To the Editor:

Christina and I attended both public meetings hosted by Old Lyme’s Halls Road Improvements Committee, and conducted by members of the Yale Urban Design Workshop. Yale presented the Committee’s vision statement and several conceptual renderings of what fully realizing that vision might yield. The article in the New London Day accurately summarized the vision.

The audience was skeptical of the immense breadth and scope of that vision; – requiring twenty- five or more years to complete.  Several concerns were raised about cost and the impact on taxes.

We left with a few thoughts and concerns. It was not apparent to us that current Halls Road business owners and the professionals occupying office space had participated to any extent in developing that vision. It is absolutely important to get their buy-in. Essex Bank did state that any of their future development would take Old Lyme’s plan into consideration.

We found Alan Plattus’ presentation to be a bit glib. This is important stuff, and some of the vision could be lost in presenter style. Also, know the names of our local landmarks, especially if they factor into the plan. (i.e. it’s the “Bow Bridge” that used to cross the Lieutenant River). But, after all; they’re Yale, not Harvard.

Our suggestion: parse the plan into achievable shorter- range projects that will yield some early successes. Start with the hiking/biking paths along the Lieutenant River, rebuild the foot bridge, and create the new Halls Road village green.

Sincerely, 

Thomas D. Gotowka,
Old Lyme.

To the Editor:

I am writing today in support of our State Representative, Devin Carney. Over the last 4 years Devin has served us with distinction, worked incredibly hard on our behalf, and never missed a vote. Having really gotten to know Devin, he always has Old Lyme’s best interests in mind when proposing or voting on legislation in Hartford.

One of Devin’s greatest accomplishments for Old Lyme was helping defeat the rail bypass proposal that would have destroyed so much of what we love in town. Without flinching, Devin stepped in & helped lead the charge against the bypass. Because of his advocacy, he was made the Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee – one of the largest, most powerful legislative committees in Hartford. 

In addition, Devin stood up for taxpayers against proposals to increase our taxes like mileage taxes & veterinary taxes. He has worked across the aisle for budgetary reform, combatting the opioid crisis and supporting our seniors. His priorities are always in the right place for Old Lyme residents. 

Old Lyme deserves a representative who will put people before politics and I know Devin always will. Please join me on Tuesday, November 6th, in re-electing Devin Carney.

Sincerely,

Skip Sibley,
Old Lyme.

To the Editor:

I think just about everyone is aware by now that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In most years my October thoughts have been of a special aunt (my mother’s sister and my godmother), and my Grandmother, who was in her 90s when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Both were survivors – and my Grandmother lived to be 100.

This year, the pink ribbons and pink pumpkins I’m seeing are reminding me of a journey I began in August of this year. In the middle of lots of happy plans for my daughter’s September wedding (which was everything she had hoped for!), I learned that I, too, have breast cancer and my crash course in breast cancer was off and running.

My initial diagnosis has led to several biopsies, that last of which took place just this week. I know that surgery lies ahead, and will be discussing options and recommendations with my surgeon on November 1, just as Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2018 ends.

It’s really out of character for me to be sharing so much personal information – especially in this public format.  But finding cancer as early as possible is what early detection is all about. If my little story (one of so many similar stories) gives you the nudge you need to schedule your annual mammogram, then my departure from character will be worth it for me.

Although I don’t know yet where my path will lead, I do know that my initial cancer was found only because of my annual mammogram.  And, as frightening as cancer is, I can’t help but wonder how long it might have gone undetected, undiagnosed and untreated without that simple annual test.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As it draws to a close, please call your mother, your sister(s), your cousins, and your friends and remind them all that early detection could save their lives.

Sincerely,

Cathy Frank,
Old Lyme,

To the Editor:

On Nov. 6, I would encourage the voters of Lyme and Old Lyme to support our state Rep. Devin Carney for re-election. Devin has proven himself to be a strong leader at the Capitol, becoming ranking member of the powerful Transportation Committee in only his second term. He has worked hard to improve our economy with structural budget reform, reduced spending and reduced bonding.

In addition, he truly cares about Lyme and Old Lyme and is always there to help maintain our quality of life. He frequently holds office hours and is always there to listen to our concerns. When policies are proposed that threaten our municipal tax structure or take away our local control, Devin is there to support and defend us. He has been a staunch advocate for open space and environmental issues, including supporting a Constitutional Amendment that will protect environmentally precious land.

Devin Carney deserves another term and I know the residents of Lyme and Old Lyme would be well served if he is re-elected.

Rowland Ballek,
Lyme.

To the Editor:

On Tuesday evening, June 5, a public hearing was held in the Middle School Auditorium concerning the proposed affordable housing project, sponsored by the Hope Partnership.  As the clergy from the First Congregational Church and St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, we sat through the meeting and listened to a very thoughtful and careful proposal from Hope, and from its team of planners.  We appreciated the structure of the meeting outlined by the Zoning Commission.  We also heard, by contrast, the comments and catcalls of residents, many of whom were vitriolic, spiteful, and willfully disruptive.  It was not a proud moment for Old Lyme.  It was, in fact, quite embarrassing, for it revealed some of the most dreadful tendencies that can emerge in small towns such as the one in which we all reside. 

