Home Care In Old Lyme, CT

To the Editor:

I am writing to clarify issues concerning “speed cameras.”

Old Lyme’s Road and Public Safety Committee was created to “discuss public safety concerns.” As part of this effort, a 2025 poll asked the community for its views.

73% of respondents cited speeding as an issue on the town’s roads. In view of that response, the committee felt it needed to consider whether speeding drivers pose a safety hazard.

Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices (ATESDs), to use the legal term, are one approach that 11 Connecticut towns and cities have pursued to make their streets safer.

Per Hearst Media, Washington First Selectman James Brinton said his town “tried everything available” to get drivers to slow down before it turned to cameras. After their installation, citations are declining “which is a good indicator of changed driver behavior.” “Similarly, Middletown Mayor Gene Nocera has said that tickets from the city’s speed cameras on Route 66 have ‘dropped off considerably.”

The headline to Mr. Uranga’s article published by the Connecticut Examiner read, “Old Lyme to Decide on Speed Cameras by Midyear.”

This is partially accurate.

I hope that the Road and Public Safety Committee may decide by later this year whether to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the town pursue this traffic safety program, among other options.

All the committee may do, though, is make a recommendation.

Here’s the process. For any recommendation, the Board of Selectmen will decide if it agrees. In this case, the town must enact a local ordinance to permit speed camera enforcement. This would be done via a democratic process where residents would have an opportunity to voice their opinion at a town meeting on an ordinance’s adoption and vote yes or no.

If ratified, Old Lyme would then need to submit a detailed application to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. DOT would decide whether the town has made a sufficient case to merit its use of the enforcement measure.

In the same cited news story, a DOT spokesperson noted the “host of requirements” a town must meet. “Each town is expected to justify in writing why it wants a camera at a particular location and back it up with traffic, crash, speed or enforcement data or findings from safety studies.”

If instituted, speed camera enforcement would be gradually introduced. Alleged violations would only receive warnings in the first 30 days, and it is incumbent on towns to alert motorists to the program.

Per state law, ATESDs would thereafter only capture violations that exceed the posted limit by 10 or more miles per hour.

As a further precaution, police or a town designee must review and approve ATESD recorded images before a citation is mailed to a vehicle owner.

The committee is also very aware of privacy concerns and will consider that issue with any recommendation.

As another measure of caution written into state law, towns must apply to DOT again after three years to continue using ATESDs.

Enforcement may not be used as a source of general revenue.

State law mandates funds from fine violations captured by an ATESD must be used for (1) improving transportation mobility, (2) investing in transportation infrastructure improvements or (3) paying ATESD program costs.

In short, speed cameras will not be used in Old Lyme unless the community itself decides they are right for the town. And even then, they will not be approved by the State without strong justification for the measure.

Greg FutomaOld Lyme, CT

—Futoma is chair of the Old Lyme Road and Public Safety Committee

Here are the top boys basketball performances from last week. Email top performances each week to [email protected].

Jhamari Atkinson, Stamford, Sr.: Had 20 points and three steals in a 49-41 win over Danbury.

Logan Barile, Suffield, Jr.: Had 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in a 65-47 win at Computer Science.

Ryan Barnum, Conard, Jr.: Had 22 points in Conard's 56-54 win at Middletown.

Brett Burnham, Branford, Soph.: Scored 25 points in the Hornets’ 70-58 victory versus Lyman Hall.

Dylan Cinquino, Morgan, Sr.: Scored 27 points in the Huskies’ 89-33 victory against Westbrook.

Josh Charlot, Notre Dame Prep, Jr.: Came through with a pair of triple-doubles this week. He had 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, along with eight steals, in Notre Dame Prep’s victory over New Milford, 76-37. Then Charlot had 22 points (including 6 of 8 from 3-point range), 14 assists and 10 rebounds — and only one turnover — in a 92-55 win over Weston.

Aiden Delaney, Hall, Sr.: Averaged 18 points and four assists, in Delaney’s first two games back after missing an extended period due to sickness. Hall beat RHAM 69-60 and Conard 69-34.

