Monthly Archives: September 2025

TOP STORY: Old Lyme Cemetery’s Bridge Project Spurs Debate Over Temporary Road on Library Lane

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OLD LYME–Library Lane has become a meeting ground for public interests as the need for burial access at the Duck River Cemetery intersects with neighbors’ calls for traffic safety on the narrow road. 

The nonprofit Old Lyme Cemetery Association, which oversees the cemetery and its historic bridge over the Duck River, has proposed the construction of a temporary road accessible via Library Lane that would allow burials to continue during a partial bridge replacement slated for the fall of 2027. 

The application was approved in April by the Old Lyme Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC). But it wasn’t until last week that some neighbors found out about it, according to Wetlands Enforcement Officer Eric Knapp. 

Cemetery Association President Ed Pinn in a Wednesday phone interview said the replacement project will cut off a portion of the cemetery from the existing entrance on McCurdy Road for about three months. 

“Without that temporary road, people’s loved ones won’t be able to be buried in sections that are beyond the bridge,” he said. 

He said bridge designs are not yet complete and bids have not yet been solicited for the project set to start roughly two years from now. 

“Our goal is to not begin the temporary road until just before we’re about to undertake the bridge project so that there’s minimal impact on the community and the road won’t appear active until it’s absolutely necessary,” he said. 

The inland wetlands application specifies about 0.14 acres of wetlands will have to be filled in to make way for the 12- to 14-foot-wide passageway. The project was approved by the commission in a 7-0 vote. 

Project documents show the plan relies on an easement allowing the association to use the driveway at 31 Library Lane.

No Public Hearing

At an IWWC meeting Tuesday, several neighbors raised concerns about the potential effect of increased traffic on the lane where people walk, bike and play. 

William Folland, who lives on Dunns Lane—a cul-de-sac that joins Library Lane—said the wetlands application did not indicate if any alternatives to crossing the wetlands had been considered. He also worried there were not enough conditions in place to ensure the temporary road did not become permanent. 

Folland said there should be a public hearing on the issue. 

“I believe that this is a privately funded project but with significant public interest; that is, the safety of the residents on Library Lane,” he said. 

But Old Lyme Land Use Coordinator and Wetlands Enforcement Officer Eric Knapp said the commission, after visiting the site, determined there would not be any significant impacts to the wetlands – and therefore no need for a public hearing. Other evidence weighed by the commission included engineering and erosion control plans as well as testimony from Nathan L. Jacobson and Associates, the cemetery association’s consultant. 

“The permit remains in place,” Knapp said at the commission meeting. “And at this point, it’s valid going forward.”

Knapp emphasized the commission’s jurisdiction is limited to environmental concerns in the wetlands. 

“The wetlands commission is ill-equipped to deal with traffic issues; it’s really not within your parameters,” he said. 

The temporary nature of the project means it’s not in the purview of the Zoning Commission, either, according to Knapp.  

A joint letter from Knapp and First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker addressed Monday to Library Lane residents recognized the neighbors’ frustration but said the town’s involvement in the process ended with the inland wetlands commission’s sign off. 

“No town approvals were necessary or required for this arrangement,” they wrote. “Additionally, no approval from the Zoning Commission was required, as there is nothing in the Zoning Regulation that would address a temporary use of this nature.” 

They said burials there average four a month. 

Holding the Key

The owner of 31 Library Lane told the commission he doesn’t see how the plan can proceed until more information is provided to residents. 

“I think I hold the key to this happening, since it’s on my property,” he said. 

Gary Dayharsh said he may allow access through his driveway for the temporary road, but needs important questions answered before giving full approval.

“I have yet to see a plan on what’s proposed,” he said. “I want to cooperate. I understand why it’s necessary. But I certainly want all my concerns addressed before I’ll even agree.”

He said he’s waiting for assurances that his driveway culvert won’t be harmed, general cemetery traffic won’t be coming up his driveway, liability insurance is covered and his property will be restored afterward. 

Pinn, the cemetery association president, said he will bring in engineers to look at Dayharsh’s culvert and will address all of his concerns. 

He said the temporary road will be returned to its original condition within six months or less, weather depending. 

The remediation plan is included in the engineering plans submitted to the commission. 

The association hasn’t decided how visitors will access the affected cemetery section outside of burial times, according to Pinn.

He described Dayharsh and the other property owners along the shared driveway as gracious for working with the association to make the project possible.

“We’re acting in the interest of the community by repairing the bridge, and we appreciate the cooperation of the neighbors, who’ve helped facilitate it,” he said. 

The association president noted the bridge’s condition came to light after the association brought in an engineer to determine the load carrying capacity of the 100-year-old structure amid plans to develop the cemetery’s Ledges section. Members ultimately agreed it was their responsibility to follow the engineer’s recommendation to replace the bridge. 

Pinn said he would keep affected residents informed of the project in writing going forward. 

“We want to be a good neighbor,” he said.

