Pictured: officials from Madison and Chatham at the Drew Forest By Rebecca Heath | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comUpdated: Nov. 18, 2025, 6:53 p.m.

Several New Jersey towns are pushing back against proposed legislation in the state Legislature that would loosen requirements for affordable housing projects developed by religious and nonprofit organizations.

Towns including Chatham, Morris Plains and Monroe have passed resolutions opposing the bill, S4736, introduced on Oct. 27. The town resolutions argue that the measure’s provisions would be an “egregious assault on municipal autonomy.”

The bill would require local planning boards in the state to approve certain property conversions into housing developments if they meet the measure’s rules, and would greatly limit the reasons towns can use to reject those projects.

This would allow developers to “bypass” the local planning process, the resolutions claim.

Under the legislation, buildings could exceed local height and density restrictions, “regardless of a municipality’s ability to ensure safety,” according to the resolutions.

Projects could be built at densities up to 40 units per acre and one story taller than local zoning requirements allow.

The bill would require that 20% of the new housing units be designated as affordable, but the councils argue that allowing the remaining 80% to be market rate could make it more difficult for the towns to meet the state’s fourth-round affordable housing requirements.

“It does not make sense to mandate municipalities meet certain affordable housing requirements, to work with their professional planners, lawyers and the community to craft a detailed housing plan for the 4th round, only to have the legislature turn around that circumvents and undermines that process and preempts local zoning,” Chatham Borough Mayor Carolyn Dempsey said in a statement.

MADISON – The Borough Council voted Monday, Nov. 10, to oppose a bill introduced in the state Senate which would allow nonprofits such as universities to bypass municipal boards and master plans in order to build affordable housing, amid concerns it could negatively impact the Drew Forest.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, would enable an organization such as Drew University to build on any area of its property, including the 53-acre forest area, without requiring the borough to first re-zone the land, according to a statement provided by the Friends of the Drew Forest organization.

Also under the bill, developers would be allowed to build housing at a density of 40 units per acre and at heights up to one story taller than the tallest building in a given town, according to the Friends organization. The organization stated that developers would be allowed to build housing developments that are 80% market-rate and 20% affordable.

In addition, developers would be able to enter into automatic agreements for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), which is something that usually happens when towns designate areas in need of redevelopment, according to the Friends organization

State Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, said at the council meeting that the legislation is “really misguided,” and that the state Legislature has never passed a bill to remove so many powers from municipalities.

In the Oct. 30 ruling, State Superior Court Judge Stephan Hansbury stuck to his earlier decision that no housing needed to be built on the forest or the Drew campus as part of Madison’s third round affordable housing plan.

Members of the Friends of the Drew Forest packed state Superior Court in Morristown to hear arguments from Madison officials, Fair Share Housing Center and Drew University. For the past few years, the group has been advocating for preservation of the forest in perpetuity amid concerns of potential future development.

Hansbury ended up rejecting arguments that Madison’s affordable housing obligation should be revised beyond the additional 77 he ordered in February.

“It ended up being a very good day for the forest—and for Madison,” said Judy Kroll, co-chair of the Friends of the Drew Forest.

The fourth round of affordable housing was not discussed.

“We loved the fact that the judge commented on the continued community support for the Forest,” said Friends Co-Chair Lydia Chambers. “Our crowd included Drew alumni, a nursing mother and a broad range of forest lovers. The courtroom was filled with our bright blue ‘Save the Drew Forest’ T-shirts.”

The path to preserving 51 forested acres on the Drew University campus once again appears in jeopardy after the school proposed building hundreds of residential units — despite a tentative agreement with Madison borough to save the property.

The borough's affordable housing plan, submitted to the state on June 23, includes details of a proposal by the university to build 492 residential units on two lots that are near, but not considered part of, the Drew Forest parcel. Those lots, totaling about 11 acres, are already under contract to North Jersey developer Avalon Bay.

…That was expected by preservation advocates. But the university's proposal also identifies the two Drew Forest lots as "ideal" for a 208-unit townhome community. Those lots were not included in Madison's latest calculations of land considered to have redevelopment potential.

Has the forest deal gone south?

June 24, 2025, BRETT FRIEDENSOHN Managing Editor, Madison Eagle

MADISON – Drew University has submitted concepts for possible development of future housing in the Drew Forest, but the forest was not included in the borough’s fourth round affordable housing plan.

Included in the appendix was a concept by Drew and developer AvalonBay Communities, mapping out where hundreds of housing units could go in the forest and in other places on Drew’s campus…

This concept, dated Monday, April 21, contrasts with Drew and Madison’s nonbinding term sheet for $65.1 million dollar deal that will preserve the forest and pave the way for development on other parts of the campus.

