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Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee Responds to $1.3M Budget Shortfall—Project Savings Agreed, Additional Funds to be Requested: $660K from OL, $220K from Lyme,

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The exterior of the Lymes’ Senior Center on Town Woods Rd. in Old Lyme. The Center is currently closed pending its renovation.

Lyme BOS has Already Approved its $220K Share of Additional Funding

OLD LYME — 3/16: Lymes’ Senior Center (LSC) Building Committee Chair Jeri Baker was at pains to stress in a phone conversation with LymeLine last Thursday (March 7) that the committee had agreed some, “Really good savings,” during its deliberations at its Special Committee Meeting held the previous day without reducing space in the renovated Center or compromising its integrity.

She explained that the initial $1.337 million overrun had been reduced through approximately $602,000 in construction savings.

Meanwhile, contingency funds for the project have been increased by nearly $65,000 to cover any unforeseen circumstances.Those two moves reduced the $1.337 million overage to $800,000.

She added, “We are also requesting an appropriation of $80,000 to cover the kitchen upgrades the towns requested in February 2024.”

This means the LSC Building Committee will be requesting a total of $880,000 to continue the renovation project with the amount to be divided between the two towns. Using the 75:25 ratio between Old Lyme (OL) and Lyme, which has been employed consistently throughout the life of the Center, the amounts to be requested from each Town respectively are $660,000 (75%) from Old Lyme and $220,000 (25%) from Lyme.

Significantly, the current bids, which were opened Feb. 6 in the OL Town Hall, expire May 6. The LSC Building Committee is therefore anxious to advance their requests for additional funding in a timely manner so that the bids remain current.

In order to achieve that, OL First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker explained in a text to LymeLine, “The [OL] BOS will hear from the [Lymes’ Senior Center] Renovation Committee on 3/18.”

Baker told LymeLine that she would be presenting the LSC Building Committee’s request to the OL BOS at this evening’s meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the OL Town Hall.

Shoemaker noted, “I would hope the [OL] BOF (Board of Finance) would add it to their agenda for the 19th.”

Assuming those two meetings go as expected a Public Information Session would be held in OL on March 25, and then a Town Meeting on April 15 at which OL residents will be able to vote on the additional funding request. The locations and start times for both these meetings are yet to be determined.

Lyme Selectman John Kiker told LymeLine via text that the situation is slightly different in Lyme, where the Town’s BOS and BOF, “… have already approved the additional fundraising needed for the Senior Center.”

Kiker continued, “Our informational meeting is Wednesday, March 27, time TBD. The Town Vote is Thursday, April 18th, start time [also] TBD.”

The LSC Building Committee has prepared a comprehensive FAQ so that residents in both towns can appreciate fully all the factors involved in planning the project and its future timing. Note the document is identical for both towns.
View the document at this link for the Town of Lyme.
View the document at this link for the Town of Old Lyme.

Death Announced of Steven Wilson of Old Lyme, 57, Former Chair of LOL Schools Board of Education; Full Obituary Now Published

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Steven John Wilson

OLD LYME — We have learned of the death of Steven John Wilson, of Old Lyme, who passed away Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. He was chairman of the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Board of Education until this past December 2023.

His full obituary has now been published.

Steven J. Wilson, age 57, of Old Lyme, CT passed away on February 19, 2024 after a brief illness … After graduating from Stony Brook University, he lived and worked in NYC until moving to Old Lyme full time in 2019.

… Steven was an active member of St Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme as well as past Chairman of the Board of Education for the Lyme Old Lyme Region 18 School system.

He is survived by Jan Wysocki, his wife of 26 years whom he met in NYC 31 years ago. He is survived by their two beautiful children who are now young adults, Alden and Lea. Additionally, Steven leaves behind his two sisters, Andrea of London and Rebecca of Cos Cob, CT and 8 nieces and nephews.

Tribute donations to Museum of Art & Design (NYC), Riverkeeper or Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme are requested in lieu of flowers or fruit baskets.

After a private mass for the family at St Ann’s, receptions will be held in Old Lyme and NYC, dates to be determined.

Visit this link to read the full obituary published Feb. 27, 2024 on DignityMemorial.com.

