The State Of The Town 2020: Report Highlights

MADISON, CT — In the 2020 State Of The Town, strengths and challenges were described, updates on projects provided, short and long-term initiatives discussed and budget trends explored.

The town provided a set of slides on its website that share a snapshot of the State of the Town. Here, Patch shares some of those highlights:

Madison's Strengths

Starting with its shoreline; three town beaches and Hammonasset Beach State Park, the town has great natural assets including Rockland, Bauer Park, Salt Meadow. Madison is known for its "highly respected school district," has a vibrant downtown with a small town New England character, has low crime and is a safe community. The town has a "strong financial position" with a high bond rating, good municipal staff, long-term capital plan, high commitment of Town volunteers, historic resources and a strategic geographic location vis-à-vis Boston, New York, Hartford, New Haven, and New London.

Madison's Potential Challenges

The report notes its "reliance on residential property taxes, aging town and school facilities, Connecticut's economic climate, aging community, a slow real estate market and limited development opportunities. The Town-meeting form of government, limited community involvement, need for long-term vision to guide decision-making, need for diverse and affordable housing, need for diversity, need for focused internal management, need for improved communication with residents and need for activities for youth."

Madison's 2020 Short Term initiatives

Developing Communications Plan to keep citizens informed and increase community involvement.

Reassessing management of constituency complaints to ensure a more responsive government

Exploring best practices in town government through Government Studies Committee and Operational Excellence working group

Resolving beach management issues Launching Island Avenue Future Use committee

Madison's 2020 Long Term Initiatives

Complete the Strategic Planning Process with an action oriented, community supported plan

Assess School Facilities Plan Proposal and take to referendum

Refine Academy Community Center Design proposal and take to referendum

Improve Town Management by leveraging new ideas and new initiatives

Madison's Budget Trends

The 10 year average change for Total Approved Budget is 2.3%, 2.15% for Education

Recently Approved 2019/20 Town Budget up 7%, Education Budget down 0.1%

87% of total revenues from property taxes

67% of budget related to education

Town-Only 2020-2021 Budget Challenges

68% of Town Budget typically driven by non-discretionary costs like employee costs, utilities, contracts, insurance

Impact of new Scranton Memorial Library

Continued challenges with Ambulance service model

Return to fully staffed beach management (lifeguards, gate guards, attendants, etc.)

Implementation of new operating software MUNIS

Changes in pension funding formula/assumptions

Pipeline of capital investment projects

Project Updates

Library Expansion Project – Opening July 2020

Downtown Center Project – Developing timeline, costs and action plan to complete all phases

School Facilities Plan – Targeting Fall 2020 Referendum

Academy Community Center Project– Targeting Fall 2020 Referendum