Madison Finance Board Approves Flood Study, Opioid Settlement Spending

MADISON, CT — The Madison Board of Finance unanimously approved nearly $50,000 for a flooding study on Green Hill Road Extension and more than $22,000 in opioid settlement spending during its Sept. 16 meeting.

The board approved spending up to $49,930 from the town's Coastal Resilience Reserve Fund for a Public Works Department study aimed at finding ways to mitigate flooding on Green Hill Road Extension.

Executive Director of Operations Sam DeBurra said the reserve fund was established for projects such as the flooding study and called the expenditure an appropriate use of the money. Finance Director Stacy Nobitz said the fund had a balance of $800,000.

Board member John Rasimas questioned the timing of the project. DeBurra said neighbors have been complaining about flooding for some time and town officials determined it was appropriate to examine potential solutions now.

The town needs professional assistance to determine what can be done to prevent the flooding, DeBurra said. Once a solution is developed, officials plan to seek applicable grants, while using reserve money to pay for the professional study.

The board unanimously approved the request following the discussion.

Board members also unanimously approved spending from Madison's Opioid Settlement Account for an outreach social worker and additional Health Department hours.

The meeting agenda listed $9,650 in supplemental funding for the outreach social worker and more than $13,000 for additional Health Department hours.

Nobitz said the $9,650 would cover a shortfall between grant funding and other money available for the social worker position. The position has required additional hours, and officials expect that need to continue through the remainder of the fiscal year.

Funding needed for the position in the next fiscal year will be requested through the town's operating budget process, according to the meeting minutes. Nobitz said the Opioid Settlement Account currently has $200,000.

The board also accepted two donations.

Members unanimously accepted $10,500 from the Madison Newcomers Club for the Madison Youth and Family Services Back-to-School Program. The Board of Selectmen previously approved the donation in August.

The finance board also unanimously accepted $2,199.95 from the Women's Club of Madison for the Madison Beach and Recreation Department. The money will pay for a water bottle filling station and replacement filter at Strong Field/Anderson Field House.

First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons updated the board on several other town projects.

Lyons said the Board of Selectmen is obtaining cost estimates for repairs to the seawall to help determine how to proceed. The town also launched a new survey concerning a second round of Surf Club facility upgrades and improvements.

Discussions over a hotel group's offer for the Academy property have been tabled while a more detailed study of wastewater and site options for hotel use is conducted, Lyons said.

Lyons also said a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Emergency Operations Center is scheduled for Oct. 9. The project was jointly funded with a federal grant and town money.