Jayden Desir, Kolbe Cathedral, Sr.: Scored 25 points in a 67-62 loss to Newtown.

Brady Driscoll, Suffield, Sr.: Had 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in a 65-47 win at Computer Science.

Tavis Filacchione, Valley Regional, Jr.: Posted a double-double (22 points 10 rebounds) in Valley Regional’s 63-51 victory over Old Saybrook. Filacchione also scored 23 points in a 63-59 win versus Portland.

Eddie Fiske, Old Lyme, Jr.: Scored 21 of his 36 points in the third quarter of the Wildcats’ 80-42 win against North Branford.

Saijon Gavin, Masuk, Sr.: Had 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting and added five steals to help the Panthers beat Bethel 58-55.

Jayson Genova, Ridgefield, Soph.: Scored 33 points in a 61-60 loss to Stamford. Genova added 20 points in a 69-59 win against Fairfield Warde.

Syre Gillespie, Capital Prep, Jr.: Scored 31 points and handed out eight assists in a 71-51 win over Bulkeley.

Alijah Grice, International, Sr.: Scored 38 points in International’s 57-53 victory versus Achievement First.

Ethan Hall, Killingly, Sr.: Scored 26 points in a 72-42 win over Montville.

Malachi Hendrix, Platt, Sr.: Guard scored 21 points in an 81-47 victory against Waterbury Career.

Aaron Johnson Jr., West Haven, Sr.: Scored 31 points in an 83-36 win against Foran.

Josh Lavoie, Norwich Free Academy, Jr.: Scored 30 points in an 82-52 win against St. Bernard.

Justin McCaskey, Southington, Sr.: Had 20 points in a 69-50 win against Manchester and five steals against Career in a 67-48 win.

Sean McMahon, St. Paul, Sr.: Scored 24 points and added six steals in a 71-41 win over Thomaston.

Jordan Nakhoune-Inthirath, Ansonia, Jr.: Scored 25 points, including two free throws with 6.8 seconds left to seal the 64-61 win over Northwestern.

Liam Peck, Sheehan, Soph.: Scored 26 points in a 63-51 victory against Guilford.

Jyeire Perry, Weaver, Jr.: Had 24 points, six assists and six steals in a 75-38 win against HMTCA.

Josh Phair, Northwestern, Jr.: Scored 18 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, leading to a 59-49 win over Lakeview.

Chris Piercey, North Branford, Jr.: Scored all 26 of his points in the first half, including eight 3-pointers, in the Thunderbirds’ 64-36 win over Westbrook.

John Platt, Watertown, Sr.:Had 17 points and 21 rebounds in a 72-56 loss to Holy Cross.

Patrick Rouleau, Northwestern, Sr.: Scored 27 points in a 69-56 victory against Thomaston.

Parker Spencer, Waterford, Sr.: Scored 32 points, including the 1,000th of his career, in an 82-66 loss to Stonington.

Miles Spodick, Amity, Sr.: Scored 27 points in the Spartans’ 71-54 victory against Law. Spodick scored 26 points in a 68-47 loss to North Haven.

Jordan Sutton, Stamford, Soph.: Shot 12 of 13 from the floor to finish with 24 points, along with 12 rebounds and four blocks in a 61-60 win at Ridgefield.

Anthony Tallarita, Enfield, Jr.: Guard had 36 points, including nine 3-pointers on 13 of 17 from the floor, along with six assists in a 77-69 loss to Maloney.

Mason Tobias, Staples, Sr.: Had 24 points in the Wreckers’ 65-43 win over Darien. Tobias almost had a triple-double (14 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists) in a 66-44 victory over Scarsdale (N.Y.)

Colin Tozier, Stafford, Sr.: Scored 33 points in a 72-38 win against Bolton.

Kehari Walker, East Hartford, Sr.: Scored 27 points against Southington in a 62-54 victory.

