OLD LYME — The public is invited to a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony celebrating The Stumble Inne on Thursday, March 17, at 3 p.m. The ceremony will mark the opening of the restaurant’s new pool room. All are welcome.
The Town’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) is kickstarting its new ribbon-cutting program with The Stumble Inne, which opened last summer but has unveiled a new pool room this week.
“We have several new businesses we are offering a ribbon-cutting program to, but wanted to begin with The Stumble Inne, even though they opened several months ago,” said EDC Chair Cheryl Poirier. “The Caramante family has invested in Old Lyme, and we wish to support them in this endeavor.”
Jim and Cyndi Caramante, who also owned The Hideaway, opened The Stumble Inne in the summer of 2022 to capture a younger audience. The Stumble Inne features live music on the weekends, trivia and karaoke nights, and the new game room complete with a pool table.
In addition to the EDC commissioners and barring urgent cancellations to schedules, Old Lyme’s three selectpersons and State Representative Devin Carney will be on hand to commend The Stumble Inne on its investment in Old Lyme.
Special for St Patrick’s Day, The Stumble Inne will be open from noon to midnight with menu additions including a corned beef dinner.
The Stumble Inne is located at 90 Halls Rd. in the Old Lyme Marketplace and can be reached by phone at 860-434-2342.
For more information about the venue, follow The Stumble Inne on Facebook.
The Easter Bunny will be dropping by The Bowerbird on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Stop in and say hello!
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.
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 — 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 — 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.
Second Annual LOLFSG Open House Slated for Saturday, Sept. 24, All Welcome
OLD LYME — The Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) celebrated a milestone this week!
Following a much-needed rain event, mid-week volunteers harvested kale, tomatoes, string beans, peppers, eggplants, and more. In doing so, the garden reached a total donation threshold of more than 2000 pounds of produce in its first growing season.
The LOLFSG President Jim Ward commented, “This incredible accomplishment is due to the dedication of volunteers and community support.”
Ward noted that the realistic LOLFSG goal for the 2023 season is to double production and is already looking forward to a “Two-Ton Tuesday.”
To celebrate the successful inaugural growing season and to learn more about the garden, all are invited to visit the 2nd Annual LOLFSG Open House on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the garden from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The garden is located at Town Woods Park behind the Field House and playground.
OLD LYME — Old Lyme’s Planning Commission will hold a Special Meeting/Public Hearing tomorrow evening, Thursday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. in Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, there are only two items on the agenda and since it is a Special Meeting, no changes or addition to the agenda can be made.
The first agenda item is the continuation of the Public Hearing regarding the application by Keystone Capital Corporation for the resubdivision of 16 Neck Rd. into nine lots.
The second item, assuming the Public Hearing is closed, is for members of the board to discuss and then possibly vote on the proposal.
The land at 16 Neck Rd. is the same area where the HOPE Partnership endeavored to secure approval for a 37-unit Affordable Housing development back in 2018, which became a highly controversial topic in the community.
The new proposal is for a gated community of nine building lots.
Both the OL Open Space Commission and the Connecticut River Gateway Commission have submitted letters for consideration at tomorrow’s meeting to the Planning Commission. Both letters can be viewed in full at the links given above.
The Open Space Commission’s letter, signed by its co-chairs Amanda Blair and Evan Griswold, states, “It appears that no open space is indicated on the applicant’s plan and, even if land were set aside, the gated premises to be accessed by private roadway would not afford public access.”
The letter continues, “In accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. § 8-25, when there is not a suitable area within a subdivision and when there are other areas with Town that the Open Space Commission considers more beneficial to be preserved, the Planning Commission may authorize the applicant to pay a fee in lieu of open space of up to 10% of land’s pre-subdivision appraised value.”
The two-page letter proposes that, although, “It is the Planning Commission’s discretion to determine such payment,” the Planning Commission should request the 10 percent fee of the purchase price from the developer, which it states, “… would equal $105,010.”
These monies would then be used by the Open Space Commission to assist in the purchase other open space properties in the town as they arise. The letter explains, “Although we cannot identify the specific parcels, we will report to you that the Open Space Commission is now actively talking to or considering approaching the owners of at least four properties in Town for acquisition.”
Asked about the possibility of the Open Space Commission receiving a fee in lieu of the absence of open space in a building proposal, Griswold responded in a phone conversation with LymeLine that, “This has happened before,” citing the example of a proposed development on Binney Rd. submitted, “around three years ago.”
He added, however, that a similar previous request by the Open Space Commission regarding a proposed development on Mile Creek Rd. was declined by the Planning Commission on the basis it was, “a family-oriented subdivision.”
The CT River Gateway Commission four-page letter, signed by the Deputy Director of the River COG [Council of Governments] Staff, Gateway Commission Torrance Downes, describes the property at 16 Neck Rd. as “a highly visible riverfront parcel.”
In summary the letter says, “The Gateway Commission would recommend such an [Conservation] easement be placed along the banks of the Connecticut River at the western end of the property.”
It goes on to request that the Planning Commission should, “… use all of the regulatory tools available in its decision-making process to manage the development of the site – at least with respect to the western hillside of the property facing the Connecticut River.”
The letter continues, “Protection of natural areas including mature tree stands is recommended for consideration of open space designation,” noting, “Retention of an attractive and rural community appearance, which would include the treed hillsides of the Connecticut River, should be “one of the most important criteria used in land use decision making”.”
Concluding, “Community Appearance recommendations state visual details including preservation of natural site features and vistas are critical components of the town character Old Lyme is charged with protecting,” the letter notes, “Preserving and maintaining the tree cover on the river-facing side of this property is consistent with these … recommendations.”
Members of the community can address either or both of these issues during the Public Hearing or submit letters or emails to the Old Lyme Land Use Department prior to the meeting.