Lyme Board of Finance Chairman Dan Hagan.

LYME — Lyme Board of Finance Chairman Dan Hagan hosted a swift, virtual Public Hearing on the proposed 2020-21 Lyme Town Budget Tuesday evening with not a single member of the public and just one member of the press attending the Zoom meeting.

Hagan summarized the numbers noting the proposed budget called for total expenses of $10,688,087, which represents a reduction of $326,155 (3%) over the previous year’s budget of $11,014,242. He noted that revenues of $10,607,533. were anticipated leaving a general fund balance at the end of June 2021 of $2,192,000, which he said was, “well over the two months of operating budget that the town expects to have on hand.”

Reviewing the income section in detail, Hagan noted that revenues were increasing from $10,428,173 to $10,607,533 with 90 percent of the town’s income coming from general property taxes. He explained that these showed “a sizable increase” primarily due to the value of Eversource’s property in town increasing by some $6 million after major upgrades, giving the town an additional $140,000 in revenue.

On the expense side, Hagan highlighted the “major portion [of expenditure] at 65 percent of the total as being the $6,442,000 to Region 18 Schools, which represents a decrease from the current year’s figure of $6,579,421. Noting that this decrease is accounted for by two factors, Hagan explained firstly, “the schools decreased their budget overall for next year by almost 1 percent” primarily due to refinancing their debt service.  Secondly, he pointed out that Lyme pays a share of the total Region 18 budget based on the percentage of the student population for which it accounts in terms of residents.  The 2019-20 percentage was 19.3 whereas the 2020-21 number has reduced to 18.5 percent. He described the combination of these favorable factors as “a big plus for us.”

Hagan mentioned two expense amounts in the budget for bridge work on the Birch Mill Rd. Bridge ($25,000) and Macintosh Rd. Bridge ($250,100), saying the former was ongoing but the latter would likely be moved into next year due to the impact of the coronavirus.

Commenting that the budget also called for moving various monies into savings funds, he described that as a “fantastic” achievement. He then concluded by thanking all involved for “doing a great job,” and creating a budget, which would not only enable the town to hold the mill rate steady for another year, but also, “reflects the values of what we hold near and dear in Lyme.”

After reporting that, despite an email address being open for 21 days to receive questions from the public, not a single one had been received. Hagan asked for a motion to forward the budget for final approval at their May 12 meeting. No town meeting is required this year to approve the budget per the Governor’s Executive Order 7-B.

The vote was unanimous and the meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m., precisely 14 minutes after it had started.

Steven Mattson, First Selectman of Lyme.

LYME — In a Public Health Advisory Update issued April 5, Lyme First Selectman Steven Mattson stated, “It has been 10 days since the last update when we announced the first coronavirus patient in Lyme. We are cautiously optimistic to note that we have not yet seen another case.” He noted, “Neighboring towns continue to experience increasing numbers of cases and we should anticipate the same here,” urging, “Please be diligent in keeping yourselves, your families, friends and neighbors safe as we work together to protect ourselves and our town.”

• “The ambulance, fire and emergency management services continue to be ready. Protocols to protect the first responders and the patients on 911 calls have been modified and responders may be in protective equipment upon arrival at your homes if called. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been ordered and stockpiled and the flow of additional supply has been arranged with the state, if needed.
• The COVID-19 Response Team is following all developments and participating daily with the Governor, State Health Department and Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security to be fully aware of the most up-to-date information and recommendations.
• Our volunteer appeal has been overwhelmingly successful. Thank you. Over 100 of you have offered to help. These volunteers are making contact (non-physical) with any residents who would like to be followed, just in case. We are actively seeking other residents who may be more comfortable knowing the town is available and can assist in addressing emergency needs that may come up. Volunteers may be needed for additional purposes if things progress negatively. It is a comfort to know this community stands up and takes care of one another. A large reason why we love living here.
• The town facilities remain closed, but the government remains open and operational. Town Hall and library employees can be reached by email and will assist in most cases. The town crew is working on a reduced basis, but work continues on our roads. “How-to” instructions for our land-use responsibilities have been posted on the website to try and make things a little easier. The website will continue to be updated as the situation changes.
• The town’s boards and commissions are getting back to work. Their meetings will be held virtually and remain open to the public. Agendas are posted on the website with instructions on how to participate, if desired. Minutes are also posted summarizing the actions taken in those meetings. It is our hope that all boards will be back on their normal meeting schedule by May.
• The development of next year’s budget (beginning July 1, 2020) has continued and will be presented at a virtual Budget Hearing, on April 28, 2020 by the Board of Finance. The Board of Finance will be empowered to adopt this budget and set the mill rate for next year without Town Meeting approval. The proposed budget will be posted on the website with an email address made available for your comments. The Board of Selectmen’s budget proposal, being reviewed and debated by the Board of Finance, recommended a balanced budget that would not require a property tax increase next year.
• Our land preserves, along with those owned by the Lyme Land Trust, remain open and have available some of the best hiking trails in CT. We urge you to take advantage of them for exercise and fresh air. Please remain at least 6 feet apart from others as you enjoy our beautiful town.”

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

LYME — Lyme First Selectman Steve Mattson issued a statement at 2:10 p.m. today as follows:

The Connecticut Department of Public Health today confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 within the Town of Lyme.

The first thing I want to say, on behalf of the entire Lyme community, is that our thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery are with this individual, their family and their loved ones.

For the community at large, our main goal continues to be slowing the spread of the virus. The best way to do that is to practice social distancing and to follow the other public health recommendations that have been issued – everything from frequently washing your hands to eliminating all non-essential travel.

