UPDATE: Meeting Tonight (July 11) To Weigh Beach Parking Changes

MADISON, CT -Madison First Selectman Tom Banisch announced Wednesday that he has called for a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen to hear recommended changes from the Beach and Recreation Commission to the beach parking system implemented by the Beach & Recreation Commission in June of this year.

The meeting will be held tonight (Thursday) at 6 p.m.

Banisch said he has spoken with Complus regarding possible changes to the Beach Pass system to allow for a higher daily minimum and/or a higher hourly charge.

In an email to Beach & Rec Chair Rob Card and Director of Beach & Rec Scot Erskine, Banisch said that he had spoken to Complus about potential changes and that, “In the short term (by this weekend), Complus can change the hourly rate from $3.00 to whatever we want. In the longer term, (~two weeks?) they can customize the system to charge a daily minimum and perhaps a separate hourly rate after the minimum is met.”

Banisch said he is hopeful that the Beach & Rec Commission can act swiftly to make these changes.

Further, Banisch stated that the Town does not endorse the language of the Change.org petition which is circulating on social media, asking for changes to the parking system.

The petition states:

“Our beaches are at the heart of Madison, and if the newly implemented non-resident parking fee structure persists, it will cause irreparable harm to our home values and residents’ ability to quietly enjoy this important resource.

“We request that the Board of Selectmen adopt a non-resident daily parking fee of $50 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and holidays.

“Fines for violators also need to be significant enough to prevent abuse.”
The petition can be viewed here.