To the Editor:
Because the Republican Party has made the HROD an issue this election season, I thought to correct a recent letter that seemed ill informed or deceptive. I offered the below to CT Examiner last week, but they have not responded. Notably, David Kelsey is listed as the principal funder of the CT Examiner on its website (1).
On October 14, CT Examiner published Emerson Colwell’s “Finance Candidate’s Backing of Halls Road Overlay Shows Lack of Judgement.” Colwell argued Board of Finance member Thompson supported the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD), and should be replaced by candidates Matthew Olson and David Kelsey.
A few facts:
- Kelsey was a member of the Halls Road Improvement Committee (HRIC) from 2020-2023 (2). This was the key period in which the HROD plan as currently known was formed.
- Kelsey on June 9, 2022 was THE member who motioned to forward the draft HROD to the Zoning Commission (3). This was to be the first time the Zoning Commission rejected the HROD.
- HRIC minutes show Kelsey was an active HRIC participant and supported the plan.
- Kelsey, a former Wall Street investment banker focused on real estate, is co-founder of an investment company headquartered in Old Lyme that owns and operates apartment complexes and other commercial properties across the United States (4).
- Kelsey owns one property on Halls Road (5). I believe per the news at the time he claimed to buy it for altruistic purposes for the town. Kelsey’s company occupies another property in what could become the HROD. The property’s ownership is unclear per the Old Lyme GIS. With HROD approval, it is reasonable to believe both properties would increase in value.
I do not personally know any of the candidates Mr. Colwell mentions. I do thank the three as well as our other volunteers of all or no parties upon our behalf. Mr. Kelsey has volunteered his time to the town over the years as have the others. I only wish to correct the errors.
But, if one were to take a paranoid mindset (and I do not), then … if there is anyone living in town that has the background, acumen, financial incentive, and access to massive sources of capital from across the country to build up Halls Road to the hilt, it is Republican Candidate David Kelsey and the team of Wall Street real estate investment professionals he leads.
The HROD was the result of many years of time generously volunteered by our neighbors. They did their best. It was an open discussion with meetings, minutes, public outreach with surveys and open houses at Town Hall which many of us participated in. Greg Stroud the owner of the CT Examiner published some criticisms on legal issues, which the HRIC took to heart and made important changes. It was a non-partisan and bi-partisan effort to do something to improve things, as every generation should attempt to do for their community. Hopefully, some of its research assists the Zoning Commission in this new third round of examination of Halls Road.
What I would like to see next from the local press is an open discussion among the Republican candidates; perhaps Kelsey and a major HROD detractor. What does Kelsey think about the way things have gone down this year with his creation; it becoming a political football? Does Kelsey and his firm have a secret plan for Halls Road?
Beware of those who peddle in unsupported accusations, drama, division, and/or deception. Character matters.
Sincerely,
Kevin Clougherty,
Old Lyme.
Sources:
- https://ctexaminer.com/about/
- https://onboard.oldlyme-ct.gov/board/4213
- https://www.oldlyme-ct.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06092022-1686
- https://hamiltonptinv.com/team/
- https://oldlymect.mapgeo.io/datasets/properties?abuttersDistance=100&latlng=41.322986%2C-72.338979&previewId=21-54-1&zoom=20
I bought the lot so it was not a gas station, nothing else, and I bought it personally because of the handwringing. From day 1, I advocated for starting with low hanging fruit on Halls Rd., do sidewalks and streetscape improvements that could be accomplished quickly. I voted for the early version of HROD to advance to the selectmen because that version was pretty innocuous – nothing like the final version.
My frustration, though now numb to it, is that sidewalks and streetscapes are what could have happened 11 years ago, when we went down rabbit holes of master plans by two different groups, tax increment finance districts, grants with a sailboat full of rope attached, fishing piers, etc.
Sidewalks, sidewalks, sidewalks as soon as possible has been my goal as the start of safety and beautification and btw, the town could pay and end up cheaper and getting done faster than any string-laden, siren’s song of government “grants”.
Sometimes vox clemantis in deserto, a voice cries in the wilderness. I hope folks like Hydrangea Galore, it will be there for two more years at least. We even had objection to that!! I hope the zoning commission gets its act together, because currently, BY RIGHT all of Halls Rd could do adult entertainment with simple site plan approval requirements – how bad is that for management of our zoning regulations (Sect 5, page 15).
Happy to discuss with anyone at anytime.
As a former member of the Hall’s Road Improvement Committee i would like to challenge Mr. Clougherty’s characterization of Mr. Kelsey. David and I served on the Hall’s Road Committee in the same time period. During this time David did oppose the scale of the proposed project, He was well respected by all committee members and brought a wealth of valued information into our discussions. Like David i also resigned , from the committee, once it became evident decisions were being made for political interest and not town interest. Mr. Clougherty’s characterization is an insult to a town resident who has freely given his time and energies to improve Old Lyme.