Madison Continues to Defend Decision Allowing Private Firm to Manage Town Properties

Madison town officials are defending their decision to allow an outside firm to manage town properties, Jack Kramer reports from The Source.

According to the New Haven Register, Cecilia Pfister, a member of the Madison Beach Preservation Association said Ryan Duques, chairman of the Economic Development Commission, would benefit in the situation as his family who owns the Madison Beach Hotel would have an advantage of getting the contract.

The arrangement would initially allow an outside company to manage the Surf Club property.

Madison received two bids from outside firms to manage the Surf Club property, and the Madison Beach Hotel was not one of the bidders.

Residents have also contacted First Selectman Fillmore McPherson’s office expressing concern over the private management of the properties, the Source reports.

In response to the criticism, McPherson issued a statement reiterating what town officials have said before about the agreement.

According to the Source, McPherson maintained that the town would continue to receive 100 percent of the rental fees when the Surf Club is rented out. He added that with an outside firm marketing the Surf Club, more people would be aware of the building increasing the town’s rental income. The arrangement would also reduce the burden on the town as they would not have to manage the properties.

Read the full story at The Source.

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