Category Archives: Lyme

Lymes’ Senior Center Bids Come in $1.2 Million Over Budget, Building Committee “Determined to Reduce” that Number

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Cost Reductions to be Made Without “Degrading Integrity or Design of Building” (Baker—Lymes’ Senior Center Renovation and Expansion Project Building Committee Chair)

OLD LYME — When the trade bids for the Lymes’ Senior Center Renovation and Expansion Project were opened last Tuesday in Old Lyme Town Hall, the numbers were not encouraging—though not entirely unexpected.

In total, the bids were $1.2 million in excess of the budgeted amount. 

Asked her reaction to the bids, the project Building Committee Chair Jeri Baker told LymeLine by phone, “We (the committee) are determined to bring the project in within the cost parameters. The $1.2 million is something we are determined to reduce.”

She explained that the architects, construction manager and building committee would, “Work very quickly and with determination,” to find, “Significant cost savings.” Baker stressed, however that these savings would be achieved without, “Degrading the integrity or design of the building,” and that, “Everything” would be still be at code while occupancy numbers and functionality were retained.

Acknowledging that a “delay is inevitable” in the planned building timeline now, Baker said that the building committee should have a, “Much better handle” on how the project will move forward after their next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 5 p.m.

State Rep. Carney Recognized for Advocacy on Behalf of Small Towns

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 State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) is presented with COST’s Town Crier Award by Paula Cofrancesco, COST President. Photo submitted.

HARTFORD/LYME/OLD LYME – In recognition of his work on behalf of Connecticut’s small towns, State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) has been named a recipient of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns’ (COST) Town Crier Award during their 2024 Town Meeting held Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville.

The award is given annually to legislators who have distinguished themselves as outstanding advocates on issues affecting Connecticut’s small towns.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by the Connecticut Council of Small Towns, an organization for which I have deep respect,” Rep. Carney said. “As the representative of four small towns [Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and part of Westbrook], I believe communities like the ones I represent are the backbone of our state. With this award, I will continue to be a voice for local control of municipal government and education, mandate relief, and ensuring our towns are safe.”

During the award ceremony, Paula Cofrancesco, First Selectman of Bethany and COST’s President said “Rep. Carney has long been recognized as a legislator who reaches across party lines in a collaborative manner to address issues facing the state’s smaller communities, including finding solutions to the state’s waste management issues, supporting enhanced rail service, and stopping unfunded mandates that would impose costly administrative burdens on our communities. COST is honored to present our Town Crier Award to Rep. Carney for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the state’s small towns.”

Founded in 1975, The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) is an advocacy organization committed to giving small towns a strong voice in the legislative process. Its members are Connecticut towns with populations of less than 35,000.

Other recipients, who also received awards at the event, included State Senator Ryan Fazio (R-36) and State Representative Pat Boyd (D-50). State Senator Cathy Osten (D-19) was unable to attend the event but is also scheduled to receive an award.

Lymes’ Senior Center Project ‘Moving Forward,’ First Trade Bids Opened Feb. 6

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The exterior of the Lymes’ Senior Center on Town Woods Rd. in Old Lyme. File photo

OLD LYME—Asked by LymeLine in a phone interview on Tuesday, Jan. 30, how the Lymes’ Senior Center Renovation and Expansion project was progressing, chair of the Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee Jeri Baker responded enthusiastically, “We’re moving forward!”

She explained that her positive outlook stemmed from the fact that this afternoon, Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 2 through 4 p.m., Newfield Construction Management will open the bids for the building trades in the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Room. Baker added, “This is a public event,” adding, “There has been a lot of interest in the project—11 trade packages were sent out and we held a walk-through for the trades last week.”

Jeri Baker addresses the audience in the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School auditorium during a June 2023 presentation to the public about the Lymes’ Senior Center proposal. Martha Shoemaker, who is now Old Lyme First Selectwoman but was a Selectwoman at the time of this photo, stands at left. File photo.

Commenting, “We are hopeful that the bids come in around the March 2023 estimates,” she noted, “Despite the unexpected and unavoidable delays we experienced, there is genuine excitement now to begin the work.”

Solidifying her recent commitment “to communicate more,” Baker told LymeLine that plans for private fundraising had begun, applications for two grants were in the works and a ground-breaking ceremony was being planned for mid-March.

After Thrilling Game, Old Lyme Boys’ Finally Fall to East Hampton

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Old Lyme senior Leland Hine leaps above the opposition to make a shot in Saturday’s game. All photos by A. Hine.

EAST HAMPTON—Playing away, the Old Lyme Wildcats fought hard on Saturday afternoon but ultimately lost by just four points 68-62 to the East Hampton Bellringers.

Old Lyme sophomore Colman Curtiss-Reardon netted a game-high 19 points with senior Jack Porter just one point adrift of him with 18.

Old Lyme senior Dylan Paynter contributed to the Wildcats score with this deft three-pointer.

Jadin Sawyer was top scorer for East Hampton with 18 points while Brady Lynch netted 17.

The Wildcats’ Shoreline Conference record now stands at 8-4 with their overall record: at 9-5.

Colman Curtiss-Reardon jumps to score another hoop adding to what ultimately became his game-high total of 19 points.

Old Lyme’s next game is tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 6, away at Westbrook High School with a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Old Lyme Boys Storm Past Hale-Ray with 48-27 Victory

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Wildcat senior Jack Porter successfully dribbles an opponent in the game against Hale-Ray. All photos by A. Hine.

OLD LYME—Old Lyme pulled off another convincing win last night over Hale-Ray High School, soundly defeating the Noises 48-27.

Senior Leland Hine (#25) stretches for the hoop to score two of his game-high 21 points.

Old Lyme senior Leland Hine scored a game-high 21 points for the Wildcats while fellow senior Charlie Sahadi added 11.

Senior Charlie Sahadi leaps high to make a shot.

Colby Bryant led the Hale-Ray’s scoring with nine points

Team talk time.

The Wildcats Conference Record is now 8-3 while their overall record is 9-4.

Old Lyme plays again this afternoon against East Hampton away with a 3 p.m. tip-off.