It was nice to see the sun shining this morning. I am aware that the weather yesterday caused some flooding and tree damage to parts of Old Lyme. It is my understanding that final clean-up will happen today. Public Works will be out assessing various areas and picking up debris as needed. They will also be making final preparations for the Memorial Day Parade, to be held on Monday, May 26th. The parade begins at 11AM.
This past week Facilities Director Erik Olsen worked on the White Sand Beach gazebo in preparation for the summer season. We appreciate his efforts to make this a safer place for our residents. Erik will be sanding and painting the metal bars on the gazebo, once we have a few dry days.
I also want to send a special thank you to Coach Alex Strekel and his Ticks Boys 3 Lacrosse Team, who volunteered to clean the Veterans Memorial in front of Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon. His players Ben Strekel, Owen Cave, Harrison Zimmermann, Tommy Crawley, and Otto Czap all provided a helping hand to make the area look presentable for the Memorial Day weekend.
Our Rangers began training yesterday. We are still in need of a few more Rangers for our summer season. If you know of any interested candidates, please tell them they can apply here.
This week, Ledge Light Health District informed us that they have begun the 2025 beach water sampling season. You may check out their beach page for regular updates at www.llhd.org/beaches
On Monday evening, our Annual Town Budget Meeting drew a larger than anticipated crowd to Town Hall. The Board of Selectmen chose to end the meeting and move it to a larger facility. The meeting will now be held at Lyme-Old Lyme High School on Wednesday, May 28th at 6:30PM.
I know there have been some questions/concerns regarding the budget. We have prepared some information below that you might find helpful.
Old Lyme 2025-2026 Budget
Key Expenditure Increases over 2024-2025
Government Operations: $835,260
- Insurance 107,985
- Special deductions 50,000 (Social Security, unemployment, etc.)
- Emergency Services 61,000 (retirement benefit)
- Police 43,865
- Debt Service 271,168 (Senior Center bonds)
$534,018
The balance is $301,242 ($835,260-534,018). $301,242 is a 2.85% increase over the $10,557,317 Government Operations budget for 2024-25.
Capital: $456,492 (This is the increase over the 2024-25 budget. Capital is down $1,194,548 over 2024-25 actual).
These are the two major drivers for FY 25/26.
- Road Improvement Fund 200,000
- Fire Equipment/Apparatus 293,500
$493,500
Region 18: $1,985,620
- Old Lyme's share of the Region 18 budget is $31,516,502. This figure represents 69.4% of the total Old Lyme budget. It is not affected by the town budget vote--i.e., Old Lyme must still pay this amount if the town's budget is voted down.
The proposed mil rate is 16.23 and will be voted on by the Board of Finance once the budget has been passed by the taxpayers.
If you would like to calculate your possible tax bill for FY 25/26 you can find an estimated property tax calculator and additional information on the Assessor’s page.
There have also been some concerns about the proposed Golf Cart Ordinance. Please note there are State mandates that require headlights, turn signals and brake lights for golf carts. They also require windshields, a mirror, horns etc. The State limits operating a golf cart from sunrise to sunset. Due to changes in state legislation we need to enact an ordinance to safely allow golf carts on specific town streets.
I want to provide you with advance notice that next weekend there will be a motorcycle event passing through town. The Widows Sons Northeast Regional Gathering Ride will take place on Saturday, May 31st from 10:30AM to 2PM. The event begins in East Lyme and continues through Old Lyme along Route 156 into Hadlyme. Please be aware when choosing your travel routes next Saturday.
Hope to see you at the parade on Monday.
All my best,
Martha
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