Madison First Selectman Tom Banisch Decides His Political Future

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

MADISON, CT – Tom Banisch “loves” his job and he wants a second term as Madison’s chief executive.

Banisch recently announced he will be seeking re-election to his first selectman seat this November.

"It’s been an honor to be Madison’s First Selectman for two years. It’s a job I love in the town that I love,” Banisch said.

“I have many ideas and town employees that happily work to make this town better all the time, and I hope that the people of Madison see fit to return me to the job.

Whether or not Banisch, a Republican has an opponent this November, will be known in the next few weeks.

“The Madison Democrats are still in the process of formulating our slate and will be selecting our municipal candidates during a special meeting on July 23rd,” said Democratic Town Chair Peggy Lyons.

When Banisch was asked what he was most proud of – accomplishments – in his first term, he ticked off the following:

“There are a number of things that I am proud of as achievements in my first term: We’re moving on Academy School!! The RFP should be out soon and we can start to develop a vision for what Academy can be.

“Repairing roads and dealing with infrastructure issues!! Building a functional team of town employees, administrative, clerical and town crews, who work well together.

“Review of procedures that has led to cost savings and consistency.

“Revamped many departments and updated ordinances to increase revenues and reorganize departments. “

If re-elected, Banisch said his second term goals would be to, first, bring Academy School to fruition.

He said he’d also like to make downtown more self-sufficient with their own power source and the possibility of wastewater treatment, as in a local septic authority.

Additionally, “I outlined a “2020 Vision” for the town to grow the Grand List by an additional $150 million above normal growth to outpace inflation and normal budgetary creep, so we can hold the line on taxes.”

Banisch said Madison, as most towns in the state, need to keep a wary eye on Hartford.

“The biggest challenge we face is living in a state that is in crisis with no leadership to change things. The state is not only taking away aid that towns deserve because they have sent that money there in the first place, but they are trying to foist their problems off on the towns.

“Problems that they created through waste and mismanagement. Continuous unfunded mandates. Legislation that tells us how to run our town finances contrary to what makes good fiscal sense and tying our hands.”