Author Archives: Olwen Logan

Old Lyme Resident Hartmann’s Company, Elm Tree Communities, Breaks Ground on Upscale, 56-Unit Development in Haddam

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Jeff Hartmann of Old Lyme (fourth from right) participates in the groundbreaking for the upscale, 56-unit, multifamily community named Blueway Commons in Haddam, which Hartmann’s company, Elm Tree Communities, is planning. Photo credit: Elm Tree Communities.

“We welcome Mr. Hartmann and Elm Tree Communities’ new Blueway Commons development as an integral part of the [economic] growth [that Haddam is experiencing.]” (Haddam First Selectman Robert McGarry)

OLD SAYBROOK — Last Friday, Dec. 10, Elm Tree Communities (ETC) announced that it had broken ground on Blueway Commons, an upscale, 56-unit multifamily community in Haddam, Conn.

Old Lyme resident Jeff Hartmann, founder and CEO of Elm Tree Communities. Photo courtesy of J. Hartmann.

Old Lyme resident Jeff Hartmann is the founder and CEO of ETC, a private real estate company headquartered in Old Saybrook.  Elm Tree Communities pursues real estate development and investment opportunities throughout the Northeastern U.S.

With more than two decades in CFO, COO, and CEO capacities, Hartmann now develops, implements, and oversees ETC’s development strategy and all capital markets activities in his capacity as ETC President.

Hartmann’s career, which began at at PricewaterhouseCoopers, spans the landmark casinos of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in Connecticut and Ocean Casino in New Jersey.

Blueway Commons will consist of three two-story buildings and a state-of-the-art resident clubhouse. The project is slated to open in the winter of 2022, with preleasing to begin in the summer of 2022.

Located east of Exit 7 off Rte. 9 and 12 minutes north of I-95, the development is convenient to the Amtrak and Shoreline East trains. The complex is 15 minutes south of Middletown and I-91.

Blueway Commons is being built on Brookes Court adjacent to Rte. 154, and will consist of 56 upscale apartment homes. Conveniently located near the popular downtown Chester, nearby stores and restaurants include Adams Market, Stop and Shop, CVS, Dunkin, Cumberland Farms, The Blue Oar, Little House Brewing Company, and more.

The development is also located near the iconic Swing Bridge that links Haddam and East Haddam. It will offer residents an outdoor lifestyle near the Connecticut River with kayaking, biking trails, and waterfront dining in the surrounding area.

“This development will offer the first modern apartments in Haddam – with complete lifestyle amenities, like the health and fitness clubhouse, a co-working lounge, a community room for events, and an outdoor patio contribute to the resort-like setting and overall sense of place,” said Hartmann.

Blueway Commons will provide an attractive home for young professionals, families, and empty-nesters no longer needing a large residence. Offering a variety of floor plans to cater to an array of lifestyles, the development will feature one- and two-bedroom options ranging from 815 to 1180 sq. ft. with smart technology throughout the complex.

In 2012, the Connecticut River was declared the first National Blueway, after which Blueway Commons is named, and from which the development draws its inspiration. The upscale development is intended to offer residents a resort experience with innovation, community, wellness, and a connection to the natural environment.

The project will be completed over a 15-month construction period, with the first residents scheduled to move in in the winter of 2022.

Blueway Commons property’s community amenities will include:

  • 2,500 square foot community center.
  • Secure package system for residents.
  • Digital access control systems throughout the community
  • A state-of-the-art fitness center.
  • Co-working spaces and a lounge area.
  • A community gathering room for resident use.
  • An outdoor lounge area with grills and fire pits.
  • The community will be pet-friendly and feature an outdoor pet exercise area.

Haddam First Selectman Robert McGarry commented: “We are excited about the economic growth that Haddam is experiencing, and we welcome Mr. Hartmann and Elm Tree Communities’ new Blueway Commons development as an integral part of that growth.”

Gary Coursey & Associates of Atlanta, Georgia, is the project architect, and The Associated Construction Company of Hartford, Conn., is construction manager. Elm Tree Communities has contracted with Real Page and Lease Labs as the technology partners for the development.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by Elm Tree Communities.