Kayden Williams, Vinal Tech, Jr.: Scored 35 points in Vinal Tech’s 93-48 win over Wolcott Tech and scored 31 in an 81-67 win against Cheney Tech.

Sean Wilson, Trumbull, Jr.: Wilson scored his 1,000th point in a 64-39 win against Darien. In three games, Wilson averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots. The Eagles also defeated Bridgeport Central (63-35) and Bullard-Havens (64-46).

Nasir Wright, Weaver, Jr.: Had 15 points and 15 rebounds in the Beavers’ 75-38 win against HMTCA.

Nathan Yarashevich, Shelton, Soph.: Forward had 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting in the Gaels’ 75-59 win over Law.

Games to watch

Ellington at Granby, Wednesday, 6:45 p.m.: The top two teams in the NCCC square off. A win here gives Ellington its 40th consecutive victory.

Holy Cross at Woodland, Friday, 6:30 p.m.: Woodland comes into this week undefeated and Holy Cross hasn't lost since 2026 began. Something has to give here between the NVL foes.

Cromwell at Old Lyme, Friday, 7 p.m.: Cromwell, led by Xavier Hodge, puts its undefeated record on the line at defending champion Old Lyme, led by reigning Shoreline Conference Player of the Year Eddie Fiske.

Fairfield Ludlowe at Ridgefield, Friday, 7 p.m.: Seeding at play here for a pair of one-loss teams in the FCIAC.

Stamford at Trumbull, Friday, 7 p.m.: Trumbull moved into the top 10 this week. Now Stamford 7-foot center Jordan Sutton comes to town to try and deal the Eagles their first loss in another key FCIAC game.

OLD LYME, CT (Updated 4:30 p.m., Jan. 14) – The Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved a legal settlement authorizing a special permit for a scaled-back site plan at 43 Smith Neck Road after the controversial housing application was unanimously rejected one year ago.

Commission Chairman Paul Orzel said the revised plan reduces by roughly 3,000 square feet the size of the house, previously proposed at 10,598 square feet, and moves it further from the river.

The decision came despite requests from residents, an attorney for abutting neighbors, and the chairwoman of the Connecticut River Gateway Commission to delay the vote until the revised plans were made public. The plans had remained confidential under a state Freedom of Information law exemption covering pending litigation.

Property owners Jeffrey and Emily Merriam filed a state Superior Court lawsuit against the commission in February after members denied the initial plan over concerns the project would harm the area’s natural resources. At the public hearing leading to the zoning decision, more than a dozen residents complained about the scope of the project and its impact on views, wildlife, area wells, and the Connecticut River.

Orzel called for a motion to approve the settlement agreement after members met behind closed doors to review the plans. He said the smaller house sat 35 feet back from its initial proposed location, with fewer site impacts and more vegetation.

The motion passed 5-0.

During the meeting’s public comment period, abutting neighbor Alex Richardson criticized the Merriams for taking the case to court rather than submitting a revised plan through the usual public process.

“Instead of filing a revision for their plans, like hundreds of other Old Lyme citizens, including me, they took a very expensive litigation approach with their new hometown,” he said.

Legal Challenge and Public Concerns

State law, codified in section 8-8 of the General Statutes, allows people adversely affected by a zoning commission’s decision to challenge it in court by showing that the commission acted illegally, improperly, or without sufficient evidence.

Merriam submitted a Jan. 9 letter to the editor in LymeLine that said the revised plans address all the issues cited by the commission in denying the original application.

“If the Commission approves the modified plans, the settlement agreement, allowed by state law and encouraged by the judge, will end the litigation.”

The lawsuit claimed that zoning rules for the conservation zone — comprising areas along the river’s hillsides, shoreline, and marshlands mapped out in local regulations — are “illegally vague and subject to subjective interpretation.” It also said the commission’s decision lacked supporting evidence and was inconsistent with approvals for similar projects.

