06/12/2026
First Selectwoman’s June 12, 2026 Community Update
TOMORROW: BICENTENNIAL & FLAG DAY COMMEMORATION
In honor of Madison’s 200th anniversary of incorporation, residents and visitors are invited to gather for the momentous Bicentennial & Flag Day Commemoration tomorrow, June 13 at 11:00AM at the Madison Center for Culture and History at Lee’s Academy (14 Meetinghouse Lane). Organized in collaboration with the Madison 200 America 250 Steering Committee and Madison Historical Society, the event will blend patriotism, history, and community spirit in a tribute to both local heritage and national pride. Serving as master of ceremonies, Town Historian Henry Griggs will lead attendees through the commemorative program.
Limited seating will be available on a first come, first served basis; attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
Other Upcoming Bicentennial Celebration Events
As we approach the busy spring and summer months, be sure to check out the numerous events being coordinated by the Madison 200 America 250 Steering Committee to celebrate the Town’s 200th anniversary. A full calendar of events (including key events like the Rising Strawberry Moon Festival on June 27), as well as more information on the events below and how to support the celebrations, can be found on the Madison Bicentennial page: https://www.madisonct.org/1436/Madisons-Bicentennial
Upcoming events include:
Meet the Artists Reception- Bicentennial Gallery with the Tuesday Morning Painters
The Tuesday Morning Painters are hosting a meet-the-artists reception on Thursday, June 18, from 5:00-7:00PM for their annual art show, which is running until July 30, 2026 at the Scranton Memorial Library.
To celebrate the Town’s Bicentennial, the Tuesday Morning Painters are featuring Madison-focused art and a group painting featuring Madison.
The subject, chosen as an iconic representation of Madison, features customers perusing books in front of RJ Julia’s Booksellers. For the group painting, each artist has painted a small portion of a single photograph onto a 6”x6” square, with the squares assembled into a 2’x3’ painting. Come enjoy the artwork at the Scranton Library in June and July!
District Discovery: Centre District
The Centre District Discovery will kick-off the District Discovery series on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 6:30-7:30PM at the Princess's House on 29 Island Avenue. All community members are invited to enjoy a classical show by Prytaneum Music on the front lawn– an evening fit for a princess!
Parking is available on the odd side of the street; attendees should bring their own chairs. Thank you to the Graz Family for hosting this event!
Rising Strawberry Moon Festival
The Rising Strawberry Moon Festival will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Madison Surf Club from 1:00-7:30PM. The festival, celebrating Madison’s Bicentennial, will feature an incredible afternoon of delicious offerings from local food trucks, family-friendly games, and more!
Live music will run the duration of the festival, with performances from Alanna McDowall, The Scranton Strummers, School of Rock House Band, RePlay, the North Madison Congregational Drumming Circle, and headline performances by the Jamie McLean Band and Madison’s own rising national star, Kaleb Cohen.
Attendance at the Rising Strawberry Moon Festival is free and open to the public. Parking at the Madison Surf Club will only be available to attendees with a valid beach pass or proof of residency. For all other guests, free public transportation shuttles will be provided from public parking lots in downtown Madison. Additional details regarding the shuttle schedule, participating food trucks, festival games, and other exciting activities will follow in the coming weeks.
Madison Memories Podcast - Scranton Library
In honor of the bicentennial, the Scranton Library is creating a podcast series dedicated to Madison residents-- stay tuned for its June release!
MURAL UNVEILING AT THE SURF CLUB
Please join us on Friday, June 26, at 5:00PM as Madison resident and muralist Patrick Ganino officially unveils his new summer-themed masterpiece at Garvan Point.
We are deeply grateful to Patrick for his generosity, dedication, and community spirit in creating and donating this beautiful work of art. We look forward to sharing the mural with residents and visitors throughout not only this summer season, but for years to come.
The unveiling ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes, allowing attendees ample time to continue on to the evening’s subsequent events.
We hope you will join us for this special occasion as we celebrate Patrick’s remarkable contribution to our community and Madison's Bicentennial.
TAX BILLS
The Tax Collector’s Office anticipates the 2025 Grand List tax bills to be mailed on June 18, 2026. The first installment of tax is due July 1, 2026. The deadline to pay the July 1, 2026 installment without penalty is August 3, 2026. Tax bills will also be viewable and payable online at www.madisonct.org/taxpayments starting June 22, 2026. The tax office will begin accepting payments in person on June 22, 2026.
JUNE IS DOG LICENSING MONTH
June is dog licensing month in Connecticut and all Madison dog owners must register their dogs with the Town. State law mandates that all dogs over six months of age be licensed in the town in which they reside. Dogs must wear the tag on a collar around their neck. All dog licenses renewed in June take effect on July 1. The Town offers options to obtain a license, including an online renewal of previous licenses. For more information, please call 203-245-5672 or visit the Town Clerk's website: https://www.madisonct.org/155/Dog-Licenses
Who will be the next “Top Dog!
