[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6049530,"mediaKeyId","3510273-7a185ffdadc03c8931a4cb2f3b32fe10","parentId",3510273,"title","At a glance: council adopts ordinance on redevelopment plan, introduces safety and fire‑discipline ordinances; consent agenda clears sixteen items","audioSeconds",4808,"startMs",2100000,"endMs",6908000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510273-7a185ffdadc03c8931a4cb2f3b32fe10&start=2100&end=6908","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510273-7a185ffdadc03c8931a4cb2f3b32fe10/thumbnail_2100000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6049530/Madison/Morris-County/New-Jersey/At-a-glance-council-adopts-ordinance-on-redevelopment-plan-introduces-safety-and-firediscipline-ordinances-consent-agenda-clears-sixteen-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049530-67cb84e331e3a340a9b78fcdc09c7c78/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443054&Signature=a4hSo8l2Ny2I4IqBH7qA9ZIGMS9gzaJJL8xoDXK6btj0l1a~w~Lxpp3KOf5njd7j~ImYKts4EZlNOem1XAhvNvGt0S2B4A9iBrwSEpCNnQjeXimQ1nLl~Xo5c5gXEn~F--TrkisrMiBO2H7efpekDV1x-rdxecUg4Jjh-UFJoi7slnTTYuvB~EQDV~ZFiDAkQYNhs7-UsE4aDyrg-UTbxjZKvVollhlj2Bl-Yv1dfHnAQCptavllYvjZRb~E5ZXxN0nkJmOp~qHo-Zmzps7yxc5JkVp2hydttUvgD6gon1puptDdN87DhFmdUIXws4bPtd0mk0hDBP0yzEWn-aSc5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The Borough of Madison New Jersey","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Borough of Madison Mayor and Council approved multiple legislative and consent‑agenda items during the meeting.

Ordinances
- Ordinance 1‑2025: The council adopted an amended development plan for property at Block 3303, Lot 2 under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (NJSA 48:12A‑1 to ‑89). The ordinance passed on second reading by roll call vote with recorded ‘yes’ votes from Council President Ehrlich, Councilmember Landrigan, Councilmember Range, Councilmember Harlan Putis, Councilmember Honohan and Councilmember Forte.
- Ordinance 2‑2025: Introduced on first reading. The measure would appropriate $65,000 from the general capital improvement fund to purchase and install 12 solar radar speed signs and other pedestrian‑safety equipment at various locations. The ordinance was moved and seconded for first reading and will return for a public hearing in February 2025.
- Ordinance 3‑2025: Introduced on first reading. The measure updates Chapter 18 of the borough code regarding the fire department disciplinary process; it was moved and seconded for first reading and will return for a public hearing in February 2025.

Consent agenda and resolutions
- The council approved the consent agenda (Resolution 55‑2025 through Resolution 68‑2025) in a single motion. The consent agenda included: continuation of the electric utility rebate program for 2025 (one‑time $200 credit for income‑eligible residents), raffle licenses for local organizations, a professional services contract to EWMA Environmental Consulting for an environmental resource inventory (not to exceed $12,000), shared‑service IT agreements with neighboring municipalities, awards for janitorial services, maintenance contracts for the municipal radio system, appointment to a per‑diem public‑safety telecommunications position, funding line items for AMI reading fees and utility payment processing, and authorization for project manager appointment (salary shown in the agenda). The council recorded unanimous roll‑call support for the consent agenda.

Other formal actions
- The council approved prior executive minutes and approved payment vouchers totaling $5,743,525.75 across municipal, capital, electric and water funds.

