where Are Our Women in Decision Making? (2016), Meckley: A Historical Fiction on Manipur (2004) and South Asia’s Fractured Frontier (2002).
Her work has garnered international recognition, including the Anna Politskovskaya Award (2018), Women have Wings Award (2016), CNN IBN Real Heroes Award (2011), Ashoka Social Innovators Fellowship (2011), and the Sean MacBride Peace Prize (2010).
SECWAC is a regional, nonprofit, membership organization affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA). The organization dates back to 1999, and has continued to arrange at least 8-10 meetings annually, between September and June.
The meetings present a range of topics in international affairs, foreign policy and diplomatic history, and are hosted at venues along the I-95 corridor, welcoming members and guests from Stonington to Old Saybrook, and beyond.
SECWAC’s mission is “to foster an understanding of issues of foreign policy and international affairs through study, debate, and educational programming.” It provides a forum for nonpartisan, non-advocacy dialogue between members and speakers, who can be U.S. policymakers, educators, authors, and other experts on foreign relations. Learn more at http://secwac.org.
Tuesday, March 23, 6:30pm:
“Renewable Energy” is a free webinar offered by the OL-PGN Library and promoted by Sustainable Old Lyme.
- Clean Energy Technologies
- Federal and State Policies
- Future Innovative Trends
- How to get involved
OLD LYME — Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme, Conn., will hold a community-wide discussion group on the book Waking Up White by Debby Irving on Thursday, March 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
In this book, Irving describes her “aha!” moment regarding the racial tensions she sensed in her life and in society. This moment launched an adventure of discovery and insight that drastically shifted her worldview and upended her life plan.
All are invited to join this discussion group, as these highly topical issues are explored. Share, listen, gain new insights, and make new friends.
The discussion will take place via Zoom. The Zoom link is on the home page of Saint Ann’s website at www.saintannsoldlyme.org.
Registration is not required.
For further information about this program, call 860-434-1621.
Saint Ann’s is an Episcopal parish in Old Lyme, CT that invites and welcomes visitors to this program. The church’s mission is to enrich the community and introduce visitors to the parish.
Saint Ann’s is located at 82 Shore Rd. (Rte. 156), two miles off I-95, Exit 70. Parking is adjacent to the church.
For information about the parish, contact Kathy Rowe at 860-434-1621, via email at office@saintannsoldlyme.org, or visit Saint Ann’s online at www.saintannsoldlyme.org.
Saint Ann’s is a Level 2 Green House of Worship. This recognition is awarded by the CT Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN), a program of environmental stewardship that grants certificates of achievement for implementing eco-friendly measures in buildings and within congregations.
OLD LYME — Duck River Garden Club (DRGC) presents Spring Backyard Birding at 7 p.m., a virtual program about how to attract and support eastern bluebirds, ruby-throated hummingbirds and Baltimore orioles by Jessica Penfield of Wild Birds Unlimited, Old Saybrook.
This DRGC presentation is open to the public and requires advance registration.
Virtual socials take place at 6:30 p.m., presentations at 7 p.m., followed by a business meeting for members.
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.
OLD LYME — Old Lyme Historical Society opens its Spring Lecture Series Wednesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. with a presentation by Markham Starr titled, In History’s Wake: The Last Trap Fishermen of Rhode Island.
This slideshow covers the last of the four floating trap fishing companies in Rhode Island. This fishery, going back over 150 years, once dominated the coastline, but was quickly abandoned with the advent of the modern trawler.
The presentation follows the four companies as they build and fish their unique floating traps, which were over 1,500’ long.
This is a free, virtual event. All are welcome.
Register at info@oldlymehistorical.org to obtain the Zoom link.