The Daily Five: Seidel Family Fundraiser, Affordable Housing, Dancing Stars, And Thank You Public Works!

1. Today will be partly cloudy and, although we should see some sun, it's not going to bring much heat with it. Weather.com is predicting a high temperature of just 33 degrees and an overnight low of 24 degrees. 

2. East Lyme's Zoning Commission's last meeting was a long one, as it involved a public hearing on a proposed zoning changing to allow an affordable housing development to be built in a light industrial zone. JAG development presented a detailed site plan for the homes it hopes to build but though most people praised the proposal, a surprising number of neighbors turned out to oppose the zone change.

In this instance, the neighbors are the existing companies in the light industrial zone. They said their operations, which involve a lot of tractor trailer traffic and use of toxic chemicals, don't make the location suitable for housing right next door.

Tonight's Zoning Commission meeting promises to be equally long, as the commissioners are expected to make a decision on the issue.   

3. Public Works Department employees got high praise for the long hours and hard work they put in digging East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Lyme out during and after the blizzard. In East Lyme, public works employees were rewarded for their Herculean efforts with a celebratory breakfast this week.

East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica also praised Connecticut Light & Power for its responsiveness this time around. "CL&P, I thought, really stepped up," he said. "It was a great evolution."  

4. Crescent Beach BNI business networking group will hold a fundraiser for the Seidel family at Main Street Grille in Niantic today from 6 to 8 p.m. All proceeds are going to support the family of Kyle Seidel, a Waterford resident and East Lyme native, tragically killed this past December, leaving behind his wife .  

Admission is $5 at the door and there will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and gift raffles. If you have questions or would like to organize a raffle item, contact Dawn Robinson 203-689-9037, dawn.a.robinson@cox.net.

5. The Niantic Rotary Club's recent annual banquet included a special Dancing With The Stars competition. In case you were curious, the winner was East Lyme's retired Town Clerk Esther Williams, who did a swing dance. East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica came in second with the foxtrot and East Lyme's state Rep. Ed Jutila and his wife came third doing the tango.

As Williams organized the event, there were a few quips about the fix being in, but it's just a lot of jive talk! (I'm still waiting to see the videos pop up on YouTube!)