Arts & Culture
Community Life
Our small town community benefits from the collective involvement of our townspeople. Whether it be by participating in town government, serving on a nonprofit board, singing in the church choir, or always showing up so there are enough players for full court basketball, Old Lyme is made up of people eager to participate, enriching all of our lives along the way.
Old Lyme's town government is led by a Board of Selectmen elected every two years. Among the three elected, a "First Selectman" oversees Town Hall operations in addition to participating in the Board's town governance. There are a variety of boards and commissions on which townspeople can serve, some by election and others by application and appointment.
Since 1665, our town budget, ordinances, and other major initiatives have been determined by the people via a Town Meeting. Local authors Jim Lampos and Michaelle Pearson write in their Hidden Histories of Old Lyme, Lyme, & East Lyme that the Town Meeting here is a "uniquely empowering forum through which average citizens can make their voices heard, their opinions noted, and their votes counted."
See Old Lyme's town government website for its town services including social services, tax collection, animal control, and trash & recycling.
Town-Supported Service Organizations
See also Family Life for services oriented toward children and youth.
We encourage residents who would benefit from the services of these organizations to contact them directly.
Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association
Office Hours @ the Lymes Senior Center
The hometown VNA for Lyme and Old Lyme, OLVNA, offers services to improve health, safety, and well-being for all ages including an annual flu & wellness clinic , blood pressure clinics, emergency food drives and an annual scholarship.
Residents of Old Lyme benefit from the Estuary Transit District and its 9 Town Transit bus service. "9TT" services include a fixed bus schedule and route, as well as Dial-A-Ride and ADA paratransit service. Monthly and multi-trip passes are available or fares may be paid in cash on-board the vehicle at the time of the trip. Old Lyme is part of the New London to Old Saybrook route which includes regular service to the New London Amtrak Station, Old Lyme Marketplace (Big Y), Saybrook Stop & Shop, and the Saybrook MetroNorth Station. Check the 9 Town Transit website for the most current bus schedule or to reserve a Dial-A-Ride.
Clubs & Service Organizations
See also the Arts & Culture and Family Life pages for other volunteer opportunities
Greater Saybrook Chamber of Commerce
Serving Old Lyme
In 2023, the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber merged with the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber. Chamber volunteers continue Old Lyme events such as Business After Hours gatherings and scholarships for high school graduates, while enjoying new opportunities by the regional focus.
Community Connections is a network for local organizations to explore collaborative opportunities for the enhancement of our Lyme-Old Lyme community. All area organization leaders and volunteers are welcome. Launched in September of 2014 with a networking luncheon attended by more than 80 people representing more than 50 organizations, Community Connections typically hosts three luncheons per year with networking and discussions on community topics. Learn more about Community Connections.
Faith Communities
Additional denominations and faith communities are represented within a 15 mile radius of Old Lyme. These include Jewish Synagogues in Chester and Waterford; a Unitarian Universalist congregation and an Islamic center in New London; as well as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran denominations in both Niantic and Old Saybrook.
Adult Recreation/Fitness Memberships & Clubs
See also Hiking, Paddlesports, Boating, and Recreational Parks & Driving Range for Other Resources.
Look to organizations such as the Senior Center and area churches for additional yoga and fitness offerings.
Welcome to Old Lyme
Welcome to Old Lyme, a small, historic town on the Connecticut coastline. We are known for our art galleries and beaches, and have so much more. Whether you are thinking about relocating your home or business here, or just looking to visit for the afternoon, welcome! We are glad to have you.