Soccer Roundup: Lyme-Old Lyme Teams Struggle Against Valley Regional

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OLD LYME —Playing at home on Monday, Sept. 22, the Lyme-Old Lyme High School boys soccer team fell 3-1 to Valley Regional High School. 

Ian Maeby scored for Lyme-Old Lyme off an assist from Colman Curtiss-Reardon. 

Valley Regional’s Keegan Coloquhoun scored two goals and Patrick Finnegan scored one. Varrick Recchia made two assists.

Lyme-Old Lyme goalkeeper Sam Edmed made five saves for Old Lyme, while Valley Regional’s Paul Malaguti was credited with 10 stops.

The Wildcats are now 3-4-0 overall and 2-3-0 in the Shoreline Conference. 

Playing away on Wednesday, Sept. 24, the Lyme-Old Lyme’s girls soccer team lost 6–0 to Valley Regional.

Lyme-Old Lyme goalkeeper Grace Osborne made 11 saves. 

Valley Regional saw two goals each from Madelyn Riebold and Makaylah Spencer, in addition to goals by Anne Keck and Payton McIntyre. Goalkeeper Emma Reilly made two saves. 

The girls team is now 3-4-2 overall and 3-4-0 in the Shoreline Conference. 

Old Lyme Property Transactions, 9/23/25

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9/18: 1 Epsilon Ave., the Estate of Ilse Minkenberg of Guilford to John. P Johannemann and Joanne G. Johannemann, $558,500. 

9/17: 203 Boston Post Road, the Estate of Eloise M. Ward of Danbury to Yousef Mazaheri and Madelyn Mazaheri, $267,500. 

9/16: 4 Seaview Road, Michael Kelliher and Susan Kelliher of Canandaigua, NY, to Mary C. Berry, $680,000. 

9/15: 17 Washington Ave., George Waldron and Leona Waldron of Venice, FL, to RM Realty LLC II of Plainville, $700,000. 

9/12: 300 Mile Creek Road, Hector Rosado of Windsor to Jose Rene Martinez, $250,000. 

7/11: 41 Gorton Ave., Jennifer Bradley of Charlotte, NC, to Todd M. Baker and Heather R. Baker, $590,000.

TOP STORY: Old Lyme Animal Control Officer Describes Necessary Toll of Seizing 27 Pets in Alleged Hoarding Situation

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OLD LYME—Animal Control Officer Lynn Philemon told the Board of Selectmen at their regular meeting on Monday that the weeks following the July seizure of 20 dogs, five birds and two chinchillas have been exhausting but important.

“I have no sleep at all, no vacation … and I’m glad I did it because I’ve been trying to get those poor animals away from those people for two years,” she said. 

Her job over the past few months has included writing a search warrant, seizing the animals from the small home on Miami Avenue where they were allegedly hoarded, taking them for extensive and frequent medical appointments, and lining up foster homes where they can recuperate before finding their permanent families. 

It’s a job she takes home with her. 

Among the animals living with Philemon currently are a dam (the female parent of litter of puppies) and a couple of older dogs seized from the property. The latter all require medical attention and the mom is “going to pop any minute” with an expected litter of four puppies, she said. 

The 27 animals were seized after concerns were brought to Philemon in late June about an animal hoarding situation in Cheshire with ties to the Old Lyme house, according to civil court documents. Repeated welfare checks conducted at the beach area bungalow went unanswered before resident Nancy Guest allowed Philemon and a local police officer to come inside. 

The documents described officers finding up to 20 dogs covered in urine and feces amid “deplorable” conditions.

After the search and seizure warrant was executed on July 28, court documents show the Ledge Light Health District deemed the residence unfit for habitation. 

No arrests have been made yet in connection with the Old Lyme case. In Cheshire, the state’s judicial website shows Guest and two others were arrested and charged Sept. 10 with 19 counts of  animal cruelty. 

When Shoemaker described Philemon’s new skills compiling search warrant and arrest warrant as a resumé builder, the animal control officer agreed.

“That was the first time I’ve ever had to do that in my 21 years, believe it or not,” she said.

Five of the dogs initially signed over to the town have been adopted, according to Philemon. The remainder of the dogs are in foster homes because of severe medical needs that need to be addressed before they can be adopted.  

There are also three five-week old puppies and two three-week old puppies from two dams. 

“A lot of them are not housebroken. They were let out twice a day. There was 20 of them in a small house,” she said. 

Though she recounted hundreds of calls coming in to the animal control facility from would-be adopters, she told selectmen many of the animals aren’t ready yet. 

“They need time to decompress and everything,” she said. “I’m not going to put them in a bad situation.” 

Two of the birds have been placed in new homes, while one remains hospitalized. The two chinchillas on Monday went to stay with a veterinarian for exotic animals who she said is in the process of adopting them. 

First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker said medical bills amounted to roughly $11,000 to $14,000 before Guest surrendered the dogs to the town. The town will look to recoup the costs through the legal process. 

