The incoming Old Lyme Board of Selectmen pose for an historic first photo with First Selectman-Elect Bonnie Reemsnyder standing between Selectman-Elect Mary Jo Nosal and Selectman Arthur "Skip" Sibley. Reemsnyder is the first woman elected to first selectman in the town's history.

There was standing room only in the Meeting Room of the Old Lyme Town Hall yesterday afternoon to witness history being made as the town’s first female First Selectman-Elect, Bonnie Reemsnyder (D), was sworn into office.  Reemsnyder along with her running mate, Selectman-Elect Mary Jo Nosal, and incumbent selectman Arthur “Skip” Sibley (R) took their oath of service from Old Lyme Town Clerk Eileen Coffee, as did many of the other newly-elected town officials.

After unseating incumbent Republican First Selectman Timothy Griswold, who had held the position for seven terms, Reemsyder and Nosal also now combine to form a Democrat majority on the board of selectmen for the first time in some 20 years.

Democratic Town Committee Chairman David Woolley opened the ceremony by asking Father Ahearn to speak.  Expressing his wish that those elected should, “Serve well, have good health and be successful in their endeavors,” the Father noted that each official had, “So many rules to learn … so many people to help.”

State Representative Marilyn Giuliano (R), pictured above, spoke next, warning the officials of the “Long nights and tough days” that lay ahead of them, but at the same time reminding them they, “Have been offered a unique opportunity for service.”

State Senator Andrea Stillman, a fellow Democrat to Reemsnyder and Nosal, spoke warmly of her long friendship with the incoming first selectman and noting, “This is an exciting day for Old Lyme.”  She said, “I wish Bonnie great success.  She will do a wonderful job leading the town to new heights.”

Stillman added to laughter that, breaking with tradition, “The fourth time had been the charm” for Reemsnyder — who had unsuccessfully challenged Griswold on three previous occasions —  and commented that she had set an excellent example for the message that, “When you have a passion for something, don’t give up.”

Finally, after a string of town officials had been sworn in, Reemsnyder  (above, right) stood to take her oath.  

When she had completed it, she exchanged a warm hug with the town clerk and then the audience of a more than 100 immediately burst into applause.  Some jumped to their feet immediately and within a few short seconds, the majority rose to give Reemsnyder a standing ovation.

Reemsyder settled the audience and then gave a short speech, noting how much she was looking forward to working with the new board of selectmen, mentioning specifically Sibley of whom, she said, “We have worked so well together for the last eight years.” 

Referencing the outgoing first selectman, Reemsnyder said she would be remiss if she didn’t acknowlegdge the “fine job” Griswold had done for the past 14 years, and for 15 years prior to that as a member and sometime chairman of the board of finance.  She asked for a round of applause, “As a thank you to Tim for his service.”

She first expressed her appreciation to Stillman and Giuliano for their presence at the ceremony, noting, “It’s really important to me that you’ve come,” and then to her own family — “Aunts, uncles, sister, children …” — for being there.

Concluding with an eye to the future, Reemsnyder said, “Our message of unity and bringing Old Lyme together” had clearly resonated with the voters.  She committed henceforward to, “Give the information you need to make decisions.  This will be at the core of everything we do.”

The majority of town officials sworn in yesterday, including the board of selectmen, will take up office tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 22.  Others whose terms do not begin until the new year will start in January 2012.

Regional District 18 Board of Education officials will not take up office until the board’s first meeting in December.

In a major shift of power in Old Lyme, Democrat Bonnie Reemsnyder was elected First Selectman today by a 234 vote majority ending Timothy Griswold’s 14-year tenure on the position.  Reemsnyder polled 1,412 votes to Griswold’s 1,178 while her running mate, Mary Jo Nosal received 1,336 votes.

Republican Arthur “Skip” Sibley, who drew more votes than Griswold with 1,224, joins Reemsnyder and Nosal to form the new Old Lyme Board of Selectmen.

Skip Sibley and Bonnie Reemsnyder shake hands.

Griswold will no longer have a seat on the board.   

Reemsnyder, who has challenged Griswold on three previous occasions and lost each time, was smiling broadly when she told LymeLine, “I feel ecstatic.  I’ve waited a long time for it – I’ve worked hard and I’m so looking forward to working for the people of Old Lyme.”  She added decisively, “I start tomorrow – I have so much going on in my head – I start prioritizing tomorrow.” 

Asked why she thought she had won this time, Reemsnyder responded enthusiastically, “We had an excellent team.  The people of Old Lyme know me as responsive, caring and inclusive.  I really ran on leadership that unites Old Lyme.  We’ve had a lot of people helping us, sending emails, reaching out.  I have the best team and every day we were out door-knocking.” 

Reemsnyder was generous in her praise for her opponent, saying, “I would really like to thank Tim for his 14 years of service.  We’ve really worked well together.” 

Griswold was similarly gracious in defeat, noting it was obviously, “A decisive vote.”  He expressed the hope, as did Reemsnyder, that, “We have a good, thorough transition.”  He commented, “Bonnie is familiar with all the issues we were working with,” adding that for others where she has not been immediately involved, “I’ll be available to assist.” 

Asked what his future plans were, a contemplative Griswold responded, “I’ll have to figure that out.  We’ll sit back and evaluate…” 

Responding to the question, “What happened?” Arthur “Skip” Sibley said, “You never know with the voters of Old Lyme.”  He added, “I was surprised there was that much spread … there was a lot of energy on both sides and their [the Democrats’] message resonated with the voters.” 

Sibley also spoke warmly of the man under whom he has served for a decade, saying, “No one can deny Tim has done a great job for this town.”  He then looked to the future and said, “I’m looking forward to working with the new team and doing what we do best – working hard for the town.”

Democrats Paul Fuchs and Mimi Roche were the first and second highest vote-getters of the Region 18 Board of Education candidates with 1,465 and 1,456 votes respectively.  They are joined by Republican Judith Read who garnered 1,318 votes.

In the race for a two-year spot on the Planning Commission, Democrat Edgar Butcher defeated Republican Harry Plaut by 1,252 votes to 1,093.

Apart from the Griswold upset, perhaps the other big surprise of the night was the election of Richard Smith as a Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate with just 14 votes.  Only two candidates, Mary Stone and Martha Rumskas, were running for three spots and so Smith won his seat as a write-in candidate.