convene with all members present. For those who are able, please rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Welcome all special meeting and um typically we normally would not run a a special meeting during holiday week but you will hear shortly exactly why the timing is
is such that we uh pulled this together. Um, as you know, we've been working with Drew for quite a while and so, uh, things have lined up this week and, um, this is a very limited, uh, agenda
meeting. We will have, uh, two resolutions, uh, that will be introduced and we'll explain those shortly. And then we will uh also after we do the explanation and do the resolutions there
will be a comment period as we always have uh for at any public meeting. So at this point I will uh ask our attorney Greg Castano to uh give some background as to um what we're covering tonight and what's coming up after.
>> Thank you mayor. Uh the mayor and council tonight are going to consider as the mayor indicated two resolutions that are related to affordable housing in the burrow. One resolution is related to what's called the third round. Third round has expired. Uh we are now into the fourth
round, but the bureau has an outstanding obligation in the third round that needs to be addressed and that's been uh negotiated and litigated. The second resolution second resolution is related to the current fourth round and um the fourth
round only recently started and the burl will be uh settling the fourth round as well to uh give a brief overview of the terms of the settlement and I will be speaking only to issues in the third round. There's a separate attorney who's handled the fourth round but the third
round is really is really driving things. The fourth round is just kind of going to close things out. So all of the details arise in the third round. Uh there are going to be five new parcels created within Drew University.
Parcels A through F. Uh parcels A and D are what is commonly known as the Drew forest. Parcels B and C are two parcels, smaller parcels within the university that are going to be subdivided uh for
purposes of some affordable housing and other development. Parcel E is It's difficult to describe with words, but if you were going up Madison Avenue, so that Drew University is on your left, maybe folks are familiar with a
a home historic home called, it's commonly referred to as the Madison House on your lefthand side. It's kind of right before where the mosque is being built now. So leading up to the Madison House, that's going to be called parcel E. You're not going to see any change to it, although it might be used for storm
water management purposes. some of the development that's going to be built there, but you're not going to see anything. It's going to look and will remain the same. And finally, parcel F is will consist of Madison House and some surrounding area and parking of
about an acre. So, step one is there's going to be five new parcels carved out of Drew University. The burough is going to purchase parcels A and D, which is the Drew forest for $23.8 million. The funding for that purchase price consists
entirely of grants and aid from state uh federal, state, county, local, and uh and other donations from individuals. Parcel F is going to be purchased for $400,000. We uh the bureau will have the right to
conduct environmental due diligence on the parcel largely at the Drew Forest just to make sure there are no environmental issues there. Uh another upside said in the settlement is that there will be no further development at Drew University in perpetuity. That's going to be a deed
restriction that's going to be recorded. The um the settlement is going to require a planning board subdivision process and I'm going to go through after I give you an overview of the terms. I'm going to separately go through the steps in the process. Okay?
to give everybody an overview and there's going to be a redevelopment process and that's an overview of the terms. So, I'm going to turn now to give everybody um some more details on on the steps in the process. So, the overall driving
purpose of this settlement is essentially to authorize the bureau to purchase, preserve, and save the Drew Forest. As I indicated, the purchase is being funded by a combination of federal, state, county, and local private donations. The purchase of the
Drew Forest is going to enable its preservation in perpetuity as an invaluable natural resource to the community. The timing for tonight's meeting is caused by changes within the fa past
year at the state level to the state's affordable housing laws and the accompanying court process and deadlines. This had to be done tonight because there's a court hearing tomorrow that required a decision as to whether or not the case was going to be settled.
That's why it had to occur tonight. Any action taken by the governing body tonight, if any, will only be a tiny first step in what is going to be a rigorous multifased open and public
process to review in detail all aspects of the settlement. So for example, I want to touch on some of the steps in the process so you can have an understanding. First of all, if the settlement were to be entered into, it would be subject to
court review during a public hearing at which time the terms of the settlement would be placed on the record and reviewed by a judge. The date for the hearing has yet to be scheduled because the case has yet to be settled. But if it were to be settled, the court would
schedule a hearing. We don't have a date, but applicable law requires a minimum of 30 days public notice prior to the court proceeding and it would provide for an opportunity for public comment. So, anybody who wanted to participate uh could could
attend or view the proceeding and uh uh would have an opportunity to make coms assuming the settlement is reached in the coming days. The court hearing would likely occur in late January or early February and again be public notice it'll be posted etc etc.
