OLD LYME—The Old Lyme Town Nurse Denise Piersa’s office locations have changed as of June 1. The new locations are as follows:
Old Lyme Town Hall (Mondays)
Christ the King Church in Old Lyme (Tuesdays-Thursdays)
Lyme Public Library (Fridays)
Town Nurse office hours are unchanged at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Town Nurse appointments are open to residents of Lyme, Old Lyme and South Lyme free of charge. Walk-ins are welcome, but residents are encouraged to call ahead of time.
The Town Nurse’s phone number is 860-434-7808.
More information about the Town Nurse and the Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association is available at https://www.oldlymevna.org.
Editor’s Note: We received the following op-ed from George Frampton Jr., who co-owns12 and 19 Tantummaheag Rd. in Old Lyme, with his wife Carla Darista.
Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker has now acknowledged in a published interview [with The Day] that she misrepresented the press release she issued Monday on the Town’s plans for Tantummaheag Landing as a decision discussed and voted upon by the Board of Selectmen. To the contrary, it was entirely her own doing since [she says] “as the CEO, I can ask the town attorney to do anything that I feel is right for the town.” And she also now reveals that the promised new “survey” will not be an actual or honest survey of the original 1701 right-of-way, but simply a re-embrace of the fraudulent 1931 survey that remains the sole basis for the Town’s claim that our back driveway has been a public highway for 320 years. This is laughable since the 1931 surveyor admitted in a signed memorandum that he moved the actual 1701 route onto our driveway to “give the town what it needed” in order to access the river, the original route (as he pointed out) having run over our neighbor’s property and been destroyed thirty years earlier by an ice-pond. Piling dissimulation onto fraud can’t erase the original fraud.
More central to the matter, Old Lyme’s two selectwomen continue to hide from the inconvenient truth: the 1701 right-of-way could not even be found by 1712 and was turned back over to the owner Richard Lord and replaced in 1713 in a deal the Town made with him to create a different right of way (which is now tracked largely by Tantummaheag Road) and which also never went across our property – – and on which public access rights would end at the owner’s death in 1727. This bargain, recorded in Town deeds, is indisputable and enforceable and must be honored by the Town.
This pair, however, have now apparently declared their plan to once again bulldoze our property just as they bulldozed the “peace agreement” their fellow-selectman Jim Lampos (an expert historian) and town counsel negotiated with us after a deep review of all the evidence, an agreement that seemed likely to lead to a long-term resolution. This “deny the facts and law, but bulldoze the property” strategy has failed miserably and is likely about to result in even more unfortunate consequences for the Town.
CEO Shoemaker seems intent on moving toward an inevitable endgame in which we have to close our property permanently to all public users including pedestrians, which we have the absolute right to do based on official Town records, and the dispute will then shift to federal court in New Haven where the Town and town officials as well as individual defendants who knowingly worked with the Town to threaten our safety, security, privacy and legal rights over the past three years work to resist the compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and injunctive relief to which well-established case decisions entitle us and which we will be seeking to prevent similar overreaching by Town government on our private property and the property of others in the future.
The CEO may be able to do “anything that I feel is right for the Town,” but is the bulldozer approach really what is in the Town’s long-term best interests?
OLD LYME—We received the following ‘Press Statement’ related to developments regarding the Tantummaheag Landing situation from Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker late yesterday evening. It is signed by all three members of the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen.
We publish it below in full and unedited.
This evening, we are instructing our town counsel to send a letter to George Frampton and Carla Darista regarding the Town of Old Lyme’s steps moving forward regarding Tantummaheag Landing.
The letter informs the property owners that the town maintains its claim that Tantummaheag Landing is a public highway as is reflected in their deeds.
The letter goes on to explain that we will be completing a survey of the property. Any pins and/or markers which were previously in place which may have been removed will be reestablished by a licensed surveyor.
Upon completion of the survey, the town will determine which plantings interfere with access to the highway/landing. The plantings will be tagged, and the homeowners will have 7 days to remove the plantings they installed. If they are not removed, Public Works will remove or cut down those plantings.
Once the survey is complete and the plantings are removed, the Board of Selectmen will determine the best management to maintain the highway/landing for users. We hope to have this completed by the end of July.
The Board of Selectmen would like the visitors to the landing to be respectful of the property owners. The landing will only be accessible from 9 AM to dusk daily during this period. If you are planning on kayaking from the landing, please note that you cannot have direct access to the landing at this time. Please back up your vehicle to the planting line, drop off your kayaks and return to the street to park. Due to the plantings, parking is not permitted currently on the property. We ask that you take every precaution not to disturb the plantings
The local police and Troop F have been provided with this information and have been asked to instruct their officers of the current situation and our process to resolve it.
As always, the Board of Selectmen believe that our residents will be respectful of the property owners and their abutting land.
Editor’s Note: We will have more on this developing story shortly.
‘Juneteenth’ Celebration with Jazz & Poetry Slated for June 22
Witness Stones at the Duck River Cemetery honor Phyllis Tantiphant, Salem Freeman, and Katherine Freeman, three African Americans and one Native American who labored in servitude nearby on Meeting House Hill (today’s Johnny Cake Hill).
OLD LYME – ‘Witness Stones Old Lyme’ will expand its project in 2024 to honor 10 enslaved persons, who labored in the Town of Lyme—historically known as North Lyme.
Ten new Witness Stones—historical plaques commemorating the lives of enslaved African Americans—will be placed in late May at the Lyme Public Library.
In 2021, 2022, and 2023, the Project installed a total of 38 plaques on Lyme Street, McCurdy Rd., and Old Shore Rd. in Old Lyme.
To deepen the untold story of local enslavement, ‘Witness Stones’ this year will honor Dina, Jenny, Pompey, Peter, Bristo, Suberiah, Boston, Cuff Condol, Prince Brown, and Pomp Henry.
To celebrate the town’s newly-installed Witness Stones, the Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership is holdingevents in May and June. All events are free and open to the public and take place rain or shine.
Poet Rhonda Ward will speak at the Witness Stones installation ceremony on Mary 31.
Witness Stones Installation Ceremony
Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme CT Friday, May 31, 10 a.m.
The community will gather on the lawn of the Old Lyme Library to celebrate the fourth installation of Witness Stones in the Lyme-Old Lyme area. The program offers music, poetry, and words from community partners.
Guest speakers include Rhonda Ward, Witness Stones Old Lyme poet and first New London Poet Laureate; Nikita Waller, soloist; Rick Wyman, saxophone; Martha Shoemaker, Old Lyme First Selectwoman; Melissa Fournier, Lyme librarian; Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School poets and Select Chorus.
Juneteenth Celebration with Jazz & Poetry Florence Griswold Museum—north lawn, 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme CT. Saturday, June 22, 2 to 4 p.m..
The celebration in honor of Juneteenth—a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans—will take place on the north lawn of the Florence Griswold Museum.
The event features a quartet led by legendary bassist Nat Reeves and new work by Connecticut poets Marilyn Nelson, Kate Rushin, Rhonda Ward, and Antoinette Brim-Bell, who in 2021 created a tribute in verse to those enslaved in the historic town of Lyme. The jazz quartet includes world-renowned saxophonist Abraham Burton, celebrated pianist James Austin, Jr., and impressive percussionist Michael Ode.
On June 22, bassist Nat Reeves leads a jazz quartet at the Juneteenth Celebration with Jazz and Poetry.
The event has received generous funding from the Connecticut Office of the Arts. In case of rain, the Juneteenth celebration will take place at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road.
Witness Stones Old Lyme joins a growing coalition of Witness Stones Project communities dedicated to restoring history and honoring the humanity and contributions of those formerly enslaved. The Old Lyme initiative was made possible through the support of the Lyme-Old Lyme community, including local institutions and the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.
The Witness Stones Project in Old Lyme is vital at this time of learning about and engaging with the history of slavery in Connecticut. But this local project also has national reach as America comes to grips with its complicated past regarding the enslavement and indenture of African and Native people.
Each Witness Stone placed on Lyme Street, McCurdy Rd., Old Shore Rd., and at the Lyme Public Library includes the name of an enslaved individual, along with details about their lives and circumstances derived from land records, emancipation certificates, and other available historical documents.
An interpretive sign installed on the lawn of the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library provides a map showing the locations on Lyme Street of the small brass plaques that are installed flush with the ground.
The Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership
The Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership’s goal is to expand the understanding of local history and honor the humanity and the contributions of those formerly enslaved in our community.
The partnership’s founding members include the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, the Florence Griswold Museum, the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools, and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.
Community partners include the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, and the Old Lyme Historical Society.
The Partnership has received generous support from a Health Improvement Collaborative of Southeastern Connecticut (HIC) Partnership Grant for Racial Equity.
The ‘Groundbreakers’ gather for a photo. From left to right, former Lyme First Selectman Steve Mattson, Old Lyme Selectwoman Judith Read, Lymes’ Senior Center Director Stephanie Gould, Old Lyme Selectman Jim Lampos (partially hidden from view), Lyme Selectperson John Kiker, Lyme Selectperson Kristina White, Lyme First Selectperson David Lahm, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33rd), Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee Chair Jeri Baker, State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd), Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, former Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold. Photo by Jason Pheasant, CT House Republicans.
“In short, the Center is being used more frequently by more people than at any point in its history” David Lahm, Lyme First Selectman
OLD LYME—10:40am Names added to photo captions: More than a hundred people turned out Monday to celebrate the official groundbreaking for the renovation and expansion of the Lymes’ Senior Center. Local dignitaries including State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33rd), State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (D), and Lyme First Selectman David Lahm (R) were on hand for the ceremonial insertion of shovels into a pile of prepared dirt.
Joining them were Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee Chairman Jeri Baker, Lymes’ Senior Center Board Chairman Peter Lucchese, Lymes’ Senior Center Director and Assistant Director respectively Stephanie Gould and Caitlyn Perkins, and representatives from Newfield Construction and Point One Architects.
