April showers feels like the theme for this week. I have drops of information on a variety of subjects for this week’s newsletter.

Last weekend, representing the Board of Selectmen, Jim Lampos and Jude Read attended the Economic Development Commission’s ribbon cutting ceremony  for our newest business in town, Rand Automotive at 214 Shore Road. Steve and Jess Rand were both born and raised in the Lyme-Old Lyme area and are eager to serve their community.

Earlier this week we learned that the State’s Nonprofit Grant Program announced their latest round of funding for nonprofit health and human service agencies, supporting capital projects that enhance service delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness. Last awarded in 2018, this current round of awards was highly competitive. Congratulations to the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) who was awarded a grant of $400,256 to renovate and modernize the LYSB main office building. This renovation will bring all mechanical systems up to code, maximize energy efficiency, and improve safety and ADA accessibility. The grant will cover 75% of the project budget, with the remaining 25% coming from LYSB donations. This project will ensure that LYSB is able to continue to serve our community for years to come. 

Please mark your calendars for April 27th. LYSB will be having their semi-annual Drug Take Back at the Lyme Street Fire House. Also on that day, Police Officer Steven Hackett will be doing car seat installations. Officer Hackett will be happy to check your car seats for proper installation. We do ask that you make an appointment, using this link, as these inspections take some time to complete. 

Theresa Jackman, our Eversource Community Representative, dropped by to see me this week. She wanted me to be aware that Eversource is ending their moratorium on shut-offs at the end of the month. For those of you who may be delinquent in your bills, please reach out to Eversource to start a payment plan. You can call our Social Services Coordinator, Amy Bonatti, for further assistance at 860.434.1605 x228.

The Sound View Commission and Shoreline Gateway Committee are teaming up to bring back the Osprey Festival. This will be held at Sound View on September 14th. Many of you may recall that Mark Griswold was instrumental in creating the first Osprey Festival in 2016. If you are interested in volunteering on the festival committee please complete our appointment form for consideration.

Monday, April 15th, is a busy day here in Old Lyme. The Board of Selectmen will meet at 5:30pm in the Meeting Hall at Town Hall. This regular meeting will be short, as we will need to be at the Annual Town Budget Public Hearing at 6:30pm, at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School auditorium. This will be immediately followed by a Special Town Meeting at 7:30pm. Registered voters, please remember to bring a valid ID, and property owners please bring a valid ID and an Old Lyme property tax bill to vote at the town meeting. 

All my best, 
Martha