We send our sincere condolences to Mr. Wilson’s family.

Death Announced of Musician Robert Allen Regan of Niantic, Remembrance Celebration to be Held in Old Lyme, March 10

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NIANTIC, CT—Robert Allen Regan, of Niantic, CT, died peacefully on February 20, 2024 at the age 91. He is survived by his two sisters, Ione Bartells and Marianne Sackett, daughters, Lisa Feltes and Amy Jonsson (Eric); grandchildren, Logan, Cooper, Brooke, and Brandon; great-grandchildren, Nora and Julia, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Allen and Leone Regan; his wife, Marilyn Regan, and his granddaughter, Haley Feltes.

Robert was born on May 28, 1932 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to parents Allen and Leone Regan …

His career led to multiple acting and singing roles on and off the stage including a short stint as Prince Harry in the original Broadway production of Once Upon a Mattress…

A Celebration of Remembrance will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Rd., Old Lyme, CT 06371. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s memory may be made to the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Special Music Fund.

Visit this link to read the full obituary published by Legacy.com.

Freshman Fiske on Fire Leading Old Lyme to Victory Over Coginchaug with Thrilling 35 Points

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Old Lyme freshman Eddie Fiske adds to his score from the free-throw line.
All photos by A. Hine.

OLD LYME—Playing away, Wednesday evening, Old Lyme pulled off a huge win against the Coginchaug Blue Devils in a high-scoring game that saw the Wildcats score 31 out of a possible 40 points from the free-throw line.

Wildcat senior Leland Hine drives toward the hoop.

The final score of 76-64 included a remarkable 35 points from Wildcat freshman Eddie Fiske, 13 of which were free throw points out of a possible 18

Old Lyme sophomore Colman Curtiss-Reardon: added 18 points, scoring 10 out of 11 points from the free-throw line.

Old Lyme sophomore Colman Curtiss-Reardon shoots from the free-throw line.

Alec Rodrigue: notched 17 points for the Blue Devils while Preston Mennone: added 16.

Old Lyme’s Shoreline Conference record: now stands at10-4 and their overall record is 11-5.

Wildcat senior Eli Sahadi looks to pass inside the circle.

The next game for the Lyme-Old Lyme boys is away Thursday against Montville at Montville High School.

State Senator Martha Marx Announces Re-Election Campaign for 20th District, Includes Old Lyme

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Atate Senator Martha Marx (D-20th)

NEW LONDON, CT: State Senator Martha Marx (D-20th) has announced a re-election campaign for her seat representing the 20th District, which includes Old Lyme, as well as Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford. Marx was first elected to the General Assembly in 2022.

“As a career nurse, the one issue that will always be closest to my heart is healthcare,” Marx stated at the opening of her campaign, continuing, “During my first term, I fought day in and day out to make options here in Connecticut more affordable and take the needed measures to protect nurses on the job who are working to keep us healthy and safe.”

She added, “I also took affordability head-on, passing Connecticut’s largest tax cut in state history, fighting on behalf of consumers against utility companies, and bringing needed state funds to all eight towns in the district.” She also cited various local projects across the district, which she has supported, including funding for the Lymes’ Senior Center.”

Senator Marx has been a resident of New London and a registered nurse for over 30 years. She is a former New London City Council member and a visiting nurse. Since being elected to the senate, Martha has focused on expanding access to affordable healthcare, making the workplace safer and more equitable, and making southeast Connecticut more affordable.

Newly elected Montville Mayor, Lenny “Bud” Bunnell, spoke in support of Senator Marx’s re-election. “Having been recently elected to my first term as the Mayor of Montville I have been very fortunate to be able to call upon Martha for advice and as a resource.”

New London Mayor Michael Passero also took the opportunity to praise Senator Marx on Wednesday. “During her first term, Martha has proven to be a relentless advocate for this district in the senate.”

Beth Sabilia, who is director of the Center for Housing Equity and Opportunity of Eastern Connecticut, also shared her support for Marx, saying, “Senator Marx is a tireless champion for the regular people of the 20th District.”

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the State Senator Marx’s press team.