January

The E.C Scranton Library announces the hiring of Sunnie Scarpa as its new director, replacing Beth Crowley, who stepped down in September 2018.

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Committee holds a public hearing on Madison’s capital needs and budget on Jan. 15.

First Selectmen Tom Banisch says the town is looking into issues with the structure of the ambulance association, which is losing money in its current operating model.

On Jan. 15, the Board of Education announces a reduction of its budget by 0.10 percent, disappointing many after previous estimates projected a larger savings due to the closure of Island Avenue. The board approves its budget proposal on Jan. 22.

Madison’s Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Souper Bowl fundraiser on Jan. 26, featuring local businesses and non-profits in a buffet of warm winter foods.

The Board of Selectmen unveil the results of a survey on Academy School, revealing 59 percent of residents approving of the building becoming a community center.

In late January, work begins on the renovation of the E.C Scranton Library, with an estimated completion date of March 2020 for the roughly $11 million project.

February

The Hand boys’ track 4x200 relay team takes first at the SCC championships and the Hand cheerleading squad wins its third co-ed SCC championship.

On Feb. 11, the Board of Selectmen contracts with Colliers International and forms a citizens committee (The Ad-Hoc Community Center Design Committee) to work on a design for the potential repurposing of Academy School as a community center. On Feb. 25, committee members are named.

The Ad-Hoc Community Center Design Committee holds its first public information session as residents share thoughts and hear early ideas about the potential challenges and opportunities of turning Academy School into a community center.

On Feb. 28, the Board of Selectmen finalizes the town’s proposed budget, with 1.92 increase overall and a 3.52 increase in operating costs.

March

On March 5, the historical Hull Building is demolished to make way for improvements to the E.C. Scranton Library.

American Legion Griswold Post 79 holds its Celtic Night fundraiser on March 8.

On March 14, H-K Co-op hockey wins is first state title.

Hand’s award-winning VIBE vocalists perform their Stranger Things concert on March 15 as a finale to a wildly successful season, having previously won the Heart of America New York City contest for the show.

On March 20, a vehicle stolen from Island Avenue in Madison leads police on a high-speed, multi-vehicle chase. After the chase was discontinued in Durham, one vehicle crashes, killing one person.

On March 25, the E.C Scranton Library holds a formal groundbreaking ceremony with town officials to commemorate the beginning of the renovations to the building.

April

On April 1, a tri-board working group consisting of Board of Education, Board of Finance, and Board of Selectmen members present options to address Madison’s aging school facilities, seeking alternatives to the $100 million of maintenance needed to keep the buildings operational.

On April 4, the Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Fashion Affair, benefiting the chamber’s scholarship program.

First Selectman Tom Banisch and the Board of Selectmen decide against pushing for a May referendum question (or questions) regarding the potential Academy School community center project.

On April 22, Madison holds its final public budget hearing, with a revised 2.07 percent overall increase before voting to send the budget to voters in May.

The Ad-Hoc Community Center Design Committee presents what was originally intended to be its final findings to the Board of Selectmen on April 22. The committee is later given more tasks and an extension to continue working on the issue.

On April 22, the town approves eminent domain procedures against a property owner on Boston Post Road as the town seeks to finish the Downtown Center Project. Town officials cited a breakdown in communication as impetus for taking this step.

On April 27, Madison holds its 35th annual Green Up, Clean Up day, promoting environmental causes while bringing people together to clean up litter.

May

Glitches and delays stymie the launch of a new beach pass system, frustrating many residents as summer approaches.

On May 13, Peggy Lyons announces her intention to seek the Democratic nomination for Madison first selectman.

On May 14, voters approve the town budget by a wide margin, though with only a 16 percent turnout.

Madison hosts the Connecticut Team Hope Walk to end Huntington’s Disease on May 19.

On May 21, the tri-board working group ends, passing on its work to the Board of Education as the town continues to seek a solution to the issue of aging school facilities.

On May 23, First Selectman Tom Banisch announces his decision to seek re-election.

The owners of the Barberry Hill farm announce they are putting the property up for sale, citing economic conditions.

The town hosts its annual Memorial Day parade on May 27.

June

The Hand boys’ golf team wins a Division II state title, its first since 2013.

On June 8, Island Avenue School invites the public to an open house celebration of its storied history. On June 14, the school is closed after 69 years serving Madison students as part of a larger redistricting effort to combat declining enrollment in the school system.

Daniel Hand High School graduates 266 students of the Class of 2019.

