Millburn Township Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm Bauer Community Center in Taylor Park Call to Order Chair Bill Brazell called the meeting to order at 7:06pm and announced that adequate notice of the meeting had been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Roll Call Present: Vanita Gangwal, Bill Brazell, Jude Huang, Debra Nevas, Alexander McConnell, René Paparian Absent: Matthew Greller, Lixia Wu, Kalpak Karule Also present: Alexis Lin, Secretary Public Comment No members of the public spoke. Presentation The scheduled presentation from Georgia Madiba of ANJEC was cancelled. New Business Proposed amendment to By-Laws, Section III.A (ANJEC membership renewal) Motion by René Paparian, seconded by Debra Nevas, to approve the amendment to Section III.A, as revised by the Commission during the meeting (see Appendix A). Vote: All in favor. Sustainable Jersey Summit (May 15, 2026) Motion by René Paparian, seconded by Debra Nevas, to approve registration expenses for René Paparian, Jude Huang, Bill Brazell, and potentially Vanita Gangwal. Vote: All in favor. Secretary will coordinate registration with the CFO. Update on the Pocket Park (Former Exxon Station) The Commission discussed the status of the Pocket Park project and expressed interest in receiving an update from the Township Committee regarding next steps and timeline. 1� GWSA Native Plant Sale The GWSA Native Plant Sale runs April 1-21. Distribution is scheduled for May 2-3. Gero Park is available and is expected to serve as the distribution site. Volunteers will be needed for plant pickup and distribution. Formation of Open Space Trust Fund Subcommittee The Open Space Trust Fund Subcommittee was established to advise the Open Space Trust Fund liaison. The members of the subcommittee will be Vanita Gangwal, Alex McConnell, and René Paparian. Old Business MHS Fields Discussion of engineered natural turf options. Commissioners were encouraged to attend the March 17 Township Committee meeting. Earth Day This event will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 3-6pm at the Bauer Community Center. It is organized primarily by the MHS Ocean Conservation Club. Millburn Municipal Code - Native Plantings The previously approved amendment to §10-4.4a “Lawn” will be forwarded to Township officials. Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Informational flyer distributed with Sewer bills. Township Trash & Recycling Containers No update. Community Energy Plan Grant Draft of Community Energy Plan received from Township. Follow-up meeting to be scheduled. Environmental Resource Inventory Princeton Hydro is still working on this. Monthly meeting with Township Forester/Recycling Coordinator Stacie Phelps would like local students to submit art with a recycling and/or sustainability theme. Selected works will be featured on the sides of local recycling trucks. EC assistance was requested to advertise this opportunity to students and select from submissions. 2� Water Hydration Station Installation pending at Gero Park. Two additional locations: 1) Gero Park in the town pool, and 2) Taylor Park near the flag pole, may also get hydration stations if funding is secured. “Skip the Stuff” Bill S3195 has passed at the state level. Steve Grillo, Executive Director of Explore Millburn-Short Hills, will contact restaurants to ensure they understand the legislation. Planning Board Debra Nevas provided an update on local development applications. Zoning Board Meeting Schedule Assignments ● March 16 - Debra Nevas ● April 13 - Bill Brazell ● April 27 - Alexander McConnell ● May 11 - Jude Huang ● June 8 - Vanita Gangwal ● June 22 - René Paparian Development Review Committee Jude Huang provided an update on retail relocation at Short Hills Mall. Flood Mitigation Advisory Board Jude Huang provided an update on ongoing flood mitigation discussions. Adjournment Motion by René Paparian to adjourn, seconded by Jude Huang. Meeting adjourned at 9:02pm. Alexis Lin, Secretary Date: March 17, 2026 3� Appendix A Millburn Environmental Commission Amended By-Laws� Environmental Commission By-Laws of the Township of Millburn, County of Essex, New Jersey I. Establishment The Township of Millburn’s Environmental Commission was established under Article 5, Section 2-29.1 et seq. of the Municipal Code of the Township of Millburn, New Jersey, and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40-56A et seq. The Commission is established for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township. II. Powers and Authority The Commission's specific powers are granted by Article 5, Section 2-29.2 of the Township Code, (set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:56A-2 and 40:46A-3), as well as cited hereinafter: A. Promote the conservation, protection and use of the natural resources and environment of the Township of Millburn as well as county, regional, state or national programs that may have a local impact. B. Plan, implement, and inform the public about local environmental programs. C. Conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township of Millburn and coordinate the activities of official organizations and citizen groups organized for similar purposes. D. Recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in a municipal Master Plan and the development and use of such open areas. E. Study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance and protection of flora and fauna, whether recommended for Open Space Trust Fund or otherwise. F. Establish Community Educational initiatives to further the Commissions' mission, such as, using print and digital mediums to prepare, print, and/or distribute books, maps, charts, plans, pamphlets and advertisements deemed necessary to further environmental causes. 