Old Lyme EDC approves part‑time analyst role, will use RiverCOG consulting hours for targeted sector analysis

The Old Lyme Economic Development Commission voted to approve a job description and begin recruitment for a part‑time economic development analyst intended to help the commission monitor commercial vacancies, support existing businesses and advance the strategic plan.

The approved role is described in the meeting as a 10‑hour-per-week position; commissioners said it will provide continuity and basic data collection on vacant properties and market conditions. The motion to begin recruitment carried by the commission with a reported tally of four in favor and two opposed.

Commissioners discussed compensation and scope. One commissioner objected to the proposed wage level, saying they could not support paying the role $19 an hour given the breadth of tasks outlined. Other commissioners responded that the town’s HR and hiring process will finalize pay and that the market ultimately determines candidate availability.

"The job was approved on May 18th, so the money is approved," one co‑chair said, asking the commission to set direction for the analyst’s initial tasks, notably compiling vacancy lists, prior occupants and potential leasing contacts for targeted outreach.

Separately, the commission agreed to pursue a focused use of a small, one‑time consulting allocation through RiverCOG: 12 hours of on‑call economic‑development consulting available to the commission before Dec. 31. Commissioners proposed using the hours for narrowly scoped, actionable work tied to the EDC strategic plan — for example, a district‑level cluster analysis of light‑industrial sites near exits 70/71, Hall’s Road, the arts district and marina areas to identify realistic business recruitment targets.

Commissioners emphasized they wanted more than a generic report and encouraged the consultant to produce specific, implementable recommendations (three near‑term actions per district) and to align the work with EDC’s existing SWOT/district analyses.

Next steps: HR will post the analyst position and begin recruitment; commissioners will return to the July meeting with a narrowly defined task request for RiverCOG so the 12 hours produce an actionable product rather than boilerplate analysis.