Selectmen Plan To Announce Name For New Park Monday

Madison's Newest Park will be nameless no longer if all goes as planned at a Board of Selectmen meeting Monday, where selectmen plan to discuss and take action on a name for the park. The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. at off of Duck Hole Road.

During recent town meetings, officials have discussed the possibility of naming the park after Robert Schumann, who was intrumental in the campaign to purchase the former Griswold airport so that it could be converted to a town park. "Without his contributions, the park would not be possible," says the minutes of the Dec. 22, 2011 park committee meeting.

Schumann's obituary says:

"Bob was one of the early supporters and members of the citizens' group that formed in 2001, which over 9 years crusaded successfully to protect the land of the old Griswold airport in Madison from development. A passionate birder from childhood, Schumann spent many hours in quiet observation of birds, their habits and their habitats, and especially loved their songs."

Grassland Park was also floated as an option. At a recent Board of Selectmen meeting, a town resident recommended naming it Griswold Field, after a promiment local family. The property used to be the Griswold Airport. 

First Selectman Fillmore McPherson Wednesday declined to say what the name would be, only that it would be announced Monday. 

Also at the meeting Monday morning, selectmen will consider the following items: 

• Proclaiming the Month of April as “Donate Life Connecticut Month” in the Town of Madison.
• Waiving building permit fee for an Eagle Scout project at the First Congregational Church. 
• Calling a Public Hearing on the preliminary Town and Board of Education budgets as recommended by the Board of Finance on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Walter C. Polson Middle School in accordance with the Town Charter (10.5.E).
• A presentation from Connecticut DOT on the planned replacement of a small bridge on Horsepond Road over Huzzle Guzzle Brook.
• Authorizing the First Selectman to apply for a targeted Historic Document Preservation Program Grant from the Connecticut State Library and to consider the Town Clerk as applicant for the Grant.
• Continuing to use the services of Attorney John Watts for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes.
• A salary increase for Joseph Petrella, Senior Services Supervisor, for successfully completing his 6-month probationary period.
• Appointing Nancy Martucci as Acting Town Clerk.
• Modifying a special appropriation for the Surf Club Wall.