Category Archives: Town Hall

Letter to the Editor: Conclusions Being Reached on Halls Rd. Project Without Understanding Facts

Posted on by
1

To the Editor:

It is very frustrating to see people reaching conclusions about Halls Road without obtaining the facts.

The town is not hiring a developer!. Property owners can choose to keep their buildings right where they are and not move them.The overlay is an option that they take advantage of or not. If they do choose it, they pick a contractor not the town.

The Halls Road Improvement Committee has no authority. All decisions are made by the [Old Lyme] Board of Selectmen (BOS) and Board of Finance. There is no opportunity for a conflict of Interest by members of the HRIC since they do not make any decisions. They just advise the BOS.

The pedestrian bridge will be paid for by grants. True, all state taxpayers contribute to funding  grants, but do we want our money to fund projects in Fairfield county or stay in Old Lyme?

Please see the town website to get the facts. Go to boards and commissions, HRIC and see the Q&A and the update.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Howard Margules,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is a member of the Halls Road Improvement Committee.

Letter to the Editor: Old Lyme Treasurer’s Wife Responds to Griswold’s Criticisms of Her Husband; Says They Are Unfounded, Do Not Represent Reality

Posted on by
Reply

To the Editor:

I take incredible exception with the Letter to the Editor, published on November 2, 2023 on LymeLine.com, signed by Timothy Griswold.

To begin, I don’t think that letter represents how Mr. Griswold really feels, so I’m not sure why he chose to put his name on it. He and current Town Treasurer Michael Reiter have worked very well together for years, and that letter would suggest otherwise. But in his own words “I guess it’s election season”.

Disappointing.

Second, when an employee goes out on emergency personal medical leave, the person frequently doesn’t inform anyone other than their direct supervisor – which in this situation was Mr. Griswold, the CEO of the town. It was his job to then inform anyone who was impacted by the leave, and he didn’t inform Michael.  Current Selectman Matt Ward did help to prepare the budget in the proper format – but Matt also didn’t think to notify Michael of the Finance Director’s absence. And still, when Michael did learn of the absence, he initiated the search to find people to fill in – when Mr. Griswold didn’t do anything. This actually demonstrates Michael’s quick thinking and willingness to work with anyone – no matter what party – to get the job done most efficiently.

Third, to set the record straight, the Treasurer is not required or expected to attend Board of Finance meetings. In fact, since the Finance Director is usually in attendance at BOF meetings, it would be redundant and a waste of time to have two people from the same department attending. When asked to attend, Mike attended.   Mr. Griswold should encourage his team to stop suggesting otherwise.

And finally, Michael has managed budgets over 60 million dollars for major defense contracts – clearly he knows his way around a balance sheet. He reached out to the experts when he noticed an opportunity for town funds to be invested in better ways due to the national financial climate. This resulted in several hundred thousand dollars of income that the town might have missed out on. Demonstrating yet again his dedication to making sure our town is in the best financial standing possible.

As I’m sure someone commenting on this LTE will point out, I am Michael’s wife and I’m running for Board of Finance. As has already happened, both Michael and I served in these positions previously when I held a seat on the BOF.  When we both ran for these offices four years ago, we consulted the town attorney who confirmed there is no issue with us running (and being married) because as a member of the BOF, I would be approving how to spend taxpayer dollars and as Treasurer, Mike will continue to make sure that tax dollars are spent exactly how taxpayers approve and invest available dollars wisely. So we don’t need to hash that out again either.

Suggesting we are anything other than dedicated to this town and ensuring its financial viability is not only misleading, it is a bald-faced lie. My husband is proud of his record over the last four years and looks forward to serving our town for another four years.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Anna Reiter,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Thompson Explains Why Voters Should Support her Bid to be Old Lyme Tax Collector

Posted on by
Reply

To the Editor:

I am running as Tax Collector for the Town of Old Lyme. As your Tax Collector, I will continue to uphold this Town’s admirable collection rate – 99 percent, one of the highest in the state – while updating our systems to make it more convenient for you to pay your taxes. 

Currently as Assistant Tax Collector, I have improved our Online Payment Center and Check Bill Status and have updated our webpage to include valuable information for our taxpayers. I take the collection, depositing and record keeping of our town’s property taxes seriously, and I will continue to uphold the fiduciary responsibilities of this position.

Over the past 20 years, the town’s leaders have recognized my professional capabilities and big-picture thinking by appointing me to represent Old Lyme on the Connecticut River Gateway Commission. I know and respect regulatory statutes, policies, and procedures. My professional work experience, leading marketing and communications teams in the private sector, is beneficial to the position of Tax Collector.

I care about the Taxpayers of Old Lyme and our Town. I am a team player. With your support, I look forward to becoming your next Tax Collector.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Thompson,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is endorsed by the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee for the position of Old Lyme Tax Collector in the upcoming election.

Letter to the Editor: ‘Critical Decisions to be Made in Next Two Years’ for Old Lyme; Shoemaker, Lampos Unquestionably Represent Best Option to Lead Town Through Them

Posted on by
1

To the Editor:

Normally, politics are not my thing.  I am much too pre-occupied living.  But this year, in Old Lyme, I am paying attention.  

I am paying attention because there are so many critical decisions that must be made in the next two years, that could change our little town forever.  Let’s get it right. Our local media has done a great job providing us with all the information we need to make sound electoral decisions. I urge you to spend the next few minutes reading the Selectmen’s online interviews or reviewing the October 23rd candidate debate.  It’s all there for us – just a click away. 

Decisions regarding Halls Road, the senior center expansion, the beach communities, Rogers Lake, housing – all very complex, and all I expect will require hundreds of lengthy documents and contracts that will need to be analyzed. 

In Jim Lampos we have a candidate that not only has experience with municipal contracts (New York City Urban Planning) but actually has a Masters degree in municipal contract analysis. What a rarity and just what this town needs right now. 

Martha Shoemaker, our current Selectwoman, the only candidate to successfully complete the CT Municipal Officer CCM certification, has already demonstrated to all her high level of competency and dedication. She has her finger on the pulse of Old Lyme, and Old Lyme simply cannot afford to lose that.  Two very qualified candidates, wanting to serve.   

Vote! Yes! But look past the glossy postcards and be informed before you go to the polls.  If you do, you will vote for Jim Lampos and Martha Shoemaker. 

Sincerely,

Mary Daley,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Elections are the Will of the People

Posted on by
1

To the Editor:

The Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee [OLDTC] would have us believe there is an “unhealthy imbalance” in Old Lyme government because they have a minority of seats on boards and commissions. This is an entirely warped view of the electoral process. Elections are the will of the People, and the People have spoken loudly by choosing the best candidates. 

The Old Lyme Republican Town Committee works hard to find the best qualified, vibrant, and diverse voices to represent our town. This is why they are elected and re-elected, both Republican and endorsed Unaffiliated candidates, which Ms. Nosal apparently overlooks. All minority representation requirements are followed.

If the OLDTC is concerned with “more representative voices”, why is it they are running three spouses for election? Surely, having spouses involved with associated areas of planning and zoning, and town finances, does not “improve the balance of voices in our town government”. 

For the best slate of candidates, who have consistently delivered, and have fresh new ideas, Vote Row B.

Sincerely,

Deb Czarnecki,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the Co-Chair of the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee.