Response:    864 surveys were returned out of 1315 issued A return of 65.70%
Note:
Most results do not total 100%   This is because respondents did not necessarily complete all questions or portions of the survey.  Likewise, a number of results total more than 100% because the respondent could give multiple answers
Respondents have raised similar issues in different parts of the survey.  Wherever possible, these responses have been consolidated under the most relevant section.
Question 1: What do you think are Lyme's three greatest assets?
Additional assets cited by respondents:
Scenic Beauty 48.73% Church(es) 0.58%
Sense of community 43.06% Close to Hanover/Dartmouth 0.58%
Quality schools 32.87% Freed to live as you want 0.35%
Small population 32.29% Post Pond (& Fireworks) 0.23%
Personal/family safety 29.75% Rural Atmosphere (also brooks, rivers, ponds) 0.23%
Farms and forests 27.20% Close to good medical care 0.12%
Outdoor recreation opportunities 23.73% Dark Skies 0.12%
Traditional village areas 22.11% Heritage 0.12%
Community events 5.90% Library & Post Office 0.12%
Quality local government 2.78% Ease of getting to all offices, stores & P.O. 0.12%
Cultural opportunities 1.62% CT river frontage 0.12%
Employment opportunities 1.04% Volunteer emergency services 0.12%
Rich History 0.12%
All except: Employment Opportunities 0.12%
educationed population; more democracy 0.12%
People 0.12%
Taxpayers 0.12%
Few tourists! 0.12%
Life-long residents 0.12%
elderly people 0.12%
Nichol's Hardware 0.12%
History 0.12%
Privacy of personal home 0.12%
Question 2: What do you think are the three most important issues facing Lyme?
Additional issues cited by respondents:
Maintain Lyme's rural character 55.79% Public Transportation 0.23%
Property taxes 54.40% Senior Housing & Senior Center 0.23%
Development/Growth 52.43% Vibrancy of Village & community center 0.23%
Housing for people of all incomes 42.48% Affordable Housing 0.12%
Internet access 17.82% Bike/jogging lanes on Rt. 10 0.12%
Schools  17.59% Community Involvement 0.12%
Condition of roads & bridges 16.90% Discrimination towards white people 0.12%
Cell phone Coverage 15.86% Diversity of income 0.12%
Police/fire protection 3.70% Help local people stay in Lyme; keep things simple 0.12%
Pollution 3.01% Lack of people intested in being selectmen 0.12%
Maintain large blocks of forest lands 0.12%
Municipal Offices & adequate police facilities 0.12%
No farms left!! 0.12%
Noise 0.12%
Not a single strata community 0.12%
Post Pond water level 0.12%
Smart Growth 0.12%
Too much regulation 0.12%
Traffic 0.12%
Question 3: The Rate of Growth in Lyme in the past ten years has been?
Too slow 16.90%
About right 47.80%
Too rapid 18.75%
No opinion 9.72%
Did not respond 4.98%
Question 4: Rate the quality of services in Lyme
Excellent Adequate Inadequate Poor Don’t know/No Opinion* Did not Respond
Library 43.75% 38.89% 4.05% 0.58% 8.68% 4.05%
Conservation Areas 39.81% 40.63% 2.78% 0.81% 10.30% 5.67%
Town Govt/Clerk's office 31.13% 47.92% 8.10% 2.55% 6.60% 3.70%
Post Pond Recreation Area 34.14% 42.36% 6.02% 1.39% 11.00% 5.09%
Road Maintenance 26.04% 50.12% 11.57% 4.63% 3.94% 3.70%
Recycling 29.63% 45.02% 9.72% 5.21% 6.48% 3.94%
Police 22.57% 51.04% 7.64% 4.28% 10.07% 4.40%
Fire Department 36.81% 36.23% 2.20% 0.46% 20.14% 4.17%
Schools 36.69% 34.03% 3.70% 0.81% 20.83% 3.94%
Ambulance/Fast squad 42.13% 23.84% 1.85% 0.35% 25.58% 6.25%
Trash disposal 17.13% 42.94% 17.01% 9.84% 8.10% 4.86%
Childcare 8.68% 20.49% 6.37% 1.97% 55.56% 6.94%
Elderly services 3.70% 17.59% 11.69% 6.37% 55.09% 5.56%
Additional services cited by respondents:
Assistance to Elderly/Senior Housing       0.23%    
Childcare for 11-14yr     0.12%      
Emergency Management Plan 0.12%          
Green Garbage bags       0.12%    
Hazardous waste       0.12%    
Internet       0.12%    
Need high-speed internet       0.12%    
Need town manager!       0.12%    
No appropriate town hall     0.12%      
Politics of town     0.12%      
Public Transportation       0.12%    
Town Clerk 0.12%          
Zoning       0.46%    
 
