Old Lyme’s America 250 Town Picnic drew hundreds to Town Woods Park on Sunday for live music, games, a pie-eating contest and local exhibits.

Residents lined the parade route, gathered at the Lyme Grange and honored the nation’s founding during a Fourth of July celebration rooted in local tradition.

Happy Fourth of July! From waterfront marches and a boat parade to community picnics and America 250 festivities, Lyme and Old Lyme are ready to celebrate all weekend.

The regional school board approved a new three-year contract for Superintendent Ian Neviaser that adds benefits to a previously set salary increase.

Amid a state law allowing housing in commercial zones without a public hearing, the Zoning Commission approved regulations governing how it applies locally.

Hear ye, hear ye: Old Lyme residents are invited to gather at Town Woods Park for an afternoon of music, merriment, games and community harking back to 1776.

Aboard a new research vessel, state officials cited declining nitrogen levels in Long Island Sound and reiterated support for Old Lyme’s participation in a regional sewer project.

The towns will mark the nation’s 250th anniversary with parades, ceremonies, music, exhibits and community celebrations on July 4 and beyond.

The commission this week debated its response to new housing provisions in state law taking effect July 1. Members said the law does not take small towns into account.

The longtime community leader and former state representative will lead the parade as Lyme celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.

The town has traditionally been reluctant to initiate traffic enforcement operations for fear of targeting local speeders, according to the town constable.

As Old Lyme rewrites its zoning regulations, officials encourage residents and business owners to share feedback in a survey open through the end of the month.

Selectman Jim Lampos called for a discussion about using the term “diversity, equity and inclusion” in town policies. He said the words have become politically charged.

The project is expected to offset about $610,000 in municipal electricity costs over two decades, with additional credits possible for the Region 18 school district.

The properties will be used as a nature preserve for children, according to local assessor’s documents. The properties were granted tax-exempt status earlier this year.

The state is requiring towns to allow small multifamily or mixed-use developments in commercial zones without a public hearing.

The event featured a reading of the winning essay from the annual Memorial Day student contest sponsored by Lyme-Old Lyme VFW Post 1467 and American Legion Post 41.

The event featured the story of Col. Richard W. Ellison, a Massachusetts native captured twice by the Germans during World War II. He later died in Vietnam.

The ceremony will move to the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School auditorium.

Old Lyme officials hope the project can bring long-term savings on municipal electric bills amid expiring federal tax incentives.