The newly-elected Region 18 Board of Education members gather for a photo. From left to right, Gavin Lodge (Lyme), Susan Fogliano, Alexander Lowry and Scott Brown.
OLD LYME — Yesterday’s election saw all three Democratic-endorsed candidates seeking Old Lyme seats on the Region 18 Board of Education — Susan P. Fogliano, W. Scott Brown and Alexander Lowry — gain seats on the board.
The two incumbent Republican Region 18 Board members, who were seeking reelection — Steven J. Wilson and Suzanne Thompson — have at this point failed in their respective bids to keep their seats and a third Republican, newcomer Michael Presti, also did not secure a seat.
A recount seems likely, however, between the third and fourth vote-getters — Lowry and Thompson — since they were separated by only five votes.
The unofficial results in descending order by number of votes received are as follows:
Susan P. Fogliano (D): 1864 W. Scott Brown, Ph.D (D). 1772 Alexander Lowry (D) : 1727 Suzanne Thompson (R): 1722 Michael Presti (R): 1614 Steven Wilson (R): 1518
Incoming Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker.
OLD LYME — On Tuesday, incumbent Old Lyme (OL) Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (D) and fellow Democrat Jim Lampos were elected to the OL Board of Selectmen taking back control of the board after four years of Republican leadership. The third member of the BOS will be Jude Read , who garnered more votes than her campaign partner John Mesham.
Absentee ballots were significant in the race with Lampos recording the lowest number of in-person votes at 1,537 but when the absentee ballots were added, he jumped to second place with 1,792 votes.
Republicans Mesham and Read polled 138 and 139 absentee ballots each, but Read pulled ahead of Mesham with 1,572 in-person votes compared to Mesham’s 1,555 and thus earned herself the third spot on the board.
After the results were announced, Shoemaker commented to LymeLine, “I am honored to have been selected by the residents of Old Lyme to serve as First Selectman. I look forward to moving projects forward. I will continue to listen to the residents of our community and respond in a timely manner.”
One of the signs that was defaced in Old Lyme over Saturday night. Photo submitted.
OLD LYME — Five large campaign signs in Old Lyme — three Republican, two Democratic — were vandalized overnight on Saturday with hateful terms, obscene language, and offensive signs.
We asked the respective chairs of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee (DTC) and Republican Town Committee (RTC) for their thoughts on the vandalism.
Randy Nixon, RTC Chair, wrote via email, “We are outraged by these heinous acts which meet the legal standard (on our signs) of Hate Crimes. In either party’s signs, this must be condemned by all Old Lyme residents. We are all better than this.”
He added, “This is as sad as it is despicable.”
Mary Jo Nosal, DTC Chair, also responded by email saying, “This past weekend Old Lyme Democratic and Republican campaign signs were vandalized, a direct assault on First Amendment rights. Sadly, the vandalism included trespassing on private property and vulgar and hateful graffiti.”
She noted, “The Old Lyme DTC believes that vandalism and hate speech do not belong in Old Lyme and will cooperate fully with the police investigation.”
in addition, Nosal forwarded the DTC’s public statement regarding the vandalism, which reads as follows: “It has come to our attention that last night, signs supporting both the Democrat and Republican selectmen in town were defaced with spray painted vulgarities and hateful rhetoric. In addition to subverting the democratic process, vandalism is a crime, and we have reported both incidents to the police.
The Old Lyme Democrats oppose any sign theft or vandalism. These signs cost money and are used to inform voters of candidates’ names and remind them to participate on Election Day. They are perhaps the greatest example of our country’s long tradition of free speech in action. Please stand with us in condemning this behavior and respecting BOTH political parties in town. We may disagree on policy issues, but we all agree that this is not what Old Lyme is about.”
Similarly, Nixon sent the RTC’s public statement regarding the incidents, which reads thus: “Last [Saturday] night, signs presenting the candidates for the Board of Selectmen in the November Election were defaced with horrible , indecent words and symbols of hatred.
This occurred on signs for both the Republican and Democrat Candidates. These acts of vandalism are deplorable in all cases.
All Old Lyme Republicans are outraged by these heinous actions and abhor such criminal behavior. We ask everyone in the public to report any eyewitness accounts or other evidence to the Old Lyme Police which might identify the culprits so they can be brought to justice.
There is no place for this kind of filthy behavior and detestation in our town. We have policy differences with the Democrat party in Old Lyme, but those differences are characterized by respectful agreement to disagree. We respect their candidates’ rights to present their positions without defacing of their campaign signs just as expect the same rights for our candidates.
We fully expect the Old Lyme Democrats are in lock step with Old Lyme Republicans in condemning such horrible and hateful behavior.
Old Lyme is better than that. We hope the perpetrators of these crimes will be found and arrested.”
Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold gives Jeri Baker, Chair of the Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee, a congratulatory handshake after the successful referendum result to fund the Lymes’ Senior Center expansion and renovation was announced in June 2023. File photo.
HARTFORD, CT / LYME / OLD LYME — UPDATED 11:10am with State Rep. Carney’s comments: On Sept. 29, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced the latest round of Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants, which included separate $500,000 grants to the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme respectively towards the expansion and renovation of the Lymes’ Senior Center. The Center is a shared facility jointly funded by both towns.
Asked by LymeLine how she felt about the award, Jeri Baker of Old Lyme, who serves as Chairman of the Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee, responded via email saying, “”It is gratifying that the state recognizes and supports what we have known all along … our Senior Center is a gem. What the Center provides in services and friendship is important to both towns and to the surrounding region as well.”
She continued, “I am extremely proud to be a member of the Center, of this community and of a very dedicated building committee that has worked tirelessly for the last four years to come this far.”
