This week I begin with a round of thunderous applause for our Town Clerk's Office, Vicki Urbowicz, Courtney Joy and Jessica Glantz and the Registrars of Voters, Catherine Carter and Jennifer Datum. Their assembled team: Head Moderator Fred Verillo, the Deputy Registrars John Mesham and Katherine Thuma and the many poll workers who created a safe and friendly space for Early Voting and Election Day to occur. During the fourteen days of Early Voting, we received many compliments on the setup and process. There were almost 3,000 voters who came in to take advantage of the Early Voting option. The dedication of our team members was amazing.

Right after the election Finance Director Anita Mancini began to build the budget for FY 25/26. Currently she is reaching out to the various town departments, boards, commissions, and committees to provide them with their current fiscal year budget and spending thus far. Managers and Chairs will begin to chart the course for the next year by getting quotes for new projects and obtaining renewal pricing from current vendors. Anita and I will be meeting with each of them to draft the budget in December. The Board of Selectmen will review this budget draft in January and then send it on to the Board of Finance for their approval.

The Sound View Parking Lot had its handicapped spaces paved this morning. You will also notice a new handicapped space with a curb cut out on Hartford Avenue for our residents and guests that need ADA compliant parking while visiting the beach. We have also created a walkway to the porta potties to make them more easily accessible. I encourage you to take a ride to the beach to see the new additions.

The Swan Brook Sluiceway Project is scheduled to begin next week on Hawk’s Nest Beach. Initial materials for mobilizing were delivered onsite today. The Hawks Nest Beach Association is currently reviewing an easement our Town Counsel created that allows the town to use their beach during the project. Most importantly, the easement provides the town access to the beach, when necessary, for maintenance of the sluiceway. We have always appreciated the working relationship we have with Hawk’s Nest Beach.

This week we held our last Owner’s Meeting onsite at the Lymes’ Senior Center, as the construction trailer will be removed in preparation for the repaving of the parking lot. Future meetings will be held offsite. I had the opportunity to tour the building with Lyme’s First Selectman, David Lahm, on Wednesday. Inside there are many workers and much activity. Walls are being constructed and the last of the insulation is being installed. There are a few areas where ceilings have been put into place and final taping and skim coating is moving forward. The construction team hopes to have the first window completed next week.

A few reminders:

• Town Hall will be closing early to the public today at 3PM so our departments can prepare for the rug cleaning that will take place on Saturday. 
• Please remember that we are also closed on Monday in observance of Veterans Day.
• The Transfer Station will be open on Saturday, closed on Monday and will reopen on Tuesday.
• The Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden is inviting you to their “Pumpkin Chukin” Drop Off tomorrow, November 9^th, from 9AM – 12PM. Bring your pumpkin and test out their trebuchet to “toss” your pumpkin into the compost heap. This is a great way to feed the pile.

In closing, I would like to remind you that on Monday we take time to thank and honor ALL those who honorably served in the military – in wartime and peacetime. Our Region 18 schools have various Veterans Day assemblies planned. Our local VFW also has a short ceremony at Town Hall in front of the flagpole at 11:15AM. If you are free, please stop and share in this moving event.

Enjoy the weekend!