 
Question 5(a): In the next ten years Lyme should undertake the following major capital projects
Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree Did not Respond Project should be under-taken in next 10 years
New Town Office 21.06% 31.94% 20.95% 12.15% 8.33% 5.56% 32.29%
Library Addition/Expansion 7.75% 22.92% 27.55% 19.33% 13.66% 8.80% 13.54%
New Police Station 7.18% 21.53% 30.09% 20.83% 13.89% 6.48% 12.27%
New Transfer Station 7.29% 15.16% 28.94% 26.27% 14.70% 7.64% 10.76%
New Fire Ftation 5.56% 16.44% 34.49% 23.84% 12.04% 7.64% 9.26%
New Playing fields 6.13% 14.93% 37.04% 21.53% 12.85% 7.52% 8.10%
             
Additional projects cited by respondents:              
Walking/Bike trail to Post Pond 1.50% 0.12% 0.69% 0.23% 0.35%   0.23%
Communications Infrastructure 1.39%           0.69%
Roads & Bridges Work 0.46%           0.23%
Sidewalks (+ crosswalks) & buried power lines 0.46%           0.23%
Teen/community/senior center 0.46%           0.35%
Fencing/Renovation/Water controls at Post Pond/field Area 0.35%           0.58%
Library in School 0.35%           0.46%
Dog Park 0.12%           0.12%
Expand conservation lands 0.12%           0.12%
Improve audio at public meetings 0.12%           0.12%
New hardware store 0.12%            
New P.O. accessible after 5:00 0.12%            
New parks, small ones in town center 0.12%           0.12%
New School Building 0.12%           0.12%
Pool 0.12%            
Singles' activities 0.12%            
Note:
Most respondents, even if indicating "Strongly Agree" or "Agree" did not select their highest priorities by circlling their selection.
 
 
Question 6(a): New residential growth in Lyme should occur:
Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree Did not Respond
Along existing subdivision roads 12.96% 39.35% 16.78% 6.83% 6.71% 17.36%
In or near existing villages 20.02% 32.06% 15.63% 7.41% 7.41% 17.48%
More housing development should not be encouraged 22.22% 20.37% 13.19% 19.33% 12.27% 12.62%
Clustered in new neighborhoods or villagea 12.27% 25.46% 17.94% 12.85% 14.24% 17.25%
Along new subdivision roads 4.63% 21.06% 20.83% 17.36% 15.39% 20.72%
In the Eastern part of Town 5.90% 17.94% 38.19% 8.45% 8.45% 20.83%
In the Western part of Town 3.82% 15.28% 37.73% 10.88% 11.69% 20.60%
Question 6(b): Lyme should do more to encourage the development of housing for:
Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree Did not Respond
Moderate income people 18.98% 40.28% 18.17% 5.21% 6.60% 10.76%
Elderly people 19.68% 33.80% 22.34% 6.94% 6.60% 10.65%
Single families 18.17% 33.22% 23.03% 6.37% 6.02% 13.19%
Low income people 16.67% 31.83% 20.60% 10.65% 9.61% 10.65%
Renters 6.37% 17.82% 29.86% 19.10% 11.11% 15.74%
High income people 2.55% 9.72% 23.73% 22.69% 26.39% 14.93%
Additional options cited by respondents:
Elder co-housing 0.35%
Lyme natives 0.35%
Maintain rural atmosphere/ farms 0.35%
Disabled 0.12%
Families with school-age children 0.12%
Habitat for Humanity 0.12%
Multiple family groups; clusters 0.12%
Town employees including teachers 0.12%
 
Question 6(c): Lyme should encourage development of housing in:
Yes No Don't know Did not Respond
New rental apartment buildings 14.35% 58.91% 15.16% 11.57%
Conversion of existing large buildings 53.13% 20.25% 16.44% 10.19%
New condominiums or housing co-ops 22.34% 49.77% 15.63% 12.27%
Single family homes on small lots 49.07% 28.36% 13.43% 9.14%
Single family homes on large lots 39.93% 35.76% 13.54% 10.76%
New subdivisions should be required to provide affordable housing 14.35% 58.91% 12.85% 11.57%
       
