Voters Guide To Feb. 15 Schools Plan, Community Center Referenda

MADISON, CT —Next month, Madison voters decide to approve or reject the Madison Public Schools $89 million Renewal Plan, the $15,900,000 plan to transform the Academy School into the town's community center, and the $2,300,000 Island Avenue property sale.

The three ballot questions read as follows:

1. Shall the Town of Madison appropriate $15, 900,000 to renovate the Academy School into a Community Center/Municipal Building and authorize the issuance of bonds or notes of the Town in an amount not to exceed $15, 900,000 to finance the appropriation, or so much as may be necessary after deducting grants to be received for the project? Yes or No

2. Shall the Town of Madison appropriate $89,200,000 for costs related to the construction of a new pre-kindergarten to grade 5 school on Mungertown Road, renovations and improvements for the conversion of Brown Intermediate School into a kindergarten to grade 5 school, and improvements and upgrades to Polson Middle School and authorize the issuance of bonds or notes of the Town in an amount not to exceed $89,200,000 to finance the appropriation or so much as may be necessary after deducting grants to be received for the project? Yes or No

3. Shall the Town of Madison sell the property located at Island Avenue to OLM Prep Real Estate Holdings LLC for $2,300,000? Yes or No.

See the sample ballot below.

When, where to vote

The referendum is Tuesday, Feb. 15. The polls will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• District I - Walter C. Polson Middle School, 302 Green Hill Road
• District 2 - Dr. Robert H. Brown Intermediate School, 980 Durham Road (Route 79)

Voting via absentee ballot

And as COVID-19 is no longer being accepted as a reason not to appear at polling locations for the Feb. 15 referenda, here's what you need to know about Absentee Ballots.

First, a request must be made for an absentee ballot, called an application. Being accepted now, either online here or in person at the Town Clerk's office.

The application must include a reason for the request, have an original signature and be dated. Then, put in the secured Official Drop Box located outside of Town Hall, or mailed to Madison Town Clerk, 8 Campus Drive, Madison, CT 06443.

State law allows the Town Clerk to process an application through the close of business the day before a voting event. If requesting a ballot be mailed, please submit your application in ample time. The Town Clerk must have the original ink signature (not electronic) on the application for a Ballot to be valid.

Returning the ballot

The mailing of absentee ballots has already begun. See the video for a step-by-step guide for how to fill it out. When done, it can be put into the secured Official Drop Box located outside of Town Hall, or mailed to: Madison Town Clerk, 8 Campus Drive, Madison, CT 06443.

The completed ballot must arrive at the Town Clerk’s office by mail or in the drop box no later than 8 p.m. on Feb. 15.

The town notes some of the "common mistakes" made when completing a ballot. Follow these tips to avoid common mistakes:

• Ballot must be placed in the inner envelope
• Inner envelope must be signed, dated and sealed
• Place only one ballot per envelope. People in the same household must to use separate envelopes
• Place the inner envelope inside the outer envelope
• Ballot must be returned before 8 p.m. on Election day

Madison Sample Feb. 15 Refe... by Ellyn Santiago

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