ANNUAL CLAM DIG
The Annual Clam Dig will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 9:00AM-1:00PM at Garvan Point. The Clam Dig is a free, fun, family-friendly event facilitated by the Shellfish Commission.
Please note that a shellfish license is required to clam; $20 for taxpayers, $10 for seniors, and $75 for non-taxpayers. Licenses sold at the event or through the town. 1/4 Bushel Limit per license.
TOWN OFFICES CLOSED 06/19
Town offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026 in observance of the Juneteenth federal and state holiday.
SURF CLUB MASTER PLAN
In the fall of 2025, the Board of Selectmen, in consultation with the Beach & Recreation Commission, engaged consultants Kent & Frost Landscape Architects to develop a Master Plan for the entire Surf Club facility, including the beaches, buildings, athletic fields and other amenities. The goal is to help secure the Surf Club's place as an invaluable community asset for generations to come by exploring current and future needs and uses for the park.
So far this process has included site analysis, multiple public input workshops and surveys, as well as many public meetings. Earlier this week, a Public Information Session was held at Neck River Elementary to review a proposed Concept Plan for the future of the park. The Town is now seeking additional public feedback and engagement on the proposed Concept Plan for further development. This represents the first step in the design process.
A recording of the Public Information Session, as well as the presentation and other previous reports and documents are available on the Town website: https://www.madisonct.org/1429/Surf-Club-Master-Plan
Any questions about the plan or the process can be submitted to the Town at [email protected]; responses will be posted when available.
Additional public outreach efforts will be made over the summer to gather additional public feedback as part of the planning and design process.
SUMMER CONCERTS
The Beach & Recreation Summer Concert Series is back! Running from July 12 - August 30, 2026, the free concerts are held each Sunday evening at 6:00PM on the Town Green.
So, grab your chairs, pack your blankets, and get ready for long summer nights filled with incredible music! The full lineup and additional information can be found by visiting the Summer Concert page on the Town website: https://www.madisonct.org/710/Summer-Concerts
HURRICANE SEASON BEGAN JUNE 1
Forecasters with NOAA’s National Weather Service are predicting a below-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, predicts a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of a below-normal season.
The agency is forecasting a total of 8-14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 3-6 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1-3 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges.
For more information on how to be prepared for these storm events,Visit the Town’s hurricane preparation page on the website: https://www.madisonct.org/1070/Hurricane-Preparation
You can also review the Town’s of Madison Hurricane Season Preparation Guide for useful tips and information: https://www.madisonct.org/DocumentCenter/View/208
JULY 4 HOLIDAY EVENT SCHEDULE
Fireworks- Thursday, July 2, 2026: The annual Independence Day Fireworks, sponsored by the Madison Fireworks Association, will be displayed from a barge just south of the West Wharf pier at approximately 9:30PM. Please note that the actual launch of the fireworks show may vary depending on weather and visibility conditions during the evening.
Concert- Friday, July 3, 2026: The annual Concert on the Green, sponsored by Madison Cultural Arts, will begin at 6:00PM on the Town Green with the opener, Lancraft Fife & Drum Crops. They will be followed by Wallingford Symphony Orchestra, Conducted by Philip Ventre, at 7:00PM.
Parade- Saturday, July 4, 2026: The Madison Exchange Club’s Independence Day Parade will step off at 10:00AM. The parade will proceed west on Boston Post Road (Route 1) from Samson Rock Drive to the West Wharf Road and will end in the Surf Club. Please check the town website for expected road closures.
Special Event Beach Parking Policies: A reminder that the Town will be implementing the Special Events parking policy for the July 4th holiday period, which limits the sale of Beach Parking Stickers/Passes due to high visitor volume. No beach parking passes will be sold in person at the Surf Club from 5:00PM on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 through Sunday, July 5, 2026. Residents will still be able to purchase seasonal passes online and show your receipt at the checkpoint. In person Pass/sticker sales will resume on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Please make sure to purchase your parking pass for you and your guests in advance if you want to visit the Town beaches during the holiday weekend!
Additional information on parking and road closures can be found on the website: https://www.madisonct.org/712/Independence-Day-Events
BEACH PASS, BOAT RACK, AND COMMUNITY GARDEN RENEWALS
Summer 2026 Beach Parking Passes
Beach parking passes for the 2026 summer season are now available for purchase online, through the mail, or in person (at the Beach & Rec office at the Surf Club).
A reminder that parking passes will be required at all three Town beaches starting May 23, 2026 on weekends only, and seven days a week starting on Monday, June 22, 2026 through Labor Day.
Boat Rack Registration
If you did not have a boat rack in 2025 and are interested in one, you can now check for availability for 2026 by calling the Beach and Recreation Department at 203-245-5623.
Community Garden
If you did not have a plot in 2025 and are interested in one, you can now check for availability for 2026 by calling the Beach and Recreation Department at 203-245-5623.
Have a great weekend, Madison!
Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman
