Together for Millburn Candidate : Charu Goel for Millburn Charter Study Commission (10F)
About Charu
- Passionate community advocate, devoted volunteer and mom of two children studying in Millburn schools.
- Charu deeply loves Millburn–Short Hills community and she is dedicated to creating spaces where families connect, children thrive and everyone feels a sense of belonging.
- Extensive community service across multiple local roles, including:
• Caring Kids Representative – Hartshorn Elementary
• Millburn Municipal Alliance Committee Member
• Class Mom and Community Service Award Committee Member
• Cultural Engagement, Diversity, and Arts Committee Member
• Organized and volunteered at numerous community events celebrating togetherness, empathy, and unity.
Professionally, Charu works at Bank of America. She is nationally recognized as ‘One of the Most Influential Women in Payments’ by American Banker.
Charu turned down senior executive promotions to devote her time, serving and volunteering for what she loves the most: the Millburn Short Hills community.
Charu says ‘Millburn–Short Hills is more than just a place to live — it’s a community to love, strengthen, and unite and I will do everything in my capacity for the good of the community'
- Charu's Aim
Charu is running for the Charter Study Commission because she believes Millburn–Short Hills deserves a government that is forward-thinking, transparent, and inclusive: one that reflects the values and voices of all the residents .
She envisions a community where innovation meets empathy, where local decisions are shaped by collaboration and care for one another. Charu is committed to ensuring that Millburn–Short Hills thrives as a vibrant, future-ready township: united in purpose, respectful of its heritage and responsive to the needs of every neighbor.
This is not about politics: it’s about people, purpose and progress.
It’s about building a structure where every resident feels heard, every child sees possibility, and every family feels pride in calling Millburn home.
Charu’s aim is simple yet deeply important: to independently research different forms of local government as a community volunteer, listen to the resident, work with everyone and submit the research to the township. She believes that meaningful change begins with informed dialogue, and this effort cannot be done alone. Together, we can build a Millburn where our township listens deeply, acts transparently, and truly serves every resident.
She reimagines our local government to be:
Efficient with clear accountability and collaboration.
Inclusive and representative, reflecting the voices of all neighborhoods, ages and backgrounds.
Vision-driven, not just reactive — a governance model that anticipates future needs, from sustainability to digital innovation.
Rooted in community values: empathy, integrity, fairness and shared responsibility.
As an independent thinker, Charu approaches this mission with open-mindedness and a solutions-first mindset focused on what’s right for our town, not what’s politically convenient.
What Is a Charter Study Commission?
A Commission tasked with reviewing a township’s local township. Its mission is to assess whether our current form of government serves us well, identify where it needs modernization and recommend changes for greater efficiency, representation and transparency. In simple terms, the Commission: Evaluates how effectively our current government structure works. Clarifies roles, responsibilities and lines of authority. Ensures transparency, fiscal oversight and citizen participation. Modernizes governance to reflect today’s needs and future growth. Invites community voices to shape how our town operates. Charu says, 'This is about ensuring our town has the best governance structure possible: one that serves all residents equitably, while fostering accountability, transparency and long-term success. Please reach out: I’m here to listen. Tell me what matters most to you in Millburn–Short Hills. Your perspective, your hopes, and your ideas are what make this mission meaningful. I truly believe this is a collective journey — sharing ideas, asking questions and building a culture of trust, inclusion and open communication. When we listen to one another and engage transparently, we turn participation into progress! This is our moment to turn community spirit into lasting good governance — let’s do it, together for Millburn!' Together for Millburn: Vote 10F With love and respect, Together for Millburn Important Dates Election Day: November 4 Early Voting: October 25 – November 2
Analysis on Potential Commission Costs
While those serving on the commission would be volunteers, there are costs involved that would be borne by us ( taxpayer’s money) if the commission is formed. These typically include external legal counsel, detailed options analysis, public engagement, preparation of a comprehensive written report, and depending on the outcome, a possible referendum - all of which can raise overall expenses. For example: Bradley Beach, NJ requested up to $50,000 for its Charter Study Commission, with the largest share allocated to legal counsel. Since only very few towns in New Jersey have undertaken such commissions, for research purposes , the City of Poughkeepsie, NY estimated its charter review process at $73,500. Legal costs are a key driver: The average lawyer hourly rate across the U.S. ranges between $162 and $392 per hour, depending on experience. A small-firm blended rate averaged $314/hour in 2024. Even modest contract-review projects often cost around $600 on average. Implication: Even a “simple” legal review for a commission recommendation could easily cost several thousand dollars, and a more extensive review could reach into the tens of thousands. In my opinion, if a commission is formed, transparency and inclusivity should be guiding principles. This means holding open public forums where every voice : friends, neighbors, and residents/ can share their perspectives and ideas openly. The final report (in my opinion) , only if a commission is formed, should take the form of a “memo,” not a “brief.” And the memo (in my opinion) should be neutral, data driven and objectively layout all findings, options, and implications so that our local residents and township can draw informed conclusions, rather than being led toward a pre-determined position or preconceived conclusions. Only by hearing from everyone can Millburn shape its future government structure in a way that truly reflects every voice and our town’s collective vision. Thanks, Charu
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