The agreement, announced in November, involves Madison purchasing the Drew Forest for preservation in perpetuity. It also includes revenue from development on additional university land for multi-family, inclusionary residential housing units.

TO THE EDITOR: I’m Colette Crescas, a registered nurse and a member of Friends of the Drew Forest. I’m pleased to report that doctors are increasingly prescribing time in nature to their patients struggling with cardiovascular disease or anxiety. According to the Mayo clinic, research suggests a minimum ‘dose’ of 2 hours a week in a natural setting to maintain those desirable levels.

Trees and forests affect the multiple complex systems within our bodies. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for what we know as the “flight or fight” response.. A 2017 study just 15 minutes in a forest had a calming effect that led to lower cortisol levels.

Forests help to boost our immune systems by directly releasing airborne chemicals called phytoncides.  When we breathe these in, our bodies respond by increasing the number and activity of white blood cells. These cells are critical in fighting tumors, virus-infected cells, and many bacterial infections

May 8, 2025 Madison Eagle, Letter to the Editor by Colette Crescas,

The Friends of the Drew Forest would like to make residents aware of the impact of artificial nighttime light on insects and birds, particularly migratory birds. April – June is peak season for birds migrating north to and through New Jersey, and it might surprise some to know that many species travel long distances during the night. Area forests, including the Drew Forest, provide excellent “stopover habitat” for birds to rest and feed during the day.

These countless birds migrating through New Jersey need dark skies to survive and thrive. In fact, scientists are learning more every year about the negative effects of what they call “ALAN” - Artificial Light At Night - on both plants and animals (including humans). This is not surprising, since we all evolved over millennia with nights being dark and experiencing only natural light from the moon and stars.

Sadly, migrating birds are hurt in various ways, over and above the many millions who die in collisions with lit-up buildings. Birds navigate using natural light, and they get attracted to and confused by artificial light, causing them to waste energy. Certainly, they can’t afford to waste energy on their long, arduous migrations.

Lights can also render those important ‘stopover sites’ less suitable for rest and rejuvenation. In addition, artificial night can even change bird behavior, leading to males’ singing at new times of day. To let artificial lights shine near natural areas such as the Madison Recreational Complex would be horrible for birds.

Insects also get attracted to Artificial Light at Night and are either killed outright or die slowly from the loss of valuable energy spent pursuing artificial lights. Human lighting of the night is a key factor in the decline of insect populations, leading to less food for birds and bats and fewer pollinators for our plants.

Even trees are hurt by ALAN. Not only can bright night-time light influence a tree’s photosynthesis process, but artificial light also leads to trees becoming active too early in spring and staying active too late in the fall. Trees that are near artificial light at night are less healthy and have shorter lives than those that still enjoy the gift of natural darkness.

By Christine Hepburn

A version of this appeared on Apr 30, 2024 in the Madison Eagle, photo by Blaine Rothauser

If you are like most people (including me until my 40s), you hardly know what a warbler is, let alone take note of the many beautiful species that make up this group of migrating birds.

About 50 different species of these small, insect-eating birds with slim beaks can be found in North America, and 35 of these can be seen in New Jersey.

Each warbler species sings its own sweet song, but their voices don’t stand out if you ask me. I’d call them "flitters" rather than "warblers," given how active they are, constantly flitting from branch to branch.

Most warblers will just be passing through town, on the way further north after wintering anywhere from southern Texas down to Peru, depending on the particular species.

The long migrations are perilous times for the warblers who travel by night and rest during the day. “Stopover habitats” with trees and a water supply are very important and of course the Drew Forest provides a wonderful resource for these migrants, along with leafy yards.

MADISON – Mayor Robert Conley presented members of the Friends of the Drew Forest with a proclamation recognizing Friday, March 21 as International Day of Forests in the Rose City during the Borough Council meeting Monday, March 10.

The holiday has been recognized annually by the United Nations since 2012.

“It’s not only an eye to the valuable Drew Forest, which we’ve been working so hard to save, but also the National Forests which may be opened to greatly expanded logging,” Conley said in regards to the importance of the proclamation.

“This will not only devastate the forests, but also remove trees that cleanse our air. And if we don’t protect the forests right here in our country, how can we ask Brazil and other South American countries to preserve the Amazon, the lungs of the Earth? So this is a good reminder of the importance of forests.”

MADISON – The Drew Forest has two new benefactors: artists Margaret Malishchak and Molly Polevoy, who are collaborating on limited edition stained glass panels to help fund the Drew Forest’s conservation.