       
Question 7: Should Lyme's zoning allow more areas for higher density housing (one or more residences per acre)? If Yes, where?
Yes No Did not respond Around Lyme Common & Lyme Center ("Clusters") 9.49%
41.78% 47.80%   Route 10 South 0.69%
East 0.58%
Route 10 North 0.46%
West 0.46%
Forest Areas/Rural district 0.23%
Goose Pond Rd 0.23%
North-west 0.23%
South-west 0.23%
Along Paved Roads 0.12%
Along River 0.12%
New Village 0.12%
On Family-owned Property 0.12%
Question 8: Lyme should do more to encourage commercial development for:
Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree Did not Respond
Restaurants 16.90% 40.05% 13.89% 12.50% 9.14% 7.52%
Small scale high technology 12.27% 37.85% 18.52% 13.08% 9.61% 8.68%
Professional offices 12.85% 36.92% 15.39% 11.34% 10.07% 13.43%
Expansion of existing businesses 9.72% 36.00% 25.00% 11.57% 9.14% 8.56%
Dentists, hairstylists etc. 8.45% 31.25% 22.45% 15.63% 11.23% 11.00%
New retail 9.26% 30.79% 19.10% 19.10% 11.92% 9.84%
Commercial recreational facilities 7.18% 21.99% 23.61% 21.18% 15.86% 10.19%
Inns & Hotels 7.41% 18.63% 21.53% 26.74% 14.81% 10.88%
Additional developments cited by respondents:
Arts/Culture 0.58% 0.46% 1.50% 0.23% 1.27%
Hardware Store 0.12%        
Health & Fitness Center 0.12%        
NASCAR Race Track! 0.12%        
 
 
Question 9: Should Lyme's zoning allow more areas for new commercial development? If Yes, where?
Yes No Did not Respond Along Route 10 6.83%
33.45% 52.55% 14.00% Lyme Common 4.51%
South of Town 2.08%
Anywhere 0.81%
Lyme Center 0.58%
West 0.46%
North of Town 0.35%
Rural or Outlying Areas 0.23%
 
Question 10: Where do you work?
Hanover/Lebanon 30.90%
Retired/Not Employed 21.41%
Lyme - at home 19.10%
Lyme - in town 9.72%
White River Junction 3.01%
Randolph/Royalton 0.23%
St. Johnsbury area 0.23%
Plymouth area 0.12%
Other 9.38%
Did Not Respond: 5.56%
Question 11: Where do you shop?
Most Some Minor None Did not Respond  
West Lebanon/Lebanon 48.61% 33.80% 7.41% 1.27% 8.91%  
Hanover/Norwich 33.91% 33.33% 12.15% 8.45% 12.15%  
On-line 7.75% 34.26% 17.71% 17.36% 22.92%  
Lyme 3.13% 34.49% 37.50% 7.99% 16.90%  
Bradford/Fairlee 2.31% 24.65% 32.87% 20.95% 19.21%  
Thetford 4.05% 22.22% 29.98% 24.31% 19.44%  
White River Junction 1.50% 11.34% 29.86% 34.38% 22.92%  
         
