Madison Selectmen Approve $1.42M in Roads, Storm and Coastal Funding

MADISON, CT — The Madison Board of Selectmen unanimously approved more than $1.4 million in special appropriations for road work, coastal resiliency, storm-related expenses and senior services earlier this month, while also ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement with the town’s civilian dispatchers.

The board approved two capital appropriations tied to the town’s 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program: $1 million for the Major Roads Fund and $125,000 for the Coastal Resiliency Reserve Fund. Both items also received Board of Finance approval, and the roads funding also requires approval at Town Meeting.

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Selectman Scott Murphy said during the May 12 meeting that the road appropriation would allow the town to pave additional roads if oil prices remain stable. The measure passed unanimously.

The board also unanimously approved transferring $220,000 into the Storm Events Account to cover deficits from winter storms and $75,000 into the Meals-on-Wheels Reserve Fund, pending Board of Finance approval.

Officials said the storm deficit was driven in part by multiple weekend weather events that increased overtime costs. First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said the town is partnering with the Madison Foundation to help fund Meals-on-Wheels because the Marcus Fund, which had supported the program, is nearing depletion. Town officials said the program costs about $75,000 annually to operate.

Following an executive session, the board unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with civilian dispatchers effective July 1, 2026, and authorized Lyons to sign associated documents.

Earlier in the meeting, Lyons shared updates on the recently approved town budget referendum. She said about 19 percent of registered voters participated and roughly 60 percent supported the budget. The spending plan represents an overall budget increase of about 3.6 percent, while the Board of Finance approved a 0.64 mill rate increase that will result in an estimated 2.85 percent tax rate increase. Tax bills will be mailed in June.

Lyons also highlighted upcoming events tied to Madison’s bicentennial celebration, including Tavern Toasts at the Deacon John Grave House, a June 13 incorporation ceremony and the Rising Strawberry Moon Festival at the Surf Club on June 27.

Town officials provided updates on the Surf Club seawall and broader Surf Club Master Plan process. Consultants from Kent+Frost said the aging seawall is failing, and the town will need to determine whether to replace, relocate or redesign shoreline protections as part of a long-term resiliency strategy.

The presentation reviewed shoreline erosion, floodplain boundaries, storm impacts, dune restoration options and beach nourishment strategies. Officials said future work would require approvals from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Consultants said conceptual plans will be presented at a future public information session in June after additional details are discussed at another Board of Selectmen meeting. Temporary stabilization efforts are continuing at the site.

Beach and Recreation Director Austin Hall also reviewed preparations for the summer beach season, including parking pass policies and beach operations. Hall said the town’s 100 nonresident season parking passes sold out immediately, though nonresident day passes remain available. No parking passes will be sold July 2 through July 5.

The board also approved a consent agenda that included appointments and resignations from several town boards and commissions, tax abatements and refunds, personnel policy amendments, and acceptance of a $20,000 state historic preservation grant application for a historic resources inventory.

The consent agenda passed 4-0, with Selectwoman Noreen Gordon abstaining because of technical difficulties.

Discussion on a proposed Affordable Housing Trust Fund Ordinance continued, though no action was taken. Selectman Michael Wilson said concerns he previously raised about the ordinance language had not yet been addressed and said he would submit revisions before the next meeting.

The board later voted unanimously to table a public hearing on the ordinance that had been proposed for June 22.

During public comment, resident Jim Schmaltz questioned whether the town had a dedicated Surf Club Master Plan committee and said he would prefer road funding to be included in the annual operating budget rather than approved as a special appropriation.