Monthly Archives: May 2021

Old Lyme Town Attorneys Suisman Shapiro Name New Managing Partner, Welcome Two Attorneys  

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Atty. Eric Callahan of Old Saybrook is the newly-appointed Managing Partner of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law.

NEW LONDON/OLD LYME — Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has announced that Eric W. Callahan will serve as the firm’s next  Managing Partner. Callahan joined the firm in 2004 and was elevated to Director in 2011; he was  unanimously appointed to the top leadership position by the board of directors on May 3.

The firm is also  pleased to announce the addition of two new lawyers, Laura A. Raymond and Samuel M. Nassetta, who will  practice in the firm’s litigation department.  

“Eric Callahan is a skilled attorney and demonstrated leader who embodies the institutional values of Suisman  Shapiro and will effectively lead our law firm into the next generation,” said John A. Collins, III, of Old Lyme, former Managing Partner of the firm.  

“We are pleased to welcome Laura Raymond and Sam Nassetta to our litigation team. These new hires  demonstrate the firm’s enduring commitment to outstanding client service,” Eric W. Callahan added. 

Eric W. Callahan, an Old Saybrook resident, concentrates his practice in the areas of business law, municipal law,  commercial transactions and real estate law. Attorney Callahan also practices appellate law and has successfully  briefed and argued numerous appeals before the Connecticut Appellate Court and Connecticut Supreme Court.  

Since 2013, Eric Callahan has been recognized by Super Lawyers for his work in business and corporate law; no  more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected for this honor. 

Laura A. Raymond will focus her practice on general litigation including municipal, commercial and personal injury  law. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2018 where she  was the Articles Editor for the Connecticut Public Interest Law Journal. Attorney Raymond resides in Norwich and  previously worked as an attorney representing clients in complex medical malpractice, products liability, multi district litigations, premise liability, workers’ compensation, and bad faith actions. 

Samuel M. Nassetta received his J.D. from the Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2020. During law school, he  served as a Legal Aid Intern for the Columbus House Shelter in New Haven, CT, where he worked with clients on  custody cases and misdemeanor charges. He also interned with the Division of Public Defender Services in New  London, Stamford and New Britain courts. Attorney Nassetta lives in New London and was admitted to the  Connecticut bar in December 2020. He represents criminal, employment and workers’ compensation clients. 

Suisman Shapiro is the largest law firm in eastern Connecticut, serving the community for over 75 years with a  wide range of legal services. 

Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law is located at 2 Union Plaza, P.O. Box 1591, New London CT 06320 For more information, visit www.suismanshapiro.com or call (860) 442-4416

May 17 COVID-19 Update: No New Cases in Either Lyme, Old Lyme; Lyme Holds at 107, OL at 341

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash

LYME/OLD LYME —The Daily Data Report for Connecticut issued Monday, May 17, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health(CT-DPH) for data as at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16, shows that no new COVID-19 cases were recorded in either Lyme or Old Lyme compared with the previous day. Both towns held at their previous day’s cumulative case totals with Lyme at 107 and Old Lyme at 341.

This is the seventh reporting day in succession that there has been no change in the number of cumulative cases in Old Lyme and the sixth day in succession for Lyme.

These Daily Reports are not issued by CT DPH on Saturdays or Sundays and therefore Monday’s data includes new cases from both weekend days. The next new report will be issued in the afternoon of Tuesday, May 18.

Old Lyme – No Change in Cumulative Cases

The May 17 Daily Data Report for Connecticut for data as at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16, shows that Old Lyme has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 330 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 11 probable cases, making a TOTAL of 341 cases.

This represents NO CHANGE in the cumulative number of confirmed or probable cases compared with those reported the previous day.

The total number of Old Lyme residents tested is 5,268, an increase of 23 over the previous day’s number of 5,245.

Lyme – No Change in Cumulative Cases

Lyme has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 99 confirmed cases and 8 probable cases, making a TOTAL of 107 cases.

This represents NO CHANGE in the cumulative number of confirmed or probable cases compared with those reported the previous day.

