Candidate Maureen Byrne Calls for Fiscal Prudence and Downtown Revitalization

Madison Borough Council candidate Maureen Byrne of Albright Circle applauds the current Borough Council’s fiscal prudence, the results of the borough’s strategic planning initiative, and calls for revitalization of the downtown business district.

Byrne stated, “I have lived in Madison for almost twenty-five years – raised a family, volunteered on exceptional committees and met people who have challenged me, and made my life richer for the experience.

Over those years, I have observed a continuing tradition of cooperative government in Madison. Council members, recognizing that the needs of Madison transcends party affiliation, have worked together to create a community that supports all of its constituencies, regardless of where they live or work. As a member of the Madison Borough Council, I want to ensure that we continue in that spirit of mutual endeavor.”

Byrne continued, “I am pleased that Mayor Conley and the Madison Borough Council have pursued prudent and fiscally responsible policies. They have balanced the capital, social and infrastructure needs of the borough against the need to control the municipal taxes. They have maintained and enhanced borough services, invested in our roads, sewers, and recreation facilities, and protected our AAA credit rating – all the while controlling taxes. I fully support these policies.

When I ran for Council in 2013, I called for a strategic long-range plan to ensure that Madison budgets remain fiscally prudent. I was gratified to be a part of that planning process, serving as Chairman of the Committee on Operations. Along with the committee and with input from borough officials, we worked together to reimagine the borough’s website, making it easier to navigate and more meaningful for its constituents. The website was rolled out last fall and has been gaining adherents for the availability of its information, as well as the ease it makes in paying Borough invoices.”

Looking forward, Byrne stated, “I believe that the downtown business district is critical to Madison’s prosperity. Anchoring the town, our downtown business community contributes to the overall quality of life in Madison, providing essential goods and services within an easy walk or drive. It also serves as the outdoor venue for concerts and community events such as Bottle Hill Day and the annual Christmas and Memorial Day parades. Unfortunately, we are now at a critical juncture, with many businesses struggling and commercial vacancy rates at a high level.

So it pleases me that the borough government has acknowledged that downtown could benefit from revitalization and has teamed with the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) to fund a comprehensive study of the downtown that will produce a blue print for the future. John Hoover, who is my running mate, served on the committee that selected the New York City-based firm of Urbanomics to assess the totality of Madison’s downtown – retail, restaurants, parking. Based on that assessment and the experience of similar towns, they will be prepare specific, concrete recommendations that can be quickly implemented with the assistance of local business and property owners.”

“Recently, attention has been focused on Madison’s historical mix of homes,” observed Byrne. “Madison developed gradually over a number of decades, and the housing stock reflects this. Historic neighborhoods, whether designated as such by federal or state entities exist within our boundaries. Many of these homes are now being torn down to make way for newer homes. While not one to stand in the way of progress, I think attention needs to be paid to the mix of homes available in town for families of all income levels. Madison’s diversity has been its strength for all these years, and we need to focus on finding a balance between development and preservation.”

For the past eight years, Maureen Byrne has been a member of the DDC. There, she supervised the establishment of the Madison Farmers Market on Waverly Place and served on the Public Improvement Committee that coordinates improvements to the Downtown area. She is also Co-chair of the annual ‘Taste of Madison’ event, which showcases Madison as a premier dining location, while raising funds for the DDC, the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Foundation.

Byrne also served as Chair of the Friends of the Madison Public Library where she oversaw four Annual Appeal campaigns that raised over $150,000 for use by the library. She also served as a member of the Library Strategic Planning Committee that developed a three to five year roadmap for the library, now under implementation.

She is a twelve year member of the Thursday Morning Club (TMC) and served on the committee that successfully raised the $2.3 million dollars needed for the renovation of the Madison Community House, which was completed in 2011. She also served as the Communications Chairman and as Membership Chairman for the TMC. Byrne is also a five-year member of Madison Rotary.

Maureen Byrne received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Goucher College, where she was valedictorian of her class. Prior to moving to Madison, she was an Assistant Vice President, Finance for Paine Webber, where she structured real estate and leasing deals for corporate and individual customers. She also served two years as Development Director and Director of Education for the Blue Ridge region of the American Cancer Society.

Byrne concluded, “I am excited to be running for Borough Council with John Hoover. Together, we bring an unparalleled record of service to the community. Working together with Mayor Bob Conley and Councilmembers Astri Baillie, Carmela Vitale, Bob Landrigan, and Ben Wolkowitiz, we will work to ensure that Madison has the great future it deserves.”