Last Friday we learned that Falyn McQuarrie, our Land Use Technician serving Planning and Inland Wetlands, will be leaving us for a new position. Falyn’s new title will be Research Assistant 1 for the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT NERR), a federally designated protected area focused on research, education and stewardship of our coastal and estuarine environments. In her new role, she will be conducting field research, analyzing environmental data, facilitating public programs and outreach initiatives and providing guidance to graduate and undergraduate student researchers. We wish Falyn all the best in her new role. She has been a great asset to our Land Use Department.

On Wednesday of this week, Shawn Barry from the T2 (Training and Technical Assistance Center) at UCONN delivered two new speed assistance cameras. These additional cameras, along with seven years of Cloud Service, will be provided to the town at no cost. The cameras will be installed within the next four months at two locations in town. 

This week Dominion Energy sent postcards to all residents in Old Lyme. We received these because we live within the 10-mile emergency planning zone for Millstone Power Station. Please complete the postcard and return it to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services Planning and Protection if you are an individual with access and/or functional needs that might require evacuation assistance during an emergency at Millstone. If you have neighbors who might require assistance, please make them aware that these services are available.

Road Construction Updates

• We have had a number of calls regarding the construction that is taking place along Route 156. This project has two components. The first consists of the replacement of Bridge No. 02713 on Route 156 over Four Mile River. DOT determined that the bridge has numerous perforations and rust holes. They may be able to re-line the culvert, but that will be determined by their construction team when they begin the project. Bridge No. 06896 on Route 156 over Armstrong Brook, closer to the shoreline, is in serious condition and has heavy rust and large perforation holes in the floor. This culvert will most likely need to be fully replaced. The temporary lights on 156 are to ensure that motorists will be safe during the construction period, when only one lane will be available for passage. Please drive slowly through this construction zone. I have requested an updated project completion timeline but have not received it yet.
• The State of Connecticut provided us with an update on Project No. 0170-3736. This is for Pavement Preservation on I-91 and I-95 in East Lyme, Old Lyme, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield. Some of you may remember that the Department of Transportation held an informational session on this project earlier this year in Town Hall. The project began on August 11 and is scheduled to be completed on November 23, 2025. The project consists of resetting and replacing catch basin tops, surface patching, joint & crack sealing, and deficient guiderail replacement where necessary. Resurfacing of I-95 begins in Old Lyme just after the Baldwin Bridge and extends to the Rocky Neck Connector overpass in East Lyme. Motorists should be aware that there will be temporary lane and ramp closures during this construction period. Please maintain a safe speed.

Thank you to all our residents who purchased Parking Permits this season. As of Tuesday, we have sold all of our 1700 beach parking permits.

If you have free time this weekend, you might want to stop by the Hamburg Fair. The fair hours are: Friday 5PM–10:30PM, Saturday 11AM–10:30PM and Sunday 11AM–5PM.

Have a spectacular weekend!

All my best, 
Martha