Millburn Must Put Residents First — Not Outside Agendas

I would like to commend the Township Committee, and in particular Frank and Ben, for making good on their campaign promises to approach the Fourth Round of affordable housing in an open and transparent manner — a stark departure from how the Third Round was mishandled.

The Citizens Affordable Housing Advisory Committee held public information sessions and listening sessions to understand what Millburn residents would like to see in the next round, and I think we see many of those needs and desires reflected in the Housing Element proposed tonight. Our community supports affordable housing but must prioritize community input.

Frank and Ben ran under the banner of opposing overdevelopment, and I believe this plan helps safeguard our close-knit, small-town feel while still satisfying the excessive demands made on our suburb by Trenton Democrats.

I grew up in this town, and I want to see it thrive and continue to be the best community it can be. But it’s disappointing that our state legislators chose to foist overdevelopment on towns like ours in furtherance of their party’s agenda, rather than representing the interests of their constituents.

Our state legislators, Alixon Collazos-Gill and Rosy Bagolie, chose not to stand up for us. Instead, they voted strictly along party lines to push inflated and exaggerated demands on towns across the state — including fully built-out towns like ours. I urge all residents to be mindful of how our Assemblywomen have voted on this issue and to be aware of which members on the dais continue to support — and receive support — from them.

I commend Frank for speaking with Rosy and Alixon on this issue, but it’s clear that although Rosy and Alixon should be representing Millburn residents, they’ve prioritized party loyalty and advanced an agenda of illogical, unfettered overdevelopment. Fortunately, we have leaders like Ben and Frank on the Township Committee working to ensure no more blank checks are signed, and that taxpayer dollars — and contaminated public land — are not simply handed over to for-profit developers like RPM.

I urge residents to take note of where our representation in Trenton truly stands — and to recognize that single-party control in the State House is enabling an agenda that undermines local voices and local decision-making.

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