Monthly Archives: March 2025

Letter to the Editor: Sign Removal Issues in Old Lyme Should be Referred to Ethics Commission

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This is an example of one of the signs to which this letter-writer refers. The photo was taken before the Feb. 27 date was postponed to April 9. Photo submitted.

To the Editor:

We now know that Old Lyme’s First Select-Person, Martha Shoemaker, directed the town’s Public Works Director to remove NOWAY OVERLAY (stet) signs from various  locations around town. Prior to the removal of the signs there was no attempt, by any town official, to work with either the property owner or the group responsible for installing the signs to work out the matter.

What is further concerning is that Martha Shoemaker is a member (ex officio) of the Hall’s Road Improvement Committee that has put forth the Zoning Regulation proposal that the NOWAY OVERLAY signs are in opposItion to. Is this a conflict of interest or at least the appearance of a conflict? 

When wire political signs are posted during election season, neither the town’s Zoning Enforcement Officer nor the Historic District Commission, which disfavors wire signs, remove them. With respect to the Hall’s Road Overlay proposal – also a matter of great public and local political concern – why should signs taking a position on that issue be treated differently? And why are some wire signs along roadways, on a variety of topics, left intact and only signs in opposition to the Overlay removed? 

At a meeting that I attended on March 19 at the town hall that included the First Select-Person, the town’s Public Works Director and the Zoning Enforcement Office, I attempted to offer a less confrontational approach with enforcement of our town’s zoning regulation involving signs.

I suggested an approach that a member of the town’s Historic District Commission (HDC) and I discussed in a recent phone conversation. The first attempt of the HDC to regulate structures concern in the District is to contact the property owner, and then invite the property owner to meet, discuss, and try to work out the matter. 

The conflicting views of the issues surrounding the Overlay Zoning proposal and the rights of free expression have resulted in the erosion of public trust of many of our public officials. So where do we go from here? The following is my recommendation.

The Town of Old Lyme’s Code of Ethics ( Section 43-8 (8) includes a provision whereas the Ethics Commission can initiate a complaint and investigate such complaint.. It does not require the filing of a complaint specifically from a town resident. 

I believe the Ethics Commission is the proper forum ( town agency) to address the issues stated above. 

Sincerely,

William Folland,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Proposed Changes to Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Music Program Will Negatively Impact Students, Teacher, Program Itself

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To the Editor:

I graduated from the Lyme-Old Lyme Class of 2021 and am now a Senior set to graduate from the Bryant University Honors Program in May of this year with a Marketing Major. I strongly urge the Lyme-Old Lyme Board of Education to reconsider the decisions that have been made about the music program. There are numerous ways that this change will negatively impact students, the teacher, and the program itself. 

Music isn’t just a class—it’s a place where students gain confidence, find their voice, and feel supported. While the program isn’t being cut, stretching one teacher between two schools will make it impossible to provide the same level of mentorship and musical excellence that students rely on. 

I know this firsthand because I was in Chorus from third grade through my senior year of high school. Now, as a member of an accomplished a cappella group at Bryant University, I would not be where I am today without Mrs. Pekar. She was the one who encouraged me to audition, who helped me develop the skills to succeed in music, and who inspired me every day to be the best I can be. Without her support, I would never have considered pursuing music at this level. 

For me, the music program was more than a class, and Mrs. Pekar was more than a teacher—she was my mentor and biggest supporter. During my senior year, I spent over 2000 hours with her. To put that into perspective, an average student spends just 216 hours a year with a teacher if they have them 4 times a week, since Lyme-Old Lyme recognizes the drop-period curriculum. Whether it was show choir, concert chorus, practicing piano for my senior project, or starring in the musical, which she has been brilliantly directing for 4 years now, she was and still is there for me and all students. 

But her impact on my life goes far beyond music. If not for her helping me build my confidence from the ground up, I wouldn’t have had the courage to compete in sales competitions in Chicago—where I advanced further than many of my peers. 

After dedicating so much time and energy to students, she now won’t even have a moment to catch her breath between classes. This change doesn’t just affect students—it affects the teacher, the program, and the heart of the school community. Please ensure that each school has the dedicated support it deserves. The impact of a great teacher lasts far beyond the classroom—I am living proof of that. 

Sincerely,

Sophia Ortoleva,
Old Lyme.

Death Announced of Ann Moriarty; Lived in Cheshire, Also Had Cottage in Old Lyme for 50 Years

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CHESHIRE – Ann Moriarty, 87, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at her home. She was the wife of the late William J. Moriarty.

