Charter Study Commission Final Report
The complete Final Report, including findings, analysis, and recommendation. Transmitted to the Township Clerk on April 15, 2026.
The Recommendation
The Charter Study Commission unanimously recommends that Millburn adopt the Council-Manager Plan of the Optional Municipal Charter Law (the Faulkner Act).
After a thorough study of the alternate forms of government available to it, the Commission strongly recommends that Millburn adopt the Council-Manager Plan form of government with the governing body elected in non-partisan elections held every two years. Such a change will directly address the structural conditions that have limited Millburn's governance: an annual election cycle that makes sustained leadership nearly impossible; a partisan structure that excludes nearly half the electorate and introduces divisions created by national politics, which are inapplicable to Millburn; and a governing body too small to bear its workload or deliberate with adequate depth.
— Executive Summary, Final Report (April 15, 2026)
The Ballot Question
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Millburn voters will be asked the following public question:
Shall the COUNCIL-MANAGER PLAN of the Optional Municipal Charter Law, with SEVEN (7) council members to be ELECTED AT-LARGE for STAGGERED terms at NON-PARTISAN elections held in NOVEMBER, with the MAYOR ELECTED BY THE COUNCIL FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS, be adopted by the Township of Millburn?
A YES Vote
Adopts the Council-Manager form of government as recommended by the Charter Study Commission.
A NO Vote
Keeps the current Township Committee form of government.
The full question and explanatory statement that will accompany the ballot is available as a PDF.
Current vs. Proposed
A side-by-side look at how Millburn is governed today versus how it would be governed under the Council-Manager form.
| CurrentTownship Committee | ProposedCouncil-Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Elections | Partisan | Non-Partisan |
| Election Frequency | Annual (Primary + General) | Every Other November |
| Elected Body | 5-Member Committee | 7-Member Council |
| Term Length | 3 Years | 4 Years |
| Mayoral Election | Chosen by Township Committee | Chosen by Council |
| Who Sets Policy | Township Committee | Council |
| Who Runs Operations | Business Administrator (by ordinance) | Municipal Manager (by state statute) |
| Initiative & Referendum | No | Yes |
Initiative allows residents to propose legislation by petition. Referendum allows residents to challenge laws passed by the governing body.
What Happens If Voters Approve
If the referendum passes on June 16, 2026, all seven members of the new council will be elected at the November 3, 2026 general election, and the new form of government will take effect January 1, 2027. At its organizational meeting, the new council will select a mayor from among its members and conduct a random drawing to determine which four members serve an initial two-year term and which three serve a full four-year term, establishing the staggered election cycle going forward.
April 15, 2026
Final Report transmitted to the Township Clerk. The Commission disbands.
June 16, 2026
Referendum. Voters decide whether to adopt the Council-Manager form.
August 20, 2026
If approved: nomination petition filing deadline for municipal candidates.
November 3, 2026
If approved: general election to fill all seven council seats under the new form.
January 1, 2027
If approved: first organizational meeting of the new council. Lots are drawn to determine which four members serve initial two-year terms and which three serve four-year terms. Mayor is elected by the council from among its members.
Within 90 days of January 1, 2027
If approved: governing body adopts a new administrative code by ordinance.
If the referendum fails on June 16, Millburn continues to operate under the current Township Committee form of government.
Why the Commission Recommended This
Through its work, the Commission learned that Millburn has many strengths — but the current form of government is not one of them. The Commission found that the Township form has structural deficiencies that hamper good governance: a five-member Township Committee that overburdens each member and strains capacity, and a Business Administrator position that has no statutory protection despite playing a critical role in continuity of governance.
The annual partisan election cycle causes divisiveness and shrinks the window in which good governance can occur each year. Partisan elections narrow the candidate pool, inject national-politics divisions into local decisions, and risk that candidates are those who best serve the parties rather than those who will best serve Millburn.
The Council-Manager form, with non-partisan elections and a seven-member council, addresses each of these failings. The Council appoints a professional Municipal Manager — a role akin to a chief executive officer — to handle day-to-day operations. The Council retains full legislative power and can remove the Manager by majority vote. Non-partisan elections allow those with the skills and experience best suited to governance to rise to the top, free from pressure to vote along party lines.
Documents
Executive Summary
Chapter I of the Final Report — the Commission's process, findings, and recommendation in plain language.
Ballot Question & Explanatory Statement
The formal text that will appear on the June 16, 2026 ballot, with the Commission's explanatory statement.
Post-Report Timeline
Appendix F of the Final Report — the full sequence of milestones from referendum through new-government installation.