In late June, the town announces a re-launch of the new beach pass system, though issues persist throughout the summer.

Madison signs a one-year lease with Our Lady of Mercy Preparatory Academy, which was agreed upon in October of 2018, allowing the private, Catholic school use of the Island Avenue building.

July

Madison celebrates Independence Day with fireworks on July 3, a parade on July 4, and a patriotic concert on the Green July 6.

Madison’s annual Sidewalk Sale is hit by a heat wave but still proves popular with residents, running from July 18 to the 21.

On July 24, a fire burns down a vacant house at 155 New Road. Police determine that accelerants of some kind were used, investigating the fire as a possible arson.

On July 25, the Board of Selectmen holds a public information sessions on a new overarching 10-year plan for the town that seeks to coalesce various initiatives and goals into a comprehensive document.

On July 30, the Ad-Hoc Community Center Design Committee presents potential tax credits and funding sources to the Board of Selectmen that might offset the approximately $14 million cost of repurposing of Academy School into a community center.

In late July, Madison resident and former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson speaks about her new book Merchants of Truth: The Business of News and the Fight for Facts at R.J Julia Booksellers.

August

The Board of Selectmen awards a contract to rehabilitate the Tuxis Pond Walkway after years of delays to the project, though the town has to put up an additional $147,000 after the $400,000 state grant did not cover the projects cost. Construction begins in early September.

On Aug. 15, Beachcomber Night takes over the streets of downtown Madison with live music and plenty of outdoor summer fun.

In late August, the Board of Selectmen approve a charge for a charter review committee, which will seek to examine issues with Madison’s charter—or even its fundamental form of government—with the goal of getting a question on the Nov. 2020 ballot.

In August, mosquitoes in both Madison and Killingworth test positive for EEE, a rare and potentially deadly virus.

September

The Board of Education approves a new policy allowing out of district students to attend school in Madison.

The Madison Exchange Club hosts its 16th annual Culinary Arts Night Food Festival on Sept. 19.

On Sept. 24, the Board of Education approves a $129 million, four-school model renewal plan that would involve building a brand new elementary school and closing the town’s two other aging elementary schools, an alternative to the $100 million maintenance and upkeep plan for the school facilities.

In September, the Madison Ambulance Association reports there has been little progress in revamping its operating model, which has seen high turnover and deficits in recent years.

In late September, the Board of Selectmen appoints 19 members to the Coastal Resiliency Commission, which will seek to ensure the safety and preservation of Madison’s coastlines.

October

The First Congregational Church Madison holds a blessing of the animals on Oct. 4.

In early October, the Madison Arts Society elects Hillary Griffin as the organization’s new president.

On Oct. 7, a potential solar carport project to be built in the parking lots of Polson Middle School and Daniel Hand High School is canceled after procedural questions, with the town citing disruption to learning due to the construction.

On Oct. 19, the Bauer Park Harvest Festival offers residents a chance to get lost in a hay maze or build their own scarecrows.

Democratic challenger Peggy Lyons debates incumbent Republican Tom Banisch at Polson Middle School in front of more than a hundred residents ahead of the Nov. 5 elections.

In late October, the town reaches an agreement with a property owner on Boston Post Road that had been holding up the Downtown Center Project, allowing the town to drop eminent domain proceedings and begin finalizing the project.

November

On Nov. 1, Madison holds its Halloween festivities, including its inaugural pumpkin carving contest and trunk-or-treat event. Inclement weather resulted in many Halloween events being moved from Oct. 31.

On Nov. 5, Madison voters elect Peggy Lyons to be their next first selectman over incumbent Republican Tom Banisch. Banisch remains on the Board of Selectmen, joined by newcomer Republican Erin Duques. The town also sees the Board of Finance flip from Democrat to Republican control.

American Legion Griswold Post 79 holds a rock concert in honor of Veteran’s Day, raising money to support both veterans and active duty military members through Massechusettes-based nonprofit Operation American Soldier.

The Hand boys’ soccer team wins a fourth-straight state title in double-overtime against Wilton.

December

The Board of Selectmen approves a charge for a committee to determine the fate of the Island Avenue school building.

On Dec. 9, the Board of Selectmen approves a new course of action for a review of the town’s charter, no longer aiming for the November 2020 ballot, but tasking a smaller committee to conduct a preliminary review of the Madison’s form of government, and recommending potential changes.

On Dec. 19, the Board of Finance approves a new regulation meant to smooth out tax increases that also requires the town to invest a certain amount of its budget in capital projects every year.