Author Archives: Olwen Logan

Lyme-Old Lyme Soccer: Boys Score Barrage of Goals Against Valley, Girls Pull Out a Win

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All set to play. Photo by LOLHS Boys’ Soccer

OLD LYME/DEEP RIVER — In a thrilling game played away under the lights at Valley Regional High School, Old Lyme came away with a 4-4 draw against Valley Regional.

Wildcats goals were scored by Mason Bussman, Lucas DaSilva (1 assist), Aidan Kerrigan and Anders Silberberg.
Valley goals scored by Michael Kollmer with two along with two assists, Sam Hutchinson, Jake McKenna, who also had an assist.
In goal for Old Lyme were Jonah Lathrop and Oliver Wyman with a combined total of five saves.
In goal for Valley was Kenny Batt, also with five saves.

Old Lyme is now 4-4-3 overall and 4-2-2 in the Shoreline Conference.

Senior Alexis Fenton (left) pulls away from the pack in the game against Valley. All photos o the girl’s game by Andrea Fenton.

Playing at home Tuesday afternoon, the Old Lyme girls pulled out a win over Valley Regional despite being one goal down at half-time. Grace Abderhiden scored off a free kick for Valley with 23.20 left on the clock until the break.

The Old Lyme girls pass the ball up the field in Tuesday’s game against Valley.

Old Lyme stepped it up in the second half with Callie Bass equalizing after seven minutes, assisted by Monique Lavoie.

Callie Bass, left in photo above, follows the path of the ball carefully as she prepares to head it.

The winning goal for the Wildcats came after another seven minutes when Beatrice Hunt put the ball in the back of the net, assisted by senior Alexis Fenton.
Calla Gilson had three saves for Old Lyme while Elizabeth Allen made seven for Valley.

Old Lyme DTC, RTC Chairs Respond to Defacement of Stefanowski Signs

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OLD LYME — The signs on J. David Kelsey’s property supporting Bob Stefanowski, the Republican candidate for Governor, have been defaced.

We asked the respective Chairs of the Old Lyme Republican and Democratic Town Committees for their reaction to this occurrence.

Randy Nelson, Chairman of the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee, responded by email saying, “I have already written about it in CTExaminer. It is disgusting and should be condemned by all people of all parties. On behalf of the OL RTC , I condemn such defacement by anyone directed at any candidate of any party. I would hope the DTC of OL would join me in this assault on civility.”

We asked for a copy of his comments to CTExaminer, but have not yet received a response to that request.

Mary Jo Nosal, Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, also responded by email saying, “The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee does not support, and has never supported or participated in political sign defacement or removal.

We also notice the increase in vitriolic and unsubstantiated claims against candidates and town officials. It would be useful to hear what the new Chair of the Old Lyme Republican Party offers in the way of solutions to reduce party polarization and the decreased civility he references, including the defacement and theft of political signs on private property, or the inappropriate placement of political signage on State property.

The Old Lyme DTC has been and remains supportive of improved respect for candidates during campaigns and of conduct that reflects the values of all voters in Old Lyme.”

After Major Renovations, the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ is Successfully Launched in Kittery Point, Maine; Group from Old Lyme Attends Ceremony

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Editor’s Note i): The background to the story below is that the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ boat was indeed once owned by the late Mervin F. Roberts of Old Lyme. Mr. Roberts, who passed away at age 98 in Dec. 2020, was an Old Lyme Citizen of the Year, a Town Selectman, Chaplain of the Old Lyme Fire Department for 50 years and also active in the town in many other committees and groups.

Since 2011, a group of volunteers has been involved in restoring the Wood Island Life Saving Station (WILSS) on Wood Island off Kittery Point in Maine. The station was falling into disrepair and the dream was to restore the station and convert it into both a museum and also a memorial to the brave men, who had manned the rescue boats in all weathers.

One of those volunteers happened to see the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ former coast guard rescue boat for sale on Facebook by David Smith of Essex, Conn.

The WILSS Association President Sam Reid then started to research the namesake of the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ boat. He came across an article published in LymeLine.com by Michele Dickey about Mr. Roberts and then emailed me (Olwen Logan – LymeLine.com editor/publisher) to gain more information. I then connected Reid to Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold, who, in turn, connected Reid to Mr. Roberts.

On Oct. 31, 2020, Reid came down and visited Mr. Roberts in his home and learned the history of the boat from him first-hand. That interview was recorded and is included in this video about the extraordinary history of the boat.

The WILSSA purchased the ‘Mervin F Roberts’ from Smith and meanwhile Griswold undertook to raise $6,875 to pay for transportation of the boat from Connecticut to Maine, ultimately exceeding that target.

It transpired that not only is the boat a 1930s US Coast Guard rescue craft – a modified Type SR pulling surfboat – but also it has now been confirmed by national maritime expert Tim Dring that only 110 of these boats were ever made, and only five survive to this day. Moreover, the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ appears to be the only one of the five remaining boats that can still be used in the water. 

These boats with a length of 25 ft. 6 ins. were built in the Curtis Bay Yard south of Baltimore, Md. Originally they were powered by eight rowers directed by a helmsman. These “surfmen” would go out and assist mariners in distress at any time of the year, often in extremely challenging conditions and returning with up to 14 rescued passengers.

By an extraordinary coincidence, one of the original 110 boats was in place at Wood Island in 1947.

Many thanks to Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold, who attended the launch ceremony in Maine on Friday, for the report below and all the photos. Ten other Old Lyme residents made the trip from Old Lyme to Maine to celebrate the launch. They included Mr. Roberts’s daughter Edie Ritz Main, former Old Lyme Selectman Arthur ‘Skip’ Sibley, Skip and Nancy Beebe, Ellis and Mary Ellen Jewett, and Bill Kelly and his wife.

Visit these links to read a selection of related articles:
Griswold Launches Effort to Raise Funds to Purchase Unique ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ Rescue Boat for Maritime Museum in Maine By Olwen Logan, published Nov. 19, 2020.

Old Lyme Donations Fund Transport of Historic ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ Rescue Boat to Maine to Form Working Museum Exhibit; Video Link Included By Olwen Logan, published May 26, 2021.

Death of Mervin Roberts Announced, “Old Lyme Has Lost One of its Most Remarkable Citizens” (T. Griswold) By Olwen Logan, published Dec. 30, 2020.

Old Lyme Says Poignant Farewell to the ‘Ever Thoughtful’ Mervin F. Roberts By Olwen Logan, published Jan 4, 2021.

KITTERY POINT, MAINE — Friday, Sept. 30, was a beautiful day for the launch of the rescue boat named the Mervin F. Roberts.

The rowing crew mustered at the home of Wood Island Life Saving Station Association (WILSSA) President Sam Reid’s house in Kittery Point (see photo above) to be issued their 14 ft. oars and seat assignments.

Reid briefed the crew before they marched to the Town Dock with their oars in the upright position.

One of the rowers was Rear Admiral John Mauser, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, pictured above with Griswold, who is a former Navy man himself.

After months of renovation, the Mervin F. Roberts arrived at the Kittery Point Town Dock at about 12:15 p.m. to a warm welcome from the 120 or so well-wishers.

The Mervin F. Roberts was expertly launched and her master craftsman, Nate Greely, navigated her to the end of the dock, with the assistance of her new electric motor.

The rowers and helmsman Reid boarded her and began the approximate one-mile journey to Wood Island, accompanied by a flotilla of small boats.

The spectators were ferried to the Island and disembarked on the new floating dock and ascended the 80 ft. gangway to the Life Saving Station.

All marveled at the improvements to the Station, pictured above, as they awaited the arrival of the Mervin F. Roberts.

As she arrived, the crew raised their oars to the vertical position, disembarked and marched smartly up the gangway.

The custom-built marine railway cradle, pictured below, was ready and waiting for its first customer …

The next step was to for the Mervin F. Roberts to gently approach the marine railway cradle …

Then the Mervin F. Roberts needed to be carefully placed on the cradle and finally hoisted up to the Station.

Once that was done, Reid addressed the crowd and thanked dozens of people for their generosity and wonderful work.

He recognized the 11 visitors from Old Lyme and told the crowd the amazing story of how the Mervin F. Roberts came to make the journey from Old Lyme, Conn. all the way up to Wood Island in Maine.

All were urged to explore the Island and check out the Wood Island Life Saving Station (stem to stern). The Mervin F. Roberts was moved into one of the two stalls, where she will reside as the focal point of the museum.

Reid explained that she will be an interactive exhibit, meaning she will be launched from time to time to tell the story of the hardy mariners, who manned Wood Island and other life-saving stations.

And let us not forget the true hero of this story. Pictured above is a smiling Mervin F. Roberts at his home in Old Lyme on Oct. 31, 2020.

When Sam Reid, Wood Island Life Saving Station Association (WILSSA) President, met with Roberts on that day in Old Lyme, Roberts presented the WILSSA with this piece of artwork, which will be hung in the Museum on Wood Island in remembrance of the remarkable man and his extraordinary boat.

Editor’s Note ii): Visit this link to read an article published in SeacoastOnline.com about the Sept. 30 launch of the ‘Mervin F. Roberts.’