Dig in! Wearing hard hats and with shovels in hand, local dignitaries dig into the dirt to celebrate the official start of the Lymes’ Senior Center Renovation and Expansion Project. Photo by Newfield Construction.
In her remarks, Shoemaker noted that the Senior Center, which opened in 1996, has not undergone any renovation to its original structure in the 28 years of its continuous operation. She announced, “That’s about to change,” saying, “The Towns of Old Lyme and Lyme, which share responsibility for the senior center, are about to invest $6.38 million to renovate and expand this facility.”
Shoemaker said that the Center has long been a vital component of the social life of the older residents of Lyme and Old Lyme, pointing out that it is, “The place where they come to exercise, learn new skills, hear lectures, enjoy movies or live theater, listen to live music, play games and make new friends.”
But she stressed it is also a vital component of social services for older adults and people with limited resources and mobility, explaining, “It houses the office of the town nurse for Old Lyme. It serves as a vaccination clinic. It hosts vital programs like Meals on Wheels. It serves as the site of the local VFW post. And it’s a place where our residents can shelter during weather emergencies and power outages.”
Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker speaks to the large audience gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Lymes’ Senior Center Renovation and Expansion Project. Photo by Jason Pheasant, CT House Republicans.
“The work that will begin here today,” Shoemaker stated, “… will revitalize the Senior Center and provide its members with a host of new amenities and capabilities so that it can serve more of our older residents more often.” She concluded, “We believe this renovation will keep it going strong for another 28 years – or more,” adding that the reopening of the Center is anticipated in March of next year if construction stays on schedule.
Lahm spoke next and commented that the research that was undertaken in preparation for the renovation identified that Lyme and Old Lyme have a median age of 48 to 51, compared to a median age of 40 for the state, and approximately 1,600 residents age 70 and older.
Noting that the Senior Center serves all residents 55 and above from Lyme, Old Lyme and some of the surrounding communities, he said its membership has swelled in recent years to more than 1,100 people. He cited further data regarding the number of visits made to the Center and then summed up by saying, “In short, the center is being used more frequently by more people than at any point in its history.”
Lahm stressed that all the Center’s programs and services are funded solely by membership dues and donations, not by the Towns, adding, “We are delighted that the voters of our towns were willing to invest in the center’s renovation to ensure that it can continue to be of service to our older adults.”
He also thanked the State of Connecticut, which has awarded Lyme and Old Lyme a total of $1 million in grants to help cover renovation costs.
Lahm expressed his thanks for the work done by volunteers on the Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee and by their partners at Newfield Construction and Point One Architects.
Celebratory shovels are raised to indicate the start of the project. Photo by Jason Pheasant, CT House Republicans.
When the renovation is completed, Lahm noted the Center will have:
an additional 3,265 square feet of interior space – for a total of 8,737 square feet of interior space – that will enable it to accommodate more members and activities.
a new roof, porch, cupola, windows, walkways and landscaping.
motorized room partitions that allow for multiple room configurations so programs and activities can take place simultaneously.
an enlarged kitchen space with multiple kitchen upgrades that allows for greater center luncheon attendance.
a quiet library room where members can read or relax.
a public entrance that can accommodate the arrival and departure of buses and emergency vehicles.
redesigned entryway and hallways, improved door thresholds, additional shelving and storage space, and new furniture throughout.
Lahm concluded by saying, “We believe these renovations will keep the Center going strong for decades to come,” adding cheerfully, “And I look forward to standing here with Martha again next year for the ribbon cutting.”
Senior Center Building Committee Chairman Jeri Baker and Stephanie Gould, Director of the Center, rounded out the speeches with Baker noting it had been four years, seven months and one day since the Towns of Old Lyme and Lyme appointed a set of volunteers to serve on the building committee and oversee the renovation of the senior center.
She expressed thanks to a list of individuals, “For their hard work, dedication and expertise over the past several years,” namely, Don Abraham, Janet Sturges, Dan Hagan, Mary Stone, Arthur “Skip” Beebe, Ken Biega, Bennett “BJ” Bernblum, Dr. Rick Goulding, John KIker, Russell Learned, Toni Phillips, and Alan Sheiness.
She also noted her appreciation to past ex officio members, Bonnie Reemsnyder, Steve Mattson and Tim Griswold and current ex officio members, Martha Shoemaker, David Lahm and Stephanie Gould.
The Lyme Board of Selectpeople stand together for a photo after the celebrations. From left to right, First Selectperson David Lahm, Selectperson Kristina White and Selectperson John Kiker. Photo by Newfield Construction.
Baker added sincere thanks to all the boards, commissions and the staff from both towns, “Who contributed to this journey,” along with all those involved from Newfield Construction and Point One Architects, “Who are helping us carry the renovation from an idea into a reality.”
She also thanked the various organizations, who are serving as locations for Senior Center activities while the renovation is ongoing, and gave a special thank you to, “The Senior Center members, staff, and Board of Directors; the VNA; the VFW and the many volunteers who support this wonderful place.”
After a hearty round of applause, ceremonial shovels were duly inserted in the ground and the joyful celebrations began.