Secondly assuming the settlement were to be approved by the court the bureau would have the opportunity as I mentioned already to conduct environmental due diligence to ensure it's not contaminated. That's not so much a public process but just a step to
ensure that we're not uh getting into any situations that would cause a lot of harm to to the burough. The second step in the public process would involve an application or multiple applications to the Madison Planning
Board to subdivide the various parcels within Drew University. Those proceedings would have public notice. They would be open to the public and would afford the opportunity for public comment if anybody so desired.
Once the parcels are subdivided in particular parcels A and D which I mentioned before which constitute the Drew forest. The burrow would be able to purchase the Drew Farest within 30 days of that subdivision. The next step in the public process
would be a series of meetings and proceedings before this mayor and council and the Madison planning board to consider designating certain areas of the Drew campus as are need of redevelopment. Those would be parcels B
and C that I mentioned at at the beginning. All of those proceedings will have the required public notice. They will be open to the public and will afford the opportunity for public comment if desired. So that that's a
general overview of the process of the terms and the process that would occur if the settlement were to be approved. And I would turn it to the mayor. Thank you very much for that outline and uh explaining why we are here um four days
before Christmas uh doing this. Um just just one clarification on the um mentioned the 238 the purchase price for the burrow for the um forest that is the amount we are committed to which is supported by different amount uh different funding sources and then on
top of that is the private fun uh funding uh that's supported by the friends of true forest and also a a special state grant someone here that helped us with that too. Um, anything else that needs to be
clarified? I think that pretty much covers it. All right, we will go to um the two resolutions that we must pass that was outlined by our attorney. If I can have the clerk please read resolution 340-2025
by title. Resolution of the Bureau of Madison authorizing the mayor and burough clerk to enter into a settlement agreement with Drew University to resolve all pending claims in the matter of the application of the Bureau of Madison docket number MRSL1694-15.
>> Motion. >> Mayor, I move resolution 340-2025. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? Rachel, >> we could just clarify that this is for the again the third round housing
>> correct settlement withdrew. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Miss Erik, >> yes. >> Mr. Landrean, >> yes. >> Mr. Range, >> yes. >> Mr. Harland Pudis, >> yes. >> Miss Hon, >> yes. >> Mr. Forte, >> yes. >> And resolution 341-2025.
Resolution of the Burough Council of the Bureau of Madison authorizing the settlement of claims raised by Fair Share Housing Center in the matter of the application of the Bureau of Madison pending in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Mars
County, docket number MRS 237-25. >> Motion mayor, I'll move uh resolution 3412025. >> Second. >> Any discussion? questions. Roll call vote, please.
>> Miss Eric, >> yes. >> Mr. Landeran, >> yes. >> Mr. Range, >> yes. >> Mr. Harland Hudis, >> yes. >> Miss Hanahan, >> yes. >> Mr. Forte, >> yes. >> Before we move to public comment, I did mention friend in the audience, uh,
state senator Anthony Cooko, who is joining us today. I don't know if you want to come up and say a few words, but it, uh, seems like a long time ago we met meat hall at Drew uh as we tried working together um to get to this
point. So, thank you for joining us today. >> Thank you, Mayor. It's certainly uh great to be here tonight um as we approach uh the holiday. This seems like maybe a a holiday miracle,
but um I have to tell you that I don't think it I think it was just a lot of hard work um by folks at all levels of government working together both sides of the aisle uh to make sure that we preserve the Jew
forest and tonight hopefully we have accomplished that. But I also commend you for what you said in addition to preserving the Jew forest that uh you will get a deed restriction for that property for no further development
there. And I think that is a major milestone and uh and I think that uh the residents of Madison and the folks in the surrounding area will be able to appreciate
that area for generations to come. So um tonight I am honored to be here. I was back and forth today with folks on both sides and uh when it looked like uh
the deal was struck uh I was ecstatic. I've been in Trenton all day and tomorrow uh my wife and I leave for Colorado to see our new granddaughter Madison. So, um, so I just want to say thank you to everybody. It would have wouldn't
have been possible without all of us, including the volunteers that worked so hard to spread the word. You know, I think Governor Elect uh, Cheryl said it the day we filmed the video that everywhere she went, not only
in Madison, but around the area, there were signs the true forest. And it's that work that volunteers do uh that make a difference that have an impact
um on getting major projects like this accomplished. And um I was saying before that as a legislator there are many things that you do but at the end of your legislative career there are probably
only a handful of things that you'll remember and say wow that was really something that we got that accomplished and saving the Drew forest and saving that Drew property uh will be one of those for me. So, thank you and God
bless everybody. Have a merry Christmas, a happy holiday, and a healthy and happy new year. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for your partners. [applause] >> Thank you for the comments. And um I only asked for one thing under my Christmas tree, but as has been already outlined, it will be under the Christmas
tree, but I won't be able to unwrap it quite yet. Just going to take a little while to unwrap it. Um and uh just as uh senator state senator said um there'll be at some point a whole lot of discussions about all the work that went
went on behind the scenes as I see our friends of the two forest shirts in the audience. This is an amazing amazing story that needs to be told. So at this point I will open the um this meeting to public comment. Usual rules apply if you wish to comment and it can be on any
topic. Step up to lect turn, state your name and address and write the same on the clipboard. Uh try to keep your comments to three minutes, but in the holiday spirit, we give you the one minute extra, which we do every all around the year, but uh we will stop you
at four minutes. >> Thank you and good evening. Judy Croll, 27 Laurel Way. I'm here representing Friends of Drew Forest and um I just wanted to express our gratitude to the
council, uh to Senator, all of the um dozens and dozens of officials and volunteers who uh made tonight possible. It's really been a it's been nearly five years and I realize there are several
steps to go, but um we are just thrilled thrilled to be here, thrilled to be sharing this and it's a really wonderful merry Christmas gift for all of us. Um, may I ask a question? >> Whether we can answer or not, we don't know.
