2019 Slate of Candidates
Board of Selectmen Candidates
Education
MBA, Marketing, UConn
B.A., Political Science, Providence College
Occupation
First Selectman of Madison
Tom Banisch
Tom has been a resident of Madison for over 34 years.
He has served two terms as First Selectman.
During the last 16 years, he has been the President of Madison Little League, served on the Beach and Recreation Commission, and chaired two Charter Revision Commissions. Tom was also the Chairman of the Republican Town Committee.
He was the president of Madison Little League for 16 years, served on and chaired the Beach and Recreation Commission for over 10 years, and chaired two Charter Revision Commissions. Tom was also the Chairman of the Republican Town Committee.
Tom serves as the Chair of the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) and Vice Chair of the CT Council of Small Towns (COST). He is on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Association (CIRMA).
“As a member of the Board of Directors, I have the ability to ensure that problems affecting Madison residents are being heard and that I can act as a direct advocate for change. The state is trying to push their financial problems, such as the teacher pension program, onto the towns, so it's important to remain vigilant to thwart those efforts.”
First Selectman Tom Banisch:
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Supports long-term planning of all town projects to avoid swings and spikes in spending that would negatively affect the budget and our taxes
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Will ensure long-term initiatives to revitalize, maintain and project for long-term infrastructure maintenance of town roads and bridges
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Has been active in numerous Madison civic organizations for over 34 years
Education
B.S., Chemistry, Bates College
Occupation
Business Turnaround Executive
Bruce Wilson
Bruce currently serves as a Selectman for Madison, a position he has held since 2015.
He has served on the Board of Education and Chair of the BOE’s Policy Committee.
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Former Chair, Policy Committee, Madison Board of Education
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Member, Madison Board of Education, 2013 – 2015
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Candidate, Connecticut State Senate, District 12 in 2012 and 2014
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Trustee, Madison Historical Society, 2016 – present
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Member, Madison Rockland Preserve Commission, 2012 – 2015
Former CEO of Aplicare, Inc., Bruce is currently a business turnaround specialist in multiple industries spanning pharmaceutical, industrial manufacturing, and retail operations.
“Madison is at a unique crossroads. In the face of little to no support from the state, we are faced with the challenge of preserving the things that make Madison special while planning for a vibrant future. I am excited to continue this work as your Selectman.”
Education
JD Quinnipiac School of Law (Magna Cum Laude, Deans Scholar)
B.A., Marketing, UMass Amherst;
Occupation
Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning, and Elder Law attorney practicing in Guilford
Erin Duques
Erin is a resident of Madison for 19 years.
She is a Civic Volunteer, Board Member for the Sarah Foundation, Advocacy Services, and a former Trustee to Mitchell College.
She and her husband, Ryan, have two daughters.
“I am running for the Board of Selectmen because I want to leverage my education, professional experience, and passion for Madison to ensure a strong, sustainable and vibrant community for current residents and future generations.”
REPLACE
Board of Finance Candidates
Education
M.S. and B.S., MIT
Occupation
Retired executive from Schick Razors and Blades, Milford
US Naval Captain: 32 years of active and reserve experience
Fillmore McPherson
Fillmore is a former three-term First Selectman and Board of Finance member for 8 years, serving 4 years as Chairman.
Among the achievements McPherson cited during his administration are:
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Led Madison through natural disasters Irene, Sandy, and Nemo
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Worked with a private group to rejuvenate Strong Field
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Created the Rockland Preserve bike trail
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Converted the Town pension system from Defined Benefit to 401k style plan
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Reduced the town’s legal costs by two thirds
He is involved with the Madison Land Conservation Trust, Meals on Wheels Program, a volunteer at Night in Hand, Band Boosters, and the Committee Chairman for the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 491.
“Madison has a number of significant financial challenges in the next few years. I have the experience and knowledge necessary to guide us through successfully.”
Education
B.S., Business, University of Connecticut
Occupation
Retired Managing Director,
JP Morgan Asset Management
Justin Murphy
Justin is a former financial executive with JP Morgan and now a financial consultant, looking forwarding to serving on the Madison Board of Finance.
Justin is a Madison native and graduate of Daniel Hand High School. He is a volunteer at St. Margaret Catholic Church and is the current Grand Knight of the local council of the Knights of Columbus.
An active member of our community, Justin also supports and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, AARP Tax Aide, Community Services of Madison, and he recently founded Helping Hands Ministry, a volunteer organization within the Knights of Columbus that provides needed services to the elderly and financially struggling within our community.
Justin is married to his college sweetheart Carmen, his wife of 27 years, and together they have two children, Kyle and Sarah.
“I have been blessed to grow up in our great town of Madison, so it is an honor to serve our community as a member of the Board of Finance. I believe my experience, both personal and professional, are relevant to the workings of the Board of Finance, and while I know these qualities are not unique to me, I will contribute to the best of my abilities and review all matters before us through the lens of what is best for our community.”
Board of Education Candidates
Education
B.A. History, Harvard College, Michigan Regents Scholar
Occupation
Occupation Investment Strategist and Consultant
Galen Cawley
Galen is currently the Vice-Chair of the Madison Board of Education.
