The Board of Selectmen discussed Monday the idea of calling a second referendum on the sewer project in the town’s beach neighborhood, but held off making a decision pending additional clarity on costs. Shoemaker had drawn up a tentative timeline to include a Board of Selectmen meeting on August 4 to decide whether to move forward with the referendum, following a presentation by Old Lyme Water and Pollution Control Authority chair Steve Cinami. The sewer project is in response to an order from state to clean up contamination of the groundwater at the town’s beaches — Sound View and Area B and three private beach associations—Old Colony Club, Old Lyme Shores and Miami Beach. Old Lyme residents approved borrowing $9.5 million budget for Sound View and Area B by a 2019 referendum. But after initial bids in 2021 exceeded the budget, DEEP committed to covering up to half of the project cost through grants and forgivable loans from the Clean Water Fund. The new bids received this year came in $7.6 million higher than originally budgeted for Sound View and Area B. Although DEEP would cover half of the total amount, the town must vote in a new referendum on the total budget increase.
Selectmen Postpone Move for Vote on Sewers in Old Lyme, Demand Clarity on Costs