Monthly Archives: August 2019

Letter to the Editor: Sound View Sewers? Town Funding Not Justified, But Consider Other Alternatives

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To the Editor:

A group of Sound View property owners are voicing strong opinions regarding the funding for the proposed sewer system for Sound View, specifically why it is not considered a public works project to be funded by all Old Lyme taxpayers rather than just Sound View property owners.

In my opinion the distinction is simple. The Old Lyme taxpayers receive no benefit from the sewers for Sound View properties and have no right to access or use those private properties. Only the Sound View owners benefit and can use their properties so only they must pay for the improvement.

I think that the Sound View folks should aim their efforts in the way Merv Roberts has suggested for decades. Pressure DEEP to approve alternative on site septic systems being used in other states instead of installing sewers. Only properties tested and found to be in need of new systems would have to install them and the cost would likely be substantially less that the proposed sewer assessments and maintenance costs. The technology is available and only the “empire builders” at DEEP are refusing to consider alternatives to sewers. They mandate sewers with little or no empirical data and testing.

I’m sure that other property owners, such as those in Hawk’s Nest and elsewhere (Rogers Lake?) would gladly join the effort with Sound View to insist upon proper testing and the use of alternative septic systems.

Sincerely,

Steven A. Ross,
Old Lyme.

Kidz Connection Presents its ‘Outdoor Summer Theater on the Lawn Season Finale’ in Clinton, Aug. 23-25

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Join a cast of 43 aspiring advanced musical theater actors as they get groovy with the beloved tracks of ABBA in this fun full length musical production on the lawn at Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy, Clinton.

Don’t miss this entirely free event to be held Friday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m., Aug. 24, at noon and 6 p.m. and Aug. 25, at 4 p.m.  Bring your picnics, lawn chairs/blankets and get ready for some summer close-out fun!

For more information, contact kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com/860-227-2363 or go to kidzkonnectionct.org.

Help Phoebe Clear her Shelves! BookCellar Hosts Pre-Renovation Half-Price Sale Through Aug. 17

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As part of the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Renovation Project, the BookCellar will be closing down on Aug. 17 and relocating in September to temporary, smaller space. 

Therefore everything in the Cellar, including artwork and Rare & Collectibles, is currently half price. 

There will be bargains galore with this pricing, so don’t miss this opportunity to stock up on your summer reading and more.

Your purchases will help the Library prepare for the new and improved Phoebe’s BookCellar coming soon.

Old Lyme BOS to Hold Special Town Meeting Tonight; No Vote on Sewers, But Vote on $328K Mile Creek Bridge Repairs Will Be Held

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Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Board of Selectmen will hold a Special Town Meeting, Monday, Aug. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Hall. The first item on the agenda relates to the Appropriation of $9,500,000 for Construction of Sewers and the Authorization to Issue Bonds, etc. to finance the appropriation.

By statute, the Board of Selectmen voted to remove this vote to a referendum on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Town officials will not make a presentation nor discuss the substantive issues presented by this item during this Town Meeting. The informational literature that was mailed to each address in Old Lyme will be available.

There will NOT be a vote on any aspect of the sewer project at this meeting.

Voting at the referendum scheduled for Aug.13, will be held from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Cross Lane Fire House. Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk’s Office.

The second item on the agenda is to appropriate $328,500 for the engineering and repair work of the Mile Creek Road Bridge.

A vote on this matter WILL be held at this meeting.

Griswold Gathers Over 200 Signatures on Petition to Run as Republican First Selectman in November, State Requires 84

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Former Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold

Old Lyme Republican Registrar Cathy Carter

OLD LYME — Former Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy C. Griswold has collected more than 200 signatures on petitions requesting his name be added to the ballot in September as the Republican candidate for First Selectman. Griswold gave the number to LymeLine in an email conversation Sunday and added that there are more petitions out in the community, which he has not picked up yet.

He said he plans to give all the petitions to the Old Lyme Republican Registrar Cathy Carter this afternoon.  She told LymeLine on Friday by phone that once she has received the petitions, she must review each signature to verify it, checking that the person is a legitimate member of the Republican party.

To demonstrate what sometimes happens when people believe they are registered Republicans but, in fact, turn out not to be, Carter gave the example of someone who may have moved out of Old Lyme, then returned, but forgot to re-register their name with the party.

Carter told LymeLine she must submit the petitions and verified signatures to the state by Wednesday, Aug. 7. According to the state’s rules, Griswold needs signatures from five percent of the approximately 1680 registered Republicans in Old Lyme, so the minimum number of signatures required is around 84.

Carter added that a Republican Primary would not be required in September since the Republicans did not endorse anyone for First Selectman in the slate that they have already submitted.  Chris Kerr was endorsed for a second term as Selectman by the Republicans and Griswold has indicated he will campaign with Kerr if he is successful in his efforts to be on the ballot.

See this article, Griswold Petition to Run on November Ballot as Old Lyme First Selectman Has More Than 80 of 85 Signatures Required, Expects to Meet Goal by Tonight, published on LymeLine Aug. 2, for more information.