Millburn's Township Committee pulled its proposed data center ban at its Tuesday, Oct. 6, meeting. The committee also introduced a $2.5 million bond for Town Hall renovations.

The committee withdrew Ordinance 2770-26, which would have defined data centers and prohibited them in all township zoning districts, according to the meeting agenda packet. The withdrawal came via Resolution 26-231.

The ordinance had been tabled since June. At the committee's June 18 meeting, Mayor Frank Saccomandi IV said he wanted "additional information regarding the potential impact on existing businesses" and asked that the measure be tabled. Township planner Graham Petto said at that meeting that the definition of a data center could be refined to avoid unintended impacts. The agenda packet does not indicate whether a revised ordinance will return.

$2.5M Town Hall bond introduced

The committee introduced Bond Ordinance 2778-26, which would appropriate $2,500,000 and authorize $2,380,952 in bonds for the Town Hall renovation and addition project. A public hearing is set for Tuesday, Oct. 20.

The bond would provide supplemental funding for the renovation. The committee held a closed session before the regular meeting to discuss contract negotiations involving RPM Development Group and property matters, though no public action resulted.

New Main Street–Community Zone

The committee also introduced Ordinance 2775-26, which would create a Main Street–Community Zone in the township's zoning code. A public hearing on that measure is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Two other zoning-related ordinances were introduced the same night. Ordinance 2776-26 would establish regulations for a Public Use Zone District, and Ordinance 2774-26 would set standards for home occupations as accessory uses in residential districts. Both head to public hearings on Nov. 10.

Speed signs, road work and other actions

The committee approved interactive speed signs on Old Short Hills Road near its intersection with Cora Way. The signs require Essex County permission and a hold harmless agreement with the county.

The consent agenda also included a contract for Phase 1 of Long Hill Drive roadway improvements, running from White Oak Ridge Road to Parsonage Hill Road, awarded to Riverview Paving, Inc. Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. received an extension for engineering services on the same project.

The committee approved a bills list totaling $1,712,798.34 across all funds. Of that, $783,077.05 came from the General Fund and $895,489.46 from the Capital Fund.

Mayor Saccomandi proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, recognizing the Millburn Township Domestic Violence Response Team and the police department.

What's next

The next Township Committee meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Millburn Education Center, 434 Millburn Ave. Public hearings on the Town Hall bond and a proposed Community Service Award ordinance are on that agenda. The Main Street–Community Zone, Public Use Zone and home occupations ordinances go to public hearing Nov. 10.