Monthly Archives: August 2020

Death Announced of Dr. Philip “Phil” Patrick Devine of Old Lyme

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OLD LYME — Dr. Philip “Phil” Patrick Devine, 70, of New York City and Old Lyme passed away in his home on Rogers Lake, August 2, 2020. He was born Jan. 11, 1950, in Long Beach, Calif. and grew up in South San Francisco, Calif. He was the son of the late Adair (Krombka) Devine and John (Jack) Devine and husband of 41 years to the late Dr. Theodore J. Kowalski.

Phil attended El Camino High School, then went on to the University of San Francisco, where he graduated with a doctorate in education. Phil had a passion for musical theater; and he directed performances in a small community recreation center in South San Francisco …

Visit this link to view the full obituary published Aug. 10, on TheDay.com.

 

Outages in Lyme, Old Lyme Both Now Less Than One Percent

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This photo shows a tree on Sill Lane in Old Lyme, which was uprooted by tropical Storm Isaias. Photo by Kirsten Giangos.

LYME/OLD LYME — Eversource reports that 0.42 percent of Old Lyme properties are still without power and the equivalent number for Lyme is 0.82 percent.

For both towns, if you have an emergency, dial 911.

If you are in Old Lyme and still without power, the Old Lyme Emergency Operations Center would like to know if you are still without power by sending them a TEXT message with your street address, brief description of any damage that there may be, along with a photo or two of the damage to their Call Center Line at 860-598-0120.

The most recent updates from our towns are as follows:

Old Lyme Emergency Services issued the following update at 7 p.m. yesterday evening, Sunday, Aug. 9

Restoration Status

Currently over 98 % of Old Lyme residents have had their power restored. Only 109 remaining outages still exist. Outstanding affected areas include Point O’ Woods, River Road, Riverdale Landing, Edge Lea Road, Old Colony Road, Hartford Avenue, Portland Avenue, Flagler Avenue, Robbins Avenue, Mile Creek Road, Flat Rock Hill Road, Buttonball Road, Pine Road, area of Hefflon Farms Road and Strawberry Lane, Ferry Road, Rose Lane, Griswold Avenue, Rogers Lake Trail, Grassy Hill Road, Tantummaheag Road, Riverview Drive, Neck Road, Huntley Road and Davis Road West.

Most of these outstanding outages are listed by location and are classified by Eversource as being small in nature as clustered outages of 5 customers or less.

We are still using our Call Center TEXTING feature at 860-598-0120 for persons who wish to share their status. We will share these results with Eversource to be sure you are not missed. The information we have received so far has been excellent and extremely helpful to pinpoint where outages remain. This evening at 7:30 PM we will be sending out an Everbridge text and email message to the community. Please follow the directions in the message. This will greatly assist us in accurately locating those still without power.

Additionally, please continue to report your outage to Eversource call 1-800-286-2000.

Besides our Old Lyme Emergency Management Facebook and Twitter accounts, we have established an additional way for you to receive important storm information. Simply text OLSTORM to 888-777 and you will receive text messages on storm related news.

As power lines may still be found on the ground please:

AVOID downed power lines, they should be considered live. AVOID blocked roads

DO NOT remove cones or barricades.

Today Sunday 08/09/2020: Eversource crews worked today and into the evening in the Rose Lane, Griswold Avenue and Ferry Road and Point O’ Woods areas restoring power.

For your Safety, please remember to dispose of spoiled food.

Charging Stations and Potable Water Stations continue to be available (bring your own containers)

To charge your cell phones or electronic devices, or if you need potable water, the following outdoor locations are available 24 hrs. a day until further notice:

The Respite Center at the Lymes’ Senior Center at 26 Town Woods Rd.

The Old Lyme Police Department at 294 Shore Rd.

The Boughton Rd. Fire Station at 189 Boston Post Rd.

Please do not leave your items unattended.

Please be courteous to the Eversource crews. It’s not their fault, these hard-working men and women are doing everything they can to restore your power. Please show some appreciation if you see them working.

The Town of Lyme issued the following update at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8:

Power has been restored to all but 235 residents (17.4%). Eversource will be addressing all remaining outages.

Two roads remain closed – Cove Road and Sterling City Road. Sterling City Road is in the process of tree/wire removal. Cove Road has a dangerous situation with a large tree soon to fall onto wires. A crane is needed to remove the tree and may not arrive in time. Be extremely careful where the road is marked and do not attempt to drive below the tree.

The town crew will be addressing the debris that still exists along roadsides. The amount of debris we experienced will take time to remove and will be completed as quickly as possible.

If you do not have power, make sure to advise Eversource by phone or online as you may have issues with lines running from the street to your home.

Op-Ed: An Open Letter to all the States on the Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine List

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Anyone traveling to Connecticut from the states in red must quarantine for 14 days after arrival.

UPDATED 08/10: New Comment — Hi! This is Connecticut. You know, the little northeastern state with great pizza, high quality of life, and New England charm? Doesn’t ring a bell? We’ve got small cities and a beautiful shoreline and grouchy people and … still no, huh?

Okay, fine. We’re the one between Boston and New York with the traffic jams. Know who we are now? Good.

We’re having a hard time understanding why you let things get this bad. There’s a lot about the rest of the country that doesn’t always make sense to us, like the distinct lack of split-top hot dog buns west of the Hudson, but usually we just chalk it up to regional differences and get on with our lives.

But this is different.

The coronavirus is still raging out of control in most states, five full months after it first started showing up in the United States. In other parts of the world, things are actually going back to normal. In Taiwan they’re having baseball—with fans in attendance! And we here in the Northeast were actually on the same track.

We were beating this thing! We were hit early and we were hit hard, just like our neighbors in New York, but we had smart, capable people in government and brave, hard-working healthcare personnel, and by May we were seeing a dramatic drop in cases and deaths.That downward trend continued until mid-June, when things kind of stalled out.

Now our numbers are going back up. It’s slow, but it’s steady, and we’re bracing for it to get worse before it gets better. Given how bad things got for us in April, and how hard our people worked and how much we sacrificed, this is absolutely gut-wrenching.

Was it all for nothing?

Do you realize that by bearing the brunt of the first wave, the people of the Northeast bought you precious time to prepare? We had only days to decide what to do as the virus spread, undetected, through our population. Everything happened here in two panicky, rushed weeks in March, and then we shut it all down and coped as best we could.

You had so much more time. You could have prevented the virus from ever becoming as bad as it was here.

But what did you do with all that time? Did you ready mask mandates, did you make sure to close bars and beaches, did you get what equipment you could for your hospitals and educate your people?

No. Too many of you decided that it was more important to protect the economy than the people. Too many of you fell for the anti-science, culture-war nonsense coming out of the mouth of the president. And look what’s come of that—the economy is still in ruins, and there are 150,000 Americans dead.

That’s why we’ve had to make our list. If anyone travels from one of those states to Connecticut, they’re required to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

But it’s not like we can put up guard posts on I-95 and I-84. We can’t wall ourselves off from the rest of the country. So the virus is coming back in, and descending on a population who thought, rightly, that they had done their job to defeat it already.

We’re not going to jump up and down and yell about how this is all your fault, even though we’d be justified in doing so. We will share what we’ve learned, and hope you can turn things around before they get even worse.

Masks and shutdowns work. Educating the people works. The leaders of states suffering from the virus now must not be so afraid of the political consequences of doing the right thing, of leading, that they simply allow people to die. Mandate masks. Shut down the economy. Close the bars. Forget about school. Test, report, and trace. You have to.

But here’s the most important and painful lesson we learned: you are on your own. The federal government did not care if we got PPE and ventilators. The people at the very top in Washington were content to let us die because of politics. They don’t care, and help is not on the way.

Which means it’s up to you, and only you, to stop this thing. We believe in you. You have a friend in us, and we’re rooting for you all the way.

Just please, for goodness’ sake, cancel your travel plans.

Editor’s Note: (i)This column was originally published Aug. 4, on CTNewsJunkie.com. It is republished with their permission.

(ii) Susan Bigelow is an award-winning columnist and the founder of CTLocalPolitics. She lives in Enfield with her wife and their cats. Follow her on Twitter @whateversusan.

Millennial Money: How to Move Safely During a Pandemic

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Moving is stressful enough without throwing a pandemic into the mix.

Many Americans may be forced to consider moving as federal foreclosure and eviction moratoriums expire. In the first week of July, 32% of Americans did not make a full, on-time housing payment, according to a nationally representative survey by the website Apartment List. Others may relocate to save money, be closer to loved ones or simply leave a densely populated area.

If you’re considering moving, here’s what to know from a financial standpoint, as well as tips to make moving day safer …

Visit this link to read the full article published Aug. 9, on theday.com. Jean Wilczynski, a certified financial planner and senior wealth advisor at Exencial Wealth Advisors in Old Lyme, and also a resident of Old Lyme and Region 18 Board Member, is quoted in the article.

