Millburn SID board accepts two resignations
Steve Grillo and Corine Mahoney are leaving, the board is weighing interim leadership, and Millburn will get back $33,342.16 in unused salary funds.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — executive director resigns as board handles, board hires counsel for bear properties, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Board members and residents praised Grillo’s work, but the practical questions were immediate: who signs checks, who runs events, and how fast the transition happens.
A downtown organization is changing hands in real time. The Millburn Short Hills Explore board accepted the resignations of Executive Director Steve Grillo and Marketing and Events Director Corine Mahoney, then turned to the mechanics of keeping the SID running. The board discussed appointing Michelle Lemieux as interim director and approved changes to bank signers effective May 29.
The meeting paired praise with logistics. Members of the public, board members, and staff spoke positively about Grillo’s tenure, while raising questions about interim staffing and how day-to-day work will be covered. Those questions matter for a district that handles events, promotions, and routine operations for Millburn and Short Hills businesses.
The board took one concrete budget step before adjourning. It approved returning $33,342.16 in unused Township salary funds from June onward. What comes next is still taking shape: an interim appointment was under discussion, staffing responsibilities are in flux, and the board now has to bridge the gap between two senior departures and whatever longer-term structure the Township and SID settle on.
Board hires counsel for Bear Properties litigation
The board made a legal hire with one case in view. Members approved bringing on Cooper LLC to represent Explore Millburn Short Hills in the Bear Properties litigation and to handle the board’s ordinary legal work.
There was little new to report on the case itself. Staff said there was no substantive litigation update, only that dates were being held and the timing of oral argument remained uncertain.
That leaves the board with counsel in place but no clear court milestone yet. For now, the practical effect is straightforward: Explore has a law firm assigned for both the pending case and routine board matters while the litigation schedule continues to develop.
Township sketches SID overhaul and survey
Mayor Todd Saccomandi said the Township is weighing a broader rewrite of the SID, including assessments, boundaries, staffing, and board seats. He said the town wants a new structure in place by September, plans to survey businesses, and will cover legal fees tied to the Bear Properties case.
litigation
Reverse angle parking test returns
The Township plans another reverse angle parking test on Millburn Avenue during a low-traffic period, according to board member Omar Buckingham. The goal is to compare it with earlier parking setups while the town tracks feedback sent through email and other channels.
Township plans more reverse-angle parking tests on Millburn Avenue, affecting drivers and merchants, but not yet approved here.
Board approves minutes over one objection
The board approved its April 2026 public session minutes with one no vote. Richard Wasserman said he disagreed with the recap in the minutes, while all other members present voted yes.
Board approved April minutes, and one no vote signals minor disagreement despite routine action.
Public art plan pauses for committee
Work on the public art master plan is on hold while the Township forms a new arts committee. Staff said a 7,500 grant is tied to the effort, and decisions would need to come by the end of summer to keep a September timeline in reach.
Public art plan is paused, but a 7,500 grant and end-of-summer deadline raise stakes.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Millburn had 20 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEBoard reviews June and July downtown event plans. Staff updated the board on Girls Night Out on June 4 and two World Cup-related events planned for June 20 and July 19. The discussion covered sponsors, promotions, vendors, event logistics, volunteer needs, and a broader shop-local strategy tied to the events.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- GOVERNANCEBoard enters and exits closed session. The board voted to enter closed session to discuss personnel and related matters, then later voted to return to public session. No additional action is described in these procedural items.
- GOVERNANCEAdjournment. The board voted to adjourn the meeting.
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THIS EDITION IS SUPPORTED BY · Alex Zaltsman