Residents press Millburn committee on transparency, timing and lost grants

Several residents used the meeting’s public comment periods to press the township on transparency and process, saying the settlement documents were released only hours before the vote and that the compressed schedule limited meaningful review. Multiple speakers asked why the packet was announced on July 27 and put to a vote two days later; one commenter said the documents were shared only 45 minutes before the presentation.

Resident comments emphasized possible costs beyond those presented and warned that converting a 100% affordable project into a mixed‑income development could jeopardize state grant eligibility. A public commenter asked whether the township had lost state grant revenue that earlier 100% affordable proposals might have qualified for; committee members and counsel responded that the settlement requires the developer to pursue available grants and that their financing analysis included grant assumptions. The committee acknowledged the timing concern and several members said they wished residents had more time to digest final documents before tonight’s votes.