Profile: Madison Democratic First Selectman Candidate Joan Walker

By Brian McCready, Madison Patch Editor

For the past four years Joan Walker has served on the Madison Board of Selectmen, and now she’s seeking the town’s top elected position.

“This is my time to be able to step up,” Walker told Madison Patch in a recent interview.

Walker, a Democrat, is running for first selectman against current Republican Town Chairman Thomas Banisch for the position of first selectman. Incumbent GOP First Selectman Fillmore McPherson decided against seeking reelection.

“I’m not a politician, I’m a public servant. I volunteer in the community,” Walker said. “I bring integrity, experience and I bring a real passion for getting the job done. I know the potential this town has and I want to see it happen.”

After working for companies like, Bank of Boston, American Express, Dreyfus Funds and Colonial Mutual Funds, Walker founded UNAPEN, along with her husband Joe and childhood friend David Gemma in 1991.

UNAPEN, Inc. designs software and provides services to the Financial Industry – specifically Investment Advisors.

As a volunteer, Walker works on Nite-in-Hand, which is a fun, safe overnight celebration held graduation night for Madison’s Daniel Hand High School seniors.

Walker’s top 3 priorities if elected:

1. Senior Tax freeze

Walker said the town has an aging population, and hasn’t done anything tangible to address it.

“We need to have a senior tax freeze,” Walker said. “We need to allow and give our seniors a chance to remain in their house until they decide to leave. They can’t be forced out.”

She said her No. 1 priority if elected is to enact the senior tax freeze. Walker said she will also pursue real affordable housing for both seniors and young families. She said the town needs more smaller and affordable housing, especially near downtown.

2. Economic Development

Walker said she’s been advocating for the redevelopment of the Academy School site for a long time, and is pleased that plans are progressing there for a cultural arts center. The state recently awarded the Shoreline Arts Alliance a $125,000 grant to advance plans for the site.

Walker said a cultural center will attract people to Madison. She also said she will fight for the completion of the long-left unfinished train station. She said because there is no northside depot there is less accessibility for residents and Amtrak can’t stop in Madison.

“No one is moving it along,” Walker said of the train station project.

She also said it’s good to see progress on the Madison Center Project, which is something that has been in the works for 15 years.

Walker also said Madison doesn’t have a lot of remaining commercial area but she’d work to attract small businesses that fit into the character of the community. She said additional businesses would help reduce the tax burden on already strapped residential property owners.

3. Schools

Walker said the town needs to ensure its schools remain competitive and one of the top ranked in the state. She praised the vision of Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice and the Board of Education.

She said with declining enrollment it’s important to assess the facilities now and possibly make changes. The school board is in the midst of concerning possible long-term school changes including possibly closing a school.

Walker said besides her top three initiatives she wants to bring transparency back to town government. She said she’ll present the town side of the budget to the people, just like school officials do.

Walker said currently the administration dictates no increases for town departments, and she’d sit down with department heads to discuss their needs and also examine possible efficiencies.

She said she also wants to focus on ensuring the town’s assets are preserved including its buildings and parks. She said Madison can’t let its infrastructure fall into disrepair.