>> You may not be able to answer it. Um, I just was curious um to know if uh you could identify the acreage of each of the parcels. Um, I know that maybe that's still being tinkered with a bit, but if it's possible to know that, that
would be my request. After the comment period, I'll have our attorney address that if he can. >> Anyone else wishing to comment? Please step forward. Kathy Kathy Kakavali, 82 Central Avenue. Um,
actually, I'm going to comment that I'm looking for clarification about parcel E. I understand was proposed for A and B I mean and C and D and F, but I heard our attorneys say there's no change is happening on E except for maybe storm
water management. But what I'm not sure is Madison buying E or is E a conservation easement? It will remain Drew property. And one sentimental note, thank you for Madison House. I lived there my junior year in high school.
[laughter] Full disclosure, it did not guide us, but my when my brother was director of admissions at Drew, he also read lived in Madison House for a little while. Anyone else wishing to comment, please step forward. >> Uh Claire Wickcom, 12 Fairwood Road. Um
this is like the December surprise. I mean, we've been so inured to being optimistic at friends of the group that like to actually be optimistic feels like something one needs to adjust to. Um, but this is tremendous. Um,
I'm um I also want to say on behalf of my neighborhood, thank you for saving the sledding hill. Um, I was at one point threatening to set up a separate organization to save the sledding hill, but done it and it's like the highlight of my kids childhood to be and we're losing
those spaces and um we need to have you know bonds that people can play on and this is going to be really great. Um I guess my my overarching question is does this settle the the Drew litigation
that we've been sitting through because I don't understand that litigation terribly well. I don't understand why Drew sued and I don't understand what's kind of left to settle and um it's you know a costly endeavor and I
would I would hope that we would stop being challenged on our affordable housing if that is the case with this I don't know if it ends it um and does it and the data restriction is also extraordinary does that that apply
if for instance goes under does that that still persist those are my comments and thank you all I'm sure this is not what you want to do on the Monday we'll capture some of those questions
which areing >> Joe >> Joe Bzraelian Fairfax Terrace Chattam Township I'm member of the board of friends of the Drew forest so first uh thank you mayor mayor and council talk about the power of positivity, optimism,
and teamwork. You've been putting that into effect for years. Just so impressive and so powerful. Um, thank you Mr. Cody, Mr. Castano, Senator Buco, uh, distinguished members uh, of the audience who are here and, um, and
friends of the Drew Forest and so many others not in this room. I just wanted to comment that since mayor you mentioned that a component one component of the funding of this of this uh to make this agreement complete and workable sounds like it is a um sounds
like it's up to private contributions. I just wanted to say count me in two. Thank you. Thank you Joe. Anyone else wishing to uh comment please step forward. Yes. Uh Dillard Kirby for Heartley
Farms, Marstown. Although I consider 66 years old, uh Madison is still my hometown. Council members, I applaud each of you uh for getting us here to this point tonight.
a special shout out uh to Eric and and to John. Um I've I've watched in a front row seat trying to remain neutral at all times because I'm a fan of Madison Burrow and a fan of Drew University.
