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Members Named to Madison Senior Tax Freeze Committee

A hot topic for this year’s election, the effort to establish a senior tax freeze has once again returned to the forefront of the town’s agenda. The Board of Selectmen voted Dec. 7 to approve the creation of a committee to explore options to alleviate the tax burden many Madison seniors face.

The agenda item stated, “The Town of Madison has provided property tax relief over the years for senior citizens meeting certain age, income, and residency guidelines. The committee is asked to investigate existing and potential new programs, including a tax freeze, for easing the property tax burden for Madison’s seniors with the most need.”

The committee is comprised of five individuals: Craig Bernard, Ron Hick, Scott Gyllensten, Herb Gram, and Peter Thomas.

Ron Hick, who has previously served on a senior committee, stated at the meeting that this issue is very important to many seniors.

“I think it is important that we have some senior on there so that you get that the seniors are facing,” he said. “I think a lot of people understand, but I don’t think everybody does.”

Additionally, Madison Director of Senior Services Austin Hall will serve as a liaison to the committee, as a representative of the Senior Services Commission’s interests, according to First Selectman Tom Banisch.

Banisch said this is a complex issue that needs to be addressed.

“The goal is to help the neediest seniors, the ones who are in danger of losing their ability to stay in town,” he said. “I am not saying we are not pushing beyond that, but that specifically has been identified to everybody as a critical goal.”

The committee is expected to meet for the first time over the next few weeks. It will make its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen by April 1, 2016.