1� G. Manage donated or purchased lands for conservation and environmental purposes and operate environmental programs in conjunction with the Township, its agencies and/or consultants. H. Act as the coordinating agency for the community on conservation and environmental matters and be the liaison between the municipality and regional, county, state, and federal agencies ministering to those needs. I. Keep an index of all open areas, and may from time to time recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development of such open areas. J. Recommend, for the approval of the Township of Millburn Township Committee (“TC”), the acquisition of property, both real and personal, in the name of the Township, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise of lease, for any of its purposes, and shall administer the properties for such purposes, subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development right future use of or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other lands and water areas in the Township. K. Review all land-use applications provided by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding proposed development projects and make recommendations to those boards prior to the application hearing in writing. III. Additional Responsibilities A. Commission Secretary shall be responsible for and shall keep track of membership terms and expiration dates and verify this information with the Municipal Clerk annually; maintain a list of members and alternate members and their contact information. The Commission shall annually consider renewal of Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) membership and authorize payment of dues. If renewal is approved, the Commission Secretary shall complete the administrative steps necessary for membership renewal including forwarding commissioner names and contact information to ANJEC, pending commissioner permission to release their contact information. All agendas, minutes and resolutions, if not kept in full in meeting minutes, shall be submitted in hard copy by January 30th the following year to Municipal Clerk for permanent record keeping. B. The Chair, with consent of the Commission, may appoint sub-committees to aid the Commission on an as-needed basis. Said sub-committees shall be composed of at least two regular members. Subcommittees may make recommendations to the Chair for full Commission action. 2� C. The Chair, with consent of the Commission, may appoint advisory committees to aid the Commission on an as-needed basis. Said advisory committees shall be composed of one or more non-members of the Commission. Advisory committees may make recommendations to the Chair for full Commission action. Advisory committee members shall be residents of the Township of Millburn. D. The Commission shall promote efficiency and conservation in the use of resources within the Township. E. The Commission shall review and comment as necessary on existing and proposed new ordinances and propose new ordinances for consideration by the TC. F. In accordance with decisions or regulations by Township Committee and/or by NJ State Statute, a commissioner will be selected by the Township Committee, or for the Development Review Committee by the Environmental Commission, to serve and report to the Environmental Commission on the Development Review Committee, Flood Mitigation Advisory Board, Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Committee, Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Affordable Housing, Planning Board, and any other committee, commission or board that may be established by a public body. G. It is best practice that Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings be attended by a Commissioner. The Environmental Commission shall establish a schedule of volunteers to serve in this capacity once the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting dates are available. Commissioners serving in this role shall report to the annually appointed Planning and Zoning Site Plan Review Subcommittee. H. The Commission shall propose, advertise and administer public service projects such as workshops, green fairs, Earth Day activities and celebrations, and programs to enhance and expand community use of sustainable practices. I. The Commission shall make recommendations annually for the use of New Jersey Clean Communities grant funding regarding litter abatement programs such as park, river and road clean-ups and promote public education and awareness. J. The Commission shall research issues regarding water resources and land preservation needs, as well as other natural resources, and report findings and recommendations. K. The Commission shall maintain membership in related organizations such as the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions and similar which provide education, specialized knowledge, and other benefits that aid the Commission in its mission. IV. Membership 3� Membership of the Commission, as governed by Chapter 2, Article 5, Section 2-29.1 of the Township Code, is to be seven (7) Regular and two (2) Alternate Members, and shall be residents of the municipality and appointed by the mayor or the Township Committee. At the discretion of the Township Committee, a Township Committee member may be appointed to serve as liaison to the Environmental Commission. V. Officers A. The Mayor shall annually designate one of the members to serve as Chair and presiding officer of the Commission. B. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Commission, decide all points of order and matters of procedure governing said meeting and perform all duties normally pertaining to the office of Chair as set forth in "Robert's Rules of Order". C. Township Administration will appoint/hire/employ a Secretary to take meeting minutes, keep attendance records and perform other duties as assigned by the Township Administration. D. A member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which he or she has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. Members will serve without compensation except that members may be reimbursed for expenses related to Commission work and activities such as fees for attending related conferences, purchase of materials solely for the use of the Commission and so forth. Authorizations for reimbursements shall be approved by Environmental Commission prior to expenditure. Special requests may be authorized by the Chair, in writing, if circumstances outside meeting shall be reported on at the next scheduled meeting. E. The Chair, with consent of the Commission, may appoint sub-committees to aid the Commission on an as-needed basis. Said sub-committees shall be composed of at least two regular members. Subcommittees may make recommendations to the Chair for full Commission action. VI. Conduct of Meetings A.The Chair shall act as spokesperson for the Commission in all public matters unless another member is so designated on an ad hoc basis. B. All proceedings, decisions and attendance of every meeting shall be recorded by the secretary. Meeting minutes will be sent for review within seven (7) working days to all members, alternate members and Township Committee Liaison, and after approval to the Township’s Public Information Officer. Minutes and document attachments shall be sent by email. Minutes will be finalized by vote of Commission members at the subsequent Commission meeting. One hard 4� copy of minutes of every meeting shall be maintained in a permanent file and shall be sent to the Public Information Officer for posting on the Township website within five (5) business days. C. Agenda - The agenda shall be prepared by the Chair, or by the Secretary at the direction of the Chair, and forwarded by the Commission’s Secretary to all members, alternate members, Advisory Committee members, and the Township Committee Liaison by the Thursday preceding the next week’s scheduled meeting. Agenda items shall be submitted to both the Environmental Commission Chair and the Secretary by three o’clock p.m. (3:00 p.m.) on the Monday preceding the next week’s scheduled meeting. D. The Commission shall meet monthly on a date set annually by the Commission and approved by the Commission. Meetings shall not be held on a legal holiday observed by the Township. Such Meetings will be rescheduled to an alternative date. Meetings will be noticed in accordance with Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6, and notice shall be sent to the Public Information Officer in accordance with said Act and all meetings shall be open to the public. E. Meetings may be cancelled without notice due to inclement weather or lack of a quorum, and shall be sent to the Public Information Officer in accordance with Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6. F. Attendance Requirements - Members shall be in attendance at all meetings of the Commission. In the event that a member will not be able to attend said meeting, he/she shall contact the Chair at no later than the Wednesday prior to the meeting, absent an emergency, and shall provide the Chair with a summary of any Reports or initiative updates that the member would have given at the meeting. G. Removal - Removal of a Commissioner is governed by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1, and N.J.S.A. 40A:9-12.1 as well as cited hereinafter: i. In the case of a member of a board, committee, commission, authority or other agency, whenever the member, without being excused by a majority of the authorized member of such body, fails to attend and participate at meetings of such body for a period of 8 consecutive weeks, or for four consecutive regular meetings, whichever shall be of longer duration, at the conclusion of such period, provided that such body shall notify the appointing authority in writing of such determination: provided, further, that such board, committee, commission, authority or other agency may refuse to excuse only with respect to those failures to attend and participate which are not due to legitimate illness or necessary employment obligations or other legitimate reasons; provided, however that nothing in this subsection shall preclude a municipal appointing authority from adopting by ordinance a policy establishing a lower absentee threshold, provided that the ordinance shall not permit the removal of the member if the member has been absent for less than six consecutive weeks, or three consecutive meetings, whichever shall be of longer duration, without being excused, within the term of office for the position held by the individual. 5� H. Quorum - A quorum of four members is required to hold a meeting and to make decisions. VII. Annual Report The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee and Municipal Clerk. VIII. Appropriation of Funds The Commission will prepare and submit an annual budget to the Township and may request funds for expenses incurred within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the Township. IX. Conflict Nothing contained in these By-Laws herein shall conflict with provisions of the Township Code. In the event of a conflict, the Township Code shall supersede these By-Laws. Amended March 10, 2026 6