Jefferson County is participating in the NYS Septic System Replacement Program. The purpose of this fund is to replace existing cesspools and septic systems that have significant and quantifiable environmental and/or public health impacts on groundwater used for drinking water or on a threatened or impaired waterbody.
In Jefferson County, Funding Priority Geographic Areas identified for this program include: Moon Lake, Red Lake, Indian River, St. Lawrence River, Guffin Bay, Hart Brook, Oswegatchie River, Pleasant Lake Tributaries, Skinner Creek, and West Creek.
Please click HERE to access the online version of the 2026 Town of Lyme and Village of Chaumont Comprehensive Plan Update Survey.
If you prefer, a paper copy can be printed from the file below and returned to the Town Offices (or one of the drop off locations around town).
The Town of Lyme and Village of Chaumont, New York propose to update their Comprehensive Plans respectively. Town and Village conditions have changed since the last planning process was completed in 2010. Your responses to this survey will help focus or refocus the Town’s and Village’s respective priorities and engaging/receiving public input will assist in making it a successful Plan Update process. Thank you!
The Jefferson County Highway Department will be closing the Morris Tract Road for Bridge Repairs July 13, 2026 until further notice. If you have any questions please contact the Jefferson County Highway Department at (315) 786-3600.
Summer Recreation will take place from July 7 through August 6, 2026, at Chaumont Beach. The program is offered free of charge to Town of Lyme residents and will run from 10 AM to 3 PM every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the program period.
This summer, the Lyme Performing Arts Council (LPAC) Summer Concert Series will be held at the Haywagon Stage, located on the triangle green adjacent to the Chaumont Fire Hall on NYS Route 12E.
This temporary location will be used while renovations are underway at Bicentennial Park and will remain our concert venue through this season.
Guests will enjoy:
Ample parking
Restroom facilities
Food and beverages available for purchase
Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of great music!
The Town of Lyme is updating it’s Comprehensive Plan. The last plan was written in 2010. The Committee that will be updating the Plan has been assembled and will be meeting monthly to work on updating plan.
The Commitee will meet in the Town of Lyme Courtroom on the following dates:
8/13/2026 – 6:00 p.m.
Public Outreach and Input Session (Chaumont Volunteer Fire Deptartment):
Exciting news! One pickleball court at the Village courts is now open and ready for play. The interior fencing between courts has been completed, and the first court has been fully lined.
We invite everyone to come out, check it out, and enjoy a game or two! Additional nets are on order, and striping for the remaining courts will be completed soon.
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has donated their time, resources, and support to help make this project a reality. Your contributions have made all the difference!
For issues or concerns please call the NYS DOT315-785-2316 or 315-785-9317
As most residents are aware, the bridge on 12E, just West of Three Mile Bay and East of Lance Shores Rd, is scheduled to be replaced during the Summer/Fall of 2026.
Lyme Supervisor Zegarelli and Deputy Supervisor Kingsley attended a meeting on March 6th to discuss traffic concerns, emergency services delays, timelines and details of the project. Other attendees at this meeting included: NYS Assemblyman Scott Gray, Jefferson County Chairman Bill Johnson and representatives of NYS Senator Walczyk, Cape Vincent, Chaumont Volunteer and Three Mile Bay Fire Departments, Cape Vincent Ambulance, Jefferson County Highway Department and NY DOT.
Meeting summary: This is part of a larger, Jefferson County bridge replacement project sponsored by NY DOT that will replace seven total bridges (three in 2026; four in 2027). The project’s design began in May 2020, and public hearings were held in January 2023 (Jan 12th 2023 at Lyme Town Offices). The project has been bid, awarded and finalized. During the design process, NY DOT examined all possible scenarios of traffic routing and determined that the most time and cost efficient decision was to close the bridge during construction. This bridge is in a flood plain and DEC regulations were not conducive to widening or setting up a temporary bridge alongside the construction work. These bridges are over 100 years old and well overdue for replacement. If the bridges were to be flagged prior to replacement, the closure would be immediate and could last 2-3 years.
NY DOT originally planned the closure to be Memorial Day to Halloween 2026. In the meeting, they agreed to a June 1st start date since Memorial Day week is generally considered the start of summer season for Lyme, Cape Vincent and surrounding areas. They agreed to not close 12E until the very day they plan to start work – ie. if there is a delay in getting materials etc. Work will be as constant as possible to meet or beat the Oct 31st end date. There may be a few days when it appears no work is occurring but that would only be during times when concrete is curing or other required settling processes.
Our local fire departments, first responders and EMS have been working on contingency plans to ensure coverage during this closure.
While this bridge closure will be an inconvenience, it is a very short timeframe verses if the bridge were flagged. Those that are closest to the bridge will feel the most effects, but we ask for everyone’s grace and patience for the five months of closure. This work will ensure 12E is a viable road for another 100 years and is being completed with no financial input required by the Town.
The NY DOT recommended detour routes may not always be the shortest routes and are not required for travelers besides commercial vehicles.
Shortest routes:
Chaumont to Cape Vincent: From 12E turn right on Millen’s Bay Rd (Cty Rt 8). Turn left on Burnt Rock Rd N. Turn right on 12E. This will add 4 minutes (2.9 miles) to your trip.
Chaumont to Lyme Transfer Site: From 12E turn right on Millen’s Bay Rd (Cty Rt 8). Turn left on Burnt Rock Rd N. Turn left on Swamp Rd. Turn right on 12E. This will add 8 minutes (6.5 miles) to your trip.
DOT Detour route (heading West on 12E):
From 12E turn right on Depot St (Cty Rt 5). Turn left on Ashland Rd. Turn left on Millen’s Bay Rd (Cty Rt 8). Turn left on Burnt Rock Rd N. Turn left on Swamp Rd. Turn right on 12E. This will add 11 minutes (8.2 miles) to your trip.
