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Public urges reappointment of long-serving volunteer; council approves cable committee appointments after debate
Summary
Public speakers asked the council to reappoint long-serving cable committee volunteer Russell Einbinder. Council discussed the omission, the mayor declined to explain, and council voted to adopt the appointments resolution; mayoral appointment acknowledgments drew several abstentions. The meeting also approved municipal payments totaling $543,647.86.
Public pleas to reappoint a longtime volunteer to the borough cable television advisory committee prompted debate at Milltown’s Jan. 5 council meeting.
Two members of the public — Neil Marada and Ira Shman — spoke during the public-comment period to ask the council to reconsider leaving Russell (Russ) Einbinder off the cable advisory committee. "Dedication like that has to be acknowledged," said Neil Marada, noting Einbinder’s long service. Ira Shman added that Einbinder "helps disability people too," urging the council to account for that service.
When council members pulled Resolution 2026-059 (appointing members to the cable advisory committee) for discussion, a council member asked the mayor for an explanation of Einbinder’s non-appointment. Mayor Murray replied, "I'm not giving an explanation," and the council proceeded to a motion and recorded vote. The resolution was adopted; roll-call results recorded at least two recorded "No" votes (Councilwoman Payne and Councilman Potter) with remaining votes recorded as "I." The motion carried.
Council later acknowledged mayoral appointments in a separate resolution (2026-062). That acknowledgment passed but the roll-call record shows multiple abstentions on the measure. Council also approved a resolution authorizing payment of municipal obligations totaling $543,647.86 after brief questions about a fixed-asset inventory item and a water-operator line on the bills list.
What’s next: Members of the public and stakeholders seeking reversal or reconsideration of appointment decisions should contact the mayor’s office or request the item be brought back for council discussion; minutes will record the votes and can be requested from the clerk’s office.
