Today, Madison has 47 active COVID-19 cases in our community, with 4 residents currently hospitalized due to this horrible disease. Of these active cases, regretfully 10 are associated with long-term care facilities. As of yesterday, our public schools had 9 active cases (including both staff and students). Unfortunately, we continue to see community spread throughout Madison, impacting almost every age group. It is important that those showing any symptoms for COVID-19 or coming into close contact with a known positive case, please get tested as soon as possible in order to stop the spread.
The Community Health Center continues to operate a free COVID testing site at Hammonasset Beach State Park. The site is open 7 days a week on a first come, first-served basis, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is located in the park campgrounds. Testing is available to people with or without symptoms, and to all ages, including children with parental or guardian consent. No appointments or fees are required. Results are expected to take 3-5 days. To save time, print and complete the registration form found at www.chc1.com/COVIDTEST in advance for each person being tested. Note that due to high demand, the wait time for testing can vary and be as long as two hours. CHC staff actively monitors the number of cars waiting and may need to turn people away from joining the line by afternoon if it has reached daily testing capacity. Please contact Madison’s Health Department at (203) 245-5681 as soon as you receive a positive test result so we can begin the contact tracing process.
On Wednesday, Governor Ned Lamont issued a new emergency order, which, among other things, extends the two Connecticut tax relief programs previously required to be adopted by all municipalities. As a reminder, the Board of Selectmen chose to implement a 90-day tax deferment program for most local taxpayers due to the COVID crisis, which extended the last day to pay the first installment without penalty. The new order would apply the same extension to the second tax installment, which is due January 1, 2021. This means that for eligible taxpayers the last day to pay the second installment without penalty will be April 1, 2021. Landlords who are interested in a deferment for the second installment must submit an application with the appropriate documentation to the tax collector. More details will be available next week on the Tax Collector’s webpage at www.madisonct.org.
To assist struggling families during this challenging holiday season, the Madison Police Department is holding its annual Stuff-a-Cruiser Food and Toy Drive. Please bring all donations for drop off at an outside collection bin in front of the Police Department on Campus Drive. Donations can be made 24/7 through December 31st. A list of suggested donations can be found on the Town website at https://www.madisonct.org/749/Food-and-Toy-Drive.
A reminder that tonight, Friday, December 18th, the Beach & Recreation Department is hosting a drive-in holiday concert at 5:00 pm at Salt Meadow Park. The concert will feature the Larry Steven’s Band and include an on-stage visit from Santa. Sound will be broadcast from a transmitter to your car radio. At the concert we will announce the winner of the Snowman Scavenger hunt.
As we enter the remaining weeks of December, please stop the spread of this disease in our Town by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, frequently washing hands, avoiding large gatherings, forgoing unnecessary travel, and getting tested especially when experiencing symptoms or when in close contact with an infected person.
Stay safe, healthy and at home Madison.
Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman