The Town Board of the Town of Lyme will hold an Organizational Budget Meeting to prepare the 2027 Town Budget on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting will be held at the Town Municipal Offices, located at 12175 NYS Route 12E, Chaumont, NY.
Dated August 12, 2025
BY THE ORDER OF THE TOWN OF LYME BOARD
Ariana Henderson, Town Clerk
315-649-2788
For issues or concerns please call the NYS DOT 315-785-2316 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.
Please be advised that the Town Board of the Town of Lyme will be holding a series of Budget Work Sessions for the purpose of preparing the 2027 Town Budget. All Budget Work Sessions will be held at the Town of Lyme Office, located at 12175 NYS Route 12E, Chaumont, NY 13622, at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:
Additional Town business may be addressed following each Budget Work Session, as necessary.
Dated: September 10, 2026
By Order of the Town Board
Town of Lyme
Ariana Henderson, Town Clerk
(315) 649-2788
The Town of Lyme ZBA will be meeting 9/16/2026 at 6:30 p.m. to review the exisiting Zoning Laws for possible updates to be considered by the Town Board. No Variances were submitted for review.
The Water Board meeting scheduled for September 23, 2026 is canceled. The next meeting will be on October 28, 2026.
JEFFERSON COUNTY SECURES $550,000 STATE GRANT TO HELP SHORELINEHOMEOWNERS UPGRADE AGING SEPTIC SYSTEMS
Jefferson County officials recently announced a major environmental win for localshoreline residents, confirming the county’s acceptance of a $550,000 grant award toparticipate in Round 5 of the State Septic System Replacement Fund Program.
The program directly targets Jefferson County residents living along prioritywaterbodies, including Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, who lack access tomunicipal sewer lines and currently rely on aging private septic systems or cesspools.Outdated, inadequate, or failing septic systems close to local waterways are leadingcontributors to nutrient pollution, which threatens public drinking water supplies andharms the local tourism and fishing industries.
The newly enacted state legislation eases the financial burden of upgradinginfrastructure. Under the guidelines, eligible property owners can be reimbursed for upto 50% of eligible costs (up to $10,000) for the installation of a conventional septicsystem.
Funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis to single-family, two-family, seasonalhome, or small business property owners with inadequate or failing septic systemslocated within 250 feet of an eligible waterbody without access to public sewers.
Jefferson County designated Round 5 priority waterbodies include:Chaumont Bay, Guffin Bay, and Eastern Lake Ontario ShorelineHyde Lake, Moon Lake, and Pleasant Lake (including Tribs to Pleasant Lake)Saint Lawrence River (Main Stem and Minor Tribs), Oswegatchie River (MiddleMain Stem), and Indian River (Middle and minor tribs)Hart Brook (and tribs), Little Sandy Creek (Upper and tribs), Skinner Creek (Middle and tribs), West Creek (Upper and tribs), and Minor Tributaries to the Black River
Property owners are encouraged to review geographic eligibility and initiate theapplication process online: Jefferson County Septic Grants Portal
Local Program Contact:Aileen Anderson
Community Development Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/07/21/jefferson-county-lands-550k-grant-shoreline-septic-replacements
Interested parties may use the interactive map to search by address to see if your parcel may be eligible:
NYS Septic Replacement Fund Program Map Viewer of Potential Eligible Parcels
More detailed information is provided below:
Septic Repair and Replacement Program Flyer
Septic Repair and Replacement Program Application Form
IRS W-9 Form (Required)
Septic Repair and Replacement Reimbursement Form
Septic Repair Fund Tax Guidance and 1099 FAQ
Septic System Replacement Grant Eligible Costs
Septic Replacement Program Grant Press Release – 7/2026
NYS EFC Septic System Replacement Fund Webpage
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!
Survey responses due by September 30, 2026.
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.
The Town of Lyme Highway Garage construction has begun. See updates below
LPAC Summer Concerts – New Temporary Location
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:
Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of great music!
Rain Location: Inside at the Chaumont Fire Hall
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):
8/27/2026 – 5:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m.
Please refer to the Comprehesive Plan page for more details… https://townoflymeny.gov/comprehensive-plan/
Please click HERE to access the online version of the 2026 Town of Lyme and Village of Chaumont Comprehensive Plan Update Survey.