MADISON, CT — The Madison Board of Selectmen unanimously approved up to $145,000 for temporary repairs to the Surf Club seawall during its meeting this week, as officials also reviewed several sidewalk projects, property tax relief programs and plans for two community surveys.
The seawall funding, which would come from the town's Coastal Resiliency Reserve Fund, requires approval from the Board of Finance, which is scheduled to consider the request on Oct. 21.
Town Engineer Robert Russo outlined a proposed short-term repair plan intended to stabilize the Surf Club seawall while the town develops its long-term master plan for the recreational area.
According to Russo, recent storms washed away approximately 4 to 5 feet of sand, contributing to settlement and movement along the older seawall. The shifting structure has also placed stress on the adjoining Garvin Point seawall.
The proposed repairs include separating the connected seawalls, replacing approximately 14 feet of cracked concrete cap and improving drainage along 250 to 270 feet of the structure. Sections of the wall also would be realigned where necessary.
The preliminary cost estimate is approximately $144,000.
Russo said the town's engineering consultant, Stantec, was preparing final plans, which were expected within a week. The town anticipates soliciting bids and receiving pricing by December, with construction potentially beginning in January and grass planting planned for early spring.
Because the proposed work is above the coastal jurisdiction line, additional permits from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection are not required, according to the meeting minutes. The town has notified the agency and plans to provide finalized drawings.
First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons proposed authorizing up to $145,000 for the project. The board unanimously approved the request, pending Board of Finance approval.
The seawall discussion came as residents continued to weigh in on the broader Surf Club Master Plan.
Lyons said approximately 500 residents had participated in the town's survey as of the meeting. The survey was entering its final week, and residents could also submit comments to SurfClubPlan@madisonct.org for inclusion in an addendum to the final report.
Joel Berntsen of Partridge Lane presented a petition signed by 305 residents concerning the town's approach to the Surf Club survey.
Janet Nicolini of Madison Avenue urged officials to carefully review residents' feedback and said she believed the plan needed a complete redesign that prioritized the beach.
Jess Josef of Green Hill Road also raised concerns about the survey's wording, suggesting more neutral language.
Lyons acknowledged the petition and said the town intends to develop cost estimates once a more definitive plan emerges.
She also emphasized that any final Surf Club Master Plan would ultimately require voter approval through a referendum.
Selectman Bruce Wilson reported that the Beach and Recreation Commission was focused on the survey and anticipated reviewing the results.
Russo also provided updates on several sidewalk and roadway improvement projects, including work planned along Green Hill Road, Munger Town Road, Scotland Avenue and Boston Post Road.
The Green Hill Road and Munger Town Road sidewalk project remains in the planning phase following a public information session in September.
Documentation is ready for submission for Local Capital Improvement Program funding, pending approval from the Board of Selectmen.
Several residents expressed concerns about the project's design and potential impacts.
Jim Matteson of Greenhill Road questioned how the proposed sidewalk would affect a linden tree more than 120 years old. He also raised concerns about sidewalk maintenance responsibilities for property owners.
Charles Lieberger of Kimberly Lane said he had prepared an alternative project analysis in August 2024 that he believes could save the town money. He provided the analysis to Selectman Wilson on Oct. 12.
Wilson said he would submit the alternative analysis into the public record. He also suggested that the board continue discussing rural road safety approaches or ask the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee to examine them.
Phil Jansen of Green Hill Road expressed concern about bicycle safety along Munger Town Road and asked the town to consider widening the roadway and adding designated bicycle lanes.
Other projects discussed included:
The crosswalk and sidewalk improvement project includes changes to the intersection of Britton Lane and Boston Post Road that would require tree removal because of roadway proximity, root systems and utility conflicts.
Officials also discussed the possibility of closing the intersection but noted that doing so would fall outside the project's grant funding, eliminate an access point and potentially worsen traffic congestion during town events.
The board separately reviewed a proposed permanent sidewalk easement involving Madison Country Club property along Boston Post Road and West Wharf Road.
