Alyssa Karpuska (center) is Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Teacher of the Year. She stands between Mile Creek Principal Kelly Enoch and LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser.
OLD LYME — The Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year respectively for 2023-24 were announced yesterday at the LOL Schools Convocation event.
The 2023-24 LOL Schools Teacher of the Year is Alyssa Karpuska, who teaches Kindergarten at Mile Creek School and attended LOL Schools as a student.
Jennifer Vigen (right) is Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Employee of the Year. She stands with Superintendent Neviaser and Lyme School Principal Allison Hine.
The 2023-24 LOL Schools Employee of the Year is Jennifer Vigen, who is an Instructional Assistant at Lyme School and a resident of Lyme.
Editor’s Note: Full stories on both recipients of these great honors will follow, but meanwhile our congratulations to both Alyssa and Jennifer!
Jennifer Pitman greets Kindergarten students arriving for their first day of school at Mile Creek. Pitman is the art teacher at Mile Creek School. All photos by LOL Schools except where indicated.
OLD LYME —UPDATED 8/25 with more photos: Thursday, Aug. 24, was the first day of school for students of Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools and all reports indicate that it has been a successful start to the new academic year.
Guess what I did today!
Asked that morning by e-mail how ‘Opening Day’ was going, LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser responded, “We are happy to have everyone back and to see their smiling faces.”
Smiles galore were everywhere to be seen.
And what are his thoughts on the upcoming school year? He said, “[It] looks to be another successful year in the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools as evidenced by another Top 10 ranking in state achievement scores.”
The sign says it all. Photo by M. Tackett.
We also inquired about the ongoing construction project at the schools and when ground is likely to be broken. Neviaser replied, “Our PK-8 Building Committee is working hard to move our renovation projects forward.”
Back in the groove, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School students were already hard at work in their science class.
He added, “We expect construction to begin next summer.”
Beth (left) and Renee Viera dash for the school bus in Lyme this morning — they made it! Photo by K. Monson.
LYME — Robert John “Bob” Chandler, 88, of Cove Road, Lyme, died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at his residence with his family by his side. Mr. Chandler was born Feb. 5, 1935, in New Jersey, the son of Alfred and Margaret Chandler.
Beloved by his wife, Patricia Chandler, his daughter Gerriann Jackson, son Jeff Chandler and grandchildren, Joshua Jackson, Maxwell Jackson, Sam Chandler and Tess Chandler, he is sorely missed …
Married just shy of 70 years, the devotion and love between them was something to behold. He appreciated life and all it had to offer, often saying his life was a banquet, while gazing at his wife …
To honor Mr. Chandler’s wishes, no services will be held at this time …
State Rep. Christine Palm (D-36th) holds up some hydrilla during Wednesday’s press conference to demonstrate how its structure chokes native plants, harms fish and wildlife habitats, and prevents recreation. All photos courtesy of CT House Democrats.
Press Conference Held to Educate Public About Harm Caused by Hydrilla, Discuss Projects to Control Invasive Aquatic’s Spread
CHESTER — On Wednesday, Aug. 16, state and federal legislators, federal agencies, and stewards of the Connecticut River, met in Chester to educate the public about testing and remediation of invasive aquatic species in the Connecticut River, focusing on hydrilla (hydrilla verticillata), a highly problematic invasive rapidly spreading throughout the lower River Valley.
Experts addressed how these species cause ecological and economic harm, discussed the different research and removal projects being conducted in the Connecticut River, introduced the newly formed Office of Aquatic Invasive Species, and offered methods of prevention.
“Hydrilla is a threat to the Connecticut River as it can crowd out native plants, harm habitat for fish and wildlife, and prevent recreation,” said Rhea Drozdenko, River Steward for the Connecticut River Conservancy.
Rhea Drozdenko, River Steward for the Connecticut River Conservancy., addresses the audience at the press conference.
