September 30, 2020
Dear Residents,
I am grateful to report that over this past week Madison has had no new cases of COVID-19, and there are no active cases in our town. Thank you to everyone in our community who are following CDC and state guidelines for social gatherings, social distancing and mask wearing. You are making a difference in our community. Let’s stay the course.
The Governor recently announced that Connecticut will be moving partially into Phase 3 of its reopening plan starting October 8th. This will include expanding in-door restaurant capacities, increasing outdoor gathering sizes and worship services. Approximately 99 percent of our economy will be able to open under Phase 3, but bars and nightclubs will remain closed. For more details on Phase 3, please read the Governor’s announcement. The State continues to revise its travel advisory list, including our neighboring state of Rhode Island. If you visit this or any other state on the list for more than 24 hours, you are required to self-quarantine for 14 days or test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours. To get the most updated policy information, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Travel.
The Town is evaluating what the Phase 3 re-opening measures will mean for our operations and events. At this time, given existing state guidelines for business office operations, and a critical need for secure workspace for November election-related activities, Town buildings will continue to remain open to the public on an appointment only basis until at least mid-November. Town meetings will also continue to be conducted remotely at this time. If you need instructions on how to view or participate in online meetings, please visit our website for detailed instructions “How to Watch Town Meetings Online”.
We continue to urge all residents to sign up for the Town’s new communications system called Madison Alerts, which will provide important community alerts and information, as well as the First Selectwoman updates. These can be received via an app downloaded on your phone, email, text or phone call. A video on how to sign up is available on the town website, where you can also subscribe through the town website at https://www.madisonct.org/MadisonAlerts. You can also subscribe through the website to specific board and commission meeting agendas and calendar events. We will alert you when we post a new agenda and when we have posted the minutes. These alerts can come in your email or by text message and even include a link so you won’t have to search for anything. Visit our website at www.madisonct.org , click on the round SUBSCRIBE button, then choose Notifications. Sign in with your email address and choose which reminders and notices you prefer.
A reminder that starting October 2nd absentee ballots will be mailed from the Town Clerk’s office to all those registered voters who submitted a complete application. Completed ballots can be returned either by mail to 8 Campus Drive, Madison, or by placing it in the secure drop box located outside of Town Hall at the Town Campus (in the circle driveway across from the gym). If you have not yet requested an Absentee Ballot, please check the Town Clerk’s website for more information on the application process, completing the ballot, and common mistakes to avoid. If you choose to vote in person on November 3rd, District 1 voting will take place at Polson Middle School, and District 2 voting will take place at Brown Intermediate School. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and be modified for social distancing and other safety protocols.
Stay safe and healthy Madison.
Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman