Madison honors Volunteer Ambulance Corps and fetes departing councilwoman Rachel Ehrlich

Madison’s Borough Council on Jan. 1 held a reorganization meeting that opened with a formal recognition of the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a ceremonial farewell for Councilwoman Rachel Ehrlich.

The council read a historical tribute recounting that the volunteer ambulance corps formed in 1954, provided continuous 24/7 coverage over decades and answered "well over 50,000 calls," and that its building has transferred to the borough as part of a transition away from operating as a formal volunteer corps (Presenter (S4) summarized the history). Speaker S4 said the corps’ officers asked that the building be named for a volunteer who has served for 60 years and who has given "endless hours" of service.

Governor-elect Mikey Sheryl (S8), introduced to the assembly earlier in the ceremony, offered brief remarks praising local volunteerism and cross‑jurisdictional cooperation. "It gives me chills" to administer municipal oaths, he said, and commended Madison’s civic engagement and recent federal‑state collaboration on issues such as housing and public safety.

The council also adopted a resolution honoring Councilwoman Rachel Ehrlich for two terms of service (2020–2025) and her leadership on committees including the Climate Action Committee. Ehrlich (S7) accepted the recognition and thanked colleagues, staff and volunteers for partnering with municipal departments. In remarks during her thank-you, Ehrlich said the country faces serious challenges and invoked the importance of "competent, decent, compassionate governance." (Rachel Ehrlich (S7)).

The recognition items and the presentation of a commemorative clock concluded the ceremonial portion of the reorganization meeting; no formal policy changes or votes linked to the ambulance building's long-term use were recorded at the meeting.

The council moved next to administrative organization and committee appointments, and adjourned after completing the consent agenda and bylaws adoption.

The borough clerk’s notice at the start of the meeting indicated the meeting notice was filed on 12/08/2025 and made available to the public.

The next procedural step recorded at the meeting was enactment of the council’s 2026 bylaws and confirmation of standing committee appointments; those actions were taken by council motion and voice/roll-call approval during this same session.