On Monday, April 15^th, the Board of Selectmen introduced a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Tantummaheag Landing with the owners of the abutting property. As you might be aware, this is a situation that has gone unresolved for several years. During the past few months, Selectman Jim Lampos has met with George Frampton regarding the issues and created this MOU. Our legal counsel has reviewed the final document. We have scheduled a special Board of Selectmen meeting for April 29^th at 5:30pm. The only agenda item at this meeting will be the MOU. If you would like to attend the meeting and let us know your thoughts, we would appreciate hearing from you. If you cannot attend, please feel free to send an email to the Selectman’s office, and we will make sure all selectmen receive a copy. 

Thank you to the 170+ residents who came to the Annual Budget Hearing followed by the Town Meeting on Monday night. The additional funding for the Senior Center expansion project was approved. David Lahm, First Selectman of Lyme, and I are completing the next round of paperwork this week. Now we are beginning to think ahead to the groundbreaking ceremony. Details will be announced soon. 

Also at the Town Meeting, the transfer of the two, 3-acre, parcels of the McCulloch property from the Open Space Commission to the Affordable Housing Commission was approved. The next major milestone will be to create a subdivision consisting of two building lots from the designated building envelopes. This will involve approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission. At that point, ownership of the two new lots will be transferred to Habitat for Humanity of Eastern CT, who will apply for necessary permits, and begin site work and construction of the two affordable homes. Planning for the project will be ramping up quickly. Please stay tuned for upcoming information sessions and opportunities to volunteer.

This Wednesday, our newest police recruit, Ryan Sommers, graduated from the Police Academy. Resident State Trooper Matt Weber, Officer Steven Hackett, Corporal Wayne Collins and I were all present for the impressive ceremony at Southern Connecticut State University. We are eager to have Ryan join our police department just in time for the summer season.

We have some alternate openings on a few Boards and Commissions; Zoning, Affordable Housing, Flood and Erosion to name a few. If are interested in applying, please see the full list of vacancies, and complete the application to be considered.

Summer festivals are just around the corner. The Osprey Festival Committee is looking for volunteers. To be part of the fun and volunteer on the festival committee, please complete our application for consideration. This committee is also offering two short-term summer internship opportunities for students, one in marketing and one in development. If you would like to learn more about the internships please reach out to the First Selectwoman's Office. The Midsummer Festival is also getting organized and applications are available for interested vendors.

The Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) is partnering with the Region 18 School District to renovate the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School greenhouse! The project will advance the garden’s mission to reduce local food insecurity while serving as a site to foster student curiosity and engagement. If you have a green thumb and would like to volunteer your time, please reach out to Jim Ward, LOLFSG President.

The moratorium for Eversource billing is ending. For those of you who may be delinquent in your bills, please reach out to Eversource to start a payment plan. You can call our Social Services Coordinator, Amy Bonatti, for further assistance at 860.434.1605 x228.

In celebrating April as Donate Life Month we’d like to take a minute to share a bit about Explore Transplant, a non-profit corporation that works toward ensuring transplant patients and living donors make informed treatment choices. 

The Rt 156 milling project should be finishing up today. No work is scheduled for next week. We will inform you when paving will begin.

All my best, 
Martha