Updates from State Rep. Nick Menapace for May 18, 2026

May 18, 2026

East Lyme residents, if you take only one thing away from this newsletter, please let it be this:

The 2026/27 budget referendum takes place Thursday, May 21, at the East Lyme Community Center, 37 Society Road. Voting is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information on the proposed budget, visit the town website's page -- which includes videos and supporting documentation -- here.

The notice of the referendum is below.

Latest Letter to the Editor

Property taxes are connected to more than just town budgets.

The way we build our communities affects long-term infrastructure costs and ultimately what taxpayers pay. I wrote about that in The Day here.

Giving to the East Lyme Giving Garden

The Giving Garden does incredible work for our community and the entire region, which is why I was proud to present a $40,000 from the state of Connecticut.

This organization is entirely led by volunteers, and every bit of food it grows is donated to those in need. That's why I fought to make sure it received the support it deserves in this year's state budget.

Grateful for everything the organization does.

Vintage Trucks and Tractors Event

The Samuel Smith Farmstead, 82 Plants Dam Road in East Lyme, is hosting its fifth annual Vintage Trucks & Tractors Event at the Farmstead on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It is a free, fun family day and a great opportunity for people to get to know about the Farmstead's mid-18th century house and the surrounding property, enjoy live music from local band Five Bean Row, see the community garden, watch en plein painters at work, among other things.

I hope to see you there!