LYME — On Sunday, April 10, at 2 p.m., the Lyme Land Trust hosts a presentation about the Old Growth Forest Network with Professor Joan Maloof at Lyme Public Hall.
Professor Maloof, who is Professor Emeritus at Salisbury University, founded the Old Growth Forest Network in order to preserve, protect and promote the country’s few remaining stands of old-growth forests.
This program is of particular importance to regional residents as the Town of Lyme now plays an important role in the United States’ biospheric health as a holder of one of three such designated forests in the state of Connecticut. Lyme’s Johnston Preserve was designated a future Old Growth Forest in 2021.
Joan Maloof is the author of Treepedia: A Brief Compendium of Arboreal Lore, The Living Forest: A Visual Journey into the Heart of the Woods, Nature’s Temples: The Complex World of Old-Growth Forests, and Teaching the Trees: Lessons from the Forest and other publications.
Books will not be available for purchase at the talk, but if attendees bring your pre-purchased book(s), Joan Maloof will sign the book(s) after the talk. All books are available from the usual outlets, such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble or by ordering from your local bookstore.
To register for this event, email [email protected] with subject: “Old Growth Forest.”
This program is made possible be a generous co-sponsoring project between estuary magazine, the Friends of the Lyme Public Library, and the Lyme Land Trust in collaboration with the Town of Lyme.
Town of Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular meeting at Old Lyme Town Hall,
Public Hearing on Proposed Sewer Ordinance following WPCA Regular meeting
April 12, 2022 – 7:30 p.m.
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Approval of the Minutes – March 9th, 2022
- Budget Summary Update
- Correspondence
- Adjournment of Regular Meeting
Public Hearing on Proposed Sewer Ordinance
- Brief power point presentation will describe the proposed sewer ordinance
- Public will be invited to make a public comment about the proposed sewer ordinance. Note the public that cannot attend this meeting, can also submit a written comment by May 1st, 2022 through the Town’s WPCA web page instructions
LYME/OLD LYME — Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 19, the Rogers Lake Authority will meet in the Old Lyme Town Hall’s Meeting Room at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is likely to draw a large crowd as the contentious topic of the proposed No-Wake zone on Rogers Lake is on the agenda.
The full agenda for the meeting is as follows:
Old Business:
- Read and approve minutes from March 9, 2022, meeting.
- Update on Finance Board meetings for 21/22 and 22/23 expenditures.
- Detail review of 21/22 budget and expected expenditures.
- Review of need for State boat launch attendant.
- Possible DEEP training.
- Review of patrol boat and launch attendant recruitment.
- Presentations canceled.
- CT Agricultural Experiment Station.
- UCONN alewife study.
- Finalize draft of Ordinance revision changes for submission to DEEP.
- No Wake buoy deployment requires ordinance approval.
New Business:
- Update of signage at boat launch.
- Purchase of new sandbar buoy.
- Plan for Spring Newsletter
- Any other new business.
- Public Comment.
The Town Hall is located at 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT.
LYME — In celebration of Earth Day today, Lyme Land Trust is offering a live video screening tonight at 7 p.m. via Zoom of Spring Emergence: An Exploration of Wildflowers in Pleasant Valley and Jewett Preserves.
This new, 27-minute video is the third in a series of preserve explorations with charismatic naturalist Mike Zarfos.
Zarfos, the writer, and Sue Cope, the video editor, will be live for a brief introduction to the video and then, after the viewing, for a live Q & A.
All are welcome to join the presentation. Preregister by sending an email to [email protected] to obtain the Zoom link.
On Saturday, April 23, Lyme Land Trust offers an Earth Day Walk of the Johnston Preserve led by forest ecologist Anthony Irving. The walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last until around 11:30 a.m.
The Town of Lyme’s 250-acre Johnston Preserve was designated a future Old Growth Forest by the Old Growth Forest Network (OGFN) in 2021
This walk is co-sponsored by the Town of Lyme. Meet at the Johnston Preserve on Rte. 82 in Lyme.
There is no charge and all are welcome, but registration is required at [email protected].
The Rogers Lake Authority is holding a virtual meeting tonight, April 25, with a single agenda item of reviewing public comment concerning the controversial topic of No Wake Buoys.
To join the meeting, use the following meeting link: https://oldlymect.webex.com/oldlymect/j.php?MTID=m4be2068d5a47f0384c11fe3ab1950ae6
To join by phone, call: 1-408-418-9388 and enter Access Code: 2332 517 5949.
The Rogers Lake West Shores Association is holding a viewing party of the meeting at the Rogers Lake Clubhouse this evening at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
Editor’s Note: Read a related Open Letter to the Lyme, Old Lyme Boards of Selectmen:- Actions of Rogers Lake Authority Spark Concern, Anger published April 21, on LymeLine.com.
LYME — On Monday, May 2, at 7 p.m. on Zoom, the Lyme Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) will host a virtual community meeting to introduce a draft of Lyme’s affordable housing plan.
Visit this link to review a draft of the proposed plan in advance of the meeting.
Under a state mandate (CGS Section 8-30j), every Connecticut municipality must prepare and adopt an affordable housing plan by June 1, 2022.
All residents of Lyme are encouraged to attend the online meeting and share their responses to the draft plan. The Zoom link for the meeting is here. The passcode to use to enter the meeting is 411561.
At the community meeting, members of the AHC will present a draft of Lyme’s plan and discuss its various components including:
- its Community Values Statement
- the importance of affordable housing
- demographics and housing conditions
- land use and zoning issues
- strategies for increasing affordable housing in Lyme.
As background, residents may wish to review the following information:
- In January 2022, the AHC issued a summary on affordable housing in Lyme entitled Status Update for Affordable Housing in Lyme: Where Have We Come From? Where are We Going? The report can be read by visiting this link.
