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Madison council approves Drew Forest purchase authorization and funds Hartley Dodge, Rosedale projects
Summary
The Borough Council adopted three ordinances including authorization to purchase the Drew Forest and Madison House, a $500,000 appropriation for Hartley Dodge east wing renovations, and a $180,000 appropriation for Rosedale Field improvements; one councilmember recused on the Drew Forest vote.
The Borough of Madison council voted to adopt three ordinances on second reading that together commit the borough to a suite of capital and conservation actions.
Ordinance 4-2026 authorizes appropriating $500,000 from the general capital reserve to renovate and restore the east wing of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building; the council opened the hearing, heard no public comment, and adopted the ordinance by roll call. Ordinance 5-2026 appropriates $180,000 from the Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund plus a $20,000 general-capital match for improvements to Rosedale Field; it too was adopted following a closed hearing.
Ordinance 6-2026, authorizing the purchase of the Drew Forest and the Madison House, was opened for public hearing and — with no speakers at the microphone — adopted on roll call with a recorded recusal by one council member. The mayor had earlier introduced the ordinance on the agenda and said the adoption would be filed and published in accordance with law.
Friends of the Drew Forest expressed support in public comment before the vote. "We are preparing for our next phase of preservation, looking at fundraising to secure $5,000,000 in private funding," said Kirsten Wallenstein, speaking for the group, and urged the council to move forward to protect habitat and an aquifer. Grove Project cofounder Tricia Jessen and other residents also spoke in praise of local volunteer efforts and the planned community-service day.
Roll-call results recorded during the meeting show unanimous 'yes' votes for Ordinances 4-2026 and 5-2026. For Ordinance 6-2026 the clerk recorded a recusal by one member before the mayor declared the ordinance adopted and asked the clerk to publish notice and file the ordinance as required by law.
What happens next: The clerk will publish the ordinances and file them in accordance with statutory requirements; staff will proceed with the planned Hartley Dodge renovation work and the administrative steps required to effect the Drew Forest purchase.