Gateway Commission Chairwoman Suzanne Thompson spoke during the public comment session to highlight the group’s role since 1973 in protecting the lower Connecticut River’s scenic and ecological resources. The agency, which is empowered by state law and local regulations to oversee development in the Conservation Zone, requires a special permit for homes larger than 4,000 square feet.

The gateway commission last year recommended denying the Merriams’ application and asked to review any revised plans before local approval.

Thompson acknowledged the state law doesn’t carve out a role for the gateway commission once a judge gets involved, but said the group would welcome the opportunity to review the revised plans before local approval.

“We’re here,” she said. “I’m not quite sure how we fit in the process under Section 8.8, but we’d love to be a part of the consideration.”

Owners Hope for ‘Constructive and Collaborative’ Future

Revised site plans submitted by land use coordinator Eric Knapp after the vote show the 7,439-square-foot residence and garage reach a maximum height of 30.7 feet. The property also includes a tackle room, garden shed, and boat house, bringing the gross area to 8,354 square feet.

The existing bungalow on the property is 3,018 square feet, according to the plans. Assessor’s records show it was built in 1930.

The Merriams bought the 2.8-acre property for $2.7 million in 2023.

The documents specify the proposed house will be about 288 feet from the river, compared to 330.5 feet currently. Local regulations require structures to remain at least 100 feet from the river or nearby wetlands.

On Tuesday, Richardson said he is still reviewing the results of Monday’s meeting and was not prepared to comment.

Jeffrey and Emily Merriam in a Wednesday statement expressed relief the approval process had concluded.

“Throughout this journey we experienced an unexpected level of scrutiny from neighboring residents, including harassment, related to our decision to build our dream home,” they wrote.

The couple said they were grateful the town approved the project and look forward to building a positive, respectful relationship with their neighbors.

They identified Richardson and Elizabeth Karter, who have been vocal opponents of the project in public meetings and letters to the editor.

“We did not anticipate receiving this level of opposition from Mrs. Karter and Mr. Richardson, and we are hopeful that this next phase will be more constructive and collaborative,” they said.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated with a statement from Jeffrey and Emily Merriam and a corrected purchase price for 43 Smith Neck Road.

EAST LYME, Conn. (WFSB) - Rock blasting on Interstate 95 has been rescheduled and will now begin Tuesday, January 20, causing road closures and delays for drivers traveling along the shoreline for the next six to eight weeks.

The closures can happen any time between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The blasting will occur twice a day, shutting down the road for about 5-10 minutes each time.

DOT said the goal of this year’s project is to bring new on and off ramps to Exit 74, make improvements to Route 161 and ultimately replace a nearby bridge.

Officials said the improvements will help aid traffic flow and safety in the area.

Danielle Drey, a manager at The Shack restaurant near the construction site, remembers the explosions from a few years ago when the same project was underway.

“Sometimes the restaurant shook. You’d be like ‘oop, it was time,’” Drey said. “It never lasted long. And it really didn’t knock anything off our walls.”

Despite the inconvenience, Drey said she has faith the project will be worth it.

“I can’t complain about how they’ve done things,” she said. “While it’s frustrating now, in the long run, hopefully this project pans out in the way they wanted it to.”

High accident area targeted for improvements

Officials described the area as having a high accident rate, making the safety improvements a priority.

“This is a very high accident area,” an official said. “I think overall it’s going to be great for everyone, traffic wise around this area.”

The construction project started in 2023 and isn’t set to be completed until 2027.

Tap here for more details about the plan and to sign up for alerts on when blasting will happen each day.

OLD LYME, CT – Plans for long-anticipated sidewalks on Halls Road and a townwide assessment of climate and flood risks are moving forward as the Board of Selectmen prepares two committees to guide the projects.

Selectmen agreed this week that First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker will draft charges outlining the responsibilities for each committee, with approvals expected later this month.

One committee will administer an $800,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) for sidewalks on Halls Road, while the other will oversee a $57,900 grant from the Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program to develop a strategic climate action plan.

