SID board hires separate counsel in Bear case
The Explore Millburn-Short Hills board approved a new litigation engagement for Bear Properties 3 as attorneys outlined pending dismissal motions and the next court steps.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — bear properties litigation update and special, executive director departure prompts transition steps, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Board members approved separate legal representation while the Bear Properties 3 case heads toward oral argument, with public comment turning to filings, governance, and a consent order.
The lawsuit stayed at the center of the board’s work. The Explore Millburn-Short Hills board approved a separate litigation engagement with Bear Cooper LLC for the Bear Properties 3 case, then heard an update from counsel on where the matter stands.
That update focused on pending motions to dismiss and what comes next in court. Counsel told board members oral argument is expected to be scheduled, giving the case a clearer near-term path even as the dismissal motions remain unresolved. The action separated this case from the board’s other legal work and put a formal structure around who will handle it.
Public comment returned to the same dispute from several angles. Speakers raised concerns about the case itself, the board’s governance, court filings, and a consent order. The discussion made clear that the litigation is not just a legal matter for the board; it is shaping how residents and business district participants are judging the organization’s decisions. For now, the next marker is the court calendar: the motions to dismiss are still pending, and board members are waiting for oral argument to be set.
Executive director departure prompts transition steps and tributes
A leadership transition arrived with two resignations. The board accepted the departures of Steve Grillo, executive director, and Corinne Mahoney, director of events and marketing, and took several administrative steps tied to the change.
Board members voted to return $33,342.16 in unused township salary support and updated bank signers after Steve Grillo departure. They planned to discuss interim staffing in closed session, a sign that the immediate question is less about long-range structure than who will handle day-to-day work in the near term.
Much of the public discussion turned to thanks and review. Board officials, township representatives, and commenters praised the departing staff and recounted Steve Grillo work during his time with the organization. The board now has to bridge the gap between those departures and whatever staffing plan comes next.
Mayor outlines SID restructuring options
Frank Saccomandi told the board the Township Committee is weighing a broad restructuring of the SID, including tiered assessments, boundary changes, staffing changes, and board seat adjustments. He asked the board not to hire a replacement executive director yet and said the township wants a new structure in place by September.
litigation
Millburn Avenue parking test shifts again
A Township Committee representative said the township is still testing angle parking on Millburn Avenue and expects to switch to reverse angle parking within the next week or two. The change is part of a continuing comparison during low-traffic periods, with feedback tracked through official channels.
Township plans reverse angle parking on Millburn Avenue within weeks, affecting a key downtown corridor.
Public art plan pauses over committee
Staff said the public art master plan process is on hold while the township decides how a new arts committee will be structured. The group still has a $7,500 grant for the work, but the money must be used in the BID area and decisions are needed before the end of summer.
Public art plan is on hold despite a time-limited $7,500 BID-area grant before summer’s end.
Main Street accreditation arrives, surveys wait
Staff reported that the organization received Main Street America accreditation after a year of work and a formal scoring review. They said a Main Street community survey will likely wait until later so it does not overlap with township surveys, while a free walkability survey still needs to be scheduled.
Staff reported Main Street America accreditation and upcoming surveys, a modest downtown-wide planning development.
- Millburn Special Improvement District (Explore Millburn-Short Hills / Millburn CID). A former Explore board member and business owner praised the departing Executive Director’s leadership, citing Main Street designation work and hands-on support during Hurricane Ida, and wished both departing staff members well.
- Millburn Special Improvement District (Explore Millburn-Short Hills / Millburn CID). A business owner urged attendance at Girls Night Out, supported interim leadership for Michelle Lemieux, offered volunteer help, and described the departing Executive Director’s impact on the business community and the need for stable staffing and leadership.
- Millburn Special Improvement District (Explore Millburn-Short Hills / Millburn CID). During public comment, a resident who identified as counsel for plaintiffs criticized the board’s professionalism and minutes, referenced tort claim and civil rights notices, and raised concerns about the Bear Properties matter being dismissed without prejudice and the implications of a consent order.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Millburn had 24 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
SHARED THIS WEEK BY · CycleBar Millburn
- GOVERNANCEDowntown event plans advance for June and July. Staff updated the board on Girls Night Out on June 4 and two World Cup-related events: Skills Day on June 20 and a final viewing party on July 19. The reports covered participation, sponsors, marketing, partnerships, and efforts to drive shopping and dining.
- GOVERNANCEStreetscape and maintenance report (spring season completion). Staff reported completion of spring streetscape work including plantings, mulching, stonework updates, power washing, sidewalk maintenance, and mural touch-ups.
- GOVERNANCEBusiness development update: openings/closings and ribbon cutting (June 10). Staff reported on a business closure and replacement, anticipated openings, and a ribbon cutting for the Book House’s new location on June 10 at 3:30 PM.
- GOVERNANCEFinancial report and sponsorship report (through end of April). Staff presented the financial report through the end of April, including bank balances, assessment collection status, and sponsorship invoicing and collections.
- GOVERNANCEHoliday décor ad hoc committee status and lighting vendor lead. The board received a brief update on holiday décor planning, including a potential vendor lead for holiday white lights and the need to regroup with Township/DPW contacts.
- GOVERNANCEAdjournment. The board approved a motion to adjourn.
- GOVERNANCEBoard enters closed session and returns. The board voted to enter closed session to discuss personnel and litigation matters and later voted to return to public session. No separate public action was described in these motions.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of public session minutes (April 2026). The board approved the April 2026 public session minutes by roll call vote, with one member not voting and stating disagreement with aspects of the recap.
- GOVERNANCERoll call and quorum. The board conducted roll call and confirmed a quorum.
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THIS EDITION IS SUPPORTED BY · Alex Zaltsman