The total number of Lyme residents tested is 1,413, which represents an increase of four over the previous day’s number of 1,409.

Rep. Carney Co-Sponsors Bill to Remove Race Designation from Marriage Licenses, Land Records

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State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd)

HARTFORD – State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), whose district includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, voted Tuesday, May 11, in favor of a proposal to prohibit restrictive covenants based on race.

The proposal, HB-6665, An Act Concerning the Removal of Restrictive Covenants Based on Race and Elimination of the Race Designation on Marriage Licenses, would prohibit restrictive covenants – defined as “an instrument affecting the title to real property that purports to restrict ownership or occupancy of such real property on the basis of race.”

As a co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Carney said, “This bill is long overdue in creating a process to strike racist language from our covenants and marriage certificates and I was thrilled to see it pass unanimously.”

According to the bill, by Dec. 1, 2021, the Office of Policy and Management must develop a standardized form to report unlawful restrictive covenants, town clerks must make such forms available on a municipality’s websites where land records are kept, along with posting a notice informing the public of the provisions of this section in the town clerk’s office where land records are kept.

Current state law requires applicants provide their race or face having their application denied.

Despite the Department of Public Health collecting this information, it does not serve any intended purpose. HB-6665 would therefore eliminate applicants from being required to provide race as a requirement for approval.

Connecticut is only one of eight states that requires couples to identify their race before obtaining a marriage license.

The bill received unanimous support from the House and will now move onto the Senate for further action.

Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center Seeks Applicants for Variety of Positions

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OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center (OLCLC) in Old Lyme has openings for the following positions, all starting Aug. 2021:

-Director
-Head Teacher (Infant and Toddlers)
-Teacher’s Assistants (all programs)
-Before and After Care Coordinator
-Before and After Care staff
The Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center believes in children. Children need the time and opportunity to grow,  explore, and discover. The OLCLC programs promote the development of children as creative individuals and as members  of small groups, and staff who believe in these same philosophies are sought.
Staff who  will help us to make the Center a secure, safe and happy environment that fosters the natural development of the whole child, which includes socio-emotional, cognitive, language and small and large motor skills are required.
More information on each position follows:

Director: Seeking a strong leader with a vast knowledge of Early Childhood Education and practice. Director’s Certificate preferred but can be completed within first year of position. Must have strong organizational skills and managerial experience. Strong communication skills a MUST and looking for someone passionate about the field and making our Center the best place it can be for our staff and students.

Head Teachers: (Infants and Toddlers) Early Childhood degree with 2 yrs. Exp. in field. Knowledge of contemporary early childhood education appreciated and strong management, communication skills and leadership a must.

Teacher’s Assistants (all programs): Seeking full and part time teacher’s assistants. Experience working with children preferred.

Before and After Care Coordinator: Flexible hours a must– morning and afternoon hours available. Must be able to work a 7am-8:45am shift in the mornings and a 2:30pm-5:30pm shift in the afternoons.

Before and After Care staff: Looking for high school/college age students available either shift. Ideal after school job for high school student or for someone with another part time job in the program off hours.

If interested, send a letter of interest, a resume and two letters of recommendation to: Kristen St.  Germain at office.olclc@gmail.com

Statement From Old Lyme DTC Shows Support for Master Plan in Old Lyme

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Editor’s Note: We received the following statement from the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, which we are publishing in full for the benefit of our readers. 

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee applauds the work of the Halls Road Improvements Committee and the Economic Development Commission in their efforts to develop a viable plan for our town center, Halls Road.

Once adopted, a master plan will encourage development that enhances our community and maintains the character of our small town, and it will deter unwanted businesses that do not, such as additional gas stations and convenience stores.

We urge all members of the community to embrace the work of both organizations, offer their input, and support the development of a master plan for Halls Road. We believe this will protect our quality of life, strengthen any application for available funding by demonstrating fiscal responsibility, and be in the best interests of the future of Old Lyme.

We urge the Republican Town Committee to join us in this position.