Millburn advances rewrite of township tree rules
Ordinance 2758-26 would reorganize tree regulations, update fees and definitions, and require contractor registration before the Township Committee takes it up again.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — tree ordinance advances on first reading, financial update, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
A Shade Tree Advisory Board commenter said the rewrite would give the township forester stronger tools, while pressing for train station pedestrian plans to be posted publicly.
Trees took center stage in a quiet but consequential vote. The Township Committee introduced ordinance 2758-26 on first reading, starting a rewrite of Millburn’s tree rules. The measure would reorganize the code and update core parts of it, including fees, definitions, and contractor registration requirements. It was an early step, not final passage, but it signaled that the township is trying to tighten how tree work is regulated.
The clearest case for the ordinance came during public comment. A speaker from the Shade Tree Advisory Board backed the proposal and said it would give the forester stronger tools. That support mattered because the ordinance reaches beyond simple cleanup of old language. Revised definitions can change what work is covered, updated fees can reset the cost of permits or violations, and contractor registration can give the township a clearer record of who is doing the work.
The same commenter tied the tree discussion to another issue residents have been tracking: the Short Hills train station pedestrian project. The speaker asked that pedestrian plans be posted publicly. That request pointed to a broader theme running through the meeting — not just what the township plans to do, but when residents get to see the details. Ordinance 2758-26 now heads to a future public hearing and final vote, where the committee will decide whether the revised rules become law.
Financial update: Open Space Trust Fund balance, tax rate timing, and investment interest rate
The Open Space Trust Fund is sitting on about $1.2 million. In a financial update, Matt said there have been no disbursements yet and no new transfer because the county has not certified the tax rate.
That timing matters because the township cannot complete the year’s funding until the tax rate is set. Matt said the full allocation would be funded once that certification arrives. No vote was attached to the report; it was a status check on cash, timing, and what is still waiting on county action.
The money is still earning interest while it waits. Matt said the fund is getting about 3.4% in money market accounts, with deposits spread across different banks to seek the strongest return. Committee members welcomed that rate and stressed that the fund should be managed carefully because it is taxpayer money.
Residents press officials on projects and process
Public comment ranged across turfing, affordable housing, streetscape plans, drainage, historic preservation, and event promotion. Speakers questioned missing or late-posted materials, asked for more detail on Millburn Avenue and train station work, described flooding concerns tied to Fairfield Drive, and promoted a July 19 World Cup watch party expected to draw up to about 1,000 people.
litigation
Committee advances Hobart and Station Plaza stop
The Township Committee introduced ordinance 2757-26 to create an all-way stop at Hobart Avenue and Station Plaza. The sponsor pointed to engineering concerns over lighting, sight lines, and pedestrian safety, and said a traffic study found the intersection met the warrants; a public hearing and final vote are set for August 11, 2026.
First reading would add an all-way stop at Hobart Avenue and Station Plaza after traffic-study concerns.
Affordable housing plan shifts to township sites
Frank Saccomandi said Millburn reached an agreement in principle to move the Nine Mann Street affordable housing project to the former Rimback site and the newly acquired Palm Selan property. Jarrid Kantor said the township’s fourth-round fair housing compliance hearing is now set for August 12, when Millburn expects an immunity and compliance order, and a special meeting is planned for July 29.
This affects where affordable housing may be built and the Township's legal compliance timeline under state housing rules.
Resident urges broader downtown traffic rethink
A resident used the second public comment period to criticize parts of Millburn’s Complete Streets design and question whether delivery truck rules are being enforced. The resident urged the township to revisit Mann Street traffic patterns, parking, and train station circulation as part of a larger downtown plan rather than handling each issue separately.
Resident challenged Complete Streets traffic design, truck-ordinance enforcement, and downtown parking planning near the station.
- Millburn Township Committee. A resident criticized aspects of the Township’s Complete Streets design and urged reevaluation of Main Street traffic patterns, including left-hand turns and future two-way/slip-lane concepts. The resident also questioned enforcement of a delivery truck ordinance and called for attention to vacant store/signage ordinances and broader planning around the train station and nearby development.