She continued, “I’m grateful we have strong partnerships throughout the watershed as we learn more about this species and work to protect our waterways. The Connecticut River Conservancy has worked on several related projects including the use of benthic barriers to prevent hydrilla growth and promoting preventing the spread of hydrilla through the practice of ‘Clean, Drain, Dry.'”
To improve understanding of the dynamics of water flow and exchange in the local waterways, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in cooperation with the CT Agriculture Experiment Station (CAES), will be applying Rhodamine WT (RWT), a red tracer dye to the Chester Boat Basin, along with three other sites.
This dye release and study program is preparatory to the eventual release of herbicide treatment for the control of hydrilla at each site.
According to the USACE, RWT dye is a fluorescent, xanthene dye that has been used for water tracing since at least the mid-20th century to quantify time of travel in dynamic (in this case, tidal) waters. This dye has no significant effects on aquatic organisms and has been proven safe for these studies.
The dye will be applied to the sites during various environmental conditions using different application techniques at 10 parts per billion concentrations. The concentrations of the dye in the water will be collected using fluorometry equipment at certain intervals following initial dye treatment at sampling points within and just outside of the sites.
There will be impacts on the color of the water at the sites and surrounding areas as the dye is bright red in color but expected to be minimal and short-term as the dye will dilute and dissipate with the flow and tides of the river.
State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) thanked State Rep. Christine Palm (D-36th) for taking the lead on the hydrilla issue and emphasized the urgency of eradicating it.
“I am grateful for the combined brain power of these biologists, engineers, and advocates,” said State Representative Christine Palm (D-36th), whose district covers Chester, Deep River, Essex, and Haddam.
She stressed, “We don’t want the public alarmed at the sudden appearance of red dye in the water, so we’re trying to get ahead of it by educating boaters, businesses, and residents. Ultimately, the goal is to eradicate the spread of this invasive, which is devastating our waterways.”
Rep. Palm, who serves as vice chair of the General Assembly’s Environment Committee, successfully introduced a bill in 2022 to establish and fund the Office of Aquatic Species at CAES.
“Hydrilla and invasive plants can and have caused significant damage across a number of bodies of water in our state, said State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33rd), whose district includes Lyme, Conn.
He noted, “By working to study how water flow and downstream activity can result in the spread of such plants, we can better prepare for and respond to the future spread of these plants, better supporting our natural resources.”
“It is vital that we continue to do what we can to prevent the spread of hydrilla and work to eradicate it,” said State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), whose district includes both Lyme and Old Lyme.
He said, “This is an issue that affects our environment, economy, and our overall quality of life. I want to thank Rep. Christine Palm for taking the lead on this issue and for all of the efforts by state agencies and organizations to remove this invasive species from our waters.”
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said he had advocated for $6 million in federal funding to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers control and eradicate hydrilla.
“Hydrilla poses a significant ecological, environmental, and economic threat to the Connecticut River,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
He pointed out, “This invasive species is spreading rapidly – knocking out aquatic plants, choking fish and other wildlife, and making the waters unsafe for recreation,” adding, “I am proud to have advocated for the $6 million in federal funding included in the omnibus bill to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers control and eradicate this harmful species.”
LYME, CT — At its regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 7, the Lyme Board of Selectmen decided to change the name of its Board, effective immediately, to the “Board of Selectpeople” and to continue to refer to its individual members as either “Selectman” or “Selectwoman.” The change was approved unanimously by First Selectman David Lahm (R), Selectman John Kiker (D) and Selectwoman Kristina White (D).
The new board name and selectperson titles will be reflected in as many Town communications as possible moving forward, including agendas, minutes, calendar listings, annual reports, newsletters, website pages and social media posts.
Some Town publications may not reflect the changes, however, until their next scheduled update.
The change will not affect any Town communications governed by the State. For example, the November election ballot for Lyme will continue to show the titles of “First Selectman” and “Selectman.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a post published Aug. 14, on the Town of Lyme website.
