January

A new glass plaque World War II veterans memorial created by former Old Saybrook High School (OSHS) seniors Jonah and Adam Nucci and Dean Nobile is unveiled.

Jeannine Lewis is sworn in for a four-year term as the judge of probate for the Saybrook Probate District.

Town employees begin using a new time tracking system designed to increase efficiency and accountability.

On Jan. 22, residents and taxpayers approve the establishment of a Mariner’s Way Tax Increment Financing District (TIF).

The town applies for a Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation to reconstruct sidewalks and improve pedestrian safety along Boston Post Road.

Having updated roughly 1,100 septic systems and completed Phase II of the Decentralized Wastewater Management Project as of Dec. 31, the town and state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection determine how to proceed with Phase III.

February

The Preserve Management Committee’s public online survey goes live through March 1.

The girls’ indoor track team takes first place overall at the Shoreline Conference Championship.

First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna, Jr.’s budget proposal for 2019–’20 is approved by the Board of Selectmen (BOS) at its Feb. 12 meeting, an increase of $204,184, or one percent. Taken with the proposed education budget, the overall increase for the town’s combined proposed budgets would be two percent, if approved with no changes by the Board of Finance (BOF) and then by the public.

The Kate holds its annual Oscar Night Party and fundraiser on Feb. 24.

The Board of Education (BOE) Demographics Subcommittee makes a presentation to the full board in support of moving the 4th grade from the middle school to the elementary school.

Saybrook’s Ann Petry, the first best-selling female African-American author, enters the Library of America series with the publication of Ann Petry: The Street, The Narrows.

March

The annual Chili Fest, held on March 2, goes green with recyclable cups and metal spoons.

Junior Grace Hanratty takes first place in the 1,000-meter run at the New England Championship in Boston on March 2.

OSHS students perform On the Town March 14 to 16.

The BOS passes an ordinance instituting fire marshal fees for commercial projects requiring extensive plan reviews.

After reading a letter describing a contentious phone conversation with Chief of Police Michael A. Spera at the March 25 Police Commission meeting, Vice-chair Frank Glowski resigns.

Repairs to the portico of The Kate are approved at a March 26 Town Meeting.

The Connecticut Association of Schools recognizes the middle school for positive school climate.

April

The Connecticut Bond Commission approves a $56,639 reimbursement for body cameras and other equipment purchased between 2017 and 2018 by the Old Saybrook Police Department (OSPD).

Filling the seat vacated by Frank Glowski, Democrat Alfred “Chub” Wilcox is appointed to the Police Commission at a special April 26 BOS meeting.

The renovated cupola is restored to the Chamber of Commerce building’s roof.

May

The OSHS prom is held on May 11 at Mystic Aquarium.

The Old Saybrook Historical Society offers a guided tour of the Upper Cemetery on the Sunday before Memorial Day to honor veterans.

OSHS is nominated for 20 Halo Awards, Connecticut’s high school theater awards.

During an investigation of a suspicious person, police officer Christopher Palmieri is exposed to a drug suspected to be fentanyl; he is hospitalized and released.

The girls’ outdoor track team claims its fourth consecutive conference title by taking first place at the Shoreline Conference Championship.

The girls’ outdoor track team finishes second and the boys take third place at the Class S State Championship.

June

Fourteen of the 38 known living members of OSHS’s Class of 1968 attend their 61st reunion at the Vicki G. Duffy Pavilion.

OSHS seniors receive their diplomas at Commencement on June 14.

OSHS seniors John Gabelmann, Maddie Bradley, Olivia Gaidry, and Amy Young are honored at the Old Saybrook Historical Society’s board meeting on June 18 for their service as interns.

The Connecticut Drama Association names OSHS senior Olivia Gaidry one of two winners of Armand Zimmerman Scholarships.

Sophomore Samantha Wakelee becomes the first OSHS student to participate in UConn’s Natural Resources Conservation Academy’s Ambassador Program.

July

Kidz Summer Lunch Bunch, a month of free lunches for kids in need, begins on July 8 and runs through Aug. 1.

In early July, members of the town’s Shellfish Commission, along with the co-owners of Indian River Shellfish, seed the Oyster River in the aim of revitalizing Saybrook oystering.

On July 12, the historical society honors Barbara Maynard with a Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation Award.

The Saybrook Stage Company performs Romantic Comedy over a weekend at The Kate featuring State Representative Devin Carney (R-23) and Shannon Keegan.

The Chamber of Commerce hosts its 56th annual Old Saybrook Arts & Crafts Festival.