- Millburn Township Committee. A resident reiterated concerns about drainage and engineering decisions affecting neighboring properties, describing retaining wall placement, dry wells, and runoff impacts. The resident asked the Township to review engineering oversight and expressed concern about being “gaslit” in prior interactions, while stating they were not trying to cause trouble.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Millburn had 34 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
SUNDAYS IS SUPPORTED BY · Stephanie Mallios/Compass REExperience is Key →
- GOVERNANCEMeeting decorum ordinance draws revision requests. The Township Committee discussed a proposed disorderly persons ordinance aimed at disruptive conduct at public meetings, but raised questions about First Amendment limits, enforcement, and whether existing rules already cover serious incidents. Public commenters also warned against restricting speech and urged narrower language, and the attorney was asked to revise the draft.
- GOVERNANCERestaurant nuisance ordinance moves after zoning bill pulled. Residents commented on restaurant regulation from two angles: one urged support for a pulled zoning ordinance affecting B2 and B3 districts, while another discussion centered on odor, smoke, and grease impacts. Committee members said ordinance 2760-26 was pulled because of deficiencies and instead introduced ordinance 2759-26 on first reading to set nuisance standards for food establishments, with a public hearing scheduled for August 11, 2026.
- GOVERNANCEWireless facility ordinance introduced as cell coverage work continues. The Township Committee introduced ordinance 2761-26 to regulate wireless communications facilities on private property, setting zoning, setback, design, and collocation standards with a public hearing scheduled for August 11, 2026. Separately, the Business Administrator reported that the Township is working on cell coverage issues, and the Mayor said resident-submitted Verizon data is being used in outreach efforts.
- GOVERNANCEOld business: proposed data center regulations (state law update and drafting concerns). The Township Committee revisited proposed data center regulations. A member noted the state passed a law directing development of data center regulations and urged adopting local protections, while the Mayor raised concerns that the draft definition could unintentionally restrict ordinary on-site server rooms in office buildings; the committee discussed revising language and reviewing other municipalities’ ordinances.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment (second period): drainage/engineering concerns related to residential development and retaining walls/pools. A resident reiterated concerns about drainage and engineering decisions affecting neighboring properties, describing retaining wall placement, dry wells, and runoff impacts. The resident asked the Township to review engineering oversight and expressed concern about being “gaslit” in prior interactions, while stating they were not trying to cause trouble.
- GOVERNANCEAdoption of Community Energy Plan (BPU grant-related). The Township Committee adopted resolution 26-181 to approve a Community Energy Plan developed by the Environmental Commission with Township staff and a consultant. The Mayor described it as a practical roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs and to position the Township for BPU grant funding; committee members emphasized it was a non-binding “wish list” requiring future approvals.
- GOVERNANCEHistoric designations approved for bridges and Mount Zion Church. The Township Committee adopted final ordinances designating certain railroad-related bridges within a thematic historic district and designating Mount Zion Church at 54 Church Street as a historic landmark. Public comment on the bridge ordinance raised questions about NJ Transit repairs and whether historic status could limit future modifications.
- GOVERNANCEMayor’s community and project updates: events, pedestrian safety, and upcoming ordinances. The Mayor highlighted summer programming and community events, including concerts and the Township’s July 4 celebration, and noted ongoing work on Short Hills train station pedestrian safety with decisions expected soon. The Mayor also previewed agenda topics including a shade tree ordinance and a creative arts ordinance.
- GOVERNANCEDeputy Mayor report: Historic Preservation Commission, Shade Tree grant, and police incident follow-up. The Deputy Mayor reported on upcoming Historic Preservation Commission business, a Shade Tree Committee grant application for Taylor Park, and an investigation into a police call related to alleged posting of literature at the Millburn train station, stating the reporting person made the call and additional documentation was being sought.
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