I want to begin this week’s newsletter by acknowledging the people who made the Midsummer Festival happen once again this year. Co-Chairs Elsbeth Dowd (Lyme Art Association) and Alisha Milardo (Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center), along with their committee members, Emily Clark (Flo Gris), Mary Seidner (LYSB), Cheryl Poirier (Old Lyme Economic Development) and Katie Huffman (Phoebe-Griffin Noyes Library), outdid themselves with the planning for this event. The Old Lyme Lions Club have mastered the Car Show and cookout tent. The Selectmen’s Choice Award was presented to the owner of a Graham automobile which had been lovingly restored over a 14-year period.

Special thanks also goes to:

• Mary Seidner and her LYSB Volunteers – Midsummer 5K Run and Walk
• Dave Roberge who organized and coordinated the set-up of the Fireworks by Pyrotechnics throughout the day.
• The Old Lyme Volunteer Fire Department, who provided parking and traffic guidance all day.
• The Old Lyme Volunteer Ambulance Association, who provided coverage at the Fireworks and throughout the day’s festivities.
• The Old Lyme Public Works, for providing signage and clean up services before and after the weekend events.
• The Old Lyme Town Band, under the direction of Richard Chiapetta, who provided us with two concerts last weekend – one at the fireworks and one at Christ the King Church on Sunday. They have not missed a beat in 50 years!

During the last week of July, we have had a steady stream of visitors in Town Hall. The Tax Collector and Assessor’s offices have assisted taxpayers with their payments and questions. Michele Hayes has continued to sell the last of our parking permits and worked to deliver the last license plates for our golf cart users. We only have 15 parking permits left to sell. Once we sell the last one, the 2025 parking permit season comes to a close.

Yesterday Kristin Shetty from CIRMA (Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency) came to Town Hall to present the Town with a check for $10,816. This is a result of their Member’s Equity Distribution program. Finance Director, Anita Mancini and I were pleased to accept the check on the town’s behalf.

Last night the Senior Center held their final concert of the year. The expanded space has allowed them to move the concerts inside in case of extreme heat or inclement weather. Many thanks to the Rogers Lake Clubhouse for loaning us folding chairs for these indoor events and to the Public Works crew who provide delivery and pick-up service.

The Sound View Summer Concert Series continues with 60's Explosion performing on August 7^th. This band is known to perform some of the best pop music of the ages.

There will be a public virtual meeting Wednesday August 6^th @ 6PM, led by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Representatives from the CT Agricultural Experiment Station – Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (CAES-OAIS), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) will also be in attendance and available to answer questions. This public meeting will outline the USACE CT River Hydrilla Research & Demonstration project (which will be a slightly modified repeat of information previously presented to the public) and plans for the summer of 2025. Please use the Virtual (Teams) Registration Link if you would like to attend this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email that contains a webinar connection link.

This weekend is forecast to be one of the best. Make sure you get out to enjoy our beaches and walking trails. When you are done, find a local ice cream spot! 

All my best, 
Martha