Biography:

First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, a retired 35-year teacher and 12-year union president, was selectwoman from 2021-23 and is finishing her second term on the regional school board. She has led the local library’s Friends group and volunteered with the prevention coalition. Shoemaker worked at FiberQA as purchasing and production lead and was an adjunct professor at Mitchell College. Certified as a Connecticut Municipal Official in 2022 and recertified in 2024, she received the Ella T. Grasso Women’s Leadership Award in 2023. Shoemaker and her husband, 29-year residents in town, have three sons who graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High School.

1) Why are you running for the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen, and what do you see as the most important challenges facing the town in the next two years?

I am running for re-election as First Selectman because I care deeply about the future of Old Lyme. We all agree our town is a unique place due to its historical attributes, natural beauty and the community spirit that shines brightly when our impromptu parades celebrate a winning team arriving back to town. During the past two years I have brought my forward-looking approach to leadership, which balances preserving what we value most while meeting the challenges ahead. My goal is to ensure Old Lyme remains vibrant, welcoming, and sustainable for both current residents and future generations.

Old Lyme is at a critical moment in history. We face important decisions on how to balance growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility, continue to prepare for climate impact, and all while supporting the evolving needs of our community. It is essential that we work together to provide thoughtful planning and smart zoning decisions as we move forward, while still protecting the character of our town. 

Our coastline is experiencing rising sea levels and more powerful storms. We must invest in resilient infrastructure — from drainage systems to coastal protection — to ensure long-term safety and sustainability.

Transparency and accountability remain top priorities. Residents deserve clear communication about how tax dollars are spent. Over the past two years, I have implemented a more transparent budgeting process, made smart investments in town services, and expanded long-term financial planning. We have done this without placing an undue burden on taxpayers.

We also must proactively address affordable housing needs for seniors, families, and single residents. Seniors seek single-level living, young families need starter homes, and individuals want options like apartments or townhomes. I also understand the community’s strong commitment to preserving open space and natural habitats. The ongoing zoning regulation update invites civic engagement across generations, helping us plan for housing that fits within our infrastructure and reflects our values.

I am committed to continuing to listen, learn, and work collaboratively with all residents. Together, we can build a strong future for Old Lyme — one that honors our past while embracing the opportunities ahead.

2) The pace and scale of development in Old Lyme has been a key issue in town, from the prospect of apartments on Halls Road to the implications that sewers might have for the shoreline gateway. How would you describe Old Lyme as it is today, and what is your vision for the town’s future?

Old Lyme benefits from its coastal charm, vibrant arts heritage, and open space. Our residents enjoy their quality of life, and many do not want change to occur. I believe change is inevitable, so it is better to manage it than to be driven by it. Old Lyme is at a crossroads. We must have meaningful conversations regarding development and zoning regulations while maintaining the town’s character. We still need to fulfill the needs for housing, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.

My vision for the future includes thoughtful and scaled development. Development should respect the character and heritage of Old Lyme. Projects that include town houses or mixed-use buildings can bring new vitality, but they must be carefully integrated with the town’s aesthetics and infrastructure. Any new development comes with other aspects that we must keep in mind. Storm water drainage and its domino effect on other areas near the development, for example. We must ensure that any development enhances Old Lyme, rather than detracting. We must work together to formulate the plan that works for our Town before the State mandates or creates that plan for us. We must hear each other and then work together to find common ground. 

We must continue to be strong environmental stewards as our natural resources are central to Old Lyme’s identity and economic health. Infrastructure improvements, such as the introduction of sewers along the shoreline, could help protect water quality, but that must be paired with strong zoning regulations to prevent overdevelopment. How big should those shoreline homes be? How will they affect the coastline and marine life? Stewardship means balancing environmental protection with modernization, ensuring fragile ecosystems are preserved.

The future of Old Lyme must be shaped by open and inclusive dialogue. Residents—young families, seniors, and business owners alike—deserve a voice in how the town evolves to meet changing needs while preserving its unique sense of place. I do not believe all these voices have been heard. Active community engagement will be needed to ensure that Old Lyme maintains its integrity for generations to come.

3) How important are shoreline environmental issues—such as flooding, beach erosion, water quality, and climate change—to Old Lyme’s long-term vitality, and what steps would you take to address them?

Old Lyme’s future depends on the health of its shoreline, which is a central part of our identity, economy, property values, and quality of life. Without action, the town faces serious environmental, economic, and social risks. Four major shoreline issues must be addressed: flooding, beach erosion, water quality, and climate change.

Flooding, driven by storms and rising tides, threatens homes, infrastructure, and public safety. The town should strengthen and enforce resilient building codes, invest in green infrastructure like wetlands and bioswales, improve drainage and stormwater systems, and seek FEMA grants for mitigation.

Beach erosion reduces beach size, affects tourism, and lowers property values. To combat this, Old Lyme should collaborate with coastal engineers on sustainable beach nourishment, restrict shoreline development through zoning, and support vegetation restoration to naturally stabilize our beaches.

Water quality is vital for ecosystems, recreation, and public health. The town must improve septic system oversight, reduce stormwater runoff, promote buffer zones of native vegetation, and collaborate with nearby towns on watershed-based planning.

Climate change poses long-term threats from sea level rise, intense storms, and weather shifts. A comprehensive climate resilience plan is needed, along with participation in regional adaptation initiatives. The town should pursue state and federal funding for climate projects and raise public awareness about climate risks.

In the past two years, I have made sure that our Flood and Erosion Control Board was reinvigorated. The members are working on the FEMA Community Rating System, a voluntary program for communities that will implement floodplain management activities. This process will lead to discounts on flood insurance premiums for our residents. 

Old Lyme must take proactive, science-based action to safeguard its shoreline to ensure that it remains a sustainable, valuable resource for future generations.

4) What would you do to ensure that rising property taxes don’t make Old Lyme unaffordable for residents?

As your First Selectman, I am committed to responsible leadership that keeps Old Lyme vibrant, affordable, and fiscally sound for everyone; from seniors on fixed incomes to working families and small business owners. I will continue to maintain fiscal responsibility. This year, town departments worked with me to find an additional $170K in savings prior to final budget approval. During my term I have ensured that the bidding policy for new and recurring projects was properly followed, so that the town obtains the best pricing. I also implemented a procedure to get quotes for smaller projects and purchases under $20K. These small savings add up significantly. 

I will continue to run a balanced budget and will carefully review all town spending to eliminate waste and prioritize the services that matter most to you. During budget season we need to revisit our five-year capital plan to ensure it aligns with the anticipated needs of the town. I will continue to look for ways to increase revenue by encouraging small business growth and thoughtful commercial development. We can investigate ways to broaden our tax base, bringing in more revenue without raising property taxes. I will collaborate with the Board of Finance to develop policies regarding budget surplus use and what limits to put in place so that our taxpayers benefit. 

We must maintain the AAA Bond Rating that I, along with Finance Director Anita Mancini, completed the process to obtain. This rating ensures future projects like infrastructure improvements can be financed at the lowest possible interest rates, saving taxpayers money over time. 

While we all realize the revaluation process brought about increased property values this past year, we can look to expand property tax relief programs for seniors, veterans, and moderate-income families. Your voice matters. We will hold community meetings, conduct surveys, and keep you informed about how your tax dollars are spent. We’ll push for better state policies that provide towns like ours with more flexibility to manage budgets without over-relying on property taxes. Together, we can keep Old Lyme affordable, efficient, and thriving for generations to come.