Happy May!  

Town Hall was busy with two meetings on Monday and Tuesday night. I am putting a small ad-hoc committee together to work with me on the Tantummaheag Landing issue. I appreciate everyone who has written to volunteer for this advisory group. I will be in touch this weekend to set up an initial meeting.  

At our Town Meeting on Tuesday night, BJ Bernblum (Chairman of the Board of Finance) and I presented the question that will be posed to the public regarding bonding for the Senior Center. Please remember that voting will take place in the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School gymnasium on Tuesday, May 7^th from 12-8pm. You will also be voting on the Region 18 school budget that day.

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to take part in the Millstone Emergency practice drill at the Emergency Operations Center at the Boughton Road Firehouse. Representatives from Dominion and FEMA were all present to observe the Old Lyme Emergency Management team in action. It was an amazing experience and I loved learning another aspect of the First Selectwoman’s job.  

Please save the date for the Senior Center Renovation / Expansion Groundbreaking Ceremony. We have scheduled this for Monday, May 20^th at 2pm. It will take place on the lawn at the Senior Center. The rain date is Tuesday, May 21^st at the same time.  

I personally want to thank all the Board, Commission and Committee chairs who attended our “Spring into Action” workshop last Saturday. We had 23 B/C/C’s represented. We had some time to learn more about the capabilities of Microsoft Teams, the important paperwork that the Town Clerk’s office needs to make your meetings more productive, and how to correctly secure Town Hall at the end of the evening. During the last hour or so, each chair shared what their group was working on. Many chairs connected on topics that were of mutual interest. We explained that there will be a better chance of obtaining grants if two or more committees apply together for joint projects.  

We have vacancies on several Boards / Commissions / Committees. On Monday, it is my intention to have the Board of Selectmen approve the charge of the Town Wide Safety Committee. This will be an advisory committee to the Board of Selectmen to work on speeding and safety issues on our various roadways. Our Ethics Commission has vacancies for 1 member and 2 alternates. Ethics Commission applicants must not have served on a town board for 6 months. Meetings are held as needed when a complaint is filed, or administrative work needs to be done. The Osprey Festival Committee is still seeking a few more volunteers as they begin to plan for the September event.  

The new online Parking Pass program for beaches and parks is up and running. Michele Hayes in the Selectman’s Office reports that it is a much easier system for her to use. This allows us to reduce paperwork, all information is imported into our files, and it is more time-efficient for Michele. And you have the option to pay online, which many have been requesting for some time. Parking passes can be mailed to you, or they can be picked up at Town Hall.  

Harry S. Plaut, our town harbormaster from 2014 - 2023, passed away last month at the age of 72. The Harbor Management Commission would like to remember Harry for his time and dedication to the town of Old Lyme. Harry’s love of the shoreline and Long Island Sound, for his ability to make people smile through every conversation, and for his unique perspective on life, will not soon be forgotten. “Fair winds and following seas,” Harry. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Saturday looks like a perfect day to start some gardening projects.

All my best,
Martha