Beth Zall is running as a Democrat for the Millburn Township Committee in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Two seats are on the ballot, and Bill Brazell is also running on the Democratic ticket.
Zall said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am running for elective office for the first time because I believe Millburn's future should be guided by thoughtful planning, fiscal responsibility, and collaborative leadership. As an urban and regional planner, a longtime public servant, and a Millburn mom, I bring both professional expertise and a personal stake in our community's success."
She added: "I'm running to help Millburn make smart, forward-looking decisions that strengthen our downtown, improve pedestrian safety, address flooding, meet our obligations responsibly, and protect the character that makes our community special."
Candidate information
Party: Democrat
Education: Asked about her education, Zall said: "I was educated by the public school system in Kinnelon, NJ (in Morris County). I received my undergraduate degree from Princeton University and went on to get a Master's in City and Regional Planning (MCRP) from Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Policy."
Family: "I'm a proud mom of three boys who are growing up and attending Millburn Public Schools and the wife of a loving and dedicated volunteer and coach. My parents and my mother-in-law are all nearby in New Jersey."
Experience and public service
Asked about her occupation and work history, Zall said in our questionnaire: "I currently work as the Senior Manager of Planning and Reporting at Amtrak's Northeast Corridor Commission, directed by Congress to develop coordinated strategies to improve the Northeast's core rail network (Washington DC to Boston, Mass)."
She added: "Between 2015 and 2022, in addition to my full-time job and volunteer commitments, I worked as an adjunct professor at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, shaping the next generation of urban and regional planners."
Zall listed the following appointed offices in her questionnaire response. PSAB refers to the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board:
- Millburn Township Environmental Commission, 2017-2018
- Wyoming School Safety Committee (Appointee to PSAB), 2018-2019
- Millburn Township Planning Board, 2017-2024 (Vice Chair, 2018; Chair, 2019-2024)
- Millburn Township Zoning Board, 2025-present
Asked what accomplishments show she can handle the job, Zall said: "As a member of the Planning Board in 2018, I was on the Master Plan Reexamination subcommittee, driving the development of the report which took into account input from residents, Township employees, and former leaders."
She also pointed to managing multiple roles at once: "I have proven my high executive competence when I simultaneously held four demanding roles: working at full-time job in NYC, teaching as an adjunct professor at NYU, serving on the Planning Board, and parenting twin toddlers!"
On the issues
Differences from other candidates: Asked about critical differences between herself and other candidates, Zall said in our questionnaire: "In addition to being a woman running for a Committee that is comprised of all men, I would approach this position with a commitment to engaging all residents." She added: "Throughout my 6 years of Chairing the Planning Board and managing public question and comment at meetings, I have always maintained an open-minded perspective, welcoming residents' remarks and courteously considering their input."
Downtown livability and planning: Zall said on her campaign website that she wants to turn downtown Millburn into a walkable destination for families. Her commitments include simplifying permitting for restaurants and small businesses, using planning data to attract the right retail mix, improving sidewalks, and requiring independent traffic studies for downtown projects, according to the site.
Transparency and open government: Zall's campaign website also lists commitments including no fast-tracked votes on major ordinances, advance posting of agendas and documents, plain-language summaries of ordinances, an open searchable budget and regular office hours for residents.
Best advice: Zall shared a quote from author Richard Carlson's book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" that she said has stuck with her: "Choose to be kind over being right and you'll be right every time."
