Good evening, this is First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons with today’s weekly update.

Green Up Clean Up

I want to thank all the many volunteers that participated last weekend in the Annual Green Up, Clean Up. It was a beautiful day and we had a great turn-out, with well over 50 groups signing up to clean-up our town. The final weight of trash collected will be posted on the website as soon as its available. 

Town Campus

Given Madison’s high vaccination rates, I am pleased to announce that we will be getting back to normal soon at Town Campus. Starting Monday, May 24th, Town Campus offices will be open to the general public for normal business hours Monday through Friday.  Appointments for most services will no longer be required. As a reminder, since early April Town Hall has been open for appointment only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and open to the general public Monday and Wednesday; this schedule will remain in place until May 24th when we revert back to five days a week.  We still strongly encourage residents to access departmental online services as much as possible in lieu of visiting Town Hall, and to continue to use available drop boxes located across from the Police Department. Please note that social distancing measures will be in place, and masks will be required in all town buildings. 

Beaches

I want to alert residents that we will be staffing the gates at East and West Wharf Beaches starting next Friday, May 7th as a precautionary measure due to likely visitor traffic. Parking at these two beaches only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will require proof of residency or the purchase of a visitor parking pass at the Surf Club office.  Proof of residency can include a 2020 or 2021 beach sticker, a Connecticut driver’s license, a Madison car registration, a local tax bill, or long-term lease with proof of ID.  Starting Memorial Day weekend, only 2021 beach stickers will be accepted as proof of residency at all three Town beaches.  I also want to note that starting this Monday, May 3rd, beach passes can be purchased in-person at the Surf Club office.  On-line sticker sales are currently available through the Beach & Recreation website at www.madisonct.org/beachstickers. 

Budget Referendum

On Wednesday, the Board of Finance voted to recommend to referendum a combined Town and School Budget of $88.4 million, which represents a 2% increase over the previous year.  This year’s Budget Referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th.  If you choose to vote in person at the polls, please note that District 1 voting has been moved from the Senior Center to Polson Middle School (the old Hand High School) which is located at 302 Green Hill Road.  District 2 voting will take place, as in previous years, at Brown Intermediate School at 980 Durham Road.  Polling locations have been modified for social distancing and will stay open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

If you wish to vote by absentee ballot, you can obtain an application for an absentee ballot on the Town Clerk website at www.madisonct.org/vote.  Due to the short mailing period, please don’t wait.  Your completed application can now be placed in the secure drop box located outside of Town Hall at the Town Campus (in the circle driveway across from the gym).  Ballots will be mailed as soon as they are received.  Completed ballots can also be placed in the secure drop box located outside Town Hall.  Ballots must be returned before 8 p.m. on May 18th in order to be accepted for processing. If you have questions or need information on voting by absentee ballot please contact the Town Clerks office at (203) 245-5672 or via email at townclerk@madisonct.org.

COVID-19

Madison currently has 15 active COVID-19 cases in our community and Madison Public Schools has 8 active cases, including students and staff.  Thankfully, there are no new fatalities or residents hospitalized. 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.  As our vaccination rates continue to rise, there is much greater availability throughout the state and thankfully many locations no longer require an appointment. Please visit ct.gov/covidvaccine to find a convenient place to get vaccinated. 

Summer Events

Many residents have reached out to inquire about town-wide events this summer, and our expected building use policies over the summer months. We are currently finalizing any changes that would be in effect after May 19th, when the state of emergency declaration expires.  We will be communicating more information in early May on our latest policies and guidelines for town related activities and operations. Please stay tuned.

Stay safe and healthy Madison.

Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman