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06/21/2022 04:44 PMThanks to federal and state funding and a lot of local volunteer effort, energy efficiency—and comfort—at Concord Meadows, a 90-unit affordable housing community for persons over 62 and those with disabilities, will be much greater going forward. The completion of the latest phase was celebrated by residents and town leaders on June 15.
In 2019, Madison received $1,479,021.09 through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This was the second grant award for the Town of Madison through this program, which aims to improve the lives of residents in the state of Connecticut by funding repairs and upgrades for low- and moderate-income residents.
The town, in conjunction with Madison Interfaith Residential Community and Eversource, began work in 2021 for the second phase of upgrades at Concord Meadows. This phase consisted of the installation of energy efficient electric heat pump systems for improved and efficient heating and air conditioning in each unit, and new triple pane energy star-rated windows to increase energy efficiency, and envelope improvements for the newer phase of the development.
First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said the grant was “incredibly helpful in improving the quality of life for residents in the Concord Meadows complex while fulfilling the town’s mission to support housing options in our community for low- and moderate-income seniors that is attractive and energy efficient.”
She added that the grant application process is “rigorous and multi-faceted and includes mandatory in-person training by the Connecticut Department of Housing” in order for a municipality to qualify for the grant.
According to town officials, the grant process was a team effort with the Madison Interfaith Residential Community Board; town staff and grant consultants, specifically board members Elaine Reitman and John Brady; Property Manager Mike Hallarin; Jen Svelnys of the Housing Development Team, LLC; and Town Coordinator/Risk Manager Lauren Rhines.
The gratitude was also extended to former selectman Bob Hale, and to former state representative and current Selectman Noreen Kokoruda, who were instrumental in getting this project underway and funded during previous administrations.
Lyons said the project is a great example of public/private partnership and the positive impact that can generate.
“This is an important project for both the residents of Concord Meadows and for the town of Madison. It is a great example of how community board members, utility providers, state agencies, town services, and town officials work together to solve a rather large quality of life issue here for these residents,” Lyons said at the ceremony. “This started five years ago, across two administrations…and fortunately we were able to deliver over $2 million in affordable housing grants. Especially now when the town is grappling with how to create more affordable housing opportunities…this project provides a great example of how we can bring together all of these local, state, and federal resources to improve what we have, and that also establishes a model for future initiatives.
Concord Meadows residents also spoke at the ceremony on how these seemingly small improvements to their bathrooms and heating/cooling systems have affected them. Several residents commented on the safer bathroom amenities, and the cost savings on heating and cooling bills, for which residents are responsible, that the upgrades will provide.
Resident Gayle Byrnes said she suffers from health issues that require her to keep her until cool, and the new high-efficiency windows, supplied via a grant with Eversource, have made her living situation easier.
“The heating and cooling system is marvelous. The windows are perfect,” said Byrnes. “It also makes the environment cleaner, so that is a plus as well. It has been wonderful, and I want to thank everyone who helped make this happen and to bring this project that they provided. I am so grateful to be a resident here. I don’t have to worry about an air conditioner, packing it away, worrying about who will put it in every year. So, I am very grateful to you all.”