For the most up-to-date information on the state’s public health guidance and other resources, residents are encouraged to visit www.ct.gov/coronavirus. We need to take our public health experts’ advice to heart and limit any unnecessary person-to-person contact until further notice. These efforts are essential to help reduce the spread of the virus and limit the number of people who may become infected.

The Town’s COVID-19 Response Team and our Emergency Management Department are continuing to follow the comprehensive emergency response plans we have developed, practiced and refined over many years.

Our first responders – our fire company, our volunteer ambulance service and our Emergency Management Department – are mobilized and ready.

Our volunteer coordination effort has begun in anticipation of furthering outreach to our most vulnerable residents.

We continue to communicate and work closely with the Ledge Light Health District, the State Department of Public Health, the Governor’s office and other state and local partners.

The Town website and Facebook page continue to be updated with the latest public health news and information.

All residents continue to be encouraged to sign up for the Town email list on our website’s home page to receive important public health updates by email.

Our emergency response team will be on the job until it’s over.

We will get through this, together.

Stay Safe. Stay at Home.

Lyme Public Library is now closed  until further notice in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

LYME — Following the March 21, Governor’s order requiring all non-essential activities to cease, the Town of Lyme is taking the additional steps listed below in an effort to further reduce the exposure of residents and employees to the COVID-19 virus.  Municipalities are considered an essential service and the Town plans to continue operations where possible, though sometimes at a reduced level.

As of yesterday, Tuesday, March 24:

• • The Lyme Public Library will close until further notice. Please follow the Library’s website at www.lymepl.org for instructions regarding the availability of online access to books and other information.
  • All Town Hall employees will be instructed to work from home. Employees will be limited to a few hours each week at the Town Hall to maintain their department’s operations and address any required activities that may be received by U.S. mail. Such visits will be coordinated to assure only one employee is present in the building at any one time. Each department will monitor their emails and do their best to assist residents when possible. The email addresses of the major Town departments can be found on the website at www.townlyme.org/town-departments.
  • The Town’s Transfer Station will close and disposal of landfill materials will not be possible until further notice.
  • The Hamburg Recycling Center will close and recycling will not be possible until further notice.  Residents will either need to hang onto their recyclables for disposal at a future date or dispose of them as household garbage – that is, via their trash service with Jansky Rubbish who will be remaining open and servicing the town.
  • Town Boards and Commissions are instructed to hold any essential meetings via conference call only and encouraged to delay any business that is not mandatory. The Governor’s orders have approved such meetings, provided agendas are published on the Town’s website and provisions are made for interested residents to participate via phone. More information regarding the procedures to be used will be forthcoming and posted on the Town’s website when finalized.
  • The Public Works Department will operate on a reduced schedule and will respond to emergencies only. The Town Garage will be closed.
  Summarizing the situation in light of actions taken previously:
  • Lyme’s first responders – the fire company, ambulance service and Emergency Management Department – have prepared and are on standby should their services be needed.
  • The Town has developed a list of vulnerable community residents, who will be contacted and followed up with on an ongoing basis, in order to ensure that all residents have the support they require. Should an individual resident enter into isolation and wish to be included on this list, email the Town Clerk at townclerk@townlyme.org and provide your name, street address, email address and phone number so that they can be included.
  • A volunteer list has been developed for Lyme residents interested in helping to make follow-up calls to the Town’s vulnerable citizens, and provide additional help that may become needed in the community. If interested in volunteering, email the Town Clerk at townclerk@townlyme.org and provide your name, address, phone number and, if relevant, any specific skills you can offer..

  All Lyme residents are encouraged to sign up for the Town email list on the Town’s website’s home page to receive important public health updates by email.

  For further information and any questions, contact the board of selectmen at AsktheLymeBOS@gmail.com.

  

Lyme Town Hall

The Lyme Board of Selectmen have issued the following updates:

Call for Volunteers

The coronavirus is the biggest public health challenge Lyme has faced in generations.  The board wants to make sure none of our vulnerable residents are facing this challenge alone.

In preparation for anticipated needs in days ahead, the Town of Lyme is issuing a call for volunteers who are willing and able to help isolated individuals in our community.  We anticipate a need for volunteers who can pick up and deliver groceries, medications and other supplies; and volunteers who can offer ongoing emotional support by phone or email. In the future, there may be additional ways that you can help.

The volunteer coordination effort will be led by our Social Services Director and our Town Clerk, supported by our Emergency Management Department and Second Selectman.

Email the Lyme Town Clerk at townclerk@townlyme.org if you are willing to help.  She will be compiling a list of resident volunteers.  If you have other expertise you think may be valuable in serving others during the coming days, mention that in your email.

Help for Vulnerable Community Residents

The Town of Lyme is continuing its preparations to help its most vulnerable citizens through the days ahead.

The Town has a list of the community’s most vulnerable residents, which has long been maintained by our Social Services Director and the Emergency Management Department. The board wants to make sure, however, that no one who is isolated and vulnerable in the community is overlooked in the coming days.

If you know someone in Lyme who is isolated – or if you, yourself, are a vulnerable individual as a result of your age or other reason – notify the Town Clerk at townclerk@townlyme.org.  If you do not have access to email, call Town Hall at 860-434-7733.

Stay Informed …

The Town website is being updated regularly with the latest news and information.

• For the latest word on the Town of Lyme’s public health response to the coronavirus, click here.
• For the current status of town facilities, click here.
• For other important community updates related to the coronavirus, click here. All residents are encouraged to sign up for the Town email list on the website’s home page to receive important public health updates by email.