He and his wife Cynthia Walker moved to Madison in 2008. They have three children: all graduates of Daniel Hand High School.
Galen is a commodity trader and private investor whose avocation is tutoring; he has extensive experience with The Learning Consultants in Old Saybrook.
He has a B.A. in History from Harvard and is vitally interested in education.
“I am honored to be running for re-election on the Madison Board of Education. We benefit from great leadership and a high level of civic engagement. It would be my privilege and duty to maintain and improve Madison's level of quality in the face of fiscal challenge.”
Education
DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine), New York College of Podiatric Medicine,
B.S., Biotechnology/Pre-Med, SUNY Oneonta
Occupation
Retired Podiatric Surgeon, Former Clinical Instructor at University Hospital – University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Diane Infantine-Vyce
Diane is a retired podiatric surgeon and has been a resident of Madison for over 10 years.
During her time in Madison, Diane has volunteered extensively in Madison Public Schools. She has held multiple PTO executive board positions, as well as the Parents' Representative Council.
Diane also has been a volunteer for Scranton Library and for Girl Scouts Troop 62714.
Diane and her husband Steven have been married for 24 years and have a wonderful daughter who attends Polson Middle School.
“I hope to better the education of the students of Madison and thus help them achieve their potential. I will help support and formulate policies that are fiscally sound and supported by the citizens of Madison while supporting the students and educators.”
Zoning Board of Appeals Candidates
Education
MBA, Rensselaer
MS, Penn State
B.S., US Naval Academy
Occupation
Engineer, retired from Sikorsky Aircraft
Dennis Crowe
Dennis is a 30-year resident of Madison.
He is a past coach/umpire of youth sports, past President of the Madison Exchange Club and past President of the Madison Lions Club. Dennis is an active member of the Madison Republican Town Committee.
He is married and has raised three daughters in Madison, who are now raising their families in Madison.
“I believe that all residents have a right to use their property as they see fit, consistent with the rights of others and existing law. Residents deserve advocates of those rights within the town government.”
Education
Captain, United States Air Force;
B.A. in Business Administration, Baldwin Wallace University
Occupation
Sales executive, Burroughs, Sperry Univac, Baker Goodyear
Bill Piggot
Bill currently serves as an Alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals, a position he has held since 2016.
He is a member of the Madison Republican Town Committee and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Salt Meadow Park Advisory Committee.
Bill is also a representative on the Beach & Recreation Committee.
He has been a resident of Madison for over 9 years.
“As a ZBA member, it is my responsibility to be fair and balanced in evaluating variance applications that come before the Board. I feel property owners have the right to seek zoning variances in order to improve their property.”
Education
MS Studies, Finance & Marketing, Pennsylvania State University
B.A., Economics, Boston College
Occupation
Former Executive Vice-President of GH Hospitality
Tom Kelty
Tom currently serves on the Madison Zoning Board of Appeals.
He is is a 23-year resident of Madison, married and has two sons and one daughter.
He has volunteered as a Middle School Basketball Coach, Reading Skills Coach at Academy School, and a reader at Island Ave. and Brown schools.
Tom has been a member of the Madison Republican Town Committee since 2009 and has worked as a Voter Poll Monitor.
Tom believes a generous amount of common sense should be applied to decisions, along with a real sense of courtesy and consideration for those who come before the Appeals Board.
“Any zoning ‘board’, ‘regulatory commission’, ‘statute’ or ‘ruling’ should have as its goal to maintain the value of property while providing the maximum ownership use and enjoyment of the same – without encroaching on the value and enjoyment of other property owners. Variance evaluations need to be well thought out and based on a real ‘hardship’ caused by the land itself and supported by facts.”
Board of Assessment Appeals Candidates
Education
BS, UCONN in Business Administration
Occupation
27 years with Knights of Columbus, VP Training and Compliance
Rich Robinson
Rich currently serves on the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Rich is a US Air Force Veteran, having served during the Vietnam era.
He has 40 years in the Insurance and Financial Services industry and has the designation of CLU and ChFC, as well as the Series 7 Equity License.
He is married to Christine, with two children both educated in Madison pubic schools, with grandchildren also in town.
Rich is a volunteer at local food bank and is active with Knights of Columbus and St. Margaret Parish.
“I feel strongly that everyone should give something back to their community and I look forward to continuing my service to our town on the Board of Assessment Appeals.”
Education
M.S. in Human Performance, SCSU; GRI Designation; Middlesex-Shoreline Real Estate School, Old Saybrook
Occupation
Real Estate Agent
Lynne Hubbard
Lynne currently serves on the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Lynne is a member of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, Former Parent Volunteer for the Madison Public Schools, Former Parent Manager for Yale Youth Hockey, and is a Volunteer with Animal Shelter Rescue.
Lynne and her family have lived in Madison for the past 10 years.
“One of the best things about serving on this board is the bipartisanship and camaraderie as we work seamlessly for the betterment of our community. I truly enjoy working with each of my fellow board members and with the town residents who come before us.”