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School Renewal, Academy, and Island Ave. Go to Feb. 15 Referendum Vote

Last week, the Board of Selectman voted unanimously to send the largest capital expenditure proposal in the town’s history to a referendum vote on Tuesday, Feb. 15. The measures to fund the $89.2 million School Renewal project and $15.9 million to fund the Academy Building renovation into a Community Center and to approve the $2.3 million sale of the Island Avenue School property will all be decided by Madison voters in this pending referendum.

Details on all three proposals can be found at www.madisonct.org/1134/Referenda. Voters will be asked to vote “Yes” or “No” on each of the three proposals; the proposals can be approved or denied individually.

The largest of these projects, the School Renewal, will create a new elementary school on recently purchased Janssen property on Mungertown Road and also fund the complete renovations of both the Polson Middle and Brown Intermediate schools. There have been voices in opposition to this project due to its cost, but according to most BOS members and other town officials, the costs of delaying action would result in the town paying even more.

The second measure was the proposal to fund the Academy Building renovation. This project will see the long-dormant property receive funds to completely renovate the structure into a state-of-the-art community center that will house Madison Youth & Family Services and the Beach & Recreation Department and also create a 120-seat theater, public spaces, and a commercial kitchen, among numerous other community amenities.

The last measure was the sale of the Island Avenue School property. The school was closed in 2019 due to declining enrollment and since that time it has been leased by Our Lady of Mercy Preparatory Academy (OLMPA). OLMPA has said that without this sale, the school would be forced to relocate due to increasing costs. OLMPA representatives have advocated for the sale since they initially moved into the building.

There is a provision within the sale terms that if the referendum voters do not approve the sale, OLMPA would be allowed to lease the property for a further year before any such move. That lease would be for one year at a reduced lease of $320,000; that lease also relieves the town of any facility maintenance costs or capital improvements to the building, but the town is obligated via state statute to provide and transportation and nursing services that amount to $125,00 a year if the sale is not approved.

First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said that the passage was a necessary and long overdue action to address all three of these issues.

“I am excited that the people of Madison will finally have the opportunity to cast their vote on each of these major projects for our town. A referendum is the best way to ensure the town is taking actions supported by the people, and I am grateful we are able to bring all three questions directly to a public vote on Feb. 15,” said Lyons. “I encourage everyone to visit the town clerk’s website for information on how to vote in-person or by absentee ballot, if qualified. Information on each of these projects will be available on the town website and in the Town Clerk’s Office so people can make an informed decision. We encourage residents and qualified taxpayers to participate in this important vote.”

Selectmen Bruce Wilson and Al Goldberg both stressed the importance for a referendum that allows Madison voters to decide its future on this critical issue.

“I think people are certainly ready able and willing to invest some time and learn about the projects and cast their vote. I am beyond encouraged that we are taking this step on Feb. 15. It is very exciting,” said Wilson. “These are all well though out actionable decisions ready for taxpayer and voter input. This is the right time for a vote.”

Goldberg said, “It’s time to let the voters decide.”

Selectwoman Noreen Kokoruda said she is looking forward to a decision by voters.

“[W]e came together as a Board of Selectman. I think of where we were just two short months ago, and I have to say this is the way it should be done and I am proud of the way we worked together and I hope we continue to do that,” Kokoruda said.