Millburn's Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Committee will take up flood mitigation outreach for homes in the floodway and the Taylor Park Rain Garden project when it meets Monday, Aug. 24, at 8 p.m. via Zoom.

The agenda comes four days after the township's Office of Emergency Management issued a flood watch on Thursday, Aug. 20, warning of potential flash flooding with peak hourly rainfall rates near 2 inches. The township drained Taylor Park Pond as a precaution, the fourth time it has done so this summer after similar watches on July 21, July 28 and Aug. 2.

Monday's meeting will include discussion of a flood mitigation outreach program targeting residential properties located in the floodway, though the agenda does not specify how many homes are affected or what form the outreach would take. The committee will also review the Open Space element of the Township Master Plan and a recreation project list that includes vacant property opportunities.

Rain garden scrutiny continues

The Taylor Park Rain Garden is listed as a separate discussion item. No cost or scope was provided in the posted agenda.

At its June 29 meeting, the committee tabled a different rain garden proposal, a $24,000-to-$25,000 request to refurbish a garden behind Millburn Deli. Members said they could not approve funding without knowing who would perform the work and how the site would be maintained. Committee member David Cosgrove, a Township Committee member, raised concerns about a note in the application referencing "greasy runoff" from the deli entering the garden.

Chair Ben Stoller, also a Township Committee member, said at the June 29 meeting that his understanding was the applicant was "looking for the approval and then they're going to fill in some of those details behind it," according to TAPinto Millburn/Short Hills. The committee asked applicant Liz Volivon of the Environmental Commission to return with answers.

Taylor Park in transition

The rain garden discussion arrives as Taylor Park undergoes a broader transformation. Township officials broke ground Wednesday, Aug. 19, on a $1 million inclusive playground renovation funded by a $750,000 NJ Green Acres grant and $250,000 in township capital funds. That playground is expected to open later this fall.

Separately, the Township Committee awarded a $334,700 contract in June to Cipriano Enterprises for Taylor Park entrance improvements.

At the June 18 Township Committee meeting, Committeeman Jamie Serruto reported that the separate Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee was working on a request for proposals and discussing dredging of upstream ponds. Resident Al Carlin urged more frequent reporting from that committee given public interest in flooding.

How to participate

Monday's meeting is at 8 p.m. via Zoom. The next scheduled meeting is Sept. 28 at 8 p.m., also via Zoom. Residents seeking the Zoom link should check the township website at twp.millburn.nj.us or contact the township clerk's office.