Under the proposal, the club would grant the town an easement for sidewalk improvements. In exchange, the town would work toward formalizing the club's use of a town-owned parcel historically used as a golf cart path.
The Planning and Zoning Department is expected to recommend whether the arrangement should involve a right of use or reciprocal easement before the project goes out to bid.
The board reviewed Madison's tax abatement, tax freeze and tax deferral programs for qualifying elderly and totally disabled homeowners.
According to information presented at the meeting, the town's local tax abatement and freeze program currently serves 354 households, including 300 receiving the freeze benefit.
The programs were combined and updated in 2023 to improve accessibility.
Under the town ordinance, the program has a 1 percent cap. Once participation reaches 0.7 percent, recommendations and options must be presented to the Board of Finance.
The issue is scheduled for discussion at the board's Oct. 21 meeting.
Qualifying residents with incomes up to $117,209 and one to 10 consecutive years of town ownership are eligible for tax abatements. Homeowners with at least 30 years of ownership qualify for an additional $274 abatement.
The town also administers a tax deferral program that allows eligible homeowners to defer up to 100 percent of their real estate taxes, with an annual maximum of $8,000.
Twelve households currently participate.
Deferred taxes are secured by liens against participating properties and carry a 1.5 percent interest rate, which the Board of Finance reviews annually. The taxes become payable when the property is sold or the owner dies.
Town officials reported approximately $524,000 in outstanding deferred taxes as of Sept. 17. Total deferrals since the program began amount to approximately $1.1 million.
The programs' financial effects will also be considered during the next municipal budget process because of their impact on the town's property tax rate.
Lyons and Selectwoman Jennifer Gordon also discussed plans for a community survey concerning the Academy.
The town has been working with the Great Blue Group to prepare the survey, which is tentatively scheduled to launch Monday, Nov. 9, following the upcoming elections.
Results are expected to be presented publicly in January 2027.
Officials said safeguards have been incorporated to ensure representation across Madison's demographics and prevent duplicate submissions.
The survey will be distributed electronically through the town's community updates mailing list and weekly meeting updates.
Paper copies will also be available at the Madison Senior Center, Scranton Memorial Library and Town Campus.
Wilson reported that the Economic Development Commission had discussed the Academy survey and raised questions about its methodology and statistical reliability.
During public comments, Berntsen also urged officials to ensure that residents could not submit multiple responses.
In other business, the board unanimously approved several expenditures and appointments through its consent agenda.
Among the approved contracts were two purchases associated with the Dorset Lane public safety radio tower.
The town authorized a contract of up to $90,271.04 with Motorola Solutions for radios and related equipment, along with a contract of up to $59,695.42 with Norcom CT for installation.
Both expenditures will be funded through the town's capital improvement program and Emergency Services Communications and Equipment Reserve Fund.
The board also approved a contract of up to $42,607 with Lior Excavating for the 2026 Curb Replacement Project.
Separately, selectmen unanimously approved a $9,000 request from the Opioid Settlement Task Force for a two-day prevention and education event at Daniel Hand High School featuring Stephen Hill.
That expenditure remains subject to Board of Finance approval.
The consent agenda also included the appointment of Wade Tomlinson to the Water Pollution Control Authority and Jessica Chowaniec as a permanent member of the Rockland Preserve Advisory Committee.
The board accepted the resignations of Rich Nace from the Rockland Preserve Advisory Committee and Diane Infantine-Vyce from the Board of Education.
Selectmen also approved the town's 2027 holiday schedule.
Lyons highlighted the Oct. 8 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Emergency Operations Center and Madison Hose Co. 1 Fire Station addition.
The project cost approximately $5.1 million and was funded in part through a federal grant.
Lyons thanked U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney for his assistance in securing federal funding.
The board also discussed its 2027 meeting schedule, agreeing that monthly Tuesday meetings at 8 a.m. and monthly Monday meetings at 7 p.m. would be appropriate.
Members agreed to move a meeting originally scheduled for April 13, 2027, to April 20 because of a conflict with the school system's spring break.
The board later entered executive session to discuss police contract negotiations. The minutes did not report any action resulting from that discussion.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Madison Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.