Madison Selectmen Advance Affordable Housing Trust Fund Hearing

MADISON, CT — Madison's Board of Selectmen voted Monday to schedule a public hearing on a proposed Affordable Housing Trust Fund ordinance despite reservations from one member, while also approving several capital purchases and receiving a long-awaited draft Facilities Master Plan.

The board voted 4-1 to hold a public hearing on the proposed Affordable Housing Trust Fund ordinance at 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at Town Campus and via Zoom. Selectman Scott Wilson cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he did not believe the draft ordinance was ready for public review.

Before the vote, First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said the proposed trust fund is intended to receive donations and grant funding to pay for planning documents and site reviews, not to subsidize housing. She compared the concept to the town's Coastal Resiliency Fund.

Lyons also said any use of taxpayer funding would require approval from both the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance, and potentially a Town Meeting.

Board members generally supported creating the trust fund but raised concerns about how it could be funded. Several said the current draft leaves open the possibility of using taxpayer money, including building fees, and questioned language allowing the town to borrow money for the fund. Members also discussed the fact that state law does not allow an established trust to be dissolved and considered how to proceed if residents strongly oppose the proposal at the public hearing.

Residents also questioned the proposal during both public comment periods. Dennis Crowe of Twilight Drive, Jim Schmaltz of Jonathan's Landing, Nick Postovoit of Old Toll Road and Greg Scalzo of Sandelwood Drive all spoke against using tax dollars to support the trust fund.

The board unanimously approved several capital projects, including:

• A $147,442.69 contract with Demco to replace furniture in the Polson Middle School Library Media Center.
• A $296,482 contract with BMP Construction for locker room and restroom renovations at the Town Campus gym, funded through the town's capital program and a 2023 STEAP grant.
• Moving replacement of a 2003 Volvo wheel loader from the fiscal 2029-30 capital plan into fiscal 2026-27, pending Board of Finance approval.
• A $252,855 contract with The W.I. Clark Company to purchase a John Deere wheel loader and related equipment.
• An amendment to the town's five-year capital lease to finance the new wheel loader, pending Board of Finance approval.

Town officials said the existing wheel loader, used at the brush facility, is 23 years old, has logged more than 17,000 hours and has been removed from service because of safety concerns. The old machine will be traded toward the purchase of the replacement. Board members also discussed equipment reserve funding and noted that storing the new loader indoors would help extend its service life. Officials said the Board of Finance would likely hold a special meeting to approve the lease amendment so the equipment could be ordered quickly.

The board also unanimously approved a $19,950 special appropriation to the Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters reserve fund. Officials said the reserve is intended to smooth election costs, which vary depending on presidential election years and the number of referendums or town meetings.

Earlier in the meeting, members unanimously approved the consent agenda, including appointments to the Board of Education and Youth Services Board, committee appointments and resignations, grant acceptances, routine budget transfers, tax abatements and an increase in the town's mileage reimbursement rate to 76 cents per mile, consistent with the IRS rate.

The board also accepted a Madison Bicentennial flag created and donated by Bettina Braisted, owner of The Sailbag Lady. Officials said the flag, now flying over Garvan Point, will eventually become part of the town archives.

Lyons opened the meeting with updates on several ongoing projects. She said the town continues to seek public feedback on the Surf Club Master Plan and that consultants are preparing a follow-up survey focused on residents' concerns. She said additional information on both the master plan and the aging seawall is expected in late August. The town is also awaiting a site assessment report for the septic system near the Academy building.

The board also received an update from the Ad Hoc Facilities Committee on its draft Facilities Master Plan. Committee Chair David Kadamus outlined the group's process and recommendations, including concepts for town buildings, Department of Public Works properties, the Historic Green and vacant land. The presentation also reviewed potential project costs and recommended evaluating the plan alongside the Surf Club Master Plan, the town's capital improvement program and Madison Public Schools' long-range planning.

Following the presentation, board members discussed how to prioritize major capital projects. They agreed town staff will begin developing a sequencing process tied to the capital improvement program and may seek outside expertise if needed.