Additional shopping locales cited by respondents:
Concord/Burlington 2.08% 0.46% 0.23% 0.69%
Catalogs/Mail Order   1.74%    
Littleton, Woodsville, St. Johnsbury   0.93%    
Out-of-State/Out of Country   0.93%    
Southern NH   0.69%    
Plymouth   0.58%    
Boston   0.46%    
Claremont   0.46%    
New York   0.35%    
Orford   0.35%    
Keene   0.12%    
North Conway   0.12%    
Question 12: Should Lyme encourage or provide facilities for:
Yes No Don't Know   Did not Respond
Senoir Center 63.66% 25.58% 0.35%   10.42%
Art studios/classes 48.03% 38.08% 0.35%   13.54%
Performing Arts 44.10% 42.36% 0.23%   13.31%
Questions 13(a) & (b):
What types of recreation do you enjoy in Lyme? Additional recreations cited by respondents:
At any time Most Participated At any time Most Participated
Walking/Running 74.88% 51.97% Downhill skiing/snowboarding 11.69% 7.18%
Hiking 61.81% 42.59% Snowshoeing 3.94% 2.55%
Cross-country skiing 48.15% 25.58% Tennis 3.59% 2.31%
Swimming 47.34% 20.49% Canoeing/Kayaking 3.13% 1.62%
Road Biking 36.11% 16.67% Boating 1.39% 1.39%
Fishing 24.54% 9.14% Gardening 1.04% 0.69%
Skating 23.84% 3.13% Birding/Wildlife watching 0.93% 0.69%
Mountain Biking 22.22% 7.64% Sculling/Rowing 0.81% 0.35%
Hunting 15.05% 8.45% ATV 0.46% 0.12%
Organized team sports 10.53% 2.78% Photography 0.35% 0.35%
Snowmobiling 9.49% 2.55% Golf 0.23% 0.23%
Horseback Riding 8.91% 3.13% Relaxing 0.23% 0.12%
    Ceramics 0.12%  
Mushrooming 0.12% 0.12%
Picnicing 0.12% 0.12%
Reading 0.12% 0.12%
Roller-blading 0.12%  
Senior Activities 0.12% 0.12%
Snow plowing 0.12% 0.12%
Question 13(c): Have you encountered posting on land that you have used for recreation?
Yes No Don't know   Did not respond
31.25% 48.26% 11.34%   9.14%
Question 13(d): Lyme should add or improve the following recreational opportunities:
Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree Did not Respond
Skating 5.79% 19.33% 34.61% 16.44% 6.13% 17.71%
Indoor Gym for team sports 3.36% 12.04% 32.06% 26.27% 13.89% 12.38%
Indoor gym for fitness equipment 8.22% 22.34% 23.61% 22.34% 12.62% 10.88%
Tennis 3.82% 16.20% 36.00% 23.96% 8.45% 11.57%
Basketball 3.24% 13.43% 40.39% 21.76% 8.33% 12.85%
Swimming pool 5.09% 11.00% 24.54% 29.05% 18.98% 11.34%
Picnic areas 7.64% 32.18% 26.62% 14.70% 6.48% 12.38%
Boat Access to river 11.81% 36.46% 23.26% 12.62% 7.06% 8.80%
Hiking Trails 11.81% 36.46% 23.61% 11.92% 4.86% 11.34%
Cross country skiing trails 10.07% 34.26% 26.50% 12.62% 5.32% 11.23%
Snowmobile Trails 4.17% 12.27% 32.06% 21.99% 16.90% 12.62%
Horseback Riding Trails 4.40% 18.17% 39.12% 17.13% 8.68% 12.50%
Additional options cited by respondents:
Bike Paths 0.46%          
Bike Trails   0.12%     0.12%  
Lap Lane at Post Pond 0.12%          
Golf Course 0.12%          
Public Access to River for trails, boating 0.23%          
Support Skiway 0.46%          
Community Playground 0.12%          
Card parties enjoyed by older residents 0.12%          
Paddle Courts 0.12%          
Walking Trails / Nature Areas / Picnic Spots 0.12% 0.23%        
Parks   0.12%        
Toddler/baby swing at school   0.12%        
Shooting Range   0.12%        
Open School Gym to Public   0.12%        
Organized adult opportunities, team and other   0.12%        
ATV Trail 0.23%          
Question 14: Lyme should take steps to protect:
Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree Did not Respond
Historic Sites and Structures 50.23% 34.03% 7.64% 1.97% 0.58% 5.56%
Natural Areas 50.69% 32.29% 6.94% 1.85% 0.69% 7.52%
Shores of streams and ponds 46.18% 34.95% 7.41% 2.66% 1.16% 7.64%
Wildlife habitat 46.18% 34.61% 7.64% 2.78% 1.39% 7.41%
Trails 40.86% 39.24% 8.91% 2.08% 0.93% 7.99%
Farmland 48.03% 31.94% 8.56% 4.28% 0.69% 6.48%
Access to public waters 41.67% 36.34% 11.23% 2.55% 1.50% 6.71%
Scenic views and vistas 43.06% 33.10% 10.53% 3.82% 1.97% 7.52%
Forested hillsides and ridgelines 41.78% 30.21% 12.04% 5.32% 2.55% 8.10%
Additional options cited by respondents:
Air Quality (require 4 stroke ATV, snow machines)   0.12%        
Existing Businesses   0.12%        
Itself from Over-population   0.12%        
Landowners 0.12%          
Large forest tracts   0.12%        
Local/older people who can't afford to live in Lyme   0.23%        
Locals   0.12%        
Night Sky Darkness 0.12%          
Old Houses & Buildings   0.12%        
Operating Farms   0.12%        
Post Pond   0.12%        
Property Rights   0.12%        
River Banks   0.12%        
Rural character 0.12%          
Small town sense of community   0.12%        
Walkers/joggers   0.12%        
Watershed   0.12%        
Wildlife Corridors   0.12%        
Winding, dirt roads   0.12%        
 
