Borough Updates Open Space and Recreation Plan

The Madison Planning Board approved an update of the Open Space and Recreation Plan that goes for Green Acres state funding, and also adopted the plan as the element for the borough's master plan.

Chris Kellogg of the borough's Open Space Committee introduced a presentation given by Barbara Heskins Davis of the Land Conservancy of New Jersey. Davis presented maps detailing the update.

The update is required by the state incentive plan through Green Acres, through which the borough has been able to receive $1.6 million since 2004, when it became eligible.

"It reviews goals for open space acquisition, goes over inventory of available land, shows what's been preserved..." Davis said of the update. "If it's not included on this map, and all or part of (the land) becomes available, then it needs to be modified."

The state recently changed the requirement so municipalities need to update their plans every six years. By updating it in a timely manner, Davis said Madison makes sure it is first in line for state funding.

Davis also said that there are things Madison and its committee are doing that she wishes other stakeholders would take into consideration down the road.

"Morris County's plan is ages behind (Madison's)," Davis said about the borough's inclusion of bicycle routes. She also said that she hopes the county follows Madison's lead.

Other than a few misnamed items on the map, and the Hartley Dodge Building not being included in its proper section, the board was happy with the work that went into the maps and update. Those few discrepancies will be corrected and amended.

Now that the update has been adopted to the master plan, it will be submitted to Green Acres and logged so the borough is eligible for funding.