Madison Board Of Finance Approves Youth Jobs Grant, Advances Wheel Loader Purchase

MADISON, CT — The Madison Board of Finance unanimously approved a recurring grant for the town's summer youth employment program and advanced the replacement of a Public Works wheel loader during a 10-minute special meeting Monday.

The board voted to accept an annual grant of up to $12,808 from Workforce Alliance to fund the Madison Youth and Family Services Summer Youth Employment Program. The grant had previously been approved by the Board of Selectmen on July 20.

The motion was made by Jude Hession and seconded by Matt Gordon. It passed unanimously.

The board also approved a request from the Public Works Department to move the replacement of a 2003 Volvo wheel loader from the fiscal year 2029-30 Capital Improvement Program highway equipment replacement reserve to fiscal year 2026-27. The Board of Selectmen approved the request on July 20.

A motion by Bob Donahue, seconded by Matt Gordon, passed unanimously.

During the discussion, officials said the vehicle is included in the town's five-year capital improvement plan but is no longer serviceable. They said the replacement can move forward because the equipment replacement fund has enough money to absorb the higher lease payments for now, although the town will need to discuss adjustments to the capital improvement program balance in the third year of the lease.

The board then unanimously approved an amendment to the town's five-year capital lease agreement with First American to add the purchase of a 2026 John Deere 544P Tier wheel loader and related equipment. The action also authorizes First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons to sign the lease documents. The Board of Selectmen approved the amendment on July 20.

The motion was made by Bob Donahue and seconded by John Muller. Officials said the amendment will increase annual lease payments by $49,000.