Board hires counsel as Bear Properties case continues
The board approved hiring Cooper LLC for the Bear Properties litigation and routine legal work. Staff said there was no substantive case update yet, with dates still being held and oral argument timing uncertain.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — board hires counsel as bear properties, outgoing director praised amid tense transition, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The board approved hiring Cooper LLC for the Bear Properties litigation and routine legal work. Staff said there was no substantive case update yet, with dates still being held and oral argument timing uncertain.
The board approved hiring Cooper LLC for the Bear Properties litigation and routine legal work. Staff said there was no substantive case update yet, with dates still being held and oral argument timing uncertain.
Outgoing director praised amid tense transition
The departing executive director announced his move to a new BID role, reviewed accomplishments from his five-year tenure, and received thanks from the chair, board members, officials, and public speakers. Comments also reflected concern about staffing strain and disagreement over discussing litigation in public during the transition.
SID faces leadership shakeup and possible restructuring
The board accepted the resignations of its executive director and marketing/events director, discussed appointing Michelle Lemieux as interim director, and changed bank signers effective May 29. At the same time, township officials outlined possible SID restructuring, staffing and board changes, and the board returned $33,342.16 in unused township salary funds while seeking clarity on interim funding.
Residents and businesses could see changes in who runs downtown services, how they are funded, and what happens next this summer.
Committee report: reverse angle parking testing on Millburn Avenue
Omar Buckingham reported that reverse angle parking was still being tested on Millburn Avenue. He stated that, according to Mr. McDonald, the Township planned to switch to reverse angle parking again the following week (he did not have the exact date). He said the Township intended to set up another temporary configuration to see how it works and how the community responds, and that the Township planned a series of tests during low-traffic periods. He indicated the goal was to compare how the configuration works relative to prior/annual parking arrangements. A question was raised about how many responses had been received by email regarding the parking changes and whether comments were mostly opposed. Buckingham stated he did not know the approximate number of emails and said that comments were being tracked, including those coming through the “Happy Millburn” channel and those received officially by email.
Township plans reverse angle parking tests on Millburn Avenue, potentially affecting drivers and merchants during evaluation.
Public art master plan status and pending arts committee
Staff provided an update on the public art master plan. They referenced a prior meeting involving Christine Best and Jackie Benjamin Lieberberg with Township officials (including Committeeman “Serruto,” as transcribed) where concerns were raised that the SID’s BID process involved public art and that other groups wanted to be involved. Staff stated that no final decision had been reached and that the Township was forming an arts committee. They reported that there was a 7,500 grant associated with the effort and that the SID had stopped the RFP consultant selection process while awaiting clarity on the arts committee’s structure and role. Staff indicated the Township wanted to leverage the funds and that it was unclear how the process would work going forward. A timing concern was raised: staff stated that if the plan is to be executed by September, decisions would need to be made by the end of summer. Staff expressed hope that the Township would continue to engage the SID in the project and noted the matter was “on hold” pending the Township’s decision.
Public art plan was paused pending an arts committee, with a 7,500 grant and end-of-summer deadline.
Approval of April 2026 public session minutes
A motion was made and seconded to approve the April 2026 public session minutes (the Chair corrected an initial reference to March 26, 2026). During the vote, Richard Wasserman voted no and requested to make a statement for the record. He stated he did not agree with the recap in the minutes and referenced prior discussion and emails, indicating he still did not agree with the summary. All other members present voted yes, and the minutes were approved with one dissenting vote.
Board approved April 2026 minutes, with one no vote over disagreement with the recap.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Millburn had 20 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEDowntown event calendar highlights June and July promotions. Staff detailed upcoming promotional events including Girls Night Out on June 4 and World Cup-themed programming on June 20 and July 19. Plans include sponsors, vendors, entertainment, volunteer support, and broader shop-local marketing tied to restaurants and retailers.
- GOVERNANCEFinancial report through end of April; assessments and sponsorships. The Executive Director reported financial status through the end of April, including bank balances, assessment collections, and sponsorship invoicing and collections. The report stated the organization was in strong financial shape.
- GOVERNANCEStreetscape and maintenance report (planters, tree pits, stonework, powerwashing, sidewalk touch-ups). Staff reported completion of seasonal streetscape work including 32 planters, mulching 71 tree pits, stonework updates on Morris Turnpike, powerwashing in downtown areas, and sidewalk touch-ups including the postcard mural area.
- GOVERNANCEHoliday decor ad hoc committee status and potential holiday light vendor. Staff reported on holiday decor planning and said a DPW contact identified a potential holiday light vendor with existing inventory, estimated around 4,000–4,500, with follow-up needed.
- GOVERNANCEMain Street America accreditation and related survey/walkability offerings. Staff announced receipt of Main Street America accreditation after a year-long process and scoring review. They also reported Main Street America’s standard community survey would be deferred to avoid confusion with other surveys, and that a free walkability survey was offered.
- GOVERNANCEBusiness openings/closings and ribbon cutting announcements. Staff reported a business closure and replacement, an anticipated opening, and upcoming ribbon cuttings, including a June 10 ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. for Aroma’s Home and a ribbon cutting for Book House’s new location.
- GOVERNANCEAdjournment. The board voted to adjourn the meeting.
- GOVERNANCEBoard enters and exits closed session. The board voted to enter closed session to discuss personnel and related matters, then later returned to public session. The actions marked the private portion of the meeting around staffing issues.
- GOVERNANCECall to order, Open Public Meetings Act notice, and roll call. The meeting opened with the required Open Public Meetings Act notice, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. A quorum was announced.
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