Millburn Township Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission of the Township of Millburn, in Essex County, New Jersey, held in the Bauer Community Center in Taylor Park starting at 7:00pm on the above date. Chair René Paparian called the meeting to order at 7:01pm and read the following statement: In accordance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act be advised that a 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 at the Bauer Community Center in Taylor Park at 7:00 p.m. on November 18, 2025. Meeting details and the draft agenda were also posted on our township website. The following commissioners were present: Chairperson René Paparian, Jude Huang, Debra Nevas, Alexander McConnell, Bill Brazell. Commissioners Vanita Gangwal, Matthew Greller, and Lixia Wu were absent. Also present was the Environmental Commission Secretary Alexis Lin. René Paparian moved to amend the agenda to add approval of the November 3rd special meeting minutes. Motion was seconded, and all voted in favor. Note: The minutes for the November 3rd meeting were never approved because there were not enough commissioners in attendance who had also attended the November 3rd special meeting. René Paparian moved to approve the October 14th minutes. Motion was seconded, and all voted in favor. There were no public comments during the public comment period. Treasurer Report René Paparian stated that the current balance of EC funds is $218.42. Presentation - Eliana Barker, President of the Millburn High School Ocean Conservation Club Eliana Barker explained that she would like to do an independent research projection on how synthetic and natural fibers from our clothing affect zooplankton and phytoplankton. Plankton generate approximately 50% of the oxygen in our atmosphere, and microplastics damage how the plankton intakes carbon and CO2 . 1� Millburn Township Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 Eliana Barker described the methods she would use in her project: ● doing various loads of laundry to sample the grey water ● sampling nearby bodies of water such as the Taylor Park pond, the Jersey Shore, Hackensack River, and Raritan River ● identifying plankton and counting them under microscopes ● setting up an experiment to monitor their abundance and oxygen by adding fibers into the samples ● sending out surveys to Millburn residents about how often they do laundry and with what types of clothing The goals are to educate the public about: ● the relationship between microplastics and phytoplankton ● how the average person contributes to the microplastics problem ● how using more natural fiber clothing can help reduce this issue Costs for the project would be between $1,000 - $3,000 for equipment, with the largest costs being a compound microscope, a dissecting microscope, and a dissolved oxygen meter. Eliana Barker stated that her hypothesis is that if there are more synthetic fibers than natural fibers present in the water with the plankton, this will cause a decrease in oxygen produced by the plankton and an increase in plankton mortality. Eliana participated in a four week intensive Marine Science course this past summer at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Alabama. As part of this program, she did an independent research project on zooplankton and phytoplankton and their diurnal migration patterns, and also gave a presentation about textile waste. These experiences inspired her to design this independent research project. René Paparian noted that the EC cannot fully fund the project because the total costs are large in comparison to the EC’s annual budget of $2,500. Bill Brazell offered to help Eliana find other sources of funding. 2� Millburn Township Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 New Business Millburn Township 250 USA Anniversary Mural Project - René Paparian stated that Millburn 250 is doing a mural project and they’re asking Millburn organizations to submit decorated tiles as part of the project. René Paparian reached out to Joy Siegel to ask if she could do this on behalf of the Environmental Commission, and Joy agreed to do so. Student Environmental Group - The Environmental Commission reviewed the Student Environmental Group Resolution that was approved in the 9/9/25 meeting. Debra Nevas suggested that participants should provide a final presentation of their work to the Environmental Commission. Jude Huang moved to amend the Student Environmental Group Resolution to include a statement requiring participants to provide the EC with a final presentation of their work. Motion was seconded, and all voted in favor. Alexander McConnell moved to accept Eliana Barker and her project into the Student Environmental Group. Motion was seconded, and all voted in favor. Bill Brazell and René Paparian volunteered to be the Environmental Commission’s liaisons to the Student Environmental Group. Bill Brazell volunteered to be Eliana’s mentor for her research project. Bill Brazell motioned to amend the Student Environmental Group Resolution to include a statement that meetings between SEG participants and their liaisons/mentors should be in a public place. Motion was seconded, and all voted in favor. The amended version of the Student Environmental Group Resolution is in Appendix A. Rene Parparian moved to purchase the following items for the MHS Ocean Conservation Club for cleanups: $60 for biodegradable gloves, $40 for biodegradable bags, $85 for two trash grabbers. Motion was seconded, and all voted in favor. René Paparian moved to spend the remaining $33 of the Environmental Commission’s 2025 budget to purchase a Starbucks gift card for Joy Siegel. Motion was seconded, and all voted in favor. 3� Millburn Township Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 Commissioner to write EC’s reports for site plan submissions going before the PB - Debra Nevas stated that the Planning Board requires the Environmental Commission to write reports on site plan submissions. Debra Nevas used to work on this with Joy Siegel, but Joy Siegel is no longer on the Environmental Commission. Alexander McConnell volunteered to write the site plan submissions on behalf of the Environmental Commission. Microplastics - Bill Brazell reported on a presentation about microplastics that he attended. The presentation was given by a Harvard researcher. The EC discussed ways to disseminate this information to Millburn residents and students. Discuss formation of OSTF Sub-Committee - René Paparian stated that this discussion would be postponed until Vanita Gangwal is in attendance. Current Twp Code mandate(s) addressing residential yard maintenance and how best to permit native plantings in front yards - Bill Brazell brought it to René Paparian’s attention that one of his neighbors was given a “public nuisance” ticket due to a wild-looking front yard. Bill noted that perhaps some leeway or distinction should be given for native plantings that do not exactly conform to the current landscaping descriptions in the Millburn Municipal Code, Chapter 10: Property Maintenance Code. The Environmental Commission identified the following two sections as pertinent to this issue: 1. Section 10-4.1 Title and Purposes: “to prevent and eliminate blighting conditions and depreciation of property values which may adversely affect adjacent or surrounding properties;” 2. Section 10-4.4 Appearance and Maintenance of Exterior of Premises and Structures; Duties and Responsibilities of Owner and Occupant: “b. Landscaping, shrubs and hedges shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly.” Bill Brazell suggested that the EC propose a wording change to this section of the municipal code to highlight the benefit of native planting and help distinguish between what is overgrown and a “blight” versus native plants that have been left slightly overgrown or in a dead state in order to support pollinators and wildlife. René Paparian will draft a wording change and it will be sent out to the EC commissioners for review. 