Dec. 13 COVID-19 Update: 11 New Cases in Old Lyme Raise Cumulative Case Total to 537, One New Case in Lyme Takes Total to 140

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash,

LYME-OLD LYME — The Daily Data Report issued Monday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. by the Connecticut Department of Health (CT DPH) shows 11 new, confirmed COVID-19 case in Old Lyme taking that town’s total of cumulative cases to 537.

One new case was also reported in Lyme, taking that town’s cumulative total to 140.

The state does not issue reports over the weekend nor on public holidays. The next report from CT DPH will be issued Tuesday, Dec. 14, at around 4 p.m.

This past week, between the state’s reporting days of Friday, Dec. 3, and Friday, Dec. 10, a total of 31 new cases were reported in Old Lyme. During the same period, Lyme reported three new cases.

The Monday, Dec. 6 case total of 18 was the highest single-day increase in Old Lyme since the first case was recorded in town on March 31, 2020.

The previous highest number was 17, which was recorded Nov. 6, 2020.

On Monday, Dec.13, Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser informed the school community informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Mile Creek School had been reported. Contact tracing was completed and those individuals, who needed to quarantine, were notified. They will be able to return to school following their quarantine period. All other students and staff continue to attend school as scheduled. (See below for a full listing of all LOL Schools-related cases.)

As we reported in our Thursday, Dec. 9 weekly COVID-19 Update, Lyme and Old Lyme are now in the Red Zone in the weekly COVID-19 Average Daily Case Rate Report issued by the state on that day. The CT DPH will issue an updated map of the zones Thursday, Dec. 9 — the map is updated weekly on Thursdays.

The number of towns statewide in the Red Zone has increased dramatically in the past two weeks with 135 towns in it last week and 162 this week. To give a further indication of the significance of the increase, the number of towns in the Red Zone on Oct. 7, 2021 was down to 37.

All the towns in the Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) are in the Red Zone.

The cumulative total of confirmed cases for Old Lyme has now increased by 94 since Wednesday, Nov. 10, when the total stood at 443 — that number had stood unchanged for a week since the previous Thursday, Nov. 4.

On Aug. 26 — which was the day Lyme-Old Lyme Schools started the new academic year — Old Lyme’s cumulative case total stood at 372, meaning there have now been 165 new cases there since that date. Meanwhile, Lyme’s cumulative total on Aug. 26 was 114 indicating 26 new cases have also been confirmed there during the same period.

In an email sent Thursday, Dec. 9, regarding the latest COVID-19 data, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) Deputy Director of Health Jennifer Muggeo stated, “There is a sharp increase in the number of new COVID cases within our jurisdiction, which is consistent with an increase in COVID cases statewide, according to DPH data. Unfortunately, we expect this trend to continue as we move into the holiday season.”

She added, “LLHD continues to focus our vaccination efforts on homebound populations and providing initial vaccinations and boosters to individuals who were vaccinated previously. Information about vaccination opportunities can be found at https://llhd.org/coronavirus-covid-19-situation/covid-19-vaccine/

It is imperative that we remain diligent in our mitigation strategies. We strongly advise everyone to continue to wear masks indoors in public settings, regardless of vaccination status.”

COVID-19 Cases in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools

This is the latest information that we have with the most recent case first — there may have been further updates, however, which we have not yet received.

On Monday, Dec. 13, Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Mile Creek School had been reported.

On Thursday, Dec. 9, Neviaser informed the school community that a total of three positive cases of COVID-19 impacting Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School (LOLMS), Center School, and Lyme School respectively had been reported.

On Monday, Dec. 6, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School (LOLMS) had been reported.

On Friday, Dec. 3, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Center School had been reported.

On Monday, Nov. 30, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) had been reported.

On Monday, Nov. 29, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Mile Creek School had been reported.

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Monday, Nov. 22, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Mile Creek School had been reported.

On Thursday, Nov. 18, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Sunday, Nov. 14, Neviaser informed the school community that over the weekend a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported the previous evening.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, Neviaser informed the school community of two intrafamilial positive cases of COVID-19 impacting LOLMS. He stated, “We were able to complete our contact tracing and the one individual who must quarantine has been notified.”

On Thursday, Sept. 23, Neviaser informed the school community of two intrafamilial positive cases of COVID-19 impacting LOLMS. He noted, “We were able to complete our contact tracing and the one individual who must quarantine has been notified.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 22, Neviaser informed the school community of a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS.

