The on-going economic downturn is making itself felt more than ever these days in Lyme. Our Social Services Coordinator Kathy Tisdale is experiencing new, record levels of requests for assistance with necessities such as home heating oil, utility bills and food.

Traditionally, these requests are dealt with in a number of ways including a discretionary account at her disposal which is funded solely by private donations. Its primary function is to provide help for people who for whatever reason cannot qualify for the usual programs available for relief. The Town of Lyme does not allocate any taxpayer dollars to a budget line item for this purpose, relying exclusively on the periodic generosity of individuals and civic organizations to meet what has heretofore been a limited demand for public assistance.

Relentless pressure on her limited funds has severely diminished her capacity to deal with continued and increasing requests for assistance in Lyme. The Board of Selectmen wishes to take this opportunity to make the community aware of this situation and encourage those with an inclination to do so to help replenish the account.

Donations may be sent to the attention of Kathy Tisdale at the Lyme Town Hall, 480 Hamburg Road, Lyme, CT 06371. Checks should be made payable to the Emergency Assistance Fund.

Thanks to all for your time and consideration.

Respectfully

The Lyme Board of Selectmen

Lyme Parks and Recreation Holiday Workshops with Kristen Thornton. Fun and creative art classes will be held in the Lyme School Art Room.  3rd – 6th grade workshops will run on Mondays Nov. 14, 28, and Dec. 5, 12, and 19.  No class Nov. 21.  From 3:10 PM – 5:00 PM. Fee – $85.00.   K – 3rd grade workshops will run on Fridays, Nov. 18 and December 2, 9, and 16.  No class Nov. 25.  From 3:10 PM - 4:30 PM.  Fee – $60.00.  The focus will be on holiday decorations and gifts.  Supplies are included.  Participants should come to school prepared with a note to stay after school, a snack, and appropriate clothing.  To register, call Kristen Thornton at 884-5057.  Bring check to workshops.  Checks payable to Kristen Thornton.  Classes will fill fast, so sign up ASAP.

Lyme Parks and Recreation Free Swim Nights, East Lyme Aquatic Center (High School), 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Open to all Lyme residents, 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month November through April (November 5, November 19, December 3, December 17, January 7, January 21, February 4, February 18, March 3, March 17, April 7, April 21)

The 2011 Estuary Region Household Hazardous Waste collection season will conclude this month. There are two remaining Saturday collections scheduled in November on the 5th and 19th. This will be Lyme residents’ last opportunity to dispose of hazardous materials until the Essex facility reopens in the spring of 2012.

The collection site is located on Dump Road in Essex which is off Route 9 at exit 4. The hours of operation are 9 A.M. until 1 P.M.

For more information, contact the planning agency at 860-388-3497, or visit the web page at www.crerpa.org.

Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal on Saturday, October 29th at the Old Lyme Firehouse on Lyme Street between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.  Living Drug Free/Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31.  For more information, please visit www.dea.gov.

Appointments are now being scheduled for people interested in applying for energy assistance.

The CT Energy Assistance Program provides financial aid toward the primary source of heat including: oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal and wood for qualifying individuals and families.

Those interested in applying for assistance may call now to schedule an appointment.

Call TVCCA at (860) 889-1365 (Norwich) or (860) 444-0006 (New London) to schedule an appointment.

Visit TVCCA’s website for additional details. www.tvcca.org

On Friday night, the Town Center Campus Planning Committee and architect presented the designs for an expanded town hall and new library to the community. The plans and estimated costs can be viwed by selecting the following files:

Presentation of designs
Preliminary Costs estimates

The Lyme Flu Clinic will be held at the Lymes’ Senior Center on Thursday, October 6 from 1:00  PM – 3:00 PM.  This clinic is for Lyme residents age 50 or older or 18 or older with a chronic illness.  There is no cost for Lyme residents.

Lyme’s Town Campus Center Planning Commintee has scheduled a second informational meeting for this Friday evening (September 16th) to update residents on the conceptual design phase of the project. It will be held at the Lyme Consolidated School and begins at 7 PM. Committee members will be on hand to present the latest details and solicit public comment and input to insure maximum participation in the process as it continues to evolve.