It was apparent in the hearings that some residents had spent considerable intellectual energy to challenge the work that Hope Partners put into their proposal.  We can only wish that those same individuals used that energy to solve problems of housing, or poverty, rather than disrupting the work of a trustworthy organization focused on providing housing for everyone from firefighters to returning veterans, postal workers to retail workers and far more.  We could hope that they might have used their knowledge to solve some of the issues they claim to have uncovered.  We still hope that those individuals might use their wisdom and experience to help move a worthy project forward, helping to diversify our community, that others might enjoy what is truly good about this town.

As clergy, we believe we’re called to a better and higher way.  We believe there’s room for dialogue, respect, and civil disagreement in public forums.  And we believe that there are better angels within us all that may yet emerge.

We also believe that Old Lyme needs affordable housing.  We further believe that Hope Partners have carefully and thoughtfully selected an appropriate site for such housing in Old Lyme.  To provide shelter is an injunction and virtue at the center of all the Abrahamic faith traditions.  But it stands at the center of our democratic tradition as well.  There are those in our midst who desperately need shelter.  Some are elderly, as one person courageously reminded us on Tuesday.  Some are young families struggling to get by.  Some are recent college graduates, working several jobs to get a foothold in a shrinking labor market.  Some come to us from different parts of the world, striving to make a new life in the United States.  Affordable housing is a powerful way of providing shelter, when shelter is in short supply.

Every Christmas, each of our congregations rehearses the story of Mary and Joseph, turned away from their own quest for shelter because, the story tells us, “there was no room for them in the inn.”  We appeal to our fellow residents to seek a different, and better response, one that says, “There is room in our inn.  There is room in the town of Old Lyme.”

We believe that’s what the better angels of our humanity call us to in a moment such as this.

In faith.

Sincerely

Rev. Dr. Steven R. Jungkeit, Senior Minister, The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
Rev. Mark K. J. Robinson, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Old Lyme
Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager, The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
Rev. Carleen Gerber, The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme

To the Editor:

In 2017, the Inland Wetlands Agency of East Lyme unanimously denied an application presented by Joe Wren of Indigo Land Design for a 25-lot subdivision built on a parcel of property abutting Four Mile River and consisting mostly of wetlands. The five-page denial details the many reasons this application would likely have an adverse impact on the wetlands and watercourses. It discusses the hazards of groundwater pollution, questions the capability of the proposed septic systems to successfully remediate nutrients or pollutants, challenges the efficiency of the proposed stormwater management measures, and points out that the proposed activities would make it less likely for the existing wetlands to perform as a vernal pool where they exist, among other important environmental concerns.

In 2018, a new plan has been proposed and will be presented to the Inland Wetlands Commission on Monday, June 25, at 7 pm at East Lyme Town Hall. The new plan is for a 23-lot subdivision  that seeks to address the concerns of the previous denial without fully addressing many of the issues noted by the previous commission. This new plan will be presented to a commission consisting of a new Chair and new Vice Chair, as the Chairwoman who led the commission during the denial was told her seat would not be renewed.

The new plan does not protect this valuable natural resource. We hope that people will come express their concerns at the public meeting on June 25th. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/protectgreenvalleylakes/

Sincerely,

Nancy Barwikowski,
East Lyme.

To the Editor:

I am writing in part to fulfill a promise to a daughter. Our daughter Erin arrived for the Christmas holidays from North Carolina with an adolescent Hungarian vizsla pup. She walked Daisy a few times each day; and always with a doggie waste disposal bag in her pocket.

She commented on the large amount of pet waste that she encountered on her walks and wondered why Old Lyme hasn’t required, – or at least encouraged – pet owners to “police” their dog’s waste. I do not know that this problem is widespread or endemic in our town, nor will I attempt to quantify the issue. It is noticeable.        

I assume that residents are largely cleaning up after their pets. However, the (hopefully) minority of dog owners who are so discourteous to their neighbors that they don’t bother to bag and dispose this waste, are leaving an unsightly and unhealthy memorial of their pet’s exercise.

Erin’s professional career has been principally in Boston/ Cambridge, MA and the United Kingdom. These places have longstanding strongly enforced ordinances regarding removal and disposal of pet waste. So, she may react to such misbehaviors earlier than many would.

I am not advocating that Old Lyme enact an ordinance regarding pet waste. Rather, I feel that we should communicate the problem better and continue with our Tennessee Williams – type approach to  resolution i.e., with apologies to T.W., we should always depend on the kindness of neighbors.

The problem is not insignificant; dog mess is not only an eyesore, but also a health hazard.

In the extreme, according to the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dog waste is a major pollutant and contaminant of the water supply. It is a serious health issue.

In fact, it is estimated that 1/3 of all water contamination is a result of dog waste run off entering streams and leaching into underground well water. The EPA deemed dog waste a “non-point source of pollution”, which puts it in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals. So, picking up after your pet every single time is important.

I’ll summarize the “How”: Always carry a plastic bag with you when you walk your dog.  Using the bag like a glove, you pick up the waste, turn the bag inside out around the waste, tie it in a knot and dispose of it in a trash can. 

Repurposed supermarket fresh produce bags work well. Lacking those, dog waste pickup bags are available in many  stores and online. Note: do not put this waste  in your home compost pile because it may contain parasites, bacteria, pathogens, and viruses that are harmful to humans which may not be destroyed by composting.   Those interested in digging down further into procedural details should look at: https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-Up-Dog-Poop

Sincerely,

Thomas D. Gotowka,
Old Lyme.