Category Archives: Letters

Letter to the Editor: Sign Removal Issues in Old Lyme Should be Referred to Ethics Commission

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This is an example of one of the signs to which this letter-writer refers. The photo was taken before the Feb. 27 date was postponed to April 9. Photo submitted.

To the Editor:

We now know that Old Lyme’s First Select-Person, Martha Shoemaker, directed the town’s Public Works Director to remove NOWAY OVERLAY (stet) signs from various  locations around town. Prior to the removal of the signs there was no attempt, by any town official, to work with either the property owner or the group responsible for installing the signs to work out the matter.

What is further concerning is that Martha Shoemaker is a member (ex officio) of the Hall’s Road Improvement Committee that has put forth the Zoning Regulation proposal that the NOWAY OVERLAY signs are in opposItion to. Is this a conflict of interest or at least the appearance of a conflict? 

When wire political signs are posted during election season, neither the town’s Zoning Enforcement Officer nor the Historic District Commission, which disfavors wire signs, remove them. With respect to the Hall’s Road Overlay proposal – also a matter of great public and local political concern – why should signs taking a position on that issue be treated differently? And why are some wire signs along roadways, on a variety of topics, left intact and only signs in opposition to the Overlay removed? 

At a meeting that I attended on March 19 at the town hall that included the First Select-Person, the town’s Public Works Director and the Zoning Enforcement Office, I attempted to offer a less confrontational approach with enforcement of our town’s zoning regulation involving signs.

I suggested an approach that a member of the town’s Historic District Commission (HDC) and I discussed in a recent phone conversation. The first attempt of the HDC to regulate structures concern in the District is to contact the property owner, and then invite the property owner to meet, discuss, and try to work out the matter. 

The conflicting views of the issues surrounding the Overlay Zoning proposal and the rights of free expression have resulted in the erosion of public trust of many of our public officials. So where do we go from here? The following is my recommendation.

The Town of Old Lyme’s Code of Ethics ( Section 43-8 (8) includes a provision whereas the Ethics Commission can initiate a complaint and investigate such complaint.. It does not require the filing of a complaint specifically from a town resident. 

I believe the Ethics Commission is the proper forum ( town agency) to address the issues stated above. 

Sincerely,

William Folland,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Proposed Changes to Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Music Program Will Negatively Impact Students, Teacher, Program Itself

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To the Editor:

I graduated from the Lyme-Old Lyme Class of 2021 and am now a Senior set to graduate from the Bryant University Honors Program in May of this year with a Marketing Major. I strongly urge the Lyme-Old Lyme Board of Education to reconsider the decisions that have been made about the music program. There are numerous ways that this change will negatively impact students, the teacher, and the program itself. 

Music isn’t just a class—it’s a place where students gain confidence, find their voice, and feel supported. While the program isn’t being cut, stretching one teacher between two schools will make it impossible to provide the same level of mentorship and musical excellence that students rely on. 

I know this firsthand because I was in Chorus from third grade through my senior year of high school. Now, as a member of an accomplished a cappella group at Bryant University, I would not be where I am today without Mrs. Pekar. She was the one who encouraged me to audition, who helped me develop the skills to succeed in music, and who inspired me every day to be the best I can be. Without her support, I would never have considered pursuing music at this level. 

For me, the music program was more than a class, and Mrs. Pekar was more than a teacher—she was my mentor and biggest supporter. During my senior year, I spent over 2000 hours with her. To put that into perspective, an average student spends just 216 hours a year with a teacher if they have them 4 times a week, since Lyme-Old Lyme recognizes the drop-period curriculum. Whether it was show choir, concert chorus, practicing piano for my senior project, or starring in the musical, which she has been brilliantly directing for 4 years now, she was and still is there for me and all students. 

But her impact on my life goes far beyond music. If not for her helping me build my confidence from the ground up, I wouldn’t have had the courage to compete in sales competitions in Chicago—where I advanced further than many of my peers. 

After dedicating so much time and energy to students, she now won’t even have a moment to catch her breath between classes. This change doesn’t just affect students—it affects the teacher, the program, and the heart of the school community. Please ensure that each school has the dedicated support it deserves. The impact of a great teacher lasts far beyond the classroom—I am living proof of that. 

Sincerely,

Sophia Ortoleva,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Gravel Pit Situation on Mile Creek Rd. is a ‘Travesty’, ‘Cannot be Allowed to Continue’

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To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the letter sent to the Old Lyme Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) from Old Lyme resident Olaf Bertram-Nothnagel, signed by 52 others, and published on LymeLine.com at this link.

The letter is an excellent summation of the travesty taking place at 304 & 308-1 Mile Creek Road.  This situation cannot be allowed to continue.  The IWWC has the authority to direct a cease-and desist order and request remediation of the environmental damages to this wetlands area.

The [IWWC] Commission, or its agent, shall enforce the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act and shall issue with terms, conditions, limitations or modifications, or deny permits for all regulated activities in the Town of Old Lyme pursuant to Sections 22a-36 to 22a-45, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.

The Old Lyme Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) was established by an ordinance adopted October 21, 1963, and tasked with the responsibility of protecting the indispensable, irreplaceable, and fragile natural resources in and around Old Lyme’s wetlands. This Commission oversees and grants permits for activities within wetlands, watercourses, and their Upland Review Areas (defined as the lateral 100-foot area around a wetland or watercourse, or the lateral 400-foot area around a vernal pool), or any activity altering the hydrology of a site and impacting a wetland or watercourse.

