Dear Residents,
I am grateful to report that Madison continues to have no active COVID-19 cases in our community. However, there remains some concerning trends in other towns throughout state so I want to implore residents to maintain their vigilance. This means reinforcing the need to follow CDC and state guidelines for social gatherings, social distancing and mask wearing, especially when participating in group activities like youth sports. Complacency and lax behavior in any social setting can lead to a resurgence of the virus in our town and threaten the continued re-opening of our schools. Please stay the course so that we do not lose the progress we’ve made in Madison.
Tomorrow Madison Public Schools will be returning to in-person instruction 5 days a week for grades K-8. However, because of space limitation at the high school, Daniel Hand will continue to operate under a modified hybrid learning model based on cohorts. Please note that many students will continue to arrive by personal car versus bus service, so expect exceptionally high traffic volume during school drop-off and pick-up hours; avoid these areas if you can.
And another reminder that starting tomorrow, Connecticut will be moving partially into Phase 3 of its reopening plan. 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.
As many of you are aware, absentee ballots have started to 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 applied for 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, please remember that District 1 voting has been moved from the Senior Center to Polson Middle School (the old Hand high school) located at 302 Green Hill Road; District 2 voting will take place as in previous years at Brown Intermediate School at 980 Durham Road. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and be modified for social distancing and other safety protocols. Please note that because Connecticut law allows residents who are not currently registered to vote to register on election day, the Senior Center will be used for Election Day Registration on November 3rd. No other voting will occur at this location.
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.
Stay safe and healthy Madison.
Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman