MADISON – State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) and state Representative John-Michael Parker (D-Madison) today welcomed a $770,000 state grant for Madison that will help the town replace the seawall at Garvan Point that helps prevent the beach and its facilities from being eroded by waves and storms.
The state grant, which Sen. Cohen and Rep. Parker advocated for, was approved today by Governor Ned Lamont and the State Bond Commission. It will be used to replace the failing steel sheet pile bulkhead and sloping stone retaining wall that helps protect the beach from erosion.
“For decades to come, sea-level rise and the increasing number of hurricanes brought about by global climate change is going to be a challenge for Madison and for many coastal communities in Connecticut. Fortunately, the State of Connecticut is committed to partnering with towns and helping where it can to protect our environment and to invest in our communities,” Sen. Cohen said. “I want to thank the governor and the State Bond Commission for seeing the value in this project, and I want to thank the local friends, including First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons, for recognizing the importance in addressing these coastal resiliency issues and making real improvements to the Town of Madison.”
“I am thrilled that we’ve been able to secure funding for this critical project at the heart of Madison. Fortifying and rebuilding Garvan Point is a necessary next step to combat climate change along our shoreline,” Rep. Parker said. “With these funds, we will ensure that our Surf Club remains safe and secure—and a source of pride and joy for many years to come. A big thanks to First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons and our stellar team in Madison’s municipal government for partnering with us to get this done.”
“I am thrilled and grateful that the Town of Madison will be receiving state bond funding to help finance the very necessary repairs to the bulkhead at Garvan Point,” Madison First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said today. “Garvan Point, which is located at the town’s municipally owned Surf Club Beach and recreation facility, is one of Madison’s crown jewels and serves as an important outdoor, multi-generational community gathering place. Repairing this bulkhead will help us create a more resilient coastline by protecting this facility from increased coastal flooding and storm events.”