Millburn Candidate Profile For 2025 Town Committee Election: Annette Romano

MILLBURN, NJ — The Millburn Town Committee race is hitting the home stretch, with four candidates competing for two open seats in 2025.

Incumbents Annette Romano and Michael Cohen, both Democrats, face a challenge from Republican candidates Jamie Serruto and Kris Heinrichs.

Patch reached out to each candidate with the same set of questions. Annette Romano’s replies follow below. Learn more about her campaign here, and see her social media campaign page here.

Learn more about voting in Millburn’s upcoming election here.

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PATCH: What background or professional experience qualifies you for the job?

ANNETTE ROMANO: I am a lifelong resident of Millburn Township and have devoted more than 30 years to community service, leadership, and advocacy here in Millburn-Short Hills. During my first term on the Township Committee, I served as liaison to multiple boards, including the Local Assistance Board, Senior Citizen Advisory Board, Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board, Flood Mitigation Advisory Board, Explore Millburn-Short Hills, and the Art Advisory Committee. I also oversee Millburn’s Office of Emergency Management.

These roles have given me the opportunity to meet and work with so many wonderful members of our community. As mayor, I’ve restored civility to Township Committee meetings and governed in a nonpartisan manner. I ended the practice of unilateral mayoral appointments to township boards, instead ensuring appointments are made collaboratively with my fellow Committee members.

I’ve embraced our community’s diversity, fostering an environment where everyone feels they belong and have a voice. I’ve shown that I am an effective leader who knows how to bring people together.

PATCH: What is your campaign platform? What are your priorities if elected?

ANNETTE ROMANO: Experience, hard work, results that matter.

During my term, along with deputy Mayor Michael Cohen, we’ve invested in critical crime-fighting technology, including the installation of License Plate Readers at every entrance to our community, launching the Police Home Assessment Program, expanding our Community Policing Unit, and hiring five additional officers. I will continue to ensure our Police Department has the resources it needs to keep Millburn safe. All this has resulted in a drastic reduction in crime

Flood mitigation remains one of my top priorities. I serve as a member of the Rahway River Mayors Coalition because flooding is not just a Millburn issue—it requires regional cooperation. For years, previous mayors were unable to gain support from Essex County and the City of Orange for improvements at the Orange Reservoir. I was able to secure that support, and I look forward to advancing this critical project to improve water flow into and downstream of our community during heavy storms.

Last year, Deputy Mayor and I secured $1.1 million for necessary repairs to the Gilbert Place Pump Station, but those funds were later withdrawn by the current administration. Thanks to our state legislators, we’ve now secured $500,000 in the 2026 state budget to make these much-needed repairs. We’ve also completed important flood mitigation projects in the South Mountain neighborhood.

Along with Deputy Mayor Michael Cohen, we remain committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility. I will continue ensuring our tax dollars work for Millburn families by aggressively pursuing grant opportunities. By working closely with our county and state representatives, we’ve successfully brought in over $2.9 million in grant funding during my term.

PATCH: What is one thing that always makes you smile when you think about Millburn?

ANNETTE ROMANO: The best part of serving Millburn has been seeing the smiles on the faces of our residents, off all ages. Over the years, I’ve attended countless community events, celebrating the many cultures, traditions, religions, and heritages that make our township so special. The joy I see in our community—and the pride in the progress we’ve made over the past two years—always brings a smile to my face.

I hear from residents every day by phone, text, and email, and I make it a priority to respond to everyone. If I can’t personally resolve an issue, I’ll connect you with someone who can. People want to be heard, and I always listen. We may not always agree, but I’ve built trust by being honest and upfront.

Another source of pride has been the camaraderie among my fellow Township Committee members. We’ve held productive meetings where we shared perspectives, sometimes agreed to disagree, and still accomplished so much together. When the Township Committee works well together, our residents work well together—and that’s when real progress happens.

Of course, nothing makes me smile more than coming home to my two dogs at the end of the day.

It has been an incredible privilege to represent the residents of Millburn-Short Hills, especially during these past two years as mayor. I want to continue serving on the Township Committee, moving Millburn forward the right way—together with the entire community. Please vote for myself and Michael Cohen on Tuesday, November 4th, let’s continue to work together to do what’s best for our community.

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