Old Lyme Planning Commission Approves Nine-Lot, Gated Community at 16 Neck Rd. with 75 ft. Conservation Easement

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OLD LYME — At its Special Meeting & Public Hearing on Thursday evening, the Old Lyme Planning Commission approved the proposed subdivision at 16 Neck Rd. with the addition of a 75 ft. Conservation Easement proposed by the developer — Keystone Capital Corporation — on the Connecticut River side of the property that will be maintained in perpetuity. 

Members did not, however, support the Old Lyme Open Space Commission’s request to ask the developer for a $105,010 fee to compensate for the fact that no publicly-accessible open space is included in the plan.

The majority of Planning Commission members accepted that the open space proposed by the developer in the form of the Conservation Easement was adequate.

Commission Chairman Harold Thompson, Members Barbara Gaudio, and Don Willis and Alternate Matt Ward (seated for Rob McCarthy) supported the motion to approve the subdivision. Alternate Jim Lampos (seated for Todd Machnik) voted against the motion.

Lampos had proposed a 500 ft. easement and a reduction in the number of lots.

The land at 16 Neck Rd. is the same area where the HOPE Partnership endeavored to secure approval for a 37-unit Affordable Housing development back in 2018, which became a highly controversial topic in the community.

The new proposal is for a gated community of nine building lots.

Both the OL Open Space Commission and the Connecticut (CT) River Gateway Commission had submitted letters to the Planning Commission regarding the project. Both letters can be viewed in full at the links given immediately above.

Several other individuals had also submitted letters and emails related to the project.

The Open Space Commission’s letter, dated Sept. 6, and signed by its co-chairs Amanda Blair and Evan Griswold, states, “It appears that no open space is indicated on the applicant’s plan and, even if land were set aside, the gated premises to be accessed by private roadway would not afford public access.”

The letter continues, “In accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. § 8-25, when there is not a suitable area within a subdivision and when there are other areas with[in] Town that the Open Space Commission considers more beneficial to be preserved, the Planning Commission may authorize the applicant to pay a fee in lieu of open space of up to 10% of land’s pre-subdivision appraised value.”

The two-page letter proposes that, although, “It is the Planning Commission’s discretion to determine such payment,” the Planning Commission should request the 10 percent fee of the purchase price from the developer, which it states, “… would equal $105,010.”

These monies would then be used by the Open Space Commission to assist in the purchase other open space properties in the town as they arise. The letter explains, “Although we cannot identify the specific parcels, we will report to you that the Open Space Commission is now actively talking to or considering approaching the owners of at least four properties in Town for acquisition.”

Asked about the possibility of the Open Space Commission receiving a fee in lieu of the absence of open space in a building proposal, Griswold responded in a phone conversation with LymeLine that, “This  has happened before,” citing the example of a proposed development on Binney Rd. submitted, “Around three years ago.”

He added, however, that a similar previous request by the Open Space Commission regarding a proposed development on Mile Creek Rd. was declined by the Planning Commission on the basis it was, “A family-oriented subdivision.”

The CT River Gateway Commission four-page letter, dated Sept. 8 and signed by the Deputy Director of the River COG [Council of Governments] Staff, Gateway Commission Torrance Downes, describes the property at 16 Neck Rd. as, “A highly visible riverfront parcel.” 

In summary, the letter says, “The Gateway Commission would recommend [a Conservation] easement be placed along the banks of the Connecticut River at the western end of the property.”

It goes on to request that the Planning Commission should, “… use all of the regulatory tools available in its decision-making process to manage the development of the site – at least with respect to the western hillside of the property facing the Connecticut River.”

The letter continues, “Protection of natural areas including mature tree stands is recommended for consideration of open space designation,” noting, “Retention of an attractive and rural community appearance, which would include the treed hillsides of the Connecticut River, should be “one of the most important criteria used in land use decision making”.”

The letter concludes, “Community Appearance recommendations state visual details including preservation of natural site features and vistas are critical components of the town character Old Lyme is charged with protecting.”

Old Lyme’s Planning Commission Meets Today to Discuss, Possibly Approve Neck Rd. Subdivision; Open Space Issues Raised

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~ Gated Community of Nine Lots Proposed on Same Site as 2018 Controversial Proposal for 37 Affordable Housing Units  REVISED PLAN INCLUDING CONSERVATION EASEMENT NOW SUBMITTED

~ Old Lyme Open Space Commission Asks Planning Commission to Request $105K Fee From Developer due to Absence of Open Space in Plan, Monies to be Used Towards Purchase Of Other Open Space in Town

~ CT River Gateway Commission Requests Planning Commission to Require Conservation Easement be Placed Along Banks of CT River at Western Property End

OLD LYME — UPDATE 9/29 11:09am: During a phone call this morning, Old Lyme Land Use Coordinator Eric Knapp informed us that Keystone Capital Corporation has now submitted a revised site plan for 16 Neck Rd., which includes a Conservation Easement as requested by the Connecticut River Gateway Commission (see article below.)

