On Monday, the Board of Selectmen held their second meeting for budget review. At this meeting we reviewed budget requests from the following offices within Town Hall: Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Treasurer, Registrars, Assessors, and Land Use.   These meetings were productive as each department reviewed their operating budget and capital project requests. I appreciate the members of the Board of Finance who attended as guests: BJ Bernblum, Candace Fuchs, Andy Russell, Kim Russell-Thompson, Anna Reiter and Diane Linderman. We will continue with budget review on Monday, January 13^th. Please refer to the agenda that is posted online for more information.  

I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony for the 383^rd session of the Connecticut Police Academy on Wednesday. Our newest recruit, Georgios Sirigos graduated. During the ceremony, Georgios was presented with the Chief Luciano Award by Chief Roberto Rosado of the Meriden Police Department. This award is given to the recruit who maintains the highest GPA throughout his training at the academy. The Old Lyme Police Department, under the supervision of Resident State Trooper Matthew Weber, is pleased to have him onboard. Georgios will begin his 400 hundred hours of field training next week.  

On Thursday, the Town Hall Staff met in the lobby for a moment of silence in memory of President Carter. The Town Hall flag will remain at half-staff until sunset on January 28th in observance of his passing.  

Kim Groves, Land Use Technician, retired from the Town of Old Lyme this week. Her last day was Thursday, January 9^th. The Board of Selectmen have invited Kim to attend their meeting on January 27^th so that we can thank her for her 33 years of service. Kim has been a devoted employee. I personally appreciated her taking the time to educate me on the various aspects of the Land Use office.

Updates:

• Swan Brook Sluiceway: Gwenmor Marine Contracting has had a productive week at Hawk’s Nest Beach despite the wind and frosty weather. The west wall is up, work on the east wall is underway.  
• If you would like to take advantage of the town wide tree pick-up, please have your tree to the curb by Monday, January 13th. Public Works will be picking up trees that entire week and are not sure how quickly they will get to and through each neighborhood. To ensure your tree will be picked up, please have it out on Monday. 
• The CTDOTs upcoming in-person public open houses are still taking place. The communities' input is critical to help guide the active transportation plan. Please spread the word and attend if you are available! The nearest presentation to Old Lyme will be held in the Norwich City Hall, Room 335 on Wednesday, January 22^nd from 6-8 PM.
• For updated information on the Amtrak CT River Bridge Replacement Project, please see their latest newsletter.

Harbor Management would like everyone to be aware that the online mooring permit module is up and running. It is never too early to think about the summer season and boating, especially on these chilly January days.

Please mark your calendar for the Annual Town Meeting on January 27^th. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM. The Warning (Agenda) will be posted next week.

This week we learned of Jim Ward’s passing. Jim was an incredible leader in this town. He provided us with the inspiration for the Lymes’ Food Share Garden and recently completed the renovation of the Lyme/Old Lyme Middle School greenhouse. At the annual town meeting in January 2024, Jim was named as our Citizen of the Year. In my remarks, I spoke of his quiet manner, inspirational leadership and his energy to get things done. Jim is going to be deeply missed by all. Our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Sheila and his family.