Following the March 21, 2020, Governor’s order requiring all non-essential activities to cease, the Town of Lyme is taking the additional steps listed below in an effort to further reduce the exposure of residents and employees to the COVID-19 virus. As a reminder, municipalities are considered an essential service and we will endeavor to continue operations where possible, albeit at a reduced level.
Beginning Tuesday, March 24, 2020:
- The Lyme Public Library will close until further notice. Please follow the Library’s website at lymepl.org for instructions regarding the availability of online access to books and other information.
- All Town Hall employees will be instructed to work from home. Employees will be limited to a few hours each week at the Town Hall to maintain their department’s operations and address any required activities that may be received by U.S. mail. Such visits will be coordinated to assure only one employee is present in the building at any one time. Each department will monitor their emails and do their best to assist residents when possible. The email addresses of the major Town departments can be found on the website at townlyme.org/town-departments.
- The Town’s Transfer Station will close and disposal of landfill materials will not be possible until further notice.
- The Hamburg Recycling Center will close and recycling will not be possible until further notice. Residents will either need to hang onto their recyclables for disposal at a future date or dispose of them as household garbage – that is, via their trash service with Jansky Rubbish who will be remaining open and servicing the town.
- Town Boards and Commissions are instructed to hold any essential meetings via conference call only and encouraged to delay any business that is not mandatory. The Governor’s orders have approved such meetings, provided agendas are published on the Town’s website and provisions are made for interested residents to participate via phone. More information regarding the procedures to be used will be forthcoming and posted on the Town’s website when finalized.
- The Public Works Department will operate on a reduced schedule and will respond to emergencies only. The Town Garage will be closed.
As communicated previously:
- Our first responders – our fire company, ambulance service and Emergency Management Department – have prepared and are on standby should their services be needed.
- The Town has developed a list of vulnerable community residents whom we will contact and continue to follow up with, in order to assure that all residents have the support they require. Should an individual resident enter into isolation and wish to be included on this list, we ask that they email the Town Clerk at townclerk@townlyme.org and provide their name, street address, email address and phone number so we can include them.
- We have also developed a volunteer list for Lyme residents interested in helping make follow-up calls to our vulnerable citizens, and providing additional help that may become needed in our community. If you’re interested in volunteering, please email the Town Clerk at townclerk@townlyme.org and provide your name, address, phone number and any skills that may become needed.
The main public health goal going forward continues to be slowing the spread of the virus. The best way to do that is to practice social distancing and to follow the other public health recommendations that have been issued. For the most up-to-date public health guidance from the State of Connecticut, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. We must all take our public health experts’ advice to heart and limit any unnecessary person-to-person contact until further notice. These efforts are essential to help reduce the spread of the virus and limit the number of people who may become infected.
All residents continue to be encouraged to sign up for the Town email list on our website’s home page, Townlyme.org, to receive important public health updates by email. The Board of Selectmen can be reached by email at AsktheLymeBOS@gmail.com.
Stay Safe. Stay at Home. We will get through this, together.
Steven Mattson
First Selectman
To read the executive order, click here.