On Thursday, Sept. 16, Neviaser informed the school community that a previously reported positive case of COVID-19 is now impacting Mile Creek School and Center School.

On Monday, Sept. 13, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19,  which had been reported the previous day, was impacting LOLMS.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 was impacting Mile Creek School.

On Tuesday, Aug. 31, Neviaser informed the school community that late on Monday, Aug. 30, a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Saturday, Aug. 28, Neviaser informed the school community that late on Friday, Aug. 27, a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Lyme School had been reported.

In all cases, contact tracing was completed and those individuals who needed to quarantine were notified. They will be able to return to school following their quarantine period. All other students and staff will continue to attend school as scheduled.

Fatalities Due to COVID-19 in Lyme, Old Lyme

There has been one COVID-related fatality of a Lyme resident: a 57-year-old male passed away Nov. 16, 2021. On Nov. 30, the state finally included this fatality in its data

Three COVID-related fatalities have been reported in Old Lyme. The first two fatalities from Old Lyme, which were reported in 2020, were a 61-year-old female and an 82-year-old male.

Details of the third, which was reported in 2021, have not been made available.

State Rep. Carney Honored as 2021 National ‘Rising Star’ by Millennial Action Project

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On Dec. 9, Connecticut Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd), second from left, and Arkansas  Rep. Jamie Scott (D), second from right, received the 2021 Millennial Action Project’s (MAP) Rising Star Awards from Layla Zaidane, President & CEO of MAP at a ceremony held in Washington DC. At the same event, Kansas Representatives Nick Hoheisel (R), left, and Brandon Woodard (D), right, accepted the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award on behalf of the Kansas Future Caucus for which they serve as Co-vice-chairs. Photo by the Millennial Action Project.

Award Recognizes Two Lawmakers — One R, One D — For Transcending Political Polarization Through Public Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last Thursday, Dec. 9, in Washington, D.C., the Millennial Action Project (MAP), the largest nonpartisan organization of Millennial elected officials in the U.S., presented the 2021 Rising Star Award to Connecticut State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) and Arkansas State Rep. Jamie Scott (D). Carney’s District includes the Towns of both Lyme and Old Lyme.

The annual Rising Star Awards highlight young leaders—one Republican and one Democrat—and their contributions to the State Future Caucus Network (SFCN) over the last year. This is the fourth year that the award has been presented.

The Awards recognize lawmakers, who have embodied MAP’s mission to transcend political polarization through their public service and taken initiative in shepherding bipartisan legislation that addresses priority issues in today’s political climate.

The MAP elaborated on this saying in their announcement of the awards, “This year’s awardees went above and beyond to build relationships with their colleagues across the aisle. Their exemplary leadership and collaboration is a model of American democracy at its best. We applaud and thank them for their dedicated public service.”

Both Rep’s Carney and Scott are co-chairs of the Future Caucus in their respective states. 

Immediately after receiving the award, Rep. Carney said in a Facebook post, “[I am] so incredibly honored to receive the Millennial Action Project’s Rising Star Award tonight in DC!”

He added, “As a millennial legislator, I have worked hard to push policies that can make Connecticut a better place to work, go to school, and raise a family. I’m proud of the friends and positive relationships I have made on my side and across the aisle, which is what MAP is all about.”

In a press release issued by MAP prior to the awards ceremony, Rep. Carney said, “I’ve always placed tremendous effort in supporting good public policy, regardless of where it originates from, so I’m incredibly honored to receive the Rising Star Award from my peers at the Millennial Action Project for my work in promoting their mission of transcending political tribalism.”

He continued, “Despite the polarization that seems to be overplayed in the news, I firmly believe there is so much more that unites us politically than divides us, particularly among younger generations. I hope more young people get involved in public service; it’s amazing what you can accomplish when you put your name on a ballot or actively support a cause or organization.”

Carney concluded by expressing thanks, “to MAP for all of their amazing work and this distinguished recognition.” 

In the same press release, Rep. Scott said, “I am honored to be chosen by the Millennial Action Project and I love that we share the same mission to find common ground with our adversaries. In my service to the Arkansas legislature and as a young woman of color, I have led by example to build relationships across party and demographic aisles to wage inclusive efforts to pass meaningful legislation.”