Outages in Lyme, Old Lyme Now Down to Single Digits

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Blocked driveway on Sterling City Rd. in Lyme. Photo by Paul Hallwood.

LYME/OLD LYME — UPDATED 10 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 9) evening: Eversource reports that 1.16 percent of Old Lyme properties are still without power and the equivalent number for Lyme is 2.3 percent. 

As at 11.45 a.m. this morning (Sunday), Eversource reported that 2.83 percent (156 properties) of Old Lyme are still without power and the equivalent number for Lyme is 7.96 (107 properties) percent.  The number of properties affected was given to us by Old Lyme Emergency Services Director David Roberge by phone also at 11:45 a.m. this morning.

For both towns, if you have an emergency, dial 911.

Old Lyme Emergency Services issued the following update at 7 p.m. this evening, Sunday, Aug. 9

Restoration Status

Currently over 98 % of Old Lyme residents have had their power restored. Only 109 remaining outages still exist. Outstanding affected areas include Point O’ Woods, River Road, Riverdale Landing, Edge Lea Road, Old Colony Road, Hartford Avenue, Portland Avenue, Flagler Avenue, Robbins Avenue, Mile Creek Road, Flat Rock Hill Road, Buttonball Road, Pine Road, area of Hefflon Farms Road and Strawberry Lane, Ferry Road, Rose Lane, Griswold Avenue, Rogers Lake Trail, Grassy Hill Road, Tantummaheag Road, Riverview Drive, Neck Road, Huntley Road and Davis Road West.

Most of these outstanding outages are listed by location and are classified by Eversource as being small in nature as clustered outages of 5 customers or less.

We are still using our Call Center TEXTING feature at 860-598-0120 for persons who wish to share their status. We will share these results with Eversource to be sure you are not missed. The information we have received so far has been excellent and extremely helpful to pinpoint where outages remain. This evening at 7:30 PM we will be sending out an Everbridge text and email message to the community. Please follow the directions in the message. This will greatly assist us in accurately locating those still without power.

Additionally, please continue to report your outage to Eversource call 1-800-286-2000.

Besides our Old Lyme Emergency Management Facebook and Twitter accounts, we have established an additional way for you to receive important storm information. Simply text OLSTORM to 888-777 and you will receive text messages on storm related news.

As power lines may still be found on the ground please:

AVOID downed power lines, they should be considered live. AVOID blocked roads

DO NOT remove cones or barricades.

Today Sunday 08/09/2020: Eversource crews worked today and into the evening in the Rose Lane, Griswold Avenue and Ferry Road and Point O’ Woods areas restoring power.

For your Safety, please remember to dispose of spoiled food.

Charging Stations and Potable Water Stations continue to be available (bring your own containers)

To charge your cell phones or electronic devices, or if you need potable water, the following outdoor locations are available 24 hrs. a day until further notice:

The Respite Center at the Lymes’ Senior Center at 26 Town Woods Rd.

The Old Lyme Police Department at 294 Shore Rd.

The Boughton Rd. Fire Station at 189 Boston Post Rd.

Please do not leave your items unattended.

Please be courteous to the Eversource crews. It’s not their fault, these hard-working men and women are doing everything they can to restore your power. Please show some appreciation if you see them working.

Old Lyme Emergency Services issued the following update at 12 p.m. (noon) today, Sunday, Aug. 9:

Restoration Status

Currently 97 % of Old Lyme residents have had their power restored. Only 109 remaining outages still exist. Affected areas include Point o’ Woods, River Road, Riverdale Landing, Edge Lea Road, Old Colony Road, Hartford Avenue, Portland Avenue, Flagler Avenue, Robbins Avenue, Mile Creek Road, Flat Rock Hill Road, Buttonball road, Pine Road, area of Heflon Farms Road and Strawberry Lane, Ferry Road, Rose Lane, Griswold Avenue, Rogers Lake Trail, Grassy Hill Road, Tantumaheag Road, Riverview Drive, Neck Road, Huntley Road and Davis Road West.

Most of these outstanding outages are listed by location and are classified by Eversource as being small in nature as clustered outages of 5 customers or less.

If you are still without power, it is important that you continue to notify Eversource of your condition.

To report your outage to Eversource call 1-800-286-2000.