- In November 2021, RiverCOG (River Council of Governments) published its 10-year Regional Plan of Conservation & Development – a land-use plan that is intended to inform land-use decisions made by RiverCOG, land-use commissions, town governments and state agencies; and to encourage land-use coordination across municipal boundaries.
To read or download a printed copy of this plan, click here.
To peruse an electronic version of the plan, visit this website.
LYME — The Hamburg Fair Association in cooperation with the Lyme Public Hall presents a spring music concert featuring “John Brown and the Backporch Pickers” band on Saturday evening, May 14, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the ring at the Fairgrounds.
The band, known for its well-blended mix of traditional country, classic rock, and heartfelt originals that reflect the trials and tribulations of life is sure to entertain those of all ages.
Grab your folding chairs or blanket and pack your families and friends in your car, truck, or SUV to join us for a night of great music!
Admission is $30.00 per carload and proceeds benefit the 2022 Hamburg Fair.
Hotdogs, hamburgers, and soda/water will be available for sale onsite.
Don’t miss this fun-filled, fund-raising event at Hamburg Fair Grounds, 2 Sterling City Rd., Lyme, CT.
OLD LYME — State Rep. Carney (R-23rd) offers residents of Lyme and Old Lyme another opportunity to meet with him on Tuesday, May 24, in Old Saybrook at Acton Library from 5 to 6 p.m.
He will be available to discuss the recently concluded 2022 legislative session and any questions you may have about state issues.
For more information about Tuesday’s Office Hours, visit this link.
Those who are unable to attend but would like to contact Rep. Carney may do so by email at [email protected].
OLD LYME — UPDATED 6/29: The Old Lyme Board of Selectmen has called a Special Town Meeting to be held on Tuesday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Meeting Hall at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall at 52 Lyme St. The Special Town Meeting will be conducted in person only.
This meeting will consider and act upon the following single agenda item:
Whether to approve the disbursement of $2,120,593 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, as outlined in the report of the Old Lyme American Rescue Plan Committee (APRC) report dated June 21, 2022, and as recommended by the Old Lyme Boards of Selectmen and Finance on June 21.
Copies of the proposed ARPA disbursements are available in the Town Clerk’s office and on the Town of Old Lyme website.
In summary:-
- 23 small businesses (< 500 employees per the US Treasury Department) applied for and met the requirements to receive grants up to $10,000, having substantiated pandemic-related economic loss occurring between March 3, 2021 and April 1, 2022:
- 10 nonprofit organizations (501c3) applied for and met the requirements to receive grants up to $10,000, having substantiated pandemic-related economic loss occurring between March 3, 2021 and April 1, 2022:Community Initiative Grants were recommended
- To invest in and support mental health services or public health services to assist Old Lyme residents (seven projects)
- To reinvest in Old Lyme government services that were deemed essential during the pandemic (such as emergency services) to ensure future preparedness (11 projects)
- To invest in current and future infrastructure challenges such as clean water and sewer/waste treatment (two projects)
- To invest in town-wide broadband (internet) improvements and/or cell services (one project)
- To invest in early childhood care, and education (three projects)
- To invest in bringing visitors to our Old Lyme attractions, restaurants, shops, and accommodations (six projects)
- To invest in affordable housing to meet the needs of those working and living in Old Lyme (one project)
- To provide (direct and indirect) financial assistance to Old Lyme families and households having difficulty recovering from pandemic losses (two projects)
In addition to the 10 recommendation categories above, the American Rescue Plan Committee has included in its recommendations:
• Reserving up to $20,000 to cover fees by an independent consultant retained to administer the Economic Recovery Grant applications (this expenditure was approved by the Town in its 3/21/22 Town Meeting)
• Reserving up to $20,000 in legal, outreach, and administrative costs associated with the survey and application, and granting processes.
Read the full details of all the proposed beneficiaries/projects at this link.
OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Board of Selectmen has called a Special Town Meeting on Thursday, July 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Meeting Hall at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Conn.
This meeting will be conducted in person only.
The agenda for this meeting is as follows:
- Due to the absence of the Town Clerk from this Meeting, the appointment of a clerk pro tempore (per general Statutes § 7-21), for purposes of this Meeting only.
- The following proposed Resolution:
RESOLUTION: Be it resolved that the Town of Old Lyme, CT grants the request by The Point O’Woods Association, Incorporated (POW) that the Town of Old Lyme (Town), for purposes of Connecticut General Statutes §7-372 only, consents to POW issuing bonds pledging the security of POW in the amount of up to $820,000.00 for the purpose of restoration and rebuilding of the boat basin bulkhead.
POW is a separate taxing district situated within the limits of the Town of Old Lyme. The Town is not liable at law for any debt of such a district, and its consent to this bond issue does not and cannot be interpreted to mean that the Town is now assuming or shall ever have any obligation to assume any or all of the obligations to be created by the bond issue.
Copies of a brief description of the project proposed by POW are available in the Old Lyme Town Clerk’s office and online here.
The Bowerbird is holding a Sidewalk Sale Friday 8/5 and Saturday 8/6 from 10am-5pm.
Outside the store on the sidewalks, there will be select merchandise and one-of-a-kind items on sale up to 75% off.
Inside the store there will be select seasonal merchandise marked up to 25% off.
The Bowerbird is holding a Sidewalk Sale Friday 8/5 and Saturday 8/6 from 10am-5pm.
Outside the store on the sidewalks, there will be select merchandise and one-of-a-kind items on sale up to 75% off.
Inside the store there will be select seasonal merchandise marked up to 25% off.
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:
-
- 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.