News

The Livingston Public Library is adapting to changing user needs and societal shifts while maintaining core services, noted Amy Babcock, its director, as she shared insights on intellectual freedom, literacy and community engagement last weekduring a Zoom presentation with the Livingston League of Women Voters (LWV).

The discussion focused on the library’s new Strategic Plan for 2024-28 and its mission, the “Core values of community, compassion, connection and creativity.”

The plan outlines the Livingston library’s vision, mission and values as it aims to provide equal access and intellectual freedom for all, while fostering growth and a creative environment. The Strategic Plan, created by staff and tru stees, was a y ear in the making, using data gathered through surveys, focus groups, andmeetings with the community.

On February 29, Police Officer Joe Wnek retired from the Livingston Police Department after 27 years of service.

Officer Wnek served on the Auto Theft task force, was a 9-11 responder at the World Trade Center, was a recipient of the SPOT award for saving a resident from drowning, and regularly served as an instructor for National Night Out and the Jr. Police Academy.

Officer Wnek was assigned to the Traffic Division for most of his time with the Department. There, he conducted traffic studies for the township and assisted in all aspects of traffic safety with special attention to the student population.

Chief Gary Marshuetz said, “Officer Wnek’s file is filled with thank you letters from stranded motorists who he had stopped to help. More than a few of these letters were from motorists who Joe assisted while he was off-duty and traveling on his way home. That is the type of caring officer Joe has been for the last 27 years.

This week marks the opening night of the Livingston High School Theater spring musical, “Cinderella.” Tickets are still on sale at lhstheater.com and performances will be held at 7 p.m. on March 7, 8, and 9, as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on March 9.

Behind the Scenes

To make a production of this scale come to life, there is a tremendous effort behind the scenes spanning many months and involving scores of people. The LHS Theater production team and crew, made up of teachers and students, are, quite literally, the nuts and bolts of the show. Teacher and technical director Brian Megaro has been working with many skilled students. There are endless opportunities for students who may not crave being in the spotlight on stage, but who are invaluable behind the scenes. And many of these students take on essential leadership roles.

During the past week, Livingston Police officers responded to multiple reports of vehicles that had been burglarized.

Burglary to Vehicles

This past Sunday at 6:26 a.m., a Stonewall Drive resident appeared at police headquarters to report that his 2023 BMW had been burglarized that morning. His surveillance camera captured two people running up to his vehicle and getting in. They were captured on camera stealing a briefcase and laptop from inside the vehicle before fleeing.

The Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating the matter.

Another Livingston resident reported a burglarized vehicle that Sunday. A Tilden Court resident contacted Police Headquarters to report his 2020Audi had been broken into. The resident’s security cameras captured a suspect approaching the unlocked Audi, stealing a pair of sunglasses from inside it, andfleeing the scene.

The Livingston Detective Bureau is also investigating this instance of burglary.

On Sunday, March 10, clocks “spring forward” to start Daylight Savings time. This change should also prompt the change of batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and the inspection of fire extinguishers.

“The biannual tradition of Daylight Savings is the ideal time to remind residents to change the batteries whenever we change the clocks,” explained Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullin. “When smoke alarms or detectors fail to operate, it’s usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.”

Chief Mullin advises homeowners who may have purchased newer “Ten-Year Sealed Battery” detectors that once detectors are activated upon initial installation, there is no need to replace the batteries. Tenyear sealed battery detectors are designed to operate using a “sealed” battery, so attempting to open or change the battery will render the detector useless, and it will have to be discarded.

Smoke Detectors

The Livingston High School girls’ varsity basketball team ended its 2023-24 season with an excellent performance in the State Tournament.

After recording an historic upset over Paterson Eastside, the Lancers fell in a tough battle against Passaic County Technical School to end their State Tournament run.

“I am extremely proud of the way our girls ended their season with their performance in the State Tournament,” said coach Ashley Addison. “After failing to qualify for the North 1 Group 4 State Tournament last season, we made it this year as the 16th seed. In an historic program win, we defeated the 20-win, number 1-seeded Paterson Eastside Ghosts with a final score of 40-37.”

At the Livingston Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, February 27, the Heritage Middle School cafeteria was filled with concerned parents and residents. Many were there to voice their support or opposition to a planned after-school event held Wednesday, February 28, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of MetroWestNJ. The event aims to allow survivors of the October 7 terrorist attacks to share their first hand testimonies of what they witnessed.

WATER MAIN CONSTRUCTION: On Thursday, February 22, water main construction began on Congressional Parkway. The street was closed in sections, beginning at Madison Court and concluding at the baseball field. As construction commenced, the Northfield Pool parking lot was accessible only from Madison Court via Bryant Drive. Shown here, construction workers excavated parts of Congressional Parkway to access the water main.

Open for 69 years, the Heavenly Finds Thrift Shop moved in December of 2023. It is now located in the rectory (the house) on the St. Peter’s Church property, 94 East Mt. Pleasant Avenue, next to the Ritz Diner.

Since the shop became a ministry of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Verona in the fall of 2021, it has donated over $140,000 to fund various programs. Focusing on those that address food insecurity, almost 45 percent of the money raised has funded area food pantries, including Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ CHOW; the Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry; and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Food Pantry (Christine’s Kitchen) in West Orange.

Livingston’s Sia Malhotra recently spearheaded the project of creating a children’s lending library in Terminal A of Newark International Airport. The library officially opened last month.

The idea was born when Sia, 11, stopped by a similar lending library in an Alaska airport.

“When we landed inAnchorage, Sia saw a library there and she loves to read so she was very much in awe of it,” said Nishu Malhotra, Sia’s mother.

From there, she developed the concept, began emailing with PortAuthority, and made her dream a reality.

On a trip to the Home Depot in East Hanover, Sia spoke with the manager, explained her idea, and they said they would build the physical library for her.

From its conception to opening to the public, the project took over three years. Getting the proper approvals and dealing with airport security protocols took time, but Sia never got discouraged.