First Selectman Tom Banisch announced that he has been elected to the Board of Directors of both the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Association (CIRMA).

CCM is the State’s largest, nonpartisan organization of municipal leaders; representing towns and cities of all sizes from all over the state.  CCM is governed by its Board of Directors to work for the improvement of everyday life for residents of Connecticut.  CCM advocates to the state level for issues affecting local taxpayers.  They also pool buying power to negotiate more cost-effective services for each community.  Banisch indicates that by being elected to the Board of Directors the needs of Madison will reach the ears of the State.  “As a member of the Board of Director’s I will have the ability to ensure that problems affecting Madison residents are being heard and that I can act as a direct advocate for change,” Banisch stated.  “The State is trying to push their financial problems, such as the teacher pension program, onto the towns, so it is important that CCM remain vigilant to thwart those efforts.  These initiatives by the state will create additional burdens to municipal taxpayers.  Local government in Madison works hard to balance the need to maintain operations and services while not overtaxing property owners.  It’s not fair that because of our good fiscal management, our residents should be taxed for the state’s failings from years of manipulating budgets.”

Banisch was also elected to serve on the Board of Director’s for the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency known as CIRMA.  CIRMA is a leading provider of municipal risk management services including Worker’s Compensation and Liability-Auto-Property pools.  “The Town of Madison has its Worker’s Compensation and Liability, Auto and Property insurance through CIRMA,” said Banisch  “Sitting on the Board will allow me to bring back to Madison the most current and tested best practices in managing a host of insurance matters which come with great cost to the Town.  I am pleased to be part of a think tank that will help to benefit our community.”

Additionally, Banisch serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST), which aims to give a voice at the state level to smaller towns throughout Connecticut.