Good evening, this is First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons with today’s biweekly update
COVID Update
The state along with the nation continues to experience a rise in cases as a result of a new COVD variant. The Town is also seeing an uptick, among residents, including in our schools. We encourage all residents to take precautionary measures, and encourage eligible residents that are vaccinated to get a booster shot. The Town is actively monitoring cases in Madison and will continue to refine and adjust policies to adapt to changing circumstances.
Beach & Recreation News
Office Relocation
A reminder that the Beach & Recreation Department has re-located its main office from the Madison Town Campus to the Surf Club Building. All in-person departmental services will now be administered through the Surf Club office. Beach & Rec’s Town Campus offices are now occupied by the Town Assessor. The most up-to-date department hours and other information are available on the Town website. Please note that during the beach pass season, residents can still visit the Surf Club office even if they do not have a beach parking sticker.
Beach Parking Stickers
A reminder that parking stickers or daily parking passes will be required at all three Town beaches starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Please visit the Town website at www.madisonct.org/BeachStickers for more information on pricing and ways to purchase a sticker.
Green Up, Clean Up Day
Tomorrow, April 30th, is Madison’s Annual Green Up, Clean Up Day, from 8:00 a.m. until noon. This great community event has been helping resolve the problem of litter on our roadsides, at our parks, and in our neighborhoods for many years. In previous years, over 400 residents and diverse civic groups have gathered together and collected up to 4 tons of litter in a 4-hour period. Those who have not yet registered for the event, are welcome to sign-up and receive clean-up materials at Memorial Town Hall or Robert’s Food Center.
2022-2023 Budget
The Annual Budget Referendum will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk’s office. Applications are available in the Town Clerk’s Office and on the website. The Town Clerk’s drop box is also open to receive applications or ballots. Additionally, the Registrars of Voters would like voters to know the polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on May 17th. District 1 voters go to Walter C. Polson Middle School at 302 Green Hill Road. District 2 voters go to Dr. Robert H. Brown Intermediate School, 980 Durham Road (Route 79). More information on the Referendum, absentee ballots and voting locations is available at www.madisonct.org/vote.
Fraud Alert
The Town Clerk would like property owners to know they can be alerted of new transactions recorded on the Land Records. The new land recording system provides a free tool called Fraud Alert. You can sign up to receive alerts whenever a document, such as a deed or mortgage, is recorded under your name. Documents can then be viewed online or in-person at the Clerk’s office. This is an easy way for homeowners to have peace of mind. You can sign up now at https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert, or go to the Town Clerk site for more information.
Affordable Housing Plan
The Planning & Zoning Commission has invited the Board of Selectmen to attend their meeting of Thursday, May 5th for a presentation on the draft Affordable Housing Plan by the ad-hoc Affordable Housing Plan Committee. A public hearing has also been scheduled for the plan on Monday, May 23rd at 6pm. The draft Plan is available at www.madisonct.org/DraftAffordablePlan. Details of all meetings are available on the Town’s calendar at www.madisonct.org.
Committees & Commissions
Please note that the Board of Selectmen has extended the application period for the two Academy Project related committees to May 6th. The Board has established two committees with distinct charges: (i) the Academy Building Committee purpose is to oversee the design and renovation of Academy into a community center and municipal offices, (ii) the Academy Advisory Committee purpose is to provide advice and make recommendations to the Building Committee to ensure the design, construction, and improvements are aligned with the specialized programming and municipal space needs anticipated to be included in the new facility. Please visit www.madisonct.org/Academy2022 to read more about these committees and how to complete an application.
The Town is also seeking applications for the Town’s Planning & Zoning Commission. This year is an exciting time to be on the Commission because the Town will be updating its Plan of Conservation & Development, an important strategic plan that is intended to guide local actions and to provide a framework for consistent decision-making with regard to conservation and development activities over the next decade or so. If you are interested in learning more about the Planning & Zoning Commission, please contact Erin Mannix at mannixe@madisonct.org.
The Charter Review Committee completed their work and submitted a revised draft of the Charter to the Town Clerk today. The Charter will now move to the Board of Selectmen to review and to solicit public comment at a Public Hearing. Future meeting dates and times can be found on the Town website www.madisonct.org.
Have a great weekend Madison!
Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman