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Madison adopts 2025 municipal budget; multiple ordinances and consent resolutions passed
Summary
The Borough of Madison adopted its 2025 municipal budget with a 2% municipal tax increase, approved several ordinances (including utility connection fees and traffic code changes), and passed a consent agenda that included a resolution supporting the New Jersey Climate Superfund Act and a call for PJM interconnection reforms.
The Madison Borough Council adopted the 2025 municipal budget and passed a series of ordinances and consent resolutions at its May hearing.
The council adopted Resolution R-140-2025, the 2025 municipal budget and tax resolution. The official statement read in the meeting set municipal appropriations at $15,181,120 for municipal purposes, $736,348.08 for the open space, recreation, farmland, and historic preservation trust levy, and $1,707,926 for the minimum library tax. Council President Rachel Ehrlich told the meeting the budget presented for final adoption was unchanged from the version introduced and that the borough passed state review without issue.
Councilmember discussion reiterated staff and online materials were available and the borough had conducted multiple public presentations; the budget includes a 2% increase in municipal property taxes, the council said. The formal motion to adopt the budget was made and carried on roll call.
The council also adopted several ordinances on final reading: Ordinance 9-2025 (amending lead-based paint inspection fees in housing standards), Ordinance 10-2025 (amending land development and shade tree management provisions), Ordinance 11-2025 (vehicles and traffic amendments), Ordinance 12-2025 (no-parking schedule amendments), Ordinance 13-2025 (electric connection fee schedule), Ordinance 14-2025 (water connection fee schedule), Ordinance 15-2025 (sewer connection fee schedule) and Ordinance 16-2025 (appropriating $28,000 from the General Capital Improvement Fund for fiber expansion). The council declared each ordinance adopted and ordered publication where required.
A combined hearing was held for ordinances 13, 14 and 15 because they update connection-fee schedules for electric, water and sewer; the council emphasized these changes apply only to new connections and do not change existing retail rates.
The consent agenda (Resolutions R-142-2025 through R-158-2025) passed in a single roll call that included items ranging from personnel appointments and contract awards to policy statements. Notable consent resolutions included:
- R-148-2025 — a resolution opposing state legislation that would remove local zoning authority over accessory dwelling units; the council said the borough supports ADUs as a local planning tool but opposes state-mandated overrides of local zoning.
- R-149-2025 — a resolution calling for reforms to the PJM interconnection process to protect New Jersey consumers and support clean energy deployment (the council discussed the PJM presentation earlier in the meeting).
- R-153-2025 — a resolution supporting the New Jersey Climate Superfund Act, urged by local advocates and environmental groups.
Council members also approved voucher totals for the week: total disbursements reported at $4,848,909.21. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.
The council recorded roll calls for each adoption; multiple members voted in favor and one member (Councilmember John Forte) was recorded earlier in the meeting as absent, excused.