Um but I've done that over the last uh two plus years and have view this negotiation process with keen eyes. Both sides, the Madison Burough and your university have kept their fiduciary
responsibilities at the highest priority and have been undeniably diligent. To the credit of each of you, we are here tonight. This truly should be a win-win for our broad community at
Madison, but also including a considerably wider community reach. I believe the productive and direct communications between the Drew President Hillary Link and Mayor Bob
Connley and their teammates. Uh giving a shout out to Ray Ray Cody, especially over the past year. The trust has now has an avenue to fully flourish and should allow for a steady
implementation of this agreement. This does not mean that it will not be easy. And while items will surely arise, it is my hope that both sides will be resolute in their efforts, focused on the task at hand,
bend when necessary to generate good will and progress, and close the deal with some urgency within the recipe of truly accomplishing multiple goals, saving an important forest and allowing Drew University a
chance to thrive. within this college town. So, as we close on Hanukkah tonight and enjoy Christmas in just over 48 hours, a 2026 spring peace and goodwill to all
involved in what I would like to now refer to as an alliance between the two parties that will be an important part of each of your legacy to this community. Thank you. And thank you again for all your support
and uh all the conversations and being a as you said a great friend for Madison and Drew University. >> I'm Sarah Webb as most of you know. Um longtime professor at Drew University of Environmental Studies and Biology and >> address
>> Yes. Um so I just am so thrilled and excited about the future of the forest and thank each and every one of you. Um there's so much work that has been done by so many people on the council in the community the friends of Forest who are now all my favorite people in the world.
Um came out of the woodwork to make this happen. When I first came to Drew University after I finished my doctorate in Minnesota, um Florence Suck showed me around and said this is wasn't the suck arom I don't think at that moment. She said this is part of where you get to teach and it was been it's been
fantastic to have that teaching resource and research resource for the students that have been trained and and worked in the summers and have done thesis work and um unrooted um revealed invasive species problems and ways of controlling them. I don't remember When I first got
here, there was a little tiny patch of garlic mustard and I was all excited. Here's a plant that's in bloom during the school year that they can learn to identify. Little did I know that it was going to take over half of the state. So anyway, I have many wonderful memories. So many students have had life-changing
experiences um over the years and that will hopefully continue. And I think as a patch of biodiversity with all the support we've had from US Fish and Wildlife Service, New Jersey foundation and others, we've been able to back many of the species of plants
and animals that had disappeared and um with the fence and with this preservation of the land that should continue to be a note of biodiversity for our region development. So, thank you all so much. >> Sarah, just for the record before you step away, your uh address, please.
>> Oh, 48 Barnesdale in Madison. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to comment, please step forward? Seeing none, I close this part of the meeting. We'll um the questions I captured and see if we missed anything.
Uh Greg, if we can review the acreage of the various parcels explain the uh ENF again. Uh does and the question was does this settle our litigation withdrew and does a deed restriction uh survive the
university? >> Okay, mayor. Thank you. One moment, please. I just have to look at some notes from uh parcel A is going to be 36.687 acres and parcel D so A and D constituting the
Drew forest is going to be 10301 acres. Partial F that the house is the Madison house is going to be one approximately 1.1 acres.
Partial B is going to be 4.492 acres. Partial C is going to be 3.87 acres. and the parcel E is going to be probably about 1.3 acres.
Some of the details are still being worked out. That's the first question. The second question was clarification of a conservation easement on parcel E. There will be no conservation easement placed on E. That's going to remain in the hands of university or whatever they
decide to do with it. But the settlement agreement governs what occur there as far as up and down Madison Avenue. The most important part for the burrow was that there was it couldn't be used for any further development.
The next question regards uh whether this settles the litigation that is the sole purpose of the settlement to settle through litigation and the question regarding the deed restriction on the balance of the campus
for no redevelopment. What's the future effect of it? I couldn't really give a legal opinion as to what could occur in the future if there was some sort of insolveny or bankruptcy. But I guess the way that we could describe the deed restriction is that it would it's the current uh best
way to preserve development. There's nothing else we could do. all the questions. All right, with that just a couple of closing comments. Um, as as you heard,
we still have more work to do, but this is a major milestone. Um, I have made a request uh to Lydia Chambers to get the Drew chorus to start working on Hallelujah Chorus because at some point
we will it will be time to sing that um in these chambers. So, we'll let you know when that is ready, but start rehearsing. And of course, uh want to wish everyone a uh happy last night of Hanukkah and merry Christmas and happy
holidays and to a great new year. Um speaking of new year, we'll be back here on January 3rd, Saturday, at 3:00 for reorganization. So with that, getting a second opportunity to do a last uh adjournment,
I ask Rachel to make a motion to adjurnn. >> I move that we adjourn the meeting. >> Have a second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you all. All right, let's go. >> Good job. All right.