4 Remain In Millburn School Board Race After 1 Withdraws: Election
MILLBURN, NJ — One of the candidates in the race for the Millburn school board has withdrawn, leaving four people competing for three open seats this November.
When ballots were issued for the 2024 general election, voters saw five names on the list for the Millburn Board of Education race: Brian Lawrence, Howard Wachtel, Noel Bigman, Christian Germa, and Asaf Farashuddin.
Wachtel has since withdrawn from the race, he confirmed to Patch on Thursday.
"My name still appears on the ballot, however, as my request to withdraw was denied by an Essex County judge," Wachtel said.
"I have not participated in any of the candidate forums and have notified all other candidates that I am not seeking election to the board," Wachtel added.
A candidate forum held on Oct. 8 included participation from Lawrence, Bigman, Germa and Farashuddin. Organizers had previously noted that Wachtel had withdrawn from the race.
See campaign websites for the four remaining candidates below (click links):
OTHER RACES
Millburn voters will also face two other local decisions in the general election.
There are two candidates competing for a spot on the Millburn Township Committee: David R. Cosgrove (Democrat) and Alexander Zaltsman (Republican).
Millburn residents will also be asked to cast a "yes" or "no" vote for a ballot question, which reads: "Shall the Township of Millburn, County of Essex establish a "Municipal Open Space and Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to be used for (a) acquiring, developing and maintaining lands for recreation and conservation purposes; (b) acquiring or preserving historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas or objects; (c) payment of debt service incurred by the Township for these purposes to be funded at a rate not to exceed 1 (one) cent per $100 (One Hundred Dollars) of total Township equalized real property valuation?"
Here's what that means in other words, according to the explanatory statement:
"A 'yes' vote for this proposition means that you do want the Township of Millburn to take the necessary steps to establish a Municipal Open Space and Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund that shall be used to acquire, develop or maintain lands in Millburn Township for recreation and conservation purposes; acquire and preserve historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas or objects in Millburn Township; make payments on bonds issued to acquire lands in Millburn Township for these purposes. The tax, if authorized at the full 1 (one) cent per $100 (One Hundred Dollars) of equalized real property valuation, will result in the annual increase in the municipal portion of the real property taxes assessed on a home. For example, if a home has an assessment of $1,000,000.00, the Township would raise $100.00 annually for this Fund."Send local news tips and correction requests to Learn more about advertising on Patch here . Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
