Good evening, this is First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons with today’s weekly update.
I am grateful to announce that 59% of Madison’s total population, and almost all of our residents aged 65 years or older, have received at least one dose of the vaccine. We have also been successful at vaccinating all of our educators and local childcare providers who are interested in getting vaccinated. Currently, Madison has 36 active COVID-19 cases and 2 residents hospitalized. Madison Public Schools has 11 active cases, including students and staff. Despite our success at vaccinating, these active case numbers are alarming and proof that COVID-19 is still spreading throughout our community. Please remember that children under the age of 16 are not able to be vaccinated at this time and therefore still very vulnerable to the virus. All of us have a responsibility, including vaccinated residents, to protect each other by continuing to wear a mask in public, maintain social distancing, and wash hands frequently, especially if attending gatherings with children such as youth sporting events.
The Town will continue to offer its weekly clinic on Thursdays at the Town Campus Gym throughout the month of April; appointments for this clinic are available through VAMS. I also want to highlight that Middlesex Health recently opened a Shoreline Vaccination Clinic at its facility in Westbrook. For more information on how to book an appointment at this location, please call (860) 358-7050 or visit the Middlesex Health website. If you are a Madison resident age 55 years and older, and are still having difficulty getting vaccinated, please contact the Senior Center at (203) 245–5627 for assistance. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccination locations throughout Connecticut, please visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.
The Beach & Recreation Department continues to prepare for the 2021 summer beach season. We will be holding a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, April 27th at 7 p.m. to provide an overview of this year’s beach operations for the summer. Please check the town website a week before the hearing for the zoom link to attend. Starting next week, residents can renew their beach parking stickers through the Town website at www.madisonct.org. All in-person sales will be open to the public at the Surf Club office starting May 3rd. First time pass holders, including new residents, must purchase beach stickers through the mail or in-person at the Surf Club office. Please note that stickers will not be required to park at Town beaches until Memorial Day weekend.
A reminder that the Town will be holding its Annual Green Up, Clean Up Day on Saturday, April 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To register your group to participate, please visit www.madisonct.org/volunteer, or call (203) 245-5602. Check in will be at Memorial Town Hall or Roberts Food Center in the North Madison Shopping Center. The Town will provide bags, gloves, and safety vests for children, and will have on-site dumpsters available for clean-up crews.
And finally, the Board of Finance recently approved a recommended Budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year of $88.4 million, representing a modest increase of 2% over the previous year. This Budget reflects community needs and priorities, includes organizational changes to improve operational efficiencies, and positions our local schools and government to serve the community in a post-COVID environment. The Board will be holding a virtual public hearing on April 28th at 7 p.m. to hear public comment on the proposed Budget, and then take action to recommend a final Budget for a public vote. This year’s Budget referendum will be held on Tuesday, May 18th. Notably, the Governor signed an Executive Order this week allowing for any eligible person to vote at a referendum by absentee ballot if they are unable to appear in-person due to COVID-19. More details on how to vote in-person or by absentee ballot for the Budget referendum is currently available on the Town Clerk’s website.
Stay safe and healthy Madison.
Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman