Happy November!

This week Town Hall had many visitors who participated in Early Voting, sought Transfer Station passes, or admired the annual gourd contest display.

The Lymes' Senior Center Events Calendar is now hosted on our website. Over the past few weeks, Assistant to the Director Caitlin Perkins has built the calendar, and it goes live today. As I mentioned last week, by switching to our website it enables the town to save $3,000 per year.

This week the Rogers Lake Authority completed embankment improvements to the west side of the Rogers Lake Dam. "Rip Rap" stones along the bottom of the embankment were trapping and harming migrating fish when the sluicegate was open. Working with DEEP Fisheries it was determined that straightening the embankment with concrete blocks would protect the fish. The new design will provide continuous safety measures for erosion control, as well as preserve our fish population. Over 13,000 alewives migrated up the fish ladder last spring.

Resident State Trooper Matthew Weber would like everyone to be aware that the Connecticut State Police K9 Unit will be in Old Lyme on Monday, November 4^th during the daytime for tracking training. All handlers and track layers will have a yellow/orange vest that says Police or Trooper on it. If anyone in town is interested in learning more about the K-9 Unit and how they assist our Police Department, please contact Matt at matthew.weber@ct.gov.

RiverCOG Safe Streets and Roads for All Survey

RiverCOG has invited us all to participate in the Safe Streets and Roads for All Survey.  The mapping tool is live!  I hope that our residents will provide their input. We want to hear from people who walk, roll, bike, and drive on our roadways. Your feedback is essential to understanding how our roads could be safer and better serve your needs. Drop pins and share your concerns by November 15^th.  If you would prefer, you may share your valuable feedback via email to Senior Transportation Planner Rob Haramut at RiverCOG, at RHaramut@rivercog.org.

From the Registrars of Voters

• Early Voting has been underway since October 21^st. As of mid-day on October 31^st, there are 6,197 registered voters in Old Lyme, and 2,189 early voting ballots have been cast. Early voting continues today until 6PM, tomorrow 10AM - 6PM and Sunday 10AM - 6PM at the Memorial Town Hall; in the meeting hall on the first floor. 
• Election Day is Tuesday, November 5^th. Our polling location is the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School gymnasium at 53 Lyme Street. PLEASE NOTE: We will be using the side door by the middle school tennis courts as our entrance and exit. Please do not enter the school's main doors. Follow the signs posted outside, and there will be two large "Vote Here" vertical flags by the voting entrance. 

If you have any question, please contact our office directly by phone 860-434-1605 ext. 226 or email registrars@oldlyme-ct.gov. 

Reminders and Events

• The end to daylight saving time is happening this weekend. Please remember to adjust your clocks to "fall back" one hour on Sunday, November 3^rd. 
• On November 6th @ 6:30PM, the Old Lyme Historical Society will be hosting a Book Launch of their first picture book, “Letters to Papa: Summers in Old Lyme” at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. There will be refreshments and books for sale.
• Town Hall will be closing at 3PM on Friday, November 8^th so that our staff can prepare for the rug cleaning that will be taking place on November 9^th. It has been several years since we have had all the rugs cleaned, and there are many stains and spots that need attention. Our staff will be moving light furniture from carpeted areas and moving boxes and containers to higher levels. Our Facilities Director Erik Olsen will choreograph this one-hour period so that the cleaning crew can arrive early Saturday morning. This will allow our carpets to dry for 48 hours before Town Hall re-opens on Tuesday, November 12^th.

Save those Pumpkins! The Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden is inviting you to their “Pumpkin Chukin” Drop Off on Saturday, November 9^th from 9AM – 12PM. You can bring your pumpkin and test out their trebuchet to “toss” your pumpkin into the compost pile. This is a great way to feed the compost pile.

In closing, Halloween on Lyme Street was another fun-filled evening downtown. It was so nice to see families out trick or treating together. Many thanks to all the residents and non-profits who participated. This is an event that brings our small town together for a night of fun.