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Council authorizes Drew Forest purchase; ordinance cites $24.2M settlement figure, Cohen recuses
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 6-2026 to authorize acquisition of the Drew Forest and associated parcels for $24,200,000 under a settlement agreement; the vote recorded four yes votes and one recusal by Council member Cohen. The Friends of the Drew Forest reiterated fundraising plans.
The Madison Borough Council adopted an ordinance authorizing the borough to facilitate purchase of the Drew Forest and the Madison House under terms read into the record by the clerk that include a $24,200,000 purchase price tied to a settlement agreement with Drew University.
The clerk read Ordinance 6-2026 in full, describing parcels (approximately 36.724 acres for Parcel A, 10.594 acres for Parcel D and about 0.987 acres for Parcel F), environmental significance (noting the property is identified as habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat and an important recharge zone for the Buried Valley aquifer) and the settlement citation. The ordinance text cites NJSA 40 8:12-5 as authority for municipal acquisition.
Council moved and recorded the roll-call: Landrigan (yes), Harlan Putas (yes), Hannahan (yes), Forte (yes). Council member Cohen recused herself from the vote. Mayor Connolly declared Ordinance 6 adopted and said administration and staff will bring a series of follow-up resolutions and ordinances to implement the purchase, coordinate grants and manage the closing.
Tina Monahan, representing the Friends of the Drew Forest steering committee during public comment, praised the purchase and said the group has committed to raising $2.5 million to be matched by private philanthropists as part of the effort to preserve the property in perpetuity.
What’s next: Borough staff will coordinate federal, state, county grants and private fundraising as described in the ordinance. Council and administration said additional implementing resolutions and funding steps will follow prior to closing.
