Madison Conservation Commission Plans Outreach Push, Eyes Zoning Input and Surf Club Review

Conservation · Meeting of May 27, 2026

CT MADISON — Madison Conservation Commission welcomes new member, schedules special June 10 meeting on Surf Club plan. The commission unanimously approved its April meeting minutes at the May 27 hybrid meeting, tabling March minutes and May special meeting minutes to June for lack of distributed attachments. Chair Heather Crawford confirmed a special meeting for June 10 at 7:30 p.m., to follow immediately after a 6 p.m. public information session on the Surf Club master plan at the Senior Center, after Board of Selectmen liaison Al Goldberg warned that the commission had not been consulted on the capital project.

On zoning, the commission discussed an AI-generated gap analysis shared by member Jon Cohen flagging Madison's 50-foot coastal setback as too thin and its tree canopy protections as "missing or weak"; Vice Chair Amy Thomas agreed to draft a philosophical land-use foundation before the June meeting, and Crawford will invite Planning and Zoning's Carol Snow to attend. The commission's Natural Resource Inventory RFQ remains on hold, awaiting a tree definition from the Tree Advisory Committee.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 981 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of May 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

MADISON — May 27, 2026 — The Madison Conservation Commission welcomed a new member and two summer interns at its May 27 meeting, then spent most of the evening discussing ways to broaden public participation in its annual Green-Up Clean-Up, shaping a philosophical foundation for proposed zoning updates, and navigating a growing frustration over the town's siloed approach to land-use governance.

The commission also approved April meeting minutes, tabled action on March minutes, and voted to schedule a special June 10 meeting tied to the town's forthcoming public information session on Surf Club improvements.

The Full Story

Richard Tallentino was formally welcomed as a new commission member at the opening of the meeting, though Chair Heather Crawford noted that the formal swearing-in with the town clerk had not yet taken place. Summer intern Caroline, whose last name did not appear in the available transcript, was also introduced; her coastal resources interests quickly shaped the latter part of the evening's discussion. A second intern was mentioned but did not attend.

Al Goldberg, attending as a liaison from the Board of Selectmen, introduced himself and framed his role as a bridge-builder among Madison's roughly 30 boards and commissions.

"I am not here to tell you how to operate. I'm not here to tell you what you should be debating. I'm here to help facilitate what you decide, what information gets to you, and how the deliberations of this body can better be integrated with other elements of town government." [00:00:00] — Al Goldberg, Board of Selectmen liaison

The commission spent considerable time reviewing lessons from the April 25 Green-Up Clean-Up. Turnout at the North Madison site was described as thin, with the same small group of regulars showing up year after year. Members floated a range of ideas for 2027, including contacting the Director of Athletics to recruit high school sports teams, reaching out to scout troops, engaging the VISTA program, and connecting with Madison Land Trust Director Ian Taylor three to four months before the event. Intern Caroline offered to contact her lacrosse team for volunteer hours. Members also discussed advertising via a fall International Coastal Cleanup, a three-week period in September, as a potential dry run for recruiting new groups before the spring event. Source reporter Aaron Rubin was identified as a contact for advance and follow-up coverage.

On zoning, commission member Jon Cohen had previously shared an AI-generated analysis of Madison's draft Planning and Zoning regulation update, circulated April 27. The analysis flagged gaps including a 50-foot coastal setback described as likely too thin, missing tree canopy and replacement requirements, no impervious-surface caps, and an absence of sea-level-rise language. Goldberg urged the commission not to draft regulatory language but instead to articulate a high-level philosophical foundation, then present it to Planning and Zoning Chair Carol Snow.

"I think philosophically, before you get lost in details of regulations, it would be very helpful to state a philosophy of what is in general missing from our land use policies." [00:00:00] — Al Goldberg, Board of Selectmen liaison

Vice Chair Amy Thomas agreed to draft a philosophical write-up before the next meeting. Crawford said she would contact Snow to arrange an initial meeting and invite her to the June meeting.

The commission also discussed frustration, surfaced at a May 5 special meeting, over being excluded from capital improvement planning. Goldberg confirmed that the commission chair had now been added to the capital improvement distribution list, and said the process typically begins in the fall. On the Surf Club master plan, Goldberg noted that the Selectmen had received a preliminary presentation the previous evening, and that a public information session was expected June 10 at the Senior Center at 6 p.m. The commission voted to hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. the same evening, following the public session. Crawford said she planned to attend the public session as an individual citizen and expected the commission to weigh in formally as well.

"We need to be involved in Surf Club changes." — Heather Crawford, Chair

The commission also discussed participating in the June 27 Strawberry Moon Festival at Surf Club, where non-profit organizations will have table space, and confirmed plans to march in the Fourth of July parade, celebrating approximately 20 years of the commission. Crawford said she would file the parade application and reach out to a contact named Holly Francis about the commission's placement in the parade order. Members discussed ordering additional t-shirts and inviting former commission members to march.

Why It Matters

The commission's two primary action tracks have near-term deadlines. The Natural Resource Inventory Request for Qualifications, stalled while awaiting a tree definition from the Tree Advisory Committee, needs that language in hand within days to have any chance of a Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance presentation before the end of summer and a potential appropriation from the town's planning fund. The Surf Club master plan moves faster: a public information session is expected June 10, and the commission scheduled a same-evening special meeting to be positioned to respond formally. The Surf Club property sits on an eroding shoreline, and commission members noted that ancient tree roots are now visible at low tide in front of the building, underscoring the stakes of any development plan for the site.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Approve April 2026 meeting minutes as amended (correction: Erin Mannix identified as Land Use office, not Finance office) Tally: Approved unanimously

• Action: March 2026 meeting minutes — Tabled to June 2026 meeting (attachment not distributed in time)
• Action: Special meeting minutes from May 5, 2026 — Tabled to June 2026 meeting

- Vote: Motion to adjourn Tally: Approved unanimously

• Action: Special meeting scheduled for June 10, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., following the Surf Club public information session at 6 p.m.

Source Madison's community access TV: Conservation Commission meeting, May 27, 2026