There has been a whirlwind of activity at Town Hall this week. The sun started shining, and everyone decided it was time to buy their parking permit for the beach. Michele Hayes, Katie Balocca and Jill Karrenberg have all jumped in to help deliver these permits in a timely manner. Thank you to everyone who has embraced the new system and is now able to enjoy some time on the beach. Permits will continue to be sold throughout the season.  

Last Saturday I had the honor of being a guest at the Old Lyme Fire Departments Annual Banquet. It was a lovely dinner and gave everyone a chance to celebrate the semi-retirement of Chief Steve Super. The new officers that were voted in recently are Chief Michael McCarthy Jr., Deputy Chief James Caramante, 1^st Assistant Chief Ken Swaney Jr. and 2^nd Assistant Chief John Duddy. We look forward to working with the new officers as they begin the department’s 101^st year of service to our town.

The groundbreaking ceremony at the Lymes’ Sr Center was well attended. The weather was absolutely perfect! We are thankful for Danielle Couture and Brittney Ethier from Newfield Construction who helped with the planning and organization of the celebration that took place after the shovels hit the ground.  Former Selectmen, Steve Mattson of Lyme and Tim Griswold of Old Lyme took part in the groundbreaking as they were both serving as First Selectmen when the committee began their work. Many thanks to Norm Needleman and Devin Carney who were both in attendance as well. My office plans to keep you updated with pictures from the interior and exterior as the work progresses via the Lymes' Senior Center Building Committee webpage.  

On Monday night we had our Annual Town Budget Meeting. The FY 2024/2025 Budget was passed unanimously. Later in the evening, the Board of Finance set the mill rate at 24.4. This is a .9% increase over last year. Please check the Board of Finance web page for more information about the budget.  

The paving on 156 should be wrapping up by next Thursday. There were many delays due to the rainy days, but we believe all major parts of the project should be completed by next week.

Our town engineers at Nathan L Jacobson & Associates Inc., notified me today that the Ferry Road Sidewalk Project will be delayed a few days as the construction company also experienced rain delays on their current project. This may begin at the end of next week, but our guaranteed date is June 3, 2024.  

Everyone in town is looking forward to the Memorial Day Parade. This is always one of our town’s most beloved events. We spent some time sprucing up the Town Hall grounds today to prepare for the parade and our out-of-town visitors. Henry Boremski, our Region 18 student helper, worked with Erik Olsen, Facilities Director, to clean up our historical sign in front of the Town Hall. Over the past weeks, I have watched many visitors stop to read the sign and thought it was a good time to make it sparkle. I must also thank Ian Neviaser and Ron Turner at Region 18 for having the fence at Center School power washed and painted. We appreciate the clean look from across the street.

In 1868, Memorial Day was initially founded in remembrance of Confederate and Union soldiers who perished in the Civil War. Since then the holiday has expanded to include all Americans lost in war.  Please remember to thank our current members in service to our country

"Americans may not only pay tribute to our honored dead 
but also unite in prayer for success in our search for a just and lasting peace." 

 — John F. Kennedy, "Prayer for Peace," Memorial Day 1962

The Town Hall Staff and I wish you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.