09/04/2026
First Selectwoman’s September 4, 2026 Community Update
TOWN OFFICES CLOSED MONDAY 9/7
All Town Offices will be CLOSED this coming Monday, September 7, 2026 in observance of Labor Day.
UPDATE ON THE ACADEMY BUILDING
During its upcoming meetings this fall, the Board of Selectmen will be determining next steps regarding the potential redevelopment of the Academy School Building into a boutique hotel. This may include future public information sessions and a Town Meeting. We encourage the community to stay engaged about the future of this important community asset.
All the available resources, including documents, presentations, minutes, and videos from previous meetings, can be found on the Academy page on the Town website: https://www.madisonct.org/1434/Academy
Future meeting details will be posted to the Town calendar: https://www.madisonct.org/calendar.aspx?CID=14,49
You can subscribe to receive notifications for upcoming Board of Selectmen meeting agendas or Town meetings on the Town website at: https://www.madisonct.org/248/Calendar-and-Other-Alerts.
9/11 25TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
The public is invited to gather near the Town Green on September 11, 2026, at 5 p.m. to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation and honor those who lost their lives along with the heroes who responded on that tragic day. The event will not be held in the event of inclement weather.
MADISON SALUTES OUR HEROES
The Madison Exchange Club is hosting its annual Madison Salutes Our Heroes display of three hundred flags on the Town Green, now through September 12, 2025.
In addition to honoring veterans, current military personnel, first responders, canines and those who died on 9/11, Madison Salutes Our Heroes offers an opportunity to purchase a flag for our everyday heroes – a teacher who changed a life or a friend who offered support when it was needed most – people and organizations that brought light and hope into our lives.
For more information, and to purchase a flag online, please visit the Madison Exchange Club website: https://www.madisonexchange.org/flags
JAYCEES TRIATHLON ROAD CLOSURES
On Saturday, September 12, 2026, the Surf Club will host the Madison Jaycees Annual Triathlon.
Both Surf Club Road and West Wharf Road will be CLOSED from 6:00AM through the end of the race at approximately 12:00PM.
There will be no access to the entire Surf Club Complex (Nelson Fields, Strong Field, beaches, etc.) or the Exchange Field Complex until the race concludes.
FROM THE GREEN TO THE TABLE + BAKING - FARMERS MARKET DONATION TENT
“From the Green to the Table + Baking” is a community food initiative by the First Congregational Church of Madison.
Through the Farmers Market Donation Tent, local food donations, and church baking volunteers, the First Congregational Church of Madison gathers and redirects food to several community partners, including Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, Christian Community Action, and the Madison Senior Center. The initiative helps increase access to fresh food, make good use of donated resources, reduce food waste, and create meaningful ways for people to serve.
Donations in the form of purchases at the Farmers’ Market, non-perishables, cash, and extra fresh produce from home gardeners are welcome. Volunteers representing From the Green to the Table + Baking will be present to explain where donations go, receive approved food and cash donations, and help connect the generosity of the Madison community with organizations serving our neighbors.
Interested in volunteering? Please contact Mark Taragowski at [email protected].
SURVEY- MADISON PORTION OF SHORELINE GREENWAY TRAIL
A proposed trail segment connecting the Trailhead Parking lot in Madison to Salt Meadow Park was presented on August 27, 2026. Town and State officials joined neighbors and Shoreline Greenway Trail board members to answer and ask questions about the project.
Aris Land Studio, the project consultant, shared a deck of slides chronicling the past work on the proposal and remaining steps to come before construction can begin. The slide presentation can be viewed online: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KX-i3c-diBX27BYLEusSirvnGSr9P2tM/view
Please take a moment to complete a brief survey regarding the trail; the survey can be found online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YZ973TT
For more information, please reach out to Shoreline Greenway Trail at [email protected] .
TOWN BEACH UPDATE
As summer comes to an end, our summer staff members are off to college and lifeguards are phasing out at Town Beaches.
As of Monday, August 17, 2026, there are NO lifeguards at East Wharf for the remainder of the season; however, the Surf Club WILL continue to have lifeguards through this Sunday, August 23, 2026.
There will be NO lifeguards on duty at ANY of the Town Beaches beginning this Monday, August 24, 2026 for the remainder of the season.
A reminder that parking passes are still required at all three Town beaches seven days a week until Labor Day. Beach parking passes for the 2026 summer season are available for purchase online, through the mail, or in person.
RENT REBATE PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
Eligible participants who are age 65 and older or disabled can receive one-time assistance annually that helps to offset rental expenses. Documentation of 2025 income (income taxes if you file them), and payments made in 2025 for rent, heating, water bills, and electricity, are required to apply. Application Deadline September 30th, 2026. Please note– there is no longer a provision to request an extension of time to file due to medical conditions. 2025 Maximum Annual Income: Single: $46,300 and Couple: $56,500.
Applicants aged 65 and older should contact the Madison Senior Center at 203-245-5627, and applicants under 65 should contact Madison Youth & Family Services at 203-245-5645
SURF CLUB MASTER PLAN
The Board of Selectmen will hear an update regarding the old Sea Wall and Surf Club Master Plan at this Monday’s meeting. The meeting will be held in person at 7:00PM in Town Campus Room A (8 Campus Drive) and online via zoom; for more information, including the zoom link, please visit the Town Calendar: https://www.madisonct.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=8460
Ongoing since 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. 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 to gather additional public feedback as part of the planning and design process.
FACILITIES COMMITTEE DRAFT REPORT
The Board of Selectmen heard a presentation from the Ad Hoc Facilities Committee regarding a draft report on a proposed Facilities and Land Use Plan. This report is the first step in developing a Town-wide Facilities Master Plan that will also incorporate other planning initiatives including the Surf Club Master Plan.
A recording of the presentation made to the Board of Selectmen, as well as other previous reports and documents developed by the committee, are available on the Town Website: https://www.madisonct.org/1216/Facilities-Committee---Ad-Hoc
MADISON’S BICENTENNIAL
The celebrations aren’t over yet! Additional information on events and ways to support the celebrations can be found on the Bicentennial page: https://www.madisonct.org/1436/Madisons-Bicentennial
Upcoming Events
Madison Art Society Reception & Movie Screening
On Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 5:30-7:00PM, the Madison Art Society will host a reception for the “Painting the 13 Historic Districts of Madison” Plein Air Exhibit at Madison Cinemas. The exhibit, celebrating Madison’s Bicentennial, is hanging in Madison Cinemas now through December 15, 2026. Attendees will also be able to enjoy a free movie, beginning at 7:00PM.
Bicentennial Merch
Want a memento of Madison's Bicentennial that supports the celebrations? Visit the online store to view all of the options – including shirts, totes, and more: https://www.tycoprinting.com/madison-200/products/
view all of the options – including shirts, totes, and more!
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
Have a great weekend, Madison!
Peggy Lyons
First Selectwoman
