January 8, 2026 Millburn Township Charter Study Commission Meeting Minutes 1 Minutes of the meeting of the Charter Study Commission of the Township of Millburn, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, held on Zoom starting at 7:00 PM on the above date. Mr. Drucker welcomed those present and read the following notice: In accordance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, Public Laws, 1975, be advised that notice of this meeting was made by posting on the Bulletin Board in Town Hall, and forwarding to the officially designated newspapers, that this meeting would take place on Zoom at 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 8, 2026. All those in attendance joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dr. Kung noted the draft agenda was not posted to the website prior to the meeting and posted it during the meeting. Ms. Parker-Lentz made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Tanna. All voted in favor. Ms. Parker-Lentz made a motion to approve the December 30, 2025 meeting minutes, seconded by Dr. Kung. All voted in favor except Mr. Biller and Mr. Tanna, who abstained as they were not present at that meeting. Reports Dr. Kung reported attending the Township Committee reorganization meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, where the selection of mayor required multiple rounds of voting for the first time. He recommended commissioners watch the recording (starting at minute 18) as it relates to the Commission's study of mayoral selection. Mr. Biller and Mr. Drucker concurred. Introduction of Legal Counsel Mr. Drucker introduced Michael Collins and Suzanne Cevasco from King, Moench & Collins LLP. Mr. Collins provided background on his experience, including prior representation of the Red Bank and Bradley Beach charter study commissions. He confirmed the Commission's three￾phase approach is appropriate and offered to meet with pairs of commissioners between meetings to assist with agenda structure, witness scheduling, and interview guidance. Commission members discussed the interview process with Mr. Collins. He explained that in Red Bank and Bradley Beach, municipal employees were interviewed privately to encourage candid feedback, while elected officials and high-ranking administrators could be interviewed publicly at the Commission's discretion. He recommended private interview findings be reported out at public meetings and memorialized in minutes to support the final report. Public Comment Mr. Drucker opened the first public comment period. Charu Goel, speaking on behalf of the Short Hills Association, thanked the Commission and offered suggestions including posting agendas earlier, sharing who is being interviewed, clarifying consistency mechanisms across interviews, sharing high-level themes regularly, and considering public interviews with elected officials. Frank Saccomandi commended the Commission's work. He raised concerns about individuals claiming to represent civic organizations without proper authorization, specifically referencing the Short Hills Association. He offered to make himself available for further interviews or testimony.� January 8, 2026 Millburn Township Charter Study Commission Meeting Minutes 2 Jeffrey Feld welcomed legal counsel and requested they review questions from the December 30 meeting regarding interview transparency and whether the Bradley Beach charter study report could be shared publicly. He suggested monitoring recent contentious meetings in Holmdel as a relevant example worthy of study. Jay Morreale responded that at the Short Hills Association's December meeting, a charter study committee was formed consistent with bylaws and voted in unanimously by members present. Members received a summary within days announcing all 2026 committees. Mr. Drucker closed the first public comment period. Mr. Biller stated that unless legally required, he prefers to keep interview subjects confidential to encourage candid responses. He is comfortable outlining general groupings but not specific names. Regarding civic association authorization, he takes all comments as informative input regardless of organizational affiliation. Mr. Drucker stated the Commission will not publish interview questions or findings during Phase 1, emphasizing this encourages honest dialogue. Findings will be published after Phase 1 is complete. Anyone can submit questions for the Commission to ask. Ms. Parker-Lentz discussed the rationale for not recording interviews, particularly with former officials no longer living in town. Mr. Collins elaborated on the distinction between interviewing employees privately versus having discretion for public interviews with elected officials. He recommended that work done privately be reported out publicly. Old Business Interviews: Dr. Kung stated that once Phase 1 nears completion, it would be appropriate to publish findings. Community Outreach: Ms. Parker-Lentz provided an update: the FAQ is nearly complete and will be finalized with commissioner input. She encouraged commissioners to plan to distribute via email to networks, listservs, and WhatsApp groups. She updated that the first focus group meeting has been held, and she is currently awaiting response from Short Hills Association members. Dr. Kung offered to make announcements at Township Committee meetings. Mr. Biller suggested adding Commission information to the Weekly Millburn Message. Mr. Drucker announced that starting January 15, meetings will be held in person at the Bauer Center Fireplace Room with Zoom capability for hybrid attendance. Dr. Kung clarified that January 15 and subsequent meetings will start at 8:00 PM. The time change was properly noticed with the Township Clerk. Public Comment Mr. Drucker opened the second public comment period. Charu Goel clarified her request is for public interviews only of elected officials, not employees. She asked about safeguards to prevent anecdotes from outweighing empirical data and mechanisms to ensure accuracy when interview information is shared among commissioners.� January 8, 2026 Millburn Township Charter Study Commission Meeting Minutes 3 Commission members responded that interviews are one of multiple information sources. No single anecdotal incident will influence decisions; patterns from multiple interviews will inform findings. Commissioners conducting interviews take detailed notes and compile them for sharing with all commissioners. The Commission will weigh the scale and impact of examples. Mr. Tanna noted this is a matter of discretion and judgment, with the final report ultimately judged by voters. Mr. Drucker closed the second public comment period. Adjournment Mr. Drucker announced the next meeting will be Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM at the Bauer Center Fireplace Room and via Zoom. Ms. Parker-Lentz made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Biller. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned. ____________________________ Dr. Jerry Kung, Commissioner Charter Study Commission Secretary Approved: January 15, 2026