Madison board backs Ward Hill speed tables, adopts GA maximums

The Madison Select Board voted 5-0 to adopt new General Assistance maximums for Somerset County effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, after a public hearing and a presentation on how the program works. The board also directed the public works director to get pricing for paved speed tables on the Ward Hill side of Route 148 to address accidents near the intersection. Earlier in the meeting, the town manager reported on the weekend water emergency and outlined plans to revive the town's Facebook page as an official information source.

Key points

• The board approved AP warrant 709142026 and payroll registers, accepted the September 14, 2026 meeting minutes, and adopted the General Assistance maximum reference sheet, all by 5-0 votes.
• Public works director Jeff said he would get pricing for paved speed tables on the Ward Hill side of Route 148, with the board favoring action before a possible four-way intersection; he said the cost would likely be under a couple thousand dollars and come from his capital paving account.
• The town manager read an update on the weekend water emergency, when bottled water donations were distributed at the town office after the Madison Anson Water District do-not-drink order; she said the town is working with the water and sanitary districts on better emergency communication.
• The town manager presented on General Assistance, explaining the application process, 24-hour decision rule, and 70 percent state reimbursement, and reported 14 applications awarded so far this year.
• Board member John Martins noted his name is spelled with an "s" if anyone writes letters about him.
• The board voted to go into executive session at the end of the meeting; no details of that session were reported.

Next steps

• Jeff will get pricing for paved speed tables on Ward Hill and check with the state DOT on whether both the Ward Hill and Old County Road intersections should get them.
• The town manager will work with the water district on emergency water access and on getting more residents opted into the town's text notification service.
• The town manager will establish practices for the town Facebook page and use it to share notices matching the town website and text alerts.
• A public hearing on the setback ordinance is scheduled for the following day, with planning board feedback already given to the town planner.
• The Winslow community covered service trailer will move to the first and third Wednesdays of the month at Christ Community Fellowship.

Read the full transcript