10/30/2026
First Selectwoman’s October 30, 2026 Community Update
TRUNK OR TREAT - TOMORROW 10/31
Get ready for a fang-tastic evening of costumes, candy, and community fun on the Green!
From 4:00 - 6:00PM on Saturday, October 31, 2026, the Madison Police Department and Madison Chamber of Commerce invite the community to a safe and spook-tacular event filled with live music, tricked-out trunks, and treats galore.
EARLY VOTING ENDS THIS SUNDAY (11/1) - NOVEMBER 3 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION
The Town of Madison would like to remind residents that there will be a Gubernatorial Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Ways to Vote:
1) Absentee Ballot
Voting by absentee ballot is a two-step process. The Town Clerk began sending out absentee ballots on October 2, 2026.
Step 1: Submit an Application for an Absentee Ballot online with the State of Connecticut OR visit our website for a downloadable ballot application. Return the application to the Town Clerk by mail or drop it into the Official Ballot Drop Box at Madison Town Campus in the circular parking lot between the Town Hall and the Town Gym.
Step 2: Complete your ballot and return it to the secured Official Ballot Drop Box located outside of Town Hall, or mail it to Madison Town Clerk, 8 Campus Drive, Madison, CT 06443. Ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on election night.
2) Early Voting & Same Day Registration
Early Voting will be held at Town Hall, 8 Campus Drive, Hammonasset Room C, and Same Day Registration in Room B. Hours are as follows:
-10:00AM-6:00PM on October 19-26 & 28 & 30-31 & Nov. 1, 2026
-8:00AM-8:00PM on October 27 & 29
THERE IS NO EARLY VOTING ON MONDAY (11/2).
3) Election Day – November 3, 2026
Polls will be open 6:00AM to 8:00PM
District 1: Temporarily at Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Road.
-All registered voters who live at properties on the even numbered side of Green Hill Road and South.
District 2: Brown Elementary School, 980 Durham Road.
-All registered voters who live at properties on the odd numbered side of Green Hill Road and North.
-Same Day Registration will be held at Town Hall, 8 Campus Drive in Room A
For more information, please contact the Town Clerk at 203-245-5672 or visit the website: https://www.madisonct.org/399/Registrar-of-Voters
LANTERN TOUR WITH MADISON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Mark your calendars for one of Madison’s most anticipated traditions—the annual MHS Lantern Tour—on Saturday, November 7, from 5:00-9:00PM!
As part of Madison’s 200th anniversary celebration, this year’s Lantern Tour brings 200 years of Madison history to life in “Our History, Our Stories.” Guided by lantern light, groups will journey across Madison’s historic town green, meeting Madison residents from different eras of the community’s history. Brought to life by talented youth reenactors, these fascinating characters will share stories that offer a glimpse into the people and experiences that helped shape Madison over the past two centuries. At the conclusion of each tour, visitors can enjoy light refreshments at the Madison Center for History & Culture and explore the exhibit space.
Advance reservations are required. Tickets can be reserved by calling the MHS office at 203-245-4567 or online: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/lantern-tour-2026-our-history-our-stories
Designed for listeners 10+, tours depart from Lee’s Academy every 20 minutes and are limited to 20 guests per tour.
STUFF-A-CRUISER
The Madison Police Department is holding their annual Stuff-a-Cruiser event on Friday, November 13, 2026 from 10:00AM-2:00PM outside of the Madison Stop & Shop (136 Samson Rock Drive).
They will be collecting frozen turkeys, frozen chickens, non-perishable food items, laundry supplies, and personal hygiene items to benefit local families.
Additional donations can also be brought to the Madison Police Department (9 Campus Drive) at any time through Friday, December 18. Please contact Holly Berke at (203) 245-6502 for additional information or any questions.
TOWN HALL HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES
Before visiting Town offices during the holiday season, please take a moment to check the Town website for special holiday hours or closures in effect.
-November 11, 2026 (Wed.) | Closed Full Day
-November 19, 2026 (Thurs.) | Closed Between 12:00-2:00PM
-November 25, 2026 (Wed.) | Closing at 2:00PM
-November 26, 2026 (Thurs.) | Closed Full Day
-November 27, 2026 (Fri.) | Closed Full Day
-December 24, 2026 (Thurs.) | Closed Full Day
-December 25, 2026 (Fri.) | Closed Full Day
-December 31, 2026 (Thurs.) | Closing at 2:00PM
-January 1, 2027 (Fri.) | Closed Full Day
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING MARRIAGE LICENSES
As of October 1, 2026, Connecticut Law requires a 48-hour waiting period before couples can be married after receiving a marriage license.
For more information, please contact the Town Clerk's office at 203-245-5672 or visit the Town website: https://www.madisonct.org/720/Marriage-License
SURF CLUB MASTER PLAN
In the fall of 2025, the Board of Selectmen, in consultation with the Beach & Recreation Commission, began engaging 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, including a Public Information Session at Neck River Elementary to review a proposed Concept Plan for the future of the park. The Town recently completed a second survey to gather additional resident feedback on the preliminary Surf Club Concept Plan, and will continue to seek public feedback and engagement on the proposed Concept Plan for further development. Information regarding the survey results will be posted as it becomes available.
More information on the Surf Club Master Planning process, including a recording of the Public Information Session, as well as the presentation and other previous reports and documents, can be found on the Town website: https://www.madisonct.org/1429/Surf-Club-Master-Plan
Any comments or questions about the plan or the process can be submitted to the Town at [email protected].
Additional public outreach efforts will be made to gather additional public feedback as part of the planning and design process.
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.
Town staff, along with the polling company, are working on a survey regarding the Academy Building to be distributed this year. Additional information regarding the survey will be posted to the Town website and social media pages as it becomes available.
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.
CONNECTICUT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Application intake for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is now open. This program helps eligible households offset heating expenses during the winter, and all fuel sources are welcome to apply.
To apply, you will need to provide income information for all individuals living in your home. Current SNAP/Food Stamp participants are considered categorically eligible and will be automatically approved.
At the time of your appointment, please bring proof of all income, rent/mortgage, and utility expenses for the month prior to your application date. A checklist of documents is available upon request.
Residents under the age of 65 who are interested in applying should contact Madison Youth & Family Services at 203-245-5645.
Residents aged 65 and over who are interested in applying should contact the Madison Senior Center at 203-245-5627.
Annual Income Guidelines:
-Single: $48,714
-Couple: $63,703
-Family of 3: $78,692
-Family of 4: $93,681
Please reach out for income guidelines for additional family members. You can also apply online: https://portal.ct.gov/heatinghelp/connecticut-energy-assistance-program-ceap?language=en_US
WINTER SEASON PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Residents are reminded that between November 1-April 1 of each year, there is no on-street parking of any vehicle on any roadway, street, or highway within the Town between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 7:00AM.
Additionally, there is no on-street parking of any vehicle on any roadway, street, or highway when snow removal or plowing operations are being conducted on that roadway, street, or highway by or under the auspices of the Town.
The Department of Public Works asks that residents and property owners cooperate with winter season parking restrictions to facilitate the town's snow and ice control operations.
Visit the Public Works Department on our website to learn more about Winter Season Snow and Ice Control: https://www.madisonct.org/650/Winter-Season
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
