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Robert H. Conley
2023 Candidate Information
Municipality: Madison Borough
Office: Mayor
Candidate Bio
At the start of this year I reflected, as many people do, on both what I accomplished in the past year and what opportunities exist to work on. I’m proud of much of what has been achieved under my leadership as your mayor, but I am also motivated to run for another term to continue the good work and to rise to the challenges we currently face. Simply put, I have unfinished business.
Growing up in Madison and then raising my family alongside my wife Titi has given me a strong feeling of gratitude and an even stronger sense of responsibility. I know I am not the only one who feels this way– simply look at the hundreds of volunteers who devote their time and talents to making Madison the wonderful place it is for so many. I am committed to continuing to offer my time as a steward of Madison and its future.
I have always prioritized listening to and respecting all opinions and my positive leadership style is essential to effectively representing all of Madison’s residents. I rely on these same leadership skills as I represent Madison in the League of Municipalities and the NJ Conference of Mayors. I am proud of the respect and admiration Madison receives from surrounding towns and across the state.
I remain grateful for the confidence placed in me by the people of Madison. Together with the numerous volunteers, other elected officials, and Borough administration, we have accomplished much in the last four years. Madison is truly the envy of towns throughout New Jersey due to our leadership, vision, and willingness to tackle the tough problems to find innovative solutions.
Some of the work over the last four years that stands out to me includes guiding Madison through the development of a new Master Plan that provides a forward-looking roadmap for Madison’s future, ensuring Madison meets our affordable housing obligations, supporting Madison residents and businesses during the height of the pandemic with the COVID-19 Crisis Toolkit, prioritizing fiscally sound budgeting, and navigating the challenges and vast opportunities to position Madison as a leader in climate change action at the municipal level.
As I look ahead, my focus will be on a number of priorities. Working together to save the Drew Forest will draw upon my experience in bringing all parties to the table. We must preserve this vital and irreplaceable open space and protect it from being developed. This effort is just a part of the overall priority I place on positioning Madison as a proactive leader on climate change. I will also continue the work to preserve our historic buildings and open spaces which are so vital to the high quality of life Madison residents enjoy. I am ready to lead Madison through the challenging economic factors that make it difficult to control taxes while maintaining the services our residents expect. We have weathered challenges like this before and I am confident we will again. I believe my positive leadership, experience, and commitment is essential to getting this done.
Prior to being elected mayor in 2011, I served two three-year terms on the Madison Borough Council. While on Council, I served as chairman of the Chatham Joint Meeting Finance Committee and was founding chair of the Shared Services Committee with the Board of Education and the Traffic Calming Committee. I am also a past president of the Madison Rotary Club, the Madison Rotary Foundation, the Adult School Board of Trustees, and the Grace Counseling Center Board of Trustees, a past chairman of the Madison Recreation Committee, and served as a member of the Open Space and Recreation & Historic Preservation Advisory Committees.
I am excited to join Bob Landrigan and John Forte in our campaign for mayor and council, as we work together to make Madison an even better place to live, raise a family, and own a business.
Want to help support Democrats in Madison Borough? Consider donating to Bob Landrigan’s campaign.