I am very pleased to share a milestone many years in the making. At tonight’s meeting, your Board of Governors authorized the President and Treasurer to execute the Notice to Proceed and construction contract for the Association’s internal sewer, road, and stormwater improvements under the Clean Water Fund (Project 645-C). The Board also authorized the shared project contracts for the Pump Station and the Shoreline Sewer.
This means that after fifteen years of planning, engineering, and four separate membership votes, our community now has the authority in hand to begin building.
What Was Authorized?
This is one integrated project, carried out together so that our roads are opened once — not multiple times:
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Sewers — the core obligation under the 2018 State and Federal Consent Order to abate our community’s pollution problem.
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Roads — full restoration after the underground work is complete.
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Stormwater — drainage improvements that address documented flooding, installed while the roads are already open.
Doing all three at once is what allows us to capture the maximum available State and Federal funding. Today, 56% of the project cost is covered by subsidies — grants, principal forgiveness, and a subsidized loan rate — confirmed in writing by the State’s Eligibility Determination on April 24, 2026.
What Happens Next?
With the contractors selected and bonded, the project is positioned to begin this year. In the coming weeks we will communicate the construction schedule, staging areas, and any temporary impacts to road access so you can plan accordingly. Our goal throughout is to keep you informed and to minimize disruption to your enjoyment of the beach and your homes. We will be working with the contractors to keep the bulk of the construction to the “offseason” to minimize the safety risks and disruption of our busy season.
A Word of Thanks
This milestone belongs to all of us. It reflects the patience and commitment of a membership that has supported this work through four votes over fifteen years. Thank you for staying engaged, for asking hard questions, and for keeping the long-term health of our properties, our beach, and Long Island Sound at the forefront of every decision.
Stay Informed
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Website: oldlymeshores.org — project documents, meeting minutes, and announcements
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Project questions: infraproject@oldlymeshores.org
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General questions: governance@oldlymeshores.org
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Next Regular Board of Governors meeting: June 10, 2026, 7:00 PM
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Spring Annual Meeting: June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, Old Lyme Middle School
I look forward to seeing many of you at the Annual Meeting and to the day, now firmly in sight, when this long-awaited infrastructure is in the ground and protecting our community for generations to come.
With appreciation,
John Cunningham
President
Old Lyme Shores Beach Association