In the wake of criticism from a member of the Madison Beach Preservation Association, town officials are defending their decision to considering hiring an outside party to manage town-owned properties.

Cecilia Pfister said Ryan Duques, chairman of the Economic Development Commission, would benefit from the arrangement, as his family, owners of the Madison Beach Hotel, are at an advantage to getting the contract with the town.

The EDC has been spearheading the arrangement, Pfister said.

Duques said the claim was absurd.

“The approved agreement will allow for an outside firm, which has yet to be selected, to manage the rental process of Town property, initially space at the Surf Club,’’ said Duques.

Read more in next week's Madison Source