East Lyme Selectmen Make Decision On Police Union Contract; Leaf Blowing To Begin Earlier

EAST LYME, CT — The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with the town's police union and appointed Police Chief Kevin Glenn as East Lyme's emergency management director during its July 1 meeting.

Following an executive session, the board voted 6-0 to authorize First Selectman Dan Cunningham to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with Police Union Local 2852, Council 4, AFSCME, AFL-CIO. The contract covers the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030. No formal votes were taken during the executive session.

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The board also voted 6-0 to appoint Glenn as the town's emergency management director. His appointment will run through Jan. 3, 2028.

Earlier in the meeting, selectmen approved the distribution of a portion of the town's 2026-27 Services to the Community budget. The board awarded $2,500 each to Giving Garden and Niantic Main Street, $1,000 to Safe Futures and $650 to Sexual Assault Crisis of Eastern Connecticut, leaving $9,790 available for additional applicants. Selectmen also unanimously extended the application deadline for the remaining funds to July 30 after determining that some organizations had submitted information after the original deadline.

The board unanimously approved a variance to the town's noise ordinance allowing the Parks and Recreation Department to conduct trimming and leaf-blowing operations along Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue between 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. approximately every other week from April through October. Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Lokken said the earlier start time allows crews to complete landscaping before downtown traffic increases and noted the department had followed the same schedule for the past five years, with recent complaints coming from a single resident.

Selectmen tabled appointments to the Pension Board until August to allow a review committee additional time to evaluate applications.

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In his report, Cunningham said brownfield assessments had begun at the former Police Department building on Main Street, with interior testing complete and exterior testing to begin after Celebrate East Lyme. He said the contractor would staff an informational booth during the event and conduct a public survey on potential future uses of the site. Cunningham also reported that American flags had been installed along Main Street, the Police Department's summer bicycle patrol had begun for the season, and the Marine Patrol was operating on the river and bay.

During public comment, Ruby Thoms suggested the board consider changing the deadline for community funding applications and making greater use of technology and social media to improve communications.

The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.