New third-ward councilor Madison Hickman outlines outreach plans, local development and code priorities

Madison Hickman, who said she was sworn in as Troy’s third-ward council representative in January, described how she plans to communicate with residents and urged community engagement on local issues.

“I try to always answer questions that people have… I have a newsletter that I do on Substack. I’m trying to make it quarterly,” Hickman said, describing social media, direct messages, email and phone as her primary points of contact. She said neighborhood walks help her hear residents’ perspectives.

Hickman also described local economic activity in the third ward, naming employers and pointing to a recent commercial addition: the Heritage Cabinet Company off 25A near Daimill Road, which she encouraged residents to visit.

On code enforcement, Hickman said historic housing stock creates recurring needs: “we do have a lot of code cases…with an 1800s, or 1900, home, you’re going to have a lot of property maintenance.” She stressed basic upkeep—tall grass and trash—and offered zoning help with city staff, including zoning inspector Taylor Bruner.

Hickman said about 6% of permits occur in Ward 3 and expressed a desire to increase residential investment in the area; she did not provide a supporting data source for the percentage. She invited residents to two upcoming meetings: an at-large informational meeting on the Route 41 and Experiment Farm Road intersection that will feature consultant presentations, and a Ward 3 public meeting at the Race McKay Park gazebo on Tuesday night.