Mrs. Moriarty was born February 21, 1938, in Waterbury, the daughter of the late Frederick and Elizabeth (Shanahan) Jones … In addition to her time in Cheshire, she lived in a cottage in Old Lyme for 50 years.

She is survived by her sons William J. Moriarty III (Amanda Benner), and Christopher Moriarty (Charlot Rosario); her brother Frederick Jones; her grandchildren …

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 … Burial will follow at Duck River Cemetery in Old Lyme …

Visit this link to read the full obituary published March 21, 2025 in ‘The Hartford Courant.’

Letter to the Editor: Gravel Pit Situation on Mile Creek Rd. is a ‘Travesty’, ‘Cannot be Allowed to Continue’

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To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the letter sent to the Old Lyme Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) from Old Lyme resident Olaf Bertram-Nothnagel, signed by 52 others, and published on LymeLine.com at this link.

The letter is an excellent summation of the travesty taking place at 304 & 308-1 Mile Creek Road.  This situation cannot be allowed to continue.  The IWWC has the authority to direct a cease-and desist order and request remediation of the environmental damages to this wetlands area.

The [IWWC] Commission, or its agent, shall enforce the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act and shall issue with terms, conditions, limitations or modifications, or deny permits for all regulated activities in the Town of Old Lyme pursuant to Sections 22a-36 to 22a-45, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.

The Old Lyme Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) was established by an ordinance adopted October 21, 1963, and tasked with the responsibility of protecting the indispensable, irreplaceable, and fragile natural resources in and around Old Lyme’s wetlands. This Commission oversees and grants permits for activities within wetlands, watercourses, and their Upland Review Areas (defined as the lateral 100-foot area around a wetland or watercourse, or the lateral 400-foot area around a vernal pool), or any activity altering the hydrology of a site and impacting a wetland or watercourse.

The IWWC’s mission is to protect natural resources within and around wetlands and watercourses for current and future Old Lyme residents.

Many inland wetlands and watercourses have been destroyed or are in danger of destruction because of unregulated use by reason of the deposition, filling or removal of material, the diversion or obstruction of water flow, the erection of structures and other uses, all of which have despoiled, polluted and eliminated wetlands and watercourses.

Such unregulated activity has had, and will continue to have, a significant, adverse impact on the environment and ecology of the state of Connecticut and has imperiled and will continue to imperil the quality of the environment thus adversely affecting the ecological, scenic, historic, and recreational values and benefits of the state for its citizens now and forever more. 

The preservation and protection of the wetlands and watercourses from random, unnecessary, undesirable, and unregulated uses, disturbance or destruction is in the public interest and is essential to the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the state.

Sincerely,

George E. Ryan,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author serves as the  vice chairman of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission but writes here solely in his capacity as a citizen of Old Lyme.

Death Announced of Rino Vitali, ‘Well-known Resident of Old Lyme’

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OLD LYME—Rino Vitali, a well-known resident of Old Lyme, CT peacefully passed away at the age of 88 on the morning of Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Rino, the sixth of eight children, was born on April 8,1936 to Achille and Rosina Vitari Vitali …

… Rino and Judith settled in Old Lyme where they built their dream house overlooking the picturesque Black Hall River. In their later years, they wintered in Saint Augustine, FL.

… Throughout the Old Lyme community, Rino was especially known for his work with children. He was a Little League Coach and umpire for over twenty years, winning several town championships, calling strikes with dramatic flair, and sending many a disruptive parent to their car. In addition, Rino was the Scoutmaster for Troop 26 for over a decade, growing the program from a handful of boys to several dozen at its peak. Rino was also fond of singing. He was a member of Saint Ann’s Episcopal Choir for almost 50 years, and spent many seasons singing with various local choral groups: the Eastern CT Symphony Chorus, Capella Cantorum, and Con Brio.

… He has been a continuous member of Black Hall Country Club since 1978 …

Rino is survived by his three sons, Sean, Kevin, and Keith, two daughters-in-law Denise Mock and Alexis Lury Vitali, longtime companion of Kevin Vitali, Lindsay Malloy, four grandchildren, Ethan, Luke, Rowan, and Shane, sister Sofy, two sisters-in-law, Janice Modon and Margaret Hotchkiss, and countless nieces and nephews, including Elizabeth Comstock.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at Saint Ann’s memorial garden on Saturday, April 5th at 2PM at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road, Old Lyme, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Boy Scout Troop 26 of Old Lyme, The Lyme/Old Lyme Little League, or Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church music program.

Visit this link to read the full obituary published March 18 by DignityMemorial.com.