At their caucus on July 23, Republicans unanimously nominate Carl Fortuna, Jr., for re-election as first selectman, Scott M. Giegerich for the BOS, and Robert W. Fish for treasurer.

Democrats hold their caucus on July 22, nominating a full slate of candidates for local offices, including a challenger to Fortuna. That nominee, John J. O’Brien, who was nominated from the floor, later decides not to run.

August

Four first-year UConn medical students arrive via bicycle at Town Beach, the last leg of a roughly 3,600-mile, 57-day, cross-country trip to raise funds for Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang camp.

Social Services begins its annual backpack drive to collect school supplies for kids in need.

Students start off the 2019-’20 school year with a half day on Aug. 28.

At the Conservation Commission’s August meeting, member Glenda Sohl reports issues with ATV use at—and damage to—The Preserve.

September

The Chamber of Commerce holds its fourth annual Classic Car Show at the Old Saybrook Auto Mall.

On Sept. 13, Saybrook resident and World War II Army veteran Wallace Malley Appell, who died at 97, is laid to rest with full military honors at the Riverside Cemetery.

Shoreline Chefs, benefitting the Estuary Council of Seniors’s Meals on Wheels program, is held on at Water’s Edge Resort and Spa.

Youth & Family Services’ Old Saybrook Community Day transforms the Green on Sept. 21.

Writer and volunteer Margaret Buckridge Bock, known as “Bucky,” turns 100 and is honored by the Old Saybrook and Westbrook historical societies on Sept. 22.

At the Sept. 23 Police Commission meeting, a member of the public is escorted out for what are deemed offensive comments; Commissioner Renee Shiplee is accused by the police union of inappropriate conduct.

October

Saybrook resident and volunteer Debra Carcio-Mals is one of 15 people to receive Shore Publishing Beacon Awards at a gala held at Water’s Edge.

The Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Scarecrow Fest along Main Street from Oct. 16 to 28.

On behalf of the historical society, an anonymous benefactor purchases two portraits that have hung in the Hart House since 2011 on loan from First Church of Christ (Congregational) in Saybrook.

Nearly 80 residents attend a recycling program presented by Department of Energy & Environmental Protection to clear up misconceptions and changes regarding materials that can and can’t be recycled in the state.

Encountering Differences, a program sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut to educate young people about anti-black racism in the U.S., kicks off its program, which includes six OSHS students.

November

The Bushnell Farm’s annual Harvest Home event offers demonstrations of the Bushnell family’s fall activities and preparations for winter.

“An Evening from Broadway to the Great American Song Book” at The Kate on Nov. 3 raises funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

On Nov. 5, voters cast ballots in local elections. Saybrook’s 33 percent turnout garners a GOP victory overall. First Selectman Fortuna and Treasurer Robert Fish, both Republicans, ran unopposed; the remaining two BOS seats go to Republican Scott Giegerich and Democrat Matthew Pugliese.

OSHS students perform The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time from Nov. 7 to 9, with community programs raising awareness of those on the autism spectrum leading up to the performances.

Old Saybrook boys’ soccer team is named co-champions of the Shoreline Conference Tournament along with The Morgan School (Clinton) team.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney speaks at the lunchtime meeting of the Old Saybrook Rotary Club.

The Rams’ boys’ soccer team successfully defend their Class S State Tournament title beating Holy Cross in a 3-1 double overtime game on Nov. 23.

The Old Saybrook-Westbrook football team earns its fourth-consecutive win in the annual Shoreline Cup contest.

Three Esty siblings—Janis, Susan, and Richard—are honored for their service to the town at the Annual Town Meeting on Nov. 25.

The annual Black Friday Concert at The Kate raises money for the Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries with ticket sales matched by the Gowrie Group, an independent local insurance company.

The James Pharmacy Bed & Breakfast & Gelateria and The Deacon–Timothy Pratt’s Bed & Breakfast suddenly close.

December

A fire starts in the afternoon of Dec. 6 at 29 Beach Road West in Chalker Beach and destroys the original house and a neighboring house well as damaging two others. No one is injured.

Wreaths Across America, a convoy escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, returns to Old Saybrook on Dec. 10.

The 49th annual Torchlight Christmas Parade marches through town on Saturday, Dec. 14.

It’s standing-room only at The Kate as more than 40 Saybrook Vietnam-era veterans are honored by the town, part of a program spurred by and attended Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz with First Selectman Fortuna, state senators Norm Needleman and Paul Formica, and State Representative Devin Carney.