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Welcome to Old Saybrook, Connecticut, where the Connecticut River Meets the Sound. We are one of the oldest towns in the state, incorporated on July 8, 1854. We have a long history dating back to 1635 when we began as an independent colony known as the Saybrook Plantation. The colony was started when a company of English Puritans headed by Viscount Saye and Sele and Lord Brook, and led by one John Wintrhop, Jr. erected a for to guard the
river entrance. We are the site of the Pequot Conflict (war) in 1636. Yale University was founded in Old Saybrook as the Collegiate School for the education of ministers in 1700. The Saybrook College of Yale University Seal is used as the Town logo on its letterhead and town-owned vehicles.
We are a community of approximately 10,000, located in Middlesex County, on the West side of the river, 105 miles from Boston, 101 miles from New York and 45 miles from Hartford, with easy access to I-95 and Route 9. There is a conveniently located Amtrak railroad station with frequent connections to New Haven, New York and Boston. We are nearby to many attractions such as the casinos, theater, Mystic Seaport & Aquarium, just to name a few.
Old Saybrook offers beautiful shores, vistas, marinas and an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants on Main Street and nearby.
There are also two public beaches and several parks within the town, and a mini-golf course at Saybrook Point, operated and maintained by our Parks & Recreation department. We have a number of boat marinas and a state-owned boat launching area.
We also have several professional offices (doctors, dentist, attorneys), real estate brokers, antique shops, and art galleries. Old Saybrook is an ideal place for walking and bicycling. Route 154 is particularly picturesque as it winds its way along our coastline. We have two lighthouses and many lovely homes that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. We have an active historical society, a hard-working Chamber of Commerce and an enthusiastic Business-Merchants Association. These, along with many other civic-minded organizations and individuals, take great pride in making our community the lovely place that it is.
Old Saybrook is governed by a three member Board of Selectmen, seven-member Board of Finance, and the legislative body at Town Meeting. We have two senatorial voting districts with the 20th Senatorial District being Voting District 1 and the 33rd Senatorial District as Voting District 2. We currently enjoy a mill rate of 13.8 based upon an assessment ratio of 70%, which is the second lowest mill rate in the State of Connecticut. Property, at present, consists of 4,899 dwellings, 477 condominiums and 11,935 motor vehicles.
Our educational system ranks as one of the best in Connecticut. Our student enrollment is 1,4781 housed in four schools -- Goodwin Elementary (K through 3), Middle School (4 through 8), and Senior High (9 through 12). We also have one parochial school, St. John's (K through 8). There are also several fine day-care centers for young children.
Our houses of worship include The Assembly of God, Trinity Baptist, Grace Baptist, First Church of Christ - Scientist, First Church of Christ - Congregational, Grace Episcopal, Full Gospel, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian of Southern New England, St. John's Roman Catholic and Congregation Beth Shalom.
We have 36 different civic clubs and organizations, all of which are very active including the Estuary Council of Senior Clubs. The Estuary Council provides regional needs to a senior population, about 32% of the Old Saybrook population.
A staff of twenty-four men and women make up our Police Department with a total of nine police cruisers. We are also fortunate to have an experienced volunteer Fire Department with a current roster of approximately 70 men and women. The Old Saybrook Ambulance Association, a private non-profit organization, provides emergency services and transportation to area hospitals and clinics. The Middlesex Hospital Shoreline Clinic, located in Essex, is nearby.
There is limited industry in town, including WLIS 1420AM Radio, Fortune Plastics, Pequot Globe Press, Cramer Company, and Pye & Hogan.
Each year, we have a Memorial Day parade. Every summer, under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce, we have an Arts & Craft show, a Taste-of-Saybrook fest, a boat show, Summer Pops Concert and Fireworks, and sidewalk sales. We also have early evening outdoor concerts on the Town Green once a week in the summer. During the holidays, there is a Christmas Stroll along Main Street and the annual Torchlight Muster and Carol Sing.
The Town has worked hard to maintain its small town atmosphere by controlling growth and providing for open space. We have worked hard to revitalize Main Street and renovate our public buildings such as our library, firehouse and town hall to provide services ensuring quality of life for all of our citizens.
We hope you enjoy your visit to these Web pages and will support the sponsoring businesses with your patronage. Old Saybrook is one of the most beautiful towns in New England. Please come to visit us in person. You are welcome in Old Saybrook, where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound.
Michael Pace, First Selectman
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