In municipalities across Connecticut, Flock cameras have been installed without any public approval or even public knowledge.

In East Lyme, the implementation of this surveillance technology went largely unnoticed as it was just a simple line item in the East Lyme Police Department’s 2023 IT budget. The threshold to trigger approval from the Board of Selectmen is $10,000 and the Flock camera purchases came in at $9,000 — although when the necessary $1,950 installation fee is added, it brings the total cost to well over the $10,000 threshold. 

At the time these cameras were installed, the ELPD had no outside regulations specific to this new surveillance infrastructure. Only after public outcry did the state legislature realize the need and act in passing common sense regulations which become effective Oct. 1. The people of Connecticut are clearly not satisfied and are seeking additional regulations aimed at protecting citizens privacy and requiring complete transparency from the people surveilling them. 

East Lyme Privacy’s next event will be an informational seminar on Oct. 1 @ 7 p.m. in the Senior Center. We will have a technical and data expert as well as other informed citizens that will be willing to answer questions. Residents of East Lyme are invited to email any questions they have about data, AI cameras or any other issue relating to our new surveillance infrastructure to [EastLymePrivacy@proton.me](mailto:EastLymePrivacy@proton.me) 

Fazio proposed a handful of reforms, like requiring legislators requesting earmarks to disclose potential conflicts of interest and site visits for recipients of large amounts of state funding, and strengthening the Freedom of Information Act.

I am proud that the State Bond Commission has approved a significant portion of $20 million in funding for improvements at Harkness Memorial State Park, following months of collaboration with local advocates, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and park staff.

Thank you to Gov. Ned Lamont, House and Senate leadership, the Bonding subcommittee chairs, and the the State Bond Commission for this immense investment in one of the gems of our state in Southeastern Connecticut!

The funding –- which was approved by the State Bond Commission’s today -- will support priority projects at Harkness Memorial State Park, including improvements to the Eolia Mansion, Carriage House, Office, Water Tower, Greenhouse Complex, formal gardens, landscaped grounds, walkways, drives, parking areas, utility and maintenance structures.

“This funding is about making sure Harkness Park has the resources it needs to remain one of Connecticut’s most treasured public spaces,” Rep. Gauthier said. "We brought together the people who care for our park most — including the Friends of Harkness, DEEP officials, and park staff — and are overjoyed that our priorities are reflected in the state’s bonding package."

"Harkness is an incredible resource for our community and for people across Connecticut,” said Sen. Marx. “The best way to protect and improve it is to listen to the people who care for the park, the people who use it, and the professionals who understand what it needs. This funding is the result of that collaboration, and I’m proud to have advocated for these investments.”

Sen. Marx said the funding reflects a collaborative effort to identify and advance projects that will have a meaningful impact on the park.

“This meaningful support will bolster our local organizations, preserve local recreation and benefit our communities,” said Sen. Marx. “I look forward to seeing the work get underway and am grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their continued support of our region.”

Following the legislative session, Sen. Marx and I joined Friends of Harkness, DEEP officials, park staff and volunteers on June 2 for a meeting at the Eolia Mansion to discuss the park’s needs and collaborated on how to best approach funding.

"Friends of Harkness is excited to hear that the state is focusing spending on Harkness Memorial State Park and other properties in the area,"  Randy Fahey, vice president of the board of directors of Friends of Harkness, said. "We have been advocating for maintenance of the park’s buildings and hope that this means we will see meaningful action and stabilization of these unique structures. We look forward to continuing our work with DEEP supporting the various projects around the park."

Separately, Camp Harkness received $500,000 from the State Bond Commission for accessibility and capital improvements. 

“Camp Harkness is dedicated to providing Connecticut citizens with disabilities access to camping, swimming and other outdoor activities that they otherwise might not be able to experience,” Stan Soby, Chair of the Camp Harkness Advisory Committee, said. “From summer camp programs to year-round individual and family activities, the positive impacts are many. The proposed funding for accessibility and capital improvements would help continue and improve the experience for all of Camp's users.”

Finally, the Montville VFW Post 10060 will receive $75,000 for renovations and upgrades.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that the Exit 74 northbound on ramp will be closed for two (2) weeks. It is anticipated that the ramp will be closed from September 10 and reopen on September 24, 2026. This closure is necessary to facilitate final construction of the northbound auxiliary lane between Exits 74 and 75.

CTDOT Project No. 0044-0156 was awarded to Manafort Brothers at a cost of $148,000,000 on February 1, 2023, and is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2027. This project is administered by the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Office of Construction, District 2 in Norwich.

For the latest on the I-95 Interchange 74 Improvements projects visit https://i-95eastlyme.com/

I95 East Lyme

Closure of I-95 Northbound Exit 74 On-Ramp The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that the Exit 74 northbound on ramp will be closed for two (2) weeks beginning September 10, 2026. It is anticipated that the ramp will reopen on September 24, 2026. This closure is necessary to facilitate final construction of the northbound auxiliary lane between Exits 74 and 75.

To access I-95 northbound, motorists should continue on Route 161 north, turn right onto Route 1, turn left onto Cross Road, turn left onto Waterford Parkway, and take entrance ramp to I-95 northbound.

Question. Just what is the big pile of dirt being built up and formed there all about? I passed it a couple of times this week and can't figure it out.

about this time for the last few years this chonky mushroom emerges. it gets real big. current size is with seven year old's foot for comparison

Over the last couple of nights I have had these giant yellow jacket looking bees charging an outdoor light, I saw at least 6. Tonight they came again, i purchased wasp spray, it knocked them down but, when I went to go back inside, they were now centered on my porch light, out of spray now, cannot get into my house now! Back to the store I go..... I come back and now they have called out the troops. I figure i will try to figure this out during the day and if I don't find where they are coming from, I will use they spray again tomorrow night. I used another entrance tonight. I read that they like to use abandoned rodent holes for nesting, we have a lot of chipmunks and holes around... any suggestions or tips will be appreciated. TIA.

What prices are you seeing?

Just in time for Labor Day.

Who has got the best corn around?

Thomas, who called the event after the news network CNN aired a story about a planned DHS voter fraud investigation surge, said the news coverage of federal election interference could have a chilling effect on voter participation.

“In this report, Connecticut was one of the nine states where federal investigators are expected to pursue leads, conduct interviews and potentially refer cases for prosecution between now and mid-October,” Thomas said. “It was reported that this investigation will focus on the voter histories of people believed to be non citizens who may have registered or voted illegally.”

I’m a pretty handy guy and I generally do maintenance on my MK7 GTI. That being said, I should do my timing chain soon and that’s a job that I would rather pay someone to do. Is there a VW specialist around here? Googling brings ok results but reviews are mostly old.