On Wednesday, Shoemaker said more information on how to apply for the committees will be available by the end of January.

Halls Road Sidewalk Committee

Shoemaker at Monday’s selectmen’s meeting said the Halls Road Sidewalk Committee will be modeled after sidewalk installation projects on Ferry Road and in the Sound View Beach section of town over the past several years. Those committees oversaw grant administration, contractor selection, and design.

Selectman Jim Lampos described the previous committees as useful precedent. He noted members had flexibility to address issues, such as routing sidewalks around utilities and incorporating landscape improvements. He also pointed to the second phase of the Sound View Beach project that allowed members to use leftover funds to add a bus stop to the plan.

“So it would be nice for the committee to have that sort of leeway,” he said of the formative Halls Road group.

The DOT funding covers construction of 6-foot wide, accessible sidewalks to connect historic Lyme Street to the commercial Halls Road on its north side, according to town documents.

Selectmen recommended setting the committee size at roughly nine members.

Lampos and Shoemaker said the group should include a representative from the Historic District Commission, which is responsible for preserving the character of Lyme Street, and property owners along Halls Road.

Selectman John Mesham suggested seeking someone with general construction knowledge.

The sidewalk plan is a scaled-back version of a broader proposal from the Halls Road Improvements Committee (HRIC) that was scrapped amid objections to allowing apartments in the commercial zone. The HRIC, whose operations were suspended last spring by selectmen, worked for 10 years to craft a vision for the thoroughfare long seen as an outdated series of strip malls unfriendly to pedestrians.

Shoemaker provided a preliminary proposal from the town engineering firm, Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates, for full civil engineering services including surveying, design, permitting, utility coordination, and bid management.

Shoemaker emphasized a budget has not yet been developed because the project’s scope will depend on decisions made by the committee. She said the town can explore whether to seek proposals from outside firms in a competitive bidding process.

Resiliency Planning

Lampos outlined plans for a second committee to administer a grant in partnership with sustainability consultant SLR International Corporation, which was selected by the University of Connecticut to help the town devise a resiliency action plan.

The $57,900 grant was awarded Dec. 16. Funding for the climate preparedness program comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is administered by the UCONN-based Connecticut Sea Grant organization.

“I consider this to be a fairly important grant,” Lampos said.

The program provides no-cost planning assistance to shoreline communities by pairing them with consultants to assess environmental risks, prioritize vulnerabilities, and identify feasible solutions.

Lampos said the consultants would help Old Lyme evaluate threats from coastal and riverine flooding, as well as wildfire risks in forested areas with limited access.

“By the nature of this grant, it’s eco-friendly,” he said. “We’re looking for land-based solutions, nature-based solutions. So we’re not talking about big Army Corps of Engineers projects.”

He estimated it would take about two years to complete the first step so the town can pursue new sources of funding to implement recommended solutions. He emphasized that the grant will not cost the town outside of staff and volunteer time.

Shoemaker said she will draft the committee’s charge so it can be approved and members can be appointed before a meeting in February with the sustainability consultants.

The first selectwoman noted the grant program dovetails with the town’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was approved in 2021 and is being updated currently.

By state law, cities and towns must update their plans every five years to stay eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency funding. A state law implemented last year requires municipalities to identify and address threats to land and infrastructure caused by climate-related risks like increased precipitation, flooding, sea level rise, and extreme heat.

The grant requires participation from representatives of local commissions and departments including emergency management, public works, planning and zoning, inland wetlands and watercourses, flood and erosion control, conservation, open space, and affordable housing, as well as from members of the public.

“I know just going around town talking to people, there’s an amazing amount of expertise in this town,” Lampos said. “So it would be great to be able to get some of those folks on this.”

A key strategy could involve identifying areas of marshland to be preserved as open space so it doesn’t get developed, according to Lampos. That’s because wetlands reduce the severity of flooding by acting as natural sponges that trap and slowly release water.

“We have trouble where we filled in marshes in the 50s,” he said. “But we still have a lot of marshland here.”