"Thrilled [to be] Considered ... a top pick" (Cheryl Poirier, Old Lyme EDC Chair) OLD LYME—Yesterday, USA Today announced the results of its 2025 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Small Town Arts Scene. Old Lyme came in second behind Vermillion, S.D. The full list of winners in descending order is as follows: The article in USA Today revealing the … [Read more...] about Old Lyme is Runner-Up in ‘USA Today’s’ National “Best Small Towns Art Scene” Poll
Community
Breaking News: Thursday’s Zoning Meeting Postponed at First Selectwoman, Applicant’s Request
OLD LYME— UPDATED 6:10 p.m. with details of letter sent requesting postponement of meeting. The Old Lyme (OL) Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday has been postponed at the applicant's request. Today, Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker sent a letter to Paul Orzel, Chairman of the OL Zoning Commission, saying, "The Halls Road Improvement Committee and … [Read more...] about Breaking News: Thursday’s Zoning Meeting Postponed at First Selectwoman, Applicant’s Request
Old Lyme Zoning Commission Meets Thursday to Continue Discussion of Halls Road Overlay District
Summary Given of All Related Communications Received by LymeLine OLD LYME—On Thursday, Feb. 27, the Old Lyme Zoning Commission will hold Public Hearings and a Special Meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium. Zoning Commission Chairman Paul Orzel notes that the Middle School has a hard “close” time of 9 p.m., which the Commission intends … [Read more...] about Old Lyme Zoning Commission Meets Thursday to Continue Discussion of Halls Road Overlay District
Lyme Ambulance Association Welcomes Two New EMRs, Conniff and Liggett
LYME—Lyme Ambulance Association (LAA) has welcomed two new Emergency Medical Responders (EMR). The two new EMR's are Richard (Dick) Conniff and Geoff Liggett. A press release issued by the LAA states, "We’re thrilled to introduce two outstanding additions to our team of dedicated volunteers. These individuals embody the spirit of community service that makes Lyme so … [Read more...] about Lyme Ambulance Association Welcomes Two New EMRs, Conniff and Liggett
Letter to the Editor: Disagreements Voiced with HROD—Pause Plan Now, Discuss it Further, Make New Proposal Supported by Majority
To the Editor: I am writing to voice my disagreement with the [Halls Road Overlay District] proposal as currently written. There has been a lot of discussion regarding the proposed density of housing. It's not 600 and I seriously doubt it's 250 as the HRIC [Halls Road Improvement Committee] claims (with no basis, mind you). It all revolves around the "40 units per … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Disagreements Voiced with HROD—Pause Plan Now, Discuss it Further, Make New Proposal Supported by Majority
SECWAC Presents Acclaimed Journalist Edward Wong, Speaking on His Family’s Reckoning with China, Wednesday; Free Event at RJ Julia’s in Madison
MADISON, CT— On Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m., the Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council (SECWAC) hosts award-winning journalist and author Edward Wong at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, Conn. Wong's talk is titled, 'At the Edge of Empire: A Family’s Reckoning with China,' and is an epic story of modern China that weaves a family memoir with vital reporting by a … [Read more...] about SECWAC Presents Acclaimed Journalist Edward Wong, Speaking on His Family’s Reckoning with China, Wednesday; Free Event at RJ Julia’s in Madison
Letter to the Editor: An Open Letter to the People of Old Lyme—Take Action to Support the Halls Road Overlay District
An Open Letter to the People of Old Lyme: Dear Neighbor, Guided change will allow Halls Road to better serve Old Lyme in the 21st century. The proposed Halls Road Overlay District allows the private investment needed to create a new, mixed-use town center there, scaled to the needs of Old Lyme: For the full details on the Halls Road Overlay … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: An Open Letter to the People of Old Lyme—Take Action to Support the Halls Road Overlay District
Hundreds March in Old Saybrook Against Trump/Musk, in Support of US Constitution
OLD SAYBROOK—Despite it being a bitterly cold and windy day, hundreds of protesters still gathered on Monday—President's Day—in front of Old Saybrook's Town Hall to demonstrate their objections to President Trump and Elon Musk's actions since taking office. They first listened to impassioned speeches and then marched as a group down Main Street cheerfully chanting slogans … [Read more...] about Hundreds March in Old Saybrook Against Trump/Musk, in Support of US Constitution
A View From My Porch: A Short History of the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD), Why it is ‘a Worthy Project’
Feb. 16, 2025—Prologue: I read a fluorescent green flyer Sunday morning that was seeking signatures on an online petition; which I ignored. The flyer disparaged the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) and, of course, had no author or organization. It was anonymous; and began “BEWARE!” and then went on saying something about “A WOLF IN SHEEP’s CLOTHING!!” that may have been … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: A Short History of the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD), Why it is ‘a Worthy Project’
Voting Closes at Noon Today in ‘USA Today’s’ ‘Best Small Town Arts Scene’ Contest, Vote for Old Lyme Today!