Each adopted item will be reflected in the official minutes and published as required by law; several items (including the redevelopment ordinance and capital appropriations) require further administrative steps to implement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 27, 2025 Madison, NJ Borough Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council adopted Ordinance 1‑2025 (amended development plan for Block 3303, Lot 2), introduced Ordinances 2‑2025 and 3‑2025 on pedestrian safety and fire‑department disciplinary process, and approved Consent Agenda Resolutions 55–68 along with related routine actions and voucher approvals.","taxTitle","Madison, Morris County, New Jersey","taxId",70480,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049535,"Madison officials outline electric, water and public‑works priorities as budget season begins",2039,3156000,5195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510273-7a185ffdadc03c8931a4cb2f3b32fe10&start=3156&end=5195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510273-7a185ffdadc03c8931a4cb2f3b32fe10/thumbnail_3156000.jpg","/articles/6049535/Madison/Morris-County/New-Jersey/Madison-officials-outline-electric-water-and-publicworks-priorities-as-budget-season-begins","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049535-4dc93fd230cc64fcbb6f4516c296949c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443054&Signature=anKDm77U~05o4Iy1~dchBs~tcFkZsF4Lb9Gr1NQgF7qUGGwjW21AAFDy~3SrSgvu-WSCxrV-iFggFfozufqZtLtwwqdpsHaKB1kv7Cn~M77KXcJ20OMN8kzfbV5qMDn-ypXSeLcsJor920Wd7nqRD4xFBZOV087m8GLGYa9vpy0CKlaikgbVbC8xMbuDpcpgYZjq4ylLzB1u6aBiTeNjKN1pJNcJKve8CTdt23AHTfZ3M0ldFDRXPg7Ryv8nahPbYYP1~rbhI6wMsw3X0iDE~7QZkvsVlvkDpt-LM3QzyL~TY68ZvYtZ0M-X8c2Ku0Z5m7BrWkzQDrUkgoG-Zc80qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Municipal staff presented the Borough of Madison’s electric, water and public‑works operations and financial outlook at a budget hearing that opened the borough’s 2025 budget discussions.

Jim Finelli (staff member leading the financial presentation) told the council the borough’s electric fund is in a stronger position than in recent years but warned of “significant issues coming up,” chiefly large increases in electricity capacity and transmission costs driven by regional market changes at PJM. Finelli said Madison has locked in block‑power contracts for roughly half its needs at lower historical prices but that rising capacity and transmission charges purchased in auctions could raise costs for the utility.

Vince Patty, electric utility superintendent, reviewed 2024 accomplishments — including substation relay upgrades, new pad‑mount transformers, underground primary work and running a new fiber line between substations — and outlined near‑term projects such as SCADA substation monitoring, relay upgrades and replacement of an aging Digger‑Derrick truck. Patty said the electric crew is eight persons and described ongoing line‑clearance and pole replacement activity.

Public Works Director Bob Duffy reviewed 2024 accomplishments and 2025 goals including garage repairs, rain garden installations, finalizing Well B rehabilitation, continuing the water‑meter replacement program and targeted water main and valve projects. Duffy told the council the department is testing battery‑powered equipment and evaluating replacement of older heavy trucks while completing smaller capital items such as signage and park equipment.

Staff also updated the council on energy‑savings projects. The MRC solar carport — a $2.2 million project — remains funded and under construction; staff said it is expected to generate long‑term savings and SREC revenue that will help offset the outlay. Patty noted EV fast chargers will be installed in Lot 3 behind public‑safety facilities within about a month and that relay upgrades at Kings Road and James Park substations are near completion.

Finelli presented financial slides showing the electric fund’s strong year‑end balances but cautioned that higher block, capacity and transmission costs are reducing near‑term fund‑balance generation. He said the fund balance provides the borough flexibility to “take a wait‑and‑see approach” while deciding whether to offset higher costs from fund balances or to consider modest rate adjustments and additional local generation projects such as further solar, battery storage or energy‑efficiency investments.

Council members pressed for more forecasting and longer‑range scenarios showing 2026–2028 outcomes under different capacity and transmission cost assumptions; several members encouraged continuing investment in local generation and efficiency projects as a hedge against volatile regional markets.

On the water side, staff reported progress on the meter replacement initiative and that the water fund’s finances have stabilized after prior deterioration. Bob Duffy and Jim Finelli said fewer than 400 meters remain to be replaced and crews are addressing the most difficult installations in house.