They are bringing their artwork to the Borough Council meeting Monday, March 24 at 50 Kings Road to show Mayor Robert Conley and elected officials.

“The Drew Forest is important to Molly and me,” said Malishchak, who lives in Madison’s Fairwood neighborhood close to the university.

“The forest is one of the few remaining places where children can see turtles sunning on logs, where Blue Herons fly and native bluebells pop up in spring.”

Malishchak started Glass4Good five years ago so that she could “use art to create more good in the world.” She donates all proceeds from sales—some $16,000 so far—to various state and local environmental and social justice groups.

We believe that the entire Drew Forest should be preserved.  It is treasured by the community for its ecological, educational, and recreational value. 

We also believe this Court’s decision which considers approximately 35.6 of the 51.6 acres to be developable is flawed.  We stand by our independent ecological expert who determined that that the Drew Forest “has extremely high value as a preserved open space where it can continue in its current capacity.”

Development of the property would eliminate a significant source of groundwater recharge to the Buried Valley Sole Source Aquifer.  It would also disrupt ongoing public and student use of the land and long-term research projects that are being carried out there. It would remove identified habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat and many irreplaceable large trees.

By BRETT FRIEDENSOHN Managing Editor Mar 7, 2025 

MADISON – The borough Thursday, March 6 appealed a state Superior Court court ruling saying that almost two-thirds of the Drew Forest is developable.

State Superior Court Judge Stephen Hansbury said in a ruling Friday, Feb. 14 that about 35.6 of the forest’s 51.6 acres is developable.

The next step after the state Superior Court is the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. “While the legal process continues, we remain open to settlement discussions with Drew University,” the Borough of Madison said in a statement.

“From the start, Madison has viewed affordable housing as a moral responsibility, not just a legal obligation. We remain committed to preserving the Drew Forest—a vital natural resource for Madison and surrounding communities—while also ensuring the development of affordable housing, in a way that best serves the taxpayers of Madison.”The Friends of the Drew Forest said in a statement that the decision is flawed.

“We believe that the entire Drew Forest should be preserved,” the Friends said. “It is treasured by the community for its ecological, educational, and recreational value.”

“Congratulations on saving the Forest!”

“Great news on the Forest. Now you can relax.”

“You must be so relieved. Great work!”

Friends of the Drew Forest has received messages like these over the past two months from well-wishers who support our journey to preserve the beloved Drew Forest. 

We wish we could relax

Our lyrics included this message: :”It’s a holly jolly forest/And it’s loved by one and all./ We should agree that it must be/Forever standing tall.”

We were thrilled to be joined by Spotlight Kids Company because saving a forest is work that's done for future generations.

Madison, NJ — The Borough of Madison and Drew University are pleased to announce we have reached a landmark agreement, signing a term sheet to preserve the Drew Forest. This agreement marks a significant step forward in the collective effort to protect this vital natural resource for generations to come. The agreement, which involves the Borough of Madison purchasing the Drew Forest for preservation in perpetuity, also paves the way for the sale of additional university land for the development of multi-family, inclusionary residential housing units, with the Borough also acquiring ownership of frontage along Madison Avenue, including Madison House.   

The Drew Forest Preserve, 51 intact acres with mature trees and glacial ponds on Drew University’s 163-acre campus, is an irreplaceable natural resource because of its unique diversity and features. Providing critical recharge for the Buried Valley Aquifer for 31 municipalities in Morris, Essex, Somerset, and Union counties, the preservation of this forest preserve will be a benefit to Madison and the region. Among these benefits are 22 acres of public trails, impossible-to-replicate carbon sequestration, and unique regional opportunities for education. Under the agreement, Drew University will retain the right to continue to use this land, as it currently does, for educational, research and community purposes. 

Going forward, Drew University and the Borough of Madison will work together toward the closing of the Drew Forest acquisition, and the rezoning and subdivision of two other parcels of university property, with an anticipated closing in the second quarter of 2025.

Madison Eagle Oct 27, 2024 Updated Oct 29, 2024 

MADISON – A fire that ignited in up to two acres at the Drew Forest was under control Saturday, Oct. 26, according to George Efinger, assistant division warden of Division A in the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

There wasn’t too much damage to the plants or the forest itself, according to Sara Webb, a member of the Friends of the Drew Forest Steering Committee and professor emerita of environmental science and biology at Drew University.

Claire Whitcomb, Madison Environmental Commission Chair, pointed out the Forest has undergone a 15-year restoration, and there were two acres that were choked by Asian wisteria, an invasive species. Had the vines been there, they would have served as ladder to the canopy, she said.