He noted that Section 5.9.9 of Old Lyme’s Subdivision Regulations regarding ‘Fee-in-lieu of Open Space’ state: In lieu of the above requirements to provide land for open space purposes, the Commission may authorize the subdivider to pay a fee to the Town, or provide a combination of land and fee, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8-25 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

A question for the Planning Commission at this evening’s meeting will now be whether the revised site plan including the Conservation Easement will satisfy the requirement for Open Space or whether some combination of land and fee (as cited in the Regulations above) will be pursued.

OLD LYME — UPDATED 9/28 at 11:59pm: The Old Lyme (OL) Planning Commission will hold a Special Meeting/Public Hearing tomorrow evening, Thursday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. in Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, there are only two items on the agenda and since it is a Special Meeting, no changes or addition to the agenda can be made.

The first agenda item is the continuation of the Public Hearing regarding the application by Keystone Capital Corporation for the resubdivision of 16 Neck Rd. into nine lots.

The second item, assuming the Public Hearing is closed, is for members of the board to discuss and then possibly vote on the proposal.

The land at 16 Neck Rd. is the same area where the HOPE Partnership endeavored to secure approval for a 37-unit Affordable Housing development back in 2018, which became a highly controversial topic in the community.

The new proposal is for a gated community of nine building lots.

Both the OL Open Space Commission and the Connecticut (CT) River Gateway Commission have submitted letters to the Planning Commission regarding the project. Both letters can be viewed in full at the links given above.

Several other individuals have also submitted letters and emails related to the project.

According to minutes of the last meeting of the Planning Commission held Sept. 8, Commission Chairman Harold Thompson, “Stated it was unfortunate that some of the comments were only received in the last two days, which does not provide the applicant adequate time to address these issues.”

The minutes further note, “Thompson apologized and stated it should not take the commission two months to receive responses from the reviewing agencies.” In light of the situation, he proposed the Public Hearing should be continued until Sept. 29, which was agreed by Commission members.

The Open Space Commission’s letter, dated Sept. 6 and signed by its co-chairs Amanda Blair and Evan Griswold, states, “It appears that no open space is indicated on the applicant’s plan and, even if land were set aside, the gated premises to be accessed by private roadway would not afford public access.”

The letter continues, “In accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. § 8-25, when there is not a suitable area within a subdivision and when there are other areas with[in] Town that the Open Space Commission considers more beneficial to be preserved, the Planning Commission may authorize the applicant to pay a fee in lieu of open space of up to 10% of land’s pre-subdivision appraised value.”

The two-page letter proposes that, although, “It is the Planning Commission’s discretion to determine such payment,” the Planning Commission should request the 10 percent fee of the purchase price from the developer, which it states, “… would equal $105,010.”

These monies would then be used by the Open Space Commission to assist in the purchase other open space properties in the town as they arise. The letter explains, “Although we cannot identify the specific parcels, we will report to you that the Open Space Commission is now actively talking to or considering approaching the owners of at least four properties in Town for acquisition.”

Asked about the possibility of the Open Space Commission receiving a fee in lieu of the absence of open space in a building proposal, Griswold responded in a phone conversation with LymeLine that, “This  has happened before,” citing the example of a proposed development on Binney Rd. submitted, “Around three years ago.”

He added, however, that a similar previous request by the Open Space Commission regarding a proposed development on Mile Creek Rd. was declined by the Planning Commission on the basis it was, “A family-oriented subdivision.”

The CT River Gateway Commission four-page letter, dated Sept. 8 and signed by the Deputy Director of the River COG [Council of Governments] Staff, Gateway Commission Torrance Downes, describes the property at 16 Neck Rd. as, “A highly visible riverfront parcel.” 

In summary, the letter says, “The Gateway Commission would recommend [a Conservation] easement be placed along the banks of the Connecticut River at the western end of the property.”

It goes on to request that the Planning Commission should, “… use all of the regulatory tools available in its decision-making process to manage the development of the site – at least with respect to the western hillside of the property facing the Connecticut River.”

The letter continues, “Protection of natural areas including mature tree stands is recommended for consideration of open space designation,” noting, “Retention of an attractive and rural community appearance, which would include the treed hillsides of the Connecticut River, should be “one of the most important criteria used in land use decision making”.”

The letter concludes, “Community Appearance recommendations state visual details including preservation of natural site features and vistas are critical components of the town character Old Lyme is charged with protecting.”

Members of the community can address either or both of these issues during the Public Hearing or submit letters or emails to the Old Lyme Land Use Department prior to the meeting.