Councilmembers scheduled additional budget hearings on municipal and departmental budgets in February and March ahead of the April 28 public hearing and vote to adopt the municipal budget.","Utility and public‑works leaders briefed the council on system work, rising electricity capacity and transmission costs, the MRC solar carport project, EV chargers, and completion of the water‑meter replacement program as the borough starts formal budget hearings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049539,"Madison council votes to accept state Round 4 housing numbers; staff to seek vacant‑land adjustment",597,2533000,3130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510273-7a185ffdadc03c8931a4cb2f3b32fe10&start=2533&end=3130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510273-7a185ffdadc03c8931a4cb2f3b32fe10/thumbnail_2533000.jpg","/articles/6049539/Madison/Morris-County/New-Jersey/Madison-council-votes-to-accept-state-Round-4-housing-numbers-staff-to-seek-vacantland-adjustment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049539-519b74a18c42aa2387f548eae7384bc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443054&Signature=Ulq-spZnizB7hzK8XfUHwrdflXgK~KeGMDm6FnE4yFlQFEHz8jqDm1cz2ASGlhffivxOpVmsUHlpGW9cAXEnX51kRKct4e0Cy6~6hzEIiZuDVrs8LpBU1NYT9IojVO2rmdkg-FSs1GTkLchYvGn0guUeY~gMNGUAJRBjQUdrgG8rob2559gWwHA2k08yTv93QCCh8q7pI88sUdvFIQcOQQ95IKCleA4x3Da33FQoHUg62QkkXmuzm~aviIALpDudOTIAqHPgtEbBozmISnqt-inLH9yjl~5CQxh6Uzw9v4RzyBUN4bxflY8aortyYpFAd-NNN6IjKgzhMgeIuIskwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Borough of Madison Mayor and Council voted to accept the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) allocation for Round 4 affordable‑housing obligations and directed the borough attorney to file a declaratory judgment action in Morris County Superior Court to cement the town’s position.

A staff member who presented the item told the council, “Madison has a very positive long‑term history, and we view affordable housing not just a legal obligation, but a moral obligation.” The staff member said DCA’s preliminary figures assign Madison a rehabilitation obligation of 0 units and a prospective (new construction) obligation of 206 units for the Round 4 planning period.

The resolution before the council — Resolution 54 — would accept the DCA numbers and trigger a required court filing within 48 hours. The presenter and other officials said the borough would then pursue a vacant‑land adjustment to reduce the 206 number because of limited developable land in Madison. The presenter noted the borough obtained a vacant‑land adjustment in the prior (third) round when an original allocation was reduced from 1,000 to 147 units.

Under the new state administrative process for Round 4, the presenter said the declaratory judgment filing begins a 30‑day window in which any party may intervene or object; if there are objections the DCA would review and the parties would need to resolve differences between March 1 and April 1. The borough’s housing element and fair‑share plan would then be due by June 30 and must show how Madison will meet whatever obligation becomes final for the 10‑year period beginning July 1, 2025.

Council members and staff discussed the tools Madison would use to meet any final obligation, including the borough’s inclusionary zoning rule (which requires 20% affordable units in new market‑rate projects of five units or more), overlay zones that allow higher density in designated areas, bonus credits for adaptively reusing vacant commercial buildings, and supportive‑housing credits (which count beds rather than units for credit). The presenter said these mechanisms could reduce the practical number of new construction units required while also serving populations not currently housed in Madison.

On a roll call, the council approved Resolution 54. The minutes record the roll‑call ‘yes’ votes from Council President Ehrlich, Councilmember Landrigan, Councilmember Range, Councilmember Harlan Putis, Councilmember Honohan, and Councilmember Forte.

The resolution preserves the borough’s right to seek a vacant‑land adjustment and to pursue credits and overlay approaches during the housing element and fair‑share plan process. If adopted at tonight’s meeting, the borough clerk will email the signed resolution to the borough attorney and the declaratory judgment action will be filed in Morris County Superior Court the next business day.","The Borough of Madison voted to accept the Department of Community Affairs’ Round 4 numbers (rehab need 0; prospective/new construction need 206) and authorized the borough attorney to file a declaratory judgment action in Morris County Superior Court; the resolution preserves a right to seek a vacant‑land adjustment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: council adopts ordinance on redevelopment plan, introduces safety and fire‑discipline ordinances; consent agenda clears sixteen items

Madison officials outline electric, water and public‑works priorities as budget season begins

Madison council votes to accept state Round 4 housing numbers; staff to seek vacant‑land adjustment