4� Millburn Township Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 Old Business Reports Update Pocket Park Resolution & Registry Fee Resolution - Frank Saccomandi told René Paparian that these resolutions had been mentioned to all the Township Committee members. Bill Brazell will ensure that the landscaper registry fee is on the next Township Committee agenda. GP Leaf Blowers - René Paparian asked Stacie Phelps whether the EC could use the flyer she created with Gas Powered Leaf Blower restriction information, and Stacie agreed to that. Stacie’s flyer will be used for the townwide mailing. Next steps Twp’s public trash & recycling containers - Alexander McConnell sent his letter to the township and he is waiting for a response. He will follow up. Stacie Phelps has told René Paparian that she is willing to buy more trash cans. Community Energy Plan Grant - Jude Huang, Lixia Wu, and Alexander McConnell met with Alex McDonald and Tim Hoffman in late October to understand their last communications on this. Tim Hoffman is waiting for a response to his last communication with BPU. Jude Huang then sent an email to Poornima Gupta at Sustainable Jersey who redirected Jude to another person named David. David has not responded yet. Status and next steps are still somewhat unclear. Environmental Resource Inventory - Jude Huang will email a link to the 2nd revision of the Environmental Resource Inventory so that all the EC commissioners can review it. Jude Huang has submitted feedback on the 2nd revision to Princeton Hydro and is awaiting the next update. Monthly meeting with Township Forester/Recycling Coordinator - René Paparian stated that Stacie Phelps is continuing to call landscapers and compile email addresses for the landscaper registry. René Paparian’s next meeting with Stacie Phelps will be on 11/25/25. Status of Water Hydration Station - René Paparian met with Chris Meyer to discuss the Gero Park hydration station. The installation of the hydration stations is held up while the township waits for tax information from the contractor. Chris Meyer installed a small sign above the Taylor Park hydration station. 5� Millburn Township Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 “Skip-the-Stuff” Ordinance - René Paparian noted that Matthrew Greller looked into this at the State level and the Skip-the-Stuff ordinance was on track to be on the State Senate Budget agenda for a second reading and then a third reading and a vote. This was apparently pulled from the agenda because of “fear over changing consumer behavior too much at a time of increased concerns over affordability”. Planning & Zoning Site Plan Review Subcommittee - Debra Nevas reported that the Verizon wireless telecom facility at 137 John F Kennedy Parkway is requesting variances to install a 150 ft monopole for wireless service. Communication/Updates Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Committee - Debra Nevas reported that the Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Committee is in the process of developing the rubric that will be used to evaluate applications that come in for the funds. Jude Huang noted that Green Acres requires a meaningful public engagement process from all applicants applying for funding. Jude Huang will find out whether the Environmental Commission can help orchestrate this process or whether this needs to be done by the Township Committee. Development Review Committee - No update. No one from the DRC has contacted Jude Huang yet. Flood Mitigation Advisory Board - Jude Huang attended a meeting last Wednesday morning. Their annual public meeting will likely take place on December 7 or 8 depending on space availability. Planning Board Report - Debra Nevas reported that there is nothing major coming into the Planning Board at the moment. René Paparian moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded, and all voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05pm. The next Millburn Environmental Commission meeting will be on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at 7:00pm in the Bauer Community Center. 6� Appendix A Millburn Environmental Commission Student Environmental Group Resolution� MILLBURN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP RESOLUTION November 18, 2025 WHEREAS, the Millburn Environmental Commission (the “Commission”) recognizes the significant benefits of establishing a mentoring relationship with students residing in the Township of Millburn who attend public and private schools (“Students”), and WHEREAS, the Commission acknowledges that Students, having shown a commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and climate resiliency practices, should be guided and encouraged to continue accomplishing meaningful initiatives, including school and/or community education, projects, and programs, and WHEREAS, crucial community benefits result from fostering relationships between adults and young people that focus on educating, encouraging and guiding young people to identify, pursue and meet goals for the greater good, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission shall establish a Student Environmental Group (“SEG”) for Students residing in the Township of Millburn, who attend public or private schools, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission shall have one or more commissioners or form a sub-committee to act as liaison with the SEG, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that SEG members shall be in grades 8 through 12, with exceptions to be made on a case by case basis with the approval of a majority of the Commission, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that students shall be appointed to the SEG by decision of a majority of the Commission members, after indicating interest, by submission of a Google Interest Form to be located on the Commission’s website, and participating in an interview with one or more commissioners or sub-committee members, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that appointments shall be for a term of one calendar year, appointments and/or reappointments shall occur by November 30th each year, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that SEG members shall commit to attend one meeting with the SEG’s Commission liaison(s) in a public place each month at the direction of the liaison(s), and up to four hours a month of research or other work (outreach, etc.) on� behalf of the SEG, and provide a final presentation of their work to the Environmental Commission, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that SEG members who have met their obligations will be awarded Certificates of Completion and Volunteer Hours Certificates. AMENDED BY MILLBURN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 18, 2025