The IWWC’s mission is to protect natural resources within and around wetlands and watercourses for current and future Old Lyme residents.

Many inland wetlands and watercourses have been destroyed or are in danger of destruction because of unregulated use by reason of the deposition, filling or removal of material, the diversion or obstruction of water flow, the erection of structures and other uses, all of which have despoiled, polluted and eliminated wetlands and watercourses.

Such unregulated activity has had, and will continue to have, a significant, adverse impact on the environment and ecology of the state of Connecticut and has imperiled and will continue to imperil the quality of the environment thus adversely affecting the ecological, scenic, historic, and recreational values and benefits of the state for its citizens now and forever more. 

The preservation and protection of the wetlands and watercourses from random, unnecessary, undesirable, and unregulated uses, disturbance or destruction is in the public interest and is essential to the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the state.

Sincerely,

George E. Ryan,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author serves as the  vice chairman of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission but writes here solely in his capacity as a citizen of Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Support Old Lyme Zoning Against Lawsuit Brought by Smith Neck Rd. Owners After Their Construction Application Denied

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To the Editor:

We are writing to express our strong support for the Old Lyme Zoning Commission in its defense against a lawsuit  brought by the Merriam family against the Town of Old Lyme for rejecting their application for a “Special Permit” for new construction at 43 Smiths Neck Road.  

It is unfortunate that given all the advantages that money can bring, the Merriams would choose to sue the Town of Old Lyme rather than use all those resources to create a beautiful home, taking advantage of a unique location, while complying with our Zoning regulations. The plans submitted for the property at 43 Smith Neck Rd have been rejected by both the Gateway Commission and the Town of Old Lyme, but even so, they have the opportunity to resubmit a plan in conformity with zoning. Rather than do this, they have chosen to sue the town.

The Merriams’ argument that their proposed construction should be approved simply because similar houses exist in the area demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of how zoning regulations work. This logic is deeply flawed. Using past construction or outdated regulations to justify new violations is akin to arguing that because the drinking age was once 18, we should continue allowing 18-year-olds to purchase alcohol despite the current legal age being 21. Laws and regulations evolve for good reasons and our community benefits when they are consistently applied.

The Gateway Commission’s standards exist to preserve the unique character and environmental integrity of our community. These guidelines weren’t created arbitrarily but were thoughtfully developed to protect our town’s natural beauty and property values for all residents. The Zoning Commission has a responsibility to uphold these standards uniformly, not to make exceptions based on comparisons to structures that may have been built under different circumstances or different regulatory frameworks.

Perhaps most concerning is that this lawsuit forces Old Lyme taxpayers to foot the bill for legal proceedings that could have been avoided. If the Merriams believe they were misled about what construction was permissible, their grievance lies with the contractors who failed to adhere to Gateway and Zoning regulations, not with the town that is simply enforcing its rules. By suing Old Lyme instead of addressing these issues with their contractors, the Merriams are unnecessarily depleting public resources that could be better used serving our community.

As residents, we all have a stake in ensuring that our zoning regulations are enforced fairly and consistently. The Commission’s stance in this matter protects not just the integrity of our regulations but the interests of all Old Lyme citizens who follow the rules and expect others to do the same.

We urge our fellow residents to stand with the Zoning Commission as it upholds the standards that keep Old Lyme the special place we all choose to call home. Let’s support our town officials who are simply doing their job by enforcing the regulations that protect our community’s character and environment.

Sincerely,

Fred and Andrea Fenton,
Old Lyme

Letter to the Editor: Disagreements Voiced with HROD—Pause Plan Now, Discuss it Further, Make New Proposal Supported by Majority

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To the Editor:

I am writing to voice my disagreement with the [Halls Road Overlay District] proposal as currently written. 

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the proposed density of housing. It’s not 600 and I seriously doubt it’s 250 as the HRIC [Halls Road Improvement Committee] claims (with no basis, mind you). It all revolves around the “40 units per acre”. If that is not envisioned, why is it in the reg [regulations]? Why not lower it to 20-25 units?

Secondly, the thought of any 3 story structures on the edge of Halls Road is so far removed from the “character of Lyme Street” it makes me wonder what the true intent is. Lyme street is predominately (stet) 1 and 2 story structures, with I believe 3-4 3 story structures, yet the reg. as proposed, limits 1 story structures. Why not limit the 3 story structures to areas not directly on/facing Halls Road?

Is there “on street parking” proposed for Halls Road? I could not find any. If not why? I understand it is a state road…but I can’t think of one shoreline town center that does not have it…even Lyme Street!

If the current zoning regulations are being reviewed/rewritten why should this “portion of that document” be approved…I say No.

I could go on and on but i feel as if (from written and voice record) that the committee has bought into the Pro developer proposed by Atty Sweeney. Imagine if our forefathers followed that ideology.  Lyme Street would’ve never been kept in its current condition. 

This change should be paused, further discussed, and proposed in a form that is agreeable to the majority of towns people.

Sincerely,

Charles and Joan Meek,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: This letter was also submitted to the Old Lyme Zoning Commission.