 
Questions 15(a) & (b): I would support the protection of the lands I identified in Question 14 even if it meant  
(a) An increase in my tax bill of:
Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree Did not Respond
a total increase of $10 35.76% 19.68% 5.56% 4.40% 11.00% 23.61%
A totaL increase of $50 29.40% 22.57% 6.13% 9.72% 13.89% 18.29%
A totaL increase of more than $50 19.68% 15.63% 10.65% 15.39% 20.49% 18.17%
(b) a voluntary contributrion to the town's Conservation Fund
Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree Did not Respond
$10 to $50 annually 30.56% 21.99% 9.84% 5.56% 9.38% 23.61%
$50 to $100 annually 17.71% 14.81% 13.89% 13.19% 12.62% 27.78%
$100 or more annually 14.70% 9.14% 15.05% 18.40% 16.90% 25.81%
Question 16: In Lyme, do you?
Own your home 82.75%  
Own undeveloped land 20.37%  
Rent your home 4.40%  
Rent an appartment 3.24%  
Own a condominium 2.08%  
Own or rent a seasonal home/camp 1.97%  
Lease land 0.69%  
Question 17: Where do you live? Question 18: How long have you lived in Lyme?
Northwest 34.03% Shortest: less than one year Longest: 100 years
Southwest 20.14%
East 19.68% Average: 20 years
Lyme Village 10.65%
Lyme Center Village 6.83% 0 - 5 years 22.78%
Did not Respond 6.13% 5 -10 years 15.14%
I do not live in Lyme 2.43% 10 - 20 years 23.28%
20 - 40 years 25.53%
more than 40 years 13.27%
Question 19(a): Do you have internet access?
Dial-up High speed No Access Don't know Did not Respond
55.56% 18.87% 14.81% 1.62% 9.03%
(b): Do you want high-speed access?
Yes No   Don't know
56.25% 16.32%   0.12%
(c): How much would you pay for high-speed?
Min:  $2 per month Max:  $200 per month
Average: $39 per month
Question 20: How old are you? Question 21: Household Size
Under 20 0.13% 1 10.88%  
20 - 34 5.63% 2 46.88%
35 - 54 40.30% 3 9.61%
55 - 64 27.78% 4 17.13%
65+ 26.66% 5 6.60%
Did not respond 7.63% 6 1.04%
Greater than 6 0.46%
Question 22: What is your educational level?
Elementary school 0.69%
Some high school 1.16%
High school degree/GED 11.46%
Some college 8.22%
College degree 27.89%
Post graduate 37.04%
Did not respond 13.54%
Question 23: What sources of heating do you use?
Primary Secondary
Oil/Kerosene 58.22% 6.60%
Propane 21.30% 11.81%
Traditional Wood 12.38% 27.89%
Electricity 1.74% 6.37%
wood pellet 1.62% 2.55%
Solar   1.39%
Coal or Coke   0.12%
Additional sources cited by respondents:
FHM 0.12%  
Layered Clothes   0.12%
Wood Oil 0.12%  
Question 24 (a): Do you carpool? (b): Should the Town encourage more carpooling or public transit?
Yes No Did not respond Yes No Did not respond
12.27% 77.89% 9.84% 64.24% 18.87% 16.90%
(c): How?
Additional parking created at Route 10 & Goose Pond Road.
Advance Transit*
Bike Storage area in town?  Commute by bike between work & Lyme - Drive to Bike?
Free garbage bag roll per month in exchange for carpool signings
High School Bus*
Need more for the elderly who can't afford a car.
Park & Ride - Provide larger lot
scheduled van, not a large bus*
Sidewalks and crosswalks in downtown; bike lanes
Tax break/Gas Discount
Taxi
The town should certify drivers who would be willing to pick up hitchhikers and residents (youth?)who would hitchhike. Convenient pickup and drop off sites would be identified.
Train
Use Listserv/Web Page/Internet/published Directory/Other Publicity
Volunteers
Work at home
Note:
An indeterminate, but significant, number of respondents suggested either Advance Transit or high school bus as potential solutions to carpooling
 
Question 25: do you live on a dirt road?
Yes No Did not respond
48.73% 45.72% 5.56%