The meeting delved into numerous mayoral appointments with the consent of the Township Committee, such as the reappointment of Sarah Sherman to the Milburn Free Public Library and Annette Romano’s new role as liaison to the Senior Citizen Advisory Board. Ben Stoler was appointed to the Board of Education, Community Service Award Committee, and the Board of Recreation Committee Fields. Additionally, Trina Frankle, MD, and Richard Coplon were reappointed as alternate member of the Board of Health and municipal prosecutor, respectively. Joseph Coffield’s new role on the Zoning Board of Adjustment was also confirmed.

Further appointments included Priscilla Sarf and Shohan Derek Pang to the Zoning Board of Adjustment as alternate members, with Frank Secondamandate joining the Planning Board as a class three member. Matt Larcy maintained his position as treasurer, and Alex McDonald was named the Milburn public agency compliance officer. The council also appointed clergy as chaplains and representatives to various boards, including the Essex County Transportation Advisory Board and the Milburn Short Hills Business Organization Inc. District Management Corporation Board of Trustees, with Annette Romano joining the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union County.

The meeting spotlighted the new officials’ speeches, which championed transparency, professionalism, civility, kindness, and respect.

During the public comment period, residents backed the newly elected officials while voicing concerns over budget allocations to the Downtown Millburn Development Alliance (DMDA) and the transparency of payments authorized by the Chief Financial Officer. The potential for the township to face legal action due to inadequate public input was also a point of contention, as residents requested professional sessions to elucidate the legal and financial implications of various decisions.

A resident’s inquiry about the appropriation of $55,000 for the special improvement district highlighted the need for clarity on fund allocations. Discussions also touched upon the desire for a change in government form and the enforcement of town codes. The deputy mayor responded by acknowledging traffic concerns and supporting the exploration of a government change. Moreover, the importance of protocol adherence and the potential formation of a charter commission to study alternative forms of government were debated.

The meeting’s discourse shifted to fair share housing, with committee member Michael H. Cohen updating the ongoing negotiations and legal proceedings. Cohen highlighted the complexities, including the court’s role and the challenges in reaching an agreement, expressing concerns over potential court sanctions and their impact on the township. Committee member Sanjeev Vinayak provided clarifications on the temporary budget, explaining the special improvement district and various expenses. Annette Romano, now the Township attorney, outlined the legal challenges of the fair share housing case, emphasizing the township’s commitment to presenting strong legal defenses.