Millburn Election Results: Town Committee, School Board, Referendum

This article was updated at 10:05 a.m. on Nov. 6. See certified results here.

MILLBURN, NJ — The dust is settling down from the 2024 general election in Millburn, and all districts have been reported in the races for the town committee, board of education and a ballot question on open space and historic preservation.

Millburn voters went to their polling places on Nov. 5 to cast ballots for several candidates, including the town committee and the local school board. Voters were also asked to weigh in on a referendum question. Polls closed at 8 p.m., with early voting and mail-in voting launching earlier this month. >> Want local election results? Sign up for free Patch email alerts.

TOWN COMMITTEE

There are two candidates competing for a spot on the Millburn Township Committee: David Cosgrove (Democrat) and Alexander Zaltsman (Republican).

With 100 percent of districts reported, it appears that Cosgrove has emerged victorious. Here are the uncertified election results, as per the Essex County Clerk’s Office:

• David Cosgrove – 5,057 votes (55.18%)
• Alexander Zaltsman – 4,108 votes (44.82%)

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Four candidates are competing for three open seats on the Millburn Board of Education: Brian Lawrence, Noel Bigman, Christian Germa, and Asaf Farashuddin. A fifth candidate, Howard Wachtel, has since withdrawn from the race.

With 100 percent of districts reported, it appears that Lawrence, Bigman and Farashuddin have captured seats on the board. Each of them received a congratulatory message from newly installed superintendent Kate Diskin on Wednesday.

Here are the uncertified election results, as per the Essex County Clerk’s Office:

• Brian Lawrence – 4,489 votes (26.75%)
• Noel Bigman – 4,286 votes (25.54%)
• Christian Germa – 2,808 votes (16.74%)
• Asaf Farashuddin – 3,283 votes (19.57%)
• Howard Wachtel – 1,913 votes (11.4%)

BALLOT QUESTION

Millburn residents were asked to cast a "yes" or "no" vote for a referendum on open space and historic preservation.

With 100 percent of districts reported, the tally stands at:

• YES - 3,999 votes (62.69%)
• NO - 2,380 votes (37.31%)

The ballot question reads: "Shall the Township of Millburn, County of Essex establish a "Municipal Open Space and Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to be used for (a) acquiring, developing and maintaining lands for recreation and conservation purposes; (b) acquiring or preserving historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas or objects; (c) payment of debt service incurred by the Township for these purposes to be funded at a rate not to exceed 1 (one) cent per $100 (One Hundred Dollars) of total Township equalized real property valuation?"

Here's what that means in other words, according to the explanatory statement:

"A 'yes' vote for this proposition means that you do want the Township of Millburn to take the necessary steps to establish a Municipal Open Space and Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund that shall be used to acquire, develop or maintain lands in Millburn Township for recreation and conservation purposes; acquire and preserve historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas or objects in Millburn Township; make payments on bonds issued to acquire lands in Millburn Township for these purposes. The tax, if authorized at the full 1 (one) cent per $100 (One Hundred Dollars) of equalized real property valuation, will result in the annual increase in the municipal portion of the real property taxes assessed on a home. For example, if a home has an assessment of $1,000,000.00, the Township would raise $100.00 annually for this Fund."

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