This week brings back memories of my years teaching Kindergarten. I just want to keep reciting the poem “Rain, Rain, Go Away”. The weather has kept Emergency Services, Public Works and Town Hall Staff very busy over the last week. As many of you know, flooding occurred along the shoreline, on Route 156, Library Lane, and some other side roads. A working group with key stakeholders will be developed to come up with some long-term plans for flood mitigation. We look forward to having our Flood & Erosion Control Board weigh in on this topic as well.

Suzanne Thompson would like to remind all of us that January is Tax Month! We are halfway through the January collection of property taxes. The second installment of Real Estate and Personal Property taxes must be received in the Tax Collector office or postmarked by Thursday, February 1^st to avoid interest penalties. Supplemental Motor Vehicle bills were mailed in December and also are due at this time.

The real estate and personal property tax bills were mailed in late June 2023, before the first installment was due in July. Old Lyme does not mail a second installment reminder in December, but you can print out another copy of your bill via the Tax Collector department webpage and follow the prompts. You can also track payment status on the Tax Collector webpage.

Mickie Fraser, the Administrative Assessment Technician in our Assessor’s office has notified us of her intent to retire at the end of January. We are sad to see her depart. Mickie has provided excellent service to the townspeople of Old Lyme for 31+ years. We wish her well as she begins her next adventure in life!  Please stop by to congratulate her on her retirement.

A few reminders:  

• Curbside Tree Pick-up will take place the week of January 15^th. 
• The Capitol Region and Lower CT River Valley Councils of Governments are creating a regional climate action plan and would appreciate your input for this very important topic.
• The Sierra Club is hosting a public forum on Sunday, January 14^th at 2:30pm at the Old Saybrook Library covering the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and it's rebates. 
• Lymes' Senior Center Veterans Coffeehouse will be at held at the Town Hall this week. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Commander Dick Mason will present “What the VFW Does for Veterans” on Wednesday, January 17^th at 9:45am in the Meeting Hall. All are welcome to attend, learn, and ask questions. Coffee and refreshments served.

Town Hall will be closed on January 15^th in observance of Martin Luther King Day. We must always remember how strongly Dr. King fought for racial justice and equality. Have a wonderful long weekend!

 All the Best,

First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker