The Town of Lyme’s form of local government enables the residents of our town to govern themselves directly, ensuring that residents maintain ultimate control over what happens in our town and to our town.
Our residents govern themselves through their participation in:
- The Plan of Conservation and Development survey – where our responses define the guiding principles and goals for our town boards and commissions to follow;
- Municipal elections – where we choose the individuals to represent us on town boards and commissions; and
- Town meetings – where all major decisions recommended by the boards and commissions are voted on by our residents.
Our control begins with the survey which the town conducts every 10 years to develop an updated Plan of Conservation and Development for local government to follow. Once residents’ answers to the survey are analyzed and summarized, their wishes become the goals of the town’s boards and commissions.
All 19 of Lyme’s boards and commissions perform important functions on behalf of our residents – and our town could not operate as well as it does without the dozens of individuals who volunteer to serve on these boards to care for our town. Four of these boards have a major impact on the town’s operations due to their ability to write and enforce regulations, or their responsibility for the town’s financial condition and budget.
Board of Selectpeople
The Board of Selectpeople is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the town and ensuring the town meets its financial obligations and goals – within the limits of the budget approved by the residents each May at the town meeting. The Board of Selectpeople is responsible for preparing the annual budget for the Board of Finance to review and ultimately present to residents for approval. The Board of Selectpeople also has the power to appoint residents to fill vacancies on most other town boards and commissions, should they become available between election cycles. The residents of Lyme elect the three members of the Board of Selectpeople, who then serve for two-year terms.
- To see the current members of the Board of Selectpeople, click here.
- To see when and where this board meets next, please visit the Town Calendar.
Board of Finance
The Board of Finance oversees and proposes the town’s budget and spending plan, and decides on the Mill rate that is used to compute the annual property tax. The members of this board review the town’s progress in meeting financial goals and obligations; manage the independent auditor who monitors and reviews the town’s financial reporting; and work closely with the Board of Selectpeople in setting strategies for future expenditures. The residents of Lyme elect the six members and three alternate members of the Board of Finance, who then serve for six-year terms. Alternate members serve in the event a board member is unable to attend a meeting.
- To see the current members of the Board of Finance, click here.
- To see when and where this board meets next, please visit the Town Calendar.
Planning & Zoning Commission
The Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission writes and enforces the town’s zoning and subdivision regulations, which enable the town to maintain its identity as a beautiful, historic, sparsely developed municipality. The commission also considers and reviews any special permit requests that residents may apply for, and makes a final decision whether or not to approve such requests. The residents of Lyme elect the seven members and three alternate members of the P&Z Commission, who then serve for six-year terms. Alternate members serve in the event a board member is unable to attend a meeting.
- To see the current members of the Planning & Zoning Commission, click here.
- To see when and where this commission meets next, please visit the Town Calendar.
Conservation Commission
(acting as the Inland Wetland and Watercourse Agency)
The Conservation Commission – acting as the Inland Wetland and Watercourse Agency – oversees all of the inland wetlands and watercourses in Lyme and determines what activities are allowed or prohibited along our streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. The commission has the authority to write new regulations and to enforce existing regulations should violations be committed. The seven members and two alternate members of this Commission are appointed by the Board of Selectpeople, who then serve for two-year terms. Alternate members serve in the event a board member is unable to attend a meeting.
- To see the current members of the Conservation Commission, click here.
- To see when and where this commission meets next, please visit the Town Calendar.
Closing
If you’re interested in serving our town by volunteering for a board, committee or commission, please talk to:
- one or more of the current members serving on the board that interests you;
- any of the members of the Board of Selectpeople; or
- the chair of the local Democratic or Republican Town Committee.