She added, “I believe our generation needs to be the change we have been waiting on. Our generation owes a great debt to the ones that came before us. I cannot think of a better way to repay that obligation than by working across partisan and racial divides to solve the great challenges of the 21st century. It is time to reunite these great states of America.”

The Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award, recognizing an outstanding state caucus for their future-focused leadership and political bridge-building, was presented to the Kansas Future Caucus. The Kansas Future Caucus is led by Co-chairs Rep. Tory Arnberger (R) and Rep. Rui Xu (D); and Co-vice-chairs Rep. Brandon Woodard (D) and Rep. Nick Hoheisel (R). 

Rep. Rui Xu commented in the MAP press release, “Winning the 2021 Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award means a great deal to me, both because of who it honors and because of the work we’ve done in Kansas to turn down the heat politically and show people what bipartisanship looks like.”

He continued, “While there are many issues we disagree on, we have all worked hard to become friends first and then use that friendship to try to understand each other better, which in turn has made us better friends. It’s an honor to serve with Reps. Arnberger, Hoheisel, and Woodard and it’s an honor to receive this award.”

Layla Zaidane, President & CEO of MAP, congratulated the awardees, saying, “We believe we can create a more inclusive, effective, and representative democracy if we can support the next generation of political leaders. The legislators recognized are living proof of how young people can transform how we do politics.”

She said, “The Rising Star Award and the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award honor those leaders for their commitment to building a better future together, while shifting the narrative about what is possible in our democracy.”

The Rising Star Awards reception was held at the Colada Shop in the District Wharf of Washington, D.C., where awardees were joined by a community of MAP leaders, supporters, and members of Congress in celebration of their accomplishments. 

Musical Masterworks Presents Works by Dvorak, Shostakovich, Brahms in Old Lyme Concert Today

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The Musical Masterworks Artistic Director Designate is acclaimed violinist Tessa Lark, who will perform with the current Artistic Director Edward Arron in the concerts being given Dec. 11 & 12.

OLD LYME — Musical Masterworks’ 31st season is an especially memorable one with the organization celebrating the final year of Edward Arron in his position as Artistic Director and simultaneously welcoming Tessa Lark as Artistic Director Designate.

The next Musical Masterworks concert weekend is Dec. 11 and 12 at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, with concerts starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Arron and Lark will participate with pianist Orion Weiss, violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti and violist Nicholas Cords in a program of piano quintets.

The program will include:
Terzetto in C Major for Two Violins and Viola, Opus 74, by Antonin Dvořák
Piano Quintet in G minor, Opus 57, by Dmitri Shostakovich
Rag-Gidon-Time for String Trio (1995) by Giya Kancheli
Piano Quintet in F minor, Opus 34, by Johannes Brahms.

Musical Masterworks’ 31st season runs through May 2022.

To purchase mini-subscriptions ($100 each), individual tickets ($40 each), or student tickets ($5 each), visit Musical Masterworks at www.musicalmasterworks.org or email admin@musicalmasterworks.org. 

Dec. 10 COVID-19 Update: Eight New Cases in Old Lyme Raise Cumulative Case Total to 526, Lyme Holds at 139

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LYME-OLD LYME — The Daily Data Report issued Friday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m. by the Connecticut Department of Health (CT DPH) shows eight new, confirmed COVID-19 case in Old Lyme taking that town’s total of cumulative cases to 526.

No new cases were reported in Lyme, keeping that town’s cumulative total at 139.

This past week, between the state’s reporting days of Friday, Dec. 3, and Friday, Dec. 10, a total of 31 new cases were reported in Old Lyme. During the same period, Lyme reported three new cases.

The Monday, Dec. 6 case total of 18 was the highest single-day increase in Old Lyme since the first case was recorded in town on March 31, 2020.

The previous highest number was 17, which was recorded Nov. 6, 2020.

On Thursday, Dec. 9, Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser informed the school community that a total of three positive cases of COVID-19 impacting Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School (LOLMS), Center School, and Lyme School respectively had been reported. In all cases, contact tracing was completed and those individuals, who needed to quarantine, were notified. They will be able to return to school following their quarantine period. All other students and staff continue to attend school as scheduled. (See below for a full listing of all LOL Schools-related cases.)