“If we have to do a lien, we’ll do a lien,” she said. 

Now, Philemon is coordinating donations from concerned individuals and organizations and is planning an Oct. 4 fundraiser to cover ongoing medical expenses. She cited heart issues, mammary tumors, hernia removal and extensive dental treatments as some examples. 

“Every single one of those poor dogs had black teeth. Even the young ones,” Philemon said. “It’s bad. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

She said coverage during the shelter’s most crowded period following the seizure required three shifts of two people each, including the assistant animal control officer and temporary help hired by the town.  

Then there were the day-to-day situations, such as roaming dogs found in the streets, that tested the already strapped operation as staff members looked for space in the hallways and back room surrounding the kennels. 

“It was nuts,” she said. “Just nuts.” 

The Oct. 4 PAWtoberfest fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Machnik Drive animal shelter includes a live band, Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club food tent, local vendors and raffles. Application forms to adopt some of the dogs will be available at the event.

Dogs are invited to attend the event, which will also benefit the Presents for Paws nonprofit organization distributing pet food and supplies to animal shelters across the state.

Editor’s Note: This article has been corrected to reflect information received from Lynn Philemon regarding where some of the dogs are currently housed.

TOP STORY: A Tale for All Ages: Lyme’s Faulkner Hunt Revives the Classic Spirit of Adventure in Debut Novel Published Sept. 23

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Author Faulkner Hunt sits down at Ashlawn Farm Coffee in Old Saybrook on Sept. 11, 2025, in the leadup to the Sept. 23 publication of his first book.

LYME–Frustrated screenwriter-turned-author Faulkner Hunt’s first novel is a hardcover story for the ages in an era consumed with 30-second reels and 80-character posts on social media.

Hunt, a Texas transplant whose career spans the media and technology industries, has emerged with a back-to-basics approach that eschews the trappings of the digital world for pure storytelling.

“A book, at its worst, is a beautiful distraction,” he said. “At its best, it’s among the highest forms of art.”

The Ballad of Innes of Skara Skaill is set for release this month as an adventure story modeled after classics like Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Those are the bedtime tales he read to two boys and two girls, now grown, whose childhoods spanned decades. 

“I had kids in my house for 28 years,” he said of the 18th century farmhouse shared with wife Ann Lightfoot. “It felt like I was reading nonstop.” 

The couple, who met as students at Wallingford’s Choate Rosemary Hall boarding school, moved to Lightfoot’s hometown in Lyme in 2001. That was several jobs and two children after Hunt packed up his University of Texas degree and moved to New York just to be near Lightfoot again, “even though she may not have known it.” 

Their identical twin girls were born in Lyme. 

He described his own youth and time spent reading to their children as “classic training” in storytelling structure. But fast changing realities forced him to adjust his narrative view. 

“Look, if the world’s attention span is shorter, then you have to adapt to that,” he said. “And so this book is very much designed to be a page-turner. It’s written kind of like a screenplay is written, where there’s no wasted time, space, and you’re not meandering around listening to an author show off. It’s just very straightforward that way. It travels quick.”

Hunt’s years studying English and history at college, where he roomed with the now movie star Owen Wilson and traveled in the same circles as filmmaker Wes Anderson, helped forge an early affinity for screenwriting inspired by the burgeoning cinematic powerhouses. 

But when he couldn’t land a deal on any of several screenplays – including one project with Wilson’s backing about a scofflaw dad assigned by a judge to the Marine Corps – his plans changed. 

“I started thinking, well, maybe just write a book,” he said. After three years of writing, revising and pitching, he had it: 314 hardbound pages with cover art that revealed a Welsh woodcarving of the imaginary North Atlantic island of Skara Skaill. 

“It comes out September 23rd,” he said. “There it is; it’s the shape of a book.” 

The Ballad of Innes of Skara Skaill, published by Regalo Press, tells the story of a bereaved son, who takes up with two young brothers living on the village streets and moors of Skara Heath as they search for fortune and truth in the island’s buried past. 

Describing “a tale for all ages,” Faulkner said he sees the book as a story to be passed through the generations by word of mouth rather than marketed in a social media blitz. 

He admitted to a counter-revolutionary approach that comes at a time when authors, whether they land a traditional publisher or go the self-published route, must sell themselves aggressively online. 

“I have no social media presence, and I won’t,” he said. 

That doesn’t mean he won’t go on podcasts and talk with BookTok influencers. But he emphasized none of that outreach will point back to his own pages on the likes of X, Instagram and Facebook. 

His X account, going back to 2009, remains empty except for a profile picture of a father and child. 

“When I see a line of kids all together and they’re all staring at their phones, it literally just breaks my heart,” he said. “I think, ‘what are you missing?’ Everything! You’re missing it all.”

The Ballad of Innes of Skara Skaill goes on sale Sept. 23. Visit faulknerhunt.com for more information.

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to order a copy of the book.