In this week's Millburn Township Committee Meeting, besides a lengthy conversation discussing old business, the council recognized Springfield Police Chief John Cook for his heroic assistance in a car accident on June 8.

Also during the meeting, Mayor Sandra Halmoff announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, is reimbursing the town for 75 percent, $961,519.12, of the damages caused by hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm.

Cook was recognized for his actions after witnessing a car accident on Old Short Hills Road near Fairfield Drive. Cook stopped and alerted his department of the severe accident with an overturned car of four passengers and another damaged car with two passengers, one of which was injured.

"I wasn't the only one there and I was happy to hear the sirens coming," Cook said modestly to the council and many of the Springfield Police Department who were in attendance. "Residents came out to help and they deserve recognition as well, though I don't know who they were. But it does shows the type of residents Millburn and Short Hills has."

The main concern of the council Tuesday night was the proposed plan to provide lighting to Millburn's downtown area. The council agreed it wanted to achieve a better looking downtown while adding safety features with the use of low-lit bollards and chains. 

Deputy Mayor Robert Tillotson's main concern was the possibility with the installation of the bollards, according the plans presented to the council, would clutter the sidewalks. He also protested the installation of tall light poles in the downtown area.

The council agreed that it liked the idea of bollards with chains connecting them for safety and asked John Buchholz from Buchholz Architectural Group, of Montclair, to draw up another plan with a quote for both lit and unlit bollards. 

"This is the center point of our town and it is critical that we have a plan," Tillotson said. He also asked Buchholz to set up an example of the bollards before the council decides on a plan. 

Councilwoman Sari Greenberg's also brought up the issue of lit bollards being distracting to drivers and an annoyance to patrons sitting outside at restaurants downtown. 

Buchholz explained the light is the same wattage at the bollards at Riverwalk and also the light can be blocked to only point towards the street. 

After the meeting Buchholz said he's, "trying to move towards the historic style lights and get rid of the cobra light on the utility poles. It's just vacant harsh lighting."

In other news, the council approved the consent agenda except for the license for a sidewalk cafe because it is on the Planning Board's agenda. It also agreed to move forward with a three way stop at Glenn Avenue and Lackawanna Place.