Millburn approves $22.375 million housing bond ordinance
The Township Committee gave final approval to a financing plan for an alternative site redevelopment project, including $21.85 million in bonds or notes.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — second reading/final passage, rabbit house concept review continued to, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The attorney said deed restrictions would stay in place for at least 30 years, even if affordable housing law changed later.
A long obligation came into sharper focus this week. The Township Committee adopted Ordinance 2764-26 on final reading, approving a bond ordinance for an alternative site redevelopment project in Millburn. The measure appropriates $22,375,000 and authorizes $21,850,000 in bonds or notes to cover part of the cost. The vote was unanimous on roll call after the public hearing closed.
The main public question was not about the borrowing itself, but about what lasts after the project is built. A resident asked whether the ordinance was tied to RPM and what would happen if RPM kept title or another interest in the property. The resident specifically asked whether those rights could continue indefinitely if affordable housing statutes were later struck down by the Legislature or the courts.
Jarrid Kantor, the Township Attorney, said that question was separate from the Township’s agreement with RPM. He said the arrangement includes deed restrictions recorded with the county clerk and requires at least a 30-year restriction, while some programs require 40 years. He added that after those restrictions expire, projects in many towns can convert to market-rate housing. For now, the ordinance is passed, the financing is authorized, and the Township can proceed under the commitments already in place.
Rabbit House concept review continued to a future meeting
The Rabbit House proposal is not finished yet. Applicants returned for concept review with plans for a rear addition, a hyphen connection, a garage link, and changes around the pool area.
Commissioners generally backed the overall direction. Their comments pointed to refinement, not a reset, with applicants asked to come back with revisions to parts of the design.
The matter was carried to a future meeting for continued review, identified during the discussion as September 10. That means no final action yet. The project stays in concept review while the applicants respond to the commission’s feedback and prepare the next version.
Resident presses committee on Nine Mann
A resident used public comment to question the Nine Main Street settlement, possible remediation, truck traffic, and how affordable housing funding would work. The comments asked for clearer public messaging and challenged past statements about payments, taxes, and whether the Township would still rely on the Main Street site.
litigation
Committee introduces White Oak Ridge stop ordinance
The Township Committee introduced Ordinance 2765-26 to codify a stop control at White Oak Ridge Road eastbound at Great Hills Road. Members said the stop had long existed and had support from county engineers, Township engineers, and police; final passage is set for September 1, 2026.
Introduced stop control at White Oak Ridge Road and Great Hills Road, with final hearing set.
Millburn certifies 2025 audit results
The Township Committee certified the 2025 audit and approved a corrective action plan tied to the report. The audit came back with an unmodified opinion and reported an $18.8 million fund balance, $41.7 million in net debt, and a small number of follow-up items.
Audit results show the township's financial condition and what officials must fix to avoid bigger budget or compliance problems.
Committee adopts permanent tree preservation rules
The Township Committee gave final approval to Ordinance 2758-26, making permanent changes to Millburn’s tree preservation code. Residents raised questions about homeowner choice, species selection, and implementation, while Township officials said the ordinance gives the forester discretion and adds stronger protections during construction.
Adopted permanent tree preservation rules with updated fees, construction protections, and tree-company registration.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Millburn had 42 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
SUNDAYS IS SUPPORTED BY · Stephanie Mallios/Compass REExperience is Key →
- GOVERNANCESecond Reading/Final Passage: Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Siting and Design Review Regulations. Ordinance 2761-26 was adopted on second reading to establish siting and design review regulations for wireless telecommunications facilities. The Township planner explained it fills a regulatory gap for facilities on private non-residential property and helps protect residential neighborhoods by limiting permitted locations and requiring performance showings.
- GOVERNANCENew Business: Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Ordinance Change Proposal (75% Petition Requirement for Historic Districts). The Township Committee discussed proposing changes to the HPC ordinance to require 75% of property owners in a proposed historic district to sign a notarized petition before the Township considers designation. Members cited a recent neighborhood historic district process as time-consuming and contentious and emphasized protecting property rights.
- GOVERNANCESecond Reading/Final Passage: Retail Food Establishments Odor/Smoke/Grease Exhaust Nuisance Standards. Ordinance 2759-26 was adopted on second reading to establish standards for retail food establishment odor, smoke, grease exhaust, and related nuisances.
- GOVERNANCESecond Reading/Final Passage: All-Way Stop at Hobart Avenue and Station Plaza. Ordinance 2757-26 was adopted on second reading to authorize an all-way stop at Hobart Avenue and Station Plaza. The ordinance was supported by a traffic study identifying deficiencies and finding the intersection met warrants for all-way stop control.
- GOVERNANCESID restructuring proposal prompted public concerns. The Township Committee discussed restructuring the Special Improvement District, expanding its boundaries, changing assessments, and creating a Township Director of Economic Development role tied to SID management. Public commenters raised concerns about the SID's direction, leadership, and fairness of enforcement.
- GOVERNANCEBusiness Administrator Report: 250th Mural Relocation, 9/11 Ceremony, Project Updates (Taylor Park Gateway, Millburn Avenue, Train Station, Verizon Pole). The Business Administrator reported the 250th mural was moved indoors to the Bauer Community Center game room for preservation. Updates were provided on a 9/11 ceremony, Taylor Park Gateway construction starting in early/mid-September, Millburn Avenue improvements bidding and construction timeline, Short Hills train station improvements and public presentation, and a Verizon pole installation near the train station.
- GOVERNANCENew Business: South Mountain Area Traffic Concerns and County Coordination. The Township Committee discussed traffic concerns in the South Mountain area, clarified speed bumps cannot be installed on Millburn Avenue because it is a county road and exceeds thresholds, and supported proactive coordination with county traffic engineers and broader traffic studies.
- GOVERNANCECommittee Report: Infrastructure and Community Events (Traffic Safety, Road Projects, Historical Society Open House, Oktoberfest). A committee member reported on pedestrian safety and infrastructure projects, DPW storm cleanup, and upcoming community events including the Historical Society open house and Oktoberfest on September 26, 2026.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment Period (First): NJ Transit Service and Ticket Expiration Concerns. A resident raised concerns about sudden NJ Transit service disruptions and a 30-day ticket expiration policy, particularly affecting seniors and commuters, and requested better announcements and signage.
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