Editor's Note 2/11: 'USA Today' has announced that the leaderboard is closed for the final days of voting, saying, "Otherwise, there wouldn't be any surprises once the winners are announced!" The paper states, "Come back on Wednesday, February 26th at 12:00pm EST to see the results!" Editor's Note 2/8: Old Lyme is currently in second place on the Leaderboard, but we are now … [Read more...] about Voting Closes at Noon Today in ‘USA Today’s’ ‘Best Small Town Arts Scene’ Contest, Vote for Old Lyme Today!
Statement from Old Lyme’s Halls Road Improvement Committee: “Setting the Record Straight on the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD)”
Editor's Note: The Halls Road Improvement Committee (HRIC) asked us to publish this open statement to the Old Lyme community on their behalf. It is the opinion of the HRIC. There has been a wave of posts on social media and elsewhere making claims that misrepresent the actual content of the HROD proposal and distort its possible impact on our community. The true facts will … [Read more...] about Statement from Old Lyme’s Halls Road Improvement Committee: “Setting the Record Straight on the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD)”
Lyme-Old Lyme HS Students Brave Freezing Temperatures to Build Bench for OL Open Space Commission
OLD LYME—The Old Lyme Open Space Commission has been busy recently! On Jan. 26, some 10 members of the Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) Environmental Club assembled a bench following the design of others already constructed on various Old Lyme Land Trust properties. Karen Taylor, who is a tutor at LOLHS, is the advisor for the Environmental Club. The students braved … [Read more...] about Lyme-Old Lyme HS Students Brave Freezing Temperatures to Build Bench for OL Open Space Commission
Application Denied for Controversial Smith Neck Rd. House in 5-0 Vote at Monday’s Old Lyme Zoning Meeting
OLD LYME—UPDATED 1/11 at 12:10 pm: The 'Record of Votes' related to Monday night's meeting has now been published. Regarding the Special Permit Application toreplace and construct a new 5-bedroom residence with an attached 2 car garage at 43 Smith Neck Rd., RU-40 Zone, Jeffrey and Emily Merriam, applicants, the Record states, "A motion was made by D. Savageau, seconded by J. … [Read more...] about Application Denied for Controversial Smith Neck Rd. House in 5-0 Vote at Monday’s Old Lyme Zoning Meeting
Logan Landry Advances Towards Eagle Scout Status with Bridge Construction in Old Lyme’s Bartholomew Open Space
LYME-OLD LYME—As part of his qualifications to gain the prestigious Eagle Scout honor, Logan Landry, a member of Lyme-Old Lyme Boy Scout Troop 26, designed a 25 ft. long bridge to be installed over a flooded—and hence closed—trail in Bartholomew Open Space in Old Lyme. On Feb. 1, Landry successfully coordinated construction of the bridge. He was assisted by several older … [Read more...] about Logan Landry Advances Towards Eagle Scout Status with Bridge Construction in Old Lyme’s Bartholomew Open Space
Op-Ed: Support HROD—Inevitable Halls Rd. Will Change, Optional Overlay Positions Old Lyme to Better Manage Its Future: Other Choice is Leave it to Chance
Editor's Note: This op-ed is a response by Howard Margules to the op-ed by Jill and Russell Todd, which we published Feb. 5, 2025 on LymeLine.com. Margules is an Old Lyme resident and member of the Halls Road Improvements Committee. Thank you for your interest in the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) zoning proposal—I would like to address your concerns: Developers … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Support HROD—Inevitable Halls Rd. Will Change, Optional Overlay Positions Old Lyme to Better Manage Its Future: Other Choice is Leave it to Chance