Asked the same question by LymeLine, Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold (R) replied via text saying, “The award of two STEAP grants in the amount of $500,00 to the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme is cause for celebration. Congratulations to Senior Center Building Committee Chair, Jeri Baker, for the super job she did in assembling the required data from both towns.”
He added, “[Lyme] First Selectman David Lahm (R) and I thank Governor Lamont, [State] Senators Marx (D) and Needleman (D) and [State] Representative Carney (R) for their assistance, and for the staff at the Office of Policy and Management for their help and guidance.”
Griswold noted, “These grants will certainly ease the financial burden of the project on the taxpayers of our towns. The approvals remind us that the State of CT approved two $500,000 STEAP grants for our towns several years ago when we built the Town Woods Park facility.”
Finally, he stated emphatically, “We are very pleased that the State has such a high level of confidence in our Senior Center Expansion project and we aim to make them proud of our finished product.”
Gov. Lamont announced a total of $24.5 million to 60 small towns throughout the state with the amounts for each town ranging from around $52,000 to $500,000.
He said, in the press release announcing the grants, “Our small towns are an integral part of what makes Connecticut such a special place to live and work,” remarking, “By working with them on these grants, the state can help get these vital projects completed so these towns can continue to grow, thrive, and attract businesses, while improving the quality of life for our residents.”
State Rep. Devin Carney (R), whose 23rd District includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, commented on the awards in an e-newsletter, saying, “The Lymes’ Senior Center provides so much to Lyme and Old Lyme seniors including activities, healthcare programs, lunches, and many social offerings.”
He continued, “I am thrilled that the state will be providing $1M to help subsidize some of the costs involved in renovating this community center. It will go a long way in expanding the senior center’s ability to improve the quality of life for so many.”
Commenting on the $2.444 million awarded to small towns in the 33rd Senate District that he represents, which includes the Town of Lyme, State Senator Norm Needleman (D) said in a press release, “”It’s excellent news that our communities will receive this valuable support from the state, and I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for his support and foresight in aiding our region.”
He concluded, “These projects will help … provide improvements to important town resources. I’m encouraged by these positive developments.”
Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds founder and owner Gilbert V. Boro in his Old Lyme studio. File photo.
OLD LYME — An announcement is being made today that this will be the final year of operation for Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds in Old Lyme.
According to the statement being issued this afternoon, the founder and owner of the studio and grounds, Gilbert Boro, has decided that, “After more than 30 rewarding years of participating in the arts … it is time to retire from public service.”
He does this not only as a result of, “Much careful thought and consideration,” but also with, “A heavy heart.”
The property will remain open to the public through Dec. 31, 2023 and then close permanently.
A Closing Reception will be held Saturday, Oct. 28, to bid farewell to both the Summer Sculpture Showcase and its exhibiting artists. This will also be a time to, “Share fond memories, and commemorate the end of this beautiful chapter.”
Bryan Gorneau, who has served as lead fabricator and studio manager for more than 15 years at the Studio 80, will still be available for the custom fabrication services Studio 80 has provided over the last few years.
He wishes to continue the legacy that Boro has created by offering his fabrication, welding, consultation, and restoration services to the artistic community as Studio 82 LLC, which will operate out of the studio building. Gorneau and his partner Christina Goldberg are dedicated to “Ensuring that the legacy of this beloved place lives on — butin a new and innovative way.”
A view across the iconic Sculpture Grounds in Old Lyme towards the Lieutenant River on the lower right. File photo.
The full statement issued by the Team at Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds reads as follows:
To our dear artists & friends,
It is with many mixed emotions that we have to write this announcement. After much careful thought and consideration, the decision has been made that this will be the last year of operation for Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds. After more than 30 rewarding years of participating in the arts, Gilbert Boro, with a heavy heart, has made the decision that it is time to retire from public service.
Over the last 15 years, we have been sincerely honored to have provided a community space, which nurtured creativity to its fullest breadth and also blessed us with a family of like-minded individuals whose love of the arts paralleled our own. The outpouring of love from our fellow artists and art-lovers for years on end has warmed our hearts and made this adventure feel like a gift. Over the years, we have witnessed countless meaningful conversations, imaginative encounters, and inspiration sparked within these grounds. We have been so very blessed to have met you all, to have showcased your artistic efforts, and to have shared with the world the beauty you have created. Gilbert’s unsparing generosity combined with your unique artistic endeavors have been the muscle that has kept this special place alive. Our doors and our grounds may be closing, but our hearts will not.
We realize that this news may be surprising and many of you may want the opportunity to visit the Grounds one last time. The decision has been made that the property will remain open to the public through December 31, 2023. We will be hosting a Closing Reception on October 28th to bid farewell to our Summer Sculpture Showcase & exhibiting artists, share fond memories, and commemorate the end of this beautiful chapter.
For those of you who have utilized our fabrication services, please rest-assured that Bryan Gorneau, our lead fabricator and studio manager, will still be available for the custom fabrication services Studio 80 has provided over the last few years. Bryan has worked as our fabrication leader for over 15 years and would like to continue the legacy that Gilbert has created by offering his fabrication, welding, consultation, and restoration services to our artistic community as Studio 82 LLC, which will operate out of the studio building. Bryan, along with Christina, isdedicated to ensuring that the legacy of this beloved place lives on – butin a new and innovative way.
Please stay tuned for more information and feel free to reach out to Bryan or Christina at studio82bryan@gmail.com or www.stu82.com.
Thank you again for your support and understanding. We want to express our sincerest gratitude for being part of our journey. Your presence and friendships have made this venture truly exceptional. We have been proud to serve this amazing artistic community and we wish everyone continued creativity and success!
