East Lyme Selectmen Schedule July Vote on PFAS Projects, Capital Bonding

EAST LYME, CT — The East Lyme Board of Selectmen unanimously scheduled a July 1 special town meeting to consider more than $5.3 million in bonding authorizations for PFAS treatment facility design work, municipal capital projects and Board of Education improvements.

The board voted 4-0 on June 17 to call the special town meeting, where residents will consider separate bonding resolutions for two PFAS removal facility design projects, $3.97 million in public improvements and $586,701 in Board of Education capital projects. The proposed PFAS-related appropriations include $372,000 for design of a treatment facility adjacent to the Well 1A/6 water treatment plant and $378,000 for design of a facility at the Well 4A water treatment plant.

The public meeting will be held July 1 at 7 p.m. in the Upper Meeting Room at East Lyme Town Hall. Residents will hear communications from the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance before acting on the proposed bonding resolutions.

During public comment, Lovers Lane resident Mike Schulz said he believes the town is not complying with a provision of the East Lyme Charter and suggested either revising the charter or ensuring it is followed. Schulz said he had identified what he described as potential conflicts of interest and ethics concerns and planned to return to a future meeting with additional information.

Deputy First Selectman Ann Cicchiello responded later in the meeting, noting that East Lyme completed a charter revision process in 2023 and is unlikely to revisit the document for another eight to 10 years. She said she would review the charter section referenced by Schulz and welcomed additional information.

In board reports, Selectman Rose Ann Hardy praised the Commission on Aging for expanding programming for local seniors despite operating with a limited budget. Hardy noted that East Lyme's senior population is approximately 17 percent higher than the state average and said many programs have waiting lists. She also highlighted the upcoming fifth annual tractor festival at Samuel Smith Farmstead and reported that the Zoning Commission had received an application seeking a zoning change to allow a storage facility in a residential neighborhood.

First Selectman Dan Cunningham reported that Amtrak is conducting a capacity study to evaluate the possibility of expanding rail service between New Haven and Providence. He said he would continue updating residents as information becomes available.

Cicchiello also said she would like representatives from the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission to provide training presentations to local boards and commissions regarding public records and open-meeting requirements.

The board unanimously approved minutes from three previous meetings and approved a consent calendar totaling $1,030.91. Members adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.