As we reported in our Thursday, Dec. 9 weekly COVID-19 Update, Lyme and Old Lyme are now in the Red Zone in the weekly COVID-19 Average Daily Case Rate Report issued by the state on that day. The CT DPH will issue an updated map of the zones Thursday, Dec. 9 — the map is updated weekly on Thursdays.

The number of towns statewide in the Red Zone has increased dramatically in the past two weeks with 135 towns in it last week and 162 this week. To give a further indication of the significance of the increase, the number of towns in the Red Zone on Oct. 7, 2021 was down to 37.

All the towns in the Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) are in the Red Zone.

Prior to Monday, Nov. 22, when two new cases were reported, Lyme had previously gone 35 days in succession without reporting a single new case.

The cumulative total of confirmed cases for Old Lyme has now increased by 83 since Wednesday, Nov. 10, when the total stood at 443 — that number had stood unchanged for a week since the previous Thursday, Nov. 4.

On Aug. 26 — which was the day Lyme-Old Lyme Schools started the new academic year — Old Lyme’s cumulative case total stood at 372, meaning there have now been 154 new cases there since that date. Meanwhile, Lyme’s cumulative total on Aug. 26 was 114 indicating 25 new cases have also been confirmed there during the same period.

In an email sent Thursday, Dec. 9, regarding the latest COVID-19 data, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) Deputy Director of Health Jennifer Muggeo stated, “There is a sharp increase in the number of new COVID cases within our jurisdiction, which is consistent with an increase in COVID cases statewide, according to DPH data. Unfortunately, we expect this trend to continue as we move into the holiday season.”

She added, “LLHD continues to focus our vaccination efforts on homebound populations and providing initial vaccinations and boosters to individuals who were vaccinated previously. Information about vaccination opportunities can be found at https://llhd.org/coronavirus-covid-19-situation/covid-19-vaccine/

It is imperative that we remain diligent in our mitigation strategies. We strongly advise everyone to continue to wear masks indoors in public settings, regardless of vaccination status.”

The state does not issue reports over the weekend nor on public holidays. The next report from CT DPH will be issued Monday, Dec. 13, at around 4 p.m.

COVID-19 Cases in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools

This is the latest information that we have with the most recent cases first — there may have been further updates, however, which we have not yet received.

On Monday, Dec. 6, Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School (LOLMS) had been reported.

On Friday, Dec. 3, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Center School had been reported.

On Monday, Nov. 30, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) had been reported.

On Monday, Nov. 29, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Mile Creek School had been reported.

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Monday, Nov. 22, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Mile Creek School had been reported.

On Thursday, Nov. 18, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Sunday, Nov. 14, Neviaser informed the school community that over the weekend a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported the previous evening.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, Neviaser informed the school community of two intrafamilial positive cases of COVID-19 impacting LOLMS. He stated, “We were able to complete our contact tracing and the one individual who must quarantine has been notified.”

On Thursday, Sept. 23, Neviaser informed the school community of two intrafamilial positive cases of COVID-19 impacting LOLMS. He noted, “We were able to complete our contact tracing and the one individual who must quarantine has been notified.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 22, Neviaser informed the school community of a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS.

On Thursday, Sept. 16, Neviaser informed the school community that a previously reported positive case of COVID-19 is now impacting Mile Creek School and Center School.

On Monday, Sept. 13, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19,  which had been reported the previous day, was impacting LOLMS.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 was impacting Mile Creek School.

On Tuesday, Aug. 31, Neviaser informed the school community that late on Monday, Aug. 30, a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.

On Saturday, Aug. 28, Neviaser informed the school community that late on Friday, Aug. 27, a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Lyme School had been reported.

In all cases, contact tracing was completed and those individuals who needed to quarantine were notified. They will be able to return to school following their quarantine period. All other students and staff will continue to attend school as scheduled.

Fatalities Due to COVID-19 in Lyme, Old Lyme

There has been one COVID-related fatality of a Lyme resident: a 57-year-old male passed away Nov. 16, 2021. On Nov. 30, the state finally included this fatality in its data

Three COVID-related fatalities have been reported in Old Lyme. The first two fatalities from Old Lyme, which were reported in 2020, were a 61-year-old female and an 82-year-old male.

Details of the third, which was reported in 2021, have not been made available.