News

Anirudh Srivastava, a member of Livingston’s Boy Scout Troop 12, recently became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. He was formally inducted as an Eagle Scout in an Eagle Court of Honor on March 9.

The journey to becoming an Eagle Scout is long, requiring commitment and dedication. A scout has to learn the scouting fundamentals, earn merit badges to exhibit the knowledge gathered, contribute to society through service projects, participate in hiking and camping activities, and complete an Eagle project that yields a positive outcome for the community. According to Boy Scouts of America, only about six percent of the scouts achieve this rank.

On Friday, March 29, the Town- existing and planned operations, ship of Livingston will officially programs and events, with only the rename its Senior, Youth & Leisure name changing. Services Department (SYLS) to “We think ‘Recreation and Se-Recreation and Senior Services, or nior Services’ more accurately and “Rec” for short. The newly renamed concisely reflects our role within Rec Department will continue all (Continued on Page A-10) (Continued from Page A-1) seeing little issue with a company changing its signage color each day. The Board also agreed that certain signs required variances to accommodate existing rules, though some members felt that the success of a business depended on more than just signs to promote it.

LIVINGSTON’S HISTORY: Above, the Livingston Fire Department set fire to an old barn in 1939, for a firefighting demonstration. See more historic photos and learn about old-time Livingston in this week’s “Celebrate Livingston’s History” pull-out section, section B of this newspaper.

At its meeting on Tuesday, March 19, the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education approved a tentative budget for the 2024-2025 school year.

The budget totals appropriations between the general fund, special revenues, and debt services amassing a total of $ 154,450,072. This will set Livingston taxes to be raised a total of $125,399,923. An additional Board meeting was held the day prior, on Monday, March 18, to ensure the Board had all its questions answered ahead of the March 19 vote.

The Board also met with the finance committee on March 14 to discuss the district’s budget. Prior to the meeting, a number of adjustments had already been made. These included a $2.5 million cut to the budgeted fund balance, and eliminating $600,000 of recurring expenses. These recurring expenses will still appear in the proposed budget, but they will no longer be recurring. The finance committee also found and eliminated a number of non-recurring costs.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION: The instructional aides and students in Mr. Justin Grossman’s fourth grade class at Hillside Elementary School surprised their teacher with a Teacher of the Year celebration. The students displayed their support for their beloved teacher by wearing masks of Grossman’s face and donning hats they designed.

Livingston Police officers responded to several calls in the past week, including a residential burglary, a burglary to a vehicle, and shoplifting.

Home Burglary

At 7:09 p.m. on Friday, March 8, Livingston officers responded to a Thames Drive home in response to a burglary alarm.

Officers arrived and located a rear sliding door that was shattered. A further investigation revealed that the home had just been burglarized and the bedrooms were ransacked.

The homeowner is compiling a list of stolen items and the Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating the matter.

Vehicle Burglary

At 11:44 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, officers responded to a Vista Drive home on a report of a suspect who just entered a vehicle.

WEARING O’ THE GREEN: Livingston was well represented in the annual West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade held on Sunday, March 10. The Main Street parade route included bands, marching groups, dancers, antique cars, Police and Fire Units, Essex County Sheriff Department Units and more. Shown at left, Pauline Melillo and daughter Aisling Gillespie proudly prepare to push Finn Gillespie in the parade. Above, Connor Small tunes up on the bagpipes prior to marching with the Essex Shillelagh Pipe and Drums. Small flew Home from Notre Dame University to participate. Below, fireman Nick Gillo and his children proudly march in the parade. More photos can be seen on page A-6. Don Schwartz Photos

At its meeting on Monday, March 11, the Livingston Township Council introduced two housing ordinances, and passed and tabled separate ordinances related to structures on privately owned property.

Brightview Ordinances

An ordinance was introduced to authorize a sale agreement between Brightview Livingston Urban Renewal and the township, for a portion of its 357 South Livingston Avenue (block 3100, lot 55 in the tax map) property that includes the town’s skate park. The proceeds of the sale are expected to cover the cost of a new skate park, to be located elsewhere in town.

Brightview plans to build a 150unit senior living facility on approximately 160,000 gross square feet of land. The property, 321 South Livingston Avenue, is the current home of the West Essex YMCA, which will soon move to a new location across the street, the former site of the Grace Lutheran Church. The strip of land being sold is expected to be used for parking.

WATER MAIN WORK ON CONGRESSIONAL PARKWAY: Water service transfers from the old water main to the new water main on Madison Court and Congressional Parkway from Madison Court to the baseball field, began on Friday, March 8, and will continue through Friday, March 15, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to limited driveway access during these working hours, residents who need to leave after 7 a.m. are recommended to park on Filmore Avenue or in the Northland Pool Parking lot. Shown here, portions of Congressional Avenue were excavated so construction workers could access the underground water main. ROC Photos

This past week, the Livingston Fire Department (LFD) responded to a number of calls, including multiple downed wires, fire alarm transmissions, and a potential gas leak.

Wires

A large tree fell across Brandon Avenue last Thursday, March 7. It took down primary wires and caused a utility pole to snap, damaging a transformer. PSE&G were on the scene to assist.

This past Monday, March 11, a large tree fell near 32 Sterling Drive. It brought down wires and primaries. The road was blocked, PSE&G was advised and immediately responded. PSE&G capped off wires and restored partial service to the area. Department of Public Works was on the scene, removing the tree, while the Livingston Police Department stood by.

Mutual Aid Request

On Sunday, March 10, LFD received a request for an engine to standby at Orange Fire Department headquarters, as their engines were working at a structural fire.

Pull Station Activation