We are still tracing our Call Center TEXTING feature at 860-598-0120 for persons who wish to share their status. We will share these results with Eversource to be sure you are not missed. The information we have received so far is excellent and extremely helpful to pinpoint where outages remain.

Additionally, besides our Old Lyme Emergency Management Facebook and Twitter accounts, we have established an additional way for you to receive important storm information. Simply text OLSTORM to 888-777 and you will receive text messages on storm related news.

Town crews will continue Monday to clear remaining roads. Please be reminded that town crew is not doing curb side pick-up of storm debris. Residents can take their storm debris to the Transfer Station on Four Mile River Road.

As power lines may still be found on the ground please:

AVOID downed power lines, they should be considered live. AVOID blocked roads

DO NOT remove cones or barricades.

Today Sunday 08/09/2020: Eversource crews will be working today in various areas of town continuing to restore power.

For your Safety, please remember to dispose of spoiled food.

Charging Stations and Potable Water Stations continue to be available (bring your own containers)

To charge your cell phones or electronic devices, or if you need potable water, the following outdoor locations are available 24 hrs. a day until further notice:

The Respite Center at the Lymes’ Senior Center at 26 Town Woods Rd.

The Old Lyme Police Department at 294 Shore Rd.

The Boughton Rd. Fire Station at 189 Boston Post Rd.

Please do not leave your items unattended.

Please be courteous to the Eversource crews. It’s not their fault, these hard-working men and women are doing everything they can to restore your power. Please show some appreciation if you see them working.

The Town of Lyme issued the following update at 2 p.m. yesterday, Saturday, Aug. 8:

Power has been restored to all but 235 residents (17.4%). Eversource will be addressing all remaining outages.

Two roads remain closed – Cove Road and Sterling City Road. Sterling City Road is in the process of tree/wire removal. Cove Road has a dangerous situation with a large tree soon to fall onto wires. A crane is needed to remove the tree and may not arrive in time. Be extremely careful where the road is marked and do not attempt to drive below the tree.

The town crew will be addressing the debris that still exists along roadsides. The amount of debris we experienced will take time to remove and will be completed as quickly as possible.

If you do not have power, make sure to advise Eversource by phone or online as you may have issues with lines running from the street to your home.

Old Lyme Emergency Management Services issued the following update at 12 p.m. (noon) yesterday (Saturday, Aug. 8.)

Restoration Status

Currently 10% of residents remain without power, specifically, 548 residents do not have power. The majority of outages are in the same affected areas including Hillcrest, Browns Lane, Mile Creek Road, McCurdy Road, Boston Post Road, Neck Road and Binney Road.

Town crews will continue next week to clear remaining roads and remove storm debris. Please be reminded that the town crew are not doing curb side pick-up of storm debris. Residents can take their storm debris to the Transfer Station on Four Mile River Road from now until August 15th. There is a fee for contractors and landscapers.

AVOID downed power lines, they should be considered live. AVOID blocked roads.

DO NOT remove cones or barricades.

To report your outage to Eversource call 1-800-286-2000. Please continue to do this to keep your residence in their restoration lists.

We have added an opportunity for residents to text us directly to let us know of their power status. Please go to go the Old Lyme Emergency Management on Facebook to for more information.

Saturday, 08/08/2020: Crews are working in the Wood Ridge Hills, Browns Lane, Hillcrest Rd., Smith Neck Rd., and Binney Rd. areas.

Last night, Friday, 08/07/2020:Eversource crew continued to work in the Browns Lane and Mile Creek Road area along with working on the McCurdy and Neck Road Circuits.

Town wide telephone and internet service is being restored. If you experience problems with your provider, please reach out to them directly.

Safety

To those still using generators, please operate your unit safely and away from your home’s windows, doors and ventilation devices. Never operate your generator indoors. Secure portable generators if possible.

Lock your cars and homes, and keep a watch out for your neighbors. Be aware of phone scams and use reputable contractors for storm clean up. All public utility workers will have proper ID.

Remember to dispose of spoiled food.

To get up to date storm information, please text OLSTORM to 888-777 to opt into our new communications tool or continue to follow us at Old Lyme Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter.

Charging Stations and Potable Water Stations (bring your own containers)

Charging stations are still available to charge your cell phones or electronic devices, or if you need potable water at:

The Respite Center at the Lymes’ Senior Center at 26 Town Woods Rd, the Old Lyme Police Department at 294 Shore Rd., and at the Boughton Rd. Fire Station at 189 Boston Post Rd.

– Please do not leave your items unattended.