The Livingston Township Council passed several ordinances and resolutions during its Monday, April 28, meeting. The Council also introduced the 2025 municipal budget, reading it by title but saving the details for the a final hearing in late May At the start of the meeting, the Livingston Chinese Culture Day (LCCD) committee spoke and presented checks to the Livingston Fire Department, Livingston First Aid Squad, Livingston Police Department, and Livingston Public Library.
The donations were made possible through fundraising that occurred at the recent LCCD celebration. LCCD is a collaborative effort organized by Livingston Chinese Association, Livingston Huaxia Chinese School, Livingston Chinese School, Living Stone Christian Church, and the Livingston High School World Language Department.
The presentation marked the conclusion of the group’s 2024 celebration in honor of the Year of the Snake. The group will celebrate the Year of the Horse in 2025.
The Council additionally took a moment to observe May 4-10 as 2025 Public Service Recognition Week.
Municipal Budget
Three resolutions were passed related to the 2025 municipal budget: introducing it by title, establishing the 2025 municipal open space tax rate (one cent per $100 of assessed valuation), and computing the 2025 reserve for uncollected taxes (98.64 percent, based on the most recent three year average).
Another resolution was passed to extend the budget introduction date from March 31 to the date of the meeting, April 28.
Arelated resolution authorized temporary emergency appropriations for contracts and commitments made prior to the passage of the annual budget. These totaled $31,557,941.96 and included $22,660,233.77 in the Current Fund; $4,670,031.69 for the Water Utility; $4,127,676.50 for the Sewer Utility; and $100,000 for the Swimming Pool Utility. These appropriations will be provided for in the 2025 budget.
BID Budget Passed Following a public hearing the Livingston Com(Continued on Page A-6) (Continued from Page A-1) munity Partnership (BID) budget was approved by the Council.
Municipal Budget
The budget for 2025 was adopted as $413,285.
Water and Sewer Rates Two ordinances were passed to amend the municipal water and sewer rates.
The first would change chapter 316 of the township code, “Water, Article 1, Meters and Meter Use Charges.” The change would increase the charge of a water meter to the sum of the cost of the meter and associated parts, plus 30 percent of that total cost. Previously, the upcharge was 20 percent.
The second would commence annual increases to the sewer rate by amending chapter 251 of the township code, “Sewers, Article II, Fees and Charges.” The changes are due to the increases in operating and capital costs. The per quarter amount will increase by set amounts in 2025, 2026, and 2027. Beginning in 2028, the township’s water engineer and the Chief Financial Officer will make increases to the rates consistent with cost of living changes.
Bond Ordinances Introduced A bond ordinance was introduced to provide $4,000,000 for the township to finance the cost of phase C-1 of well remediation. The project is expected to be funded through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and includes the addition of a new anion exchange resin (IX) treatment facility for PFAS removal at Well 6 and the installation of approximately 700 linear feet of 8” DIPfinished water main from the facility to the distribution system on Old Road.
Another bond ordinance was introduced to provide $3,050,000 for improvements to the Water Utility System. These include the installation and replacement of water mains, renovations and improvements to water production wells, and assessments and renovations and construction of water facilities.
A third bond ordinance was introduced to provide an appropriation of $3,565,000 for improvements to the Sewer Utility System. These include improvements to the Water Pollution Control Facility, sewage pump stations and jet-vac truck, primary digester, facility transformer replacement, Eisenhower Parkway large diameter pipe replacement, collection system improvements, and roof upgrades.
A final bond ordinance provided an appropriation of $11,280,000 for various improvements, as well as authorizing $6,703,774 in bonds to finance part of the appropriation.
These improvements include: the acquisition and installation of computers and communications equipment; property acquisition, assessment, design, improvements, remediations, construction, reconstruction and renovations to public buildings and facilities, including the Fire Department roof replacement and painting; assessment, design, improvements and reconstruction of sidewalks; major capital vehicle renovations and acquisition of vehicles and equipment; and the acquisition of fire apparatus and equipment.
These ordinances will each have second hearings on May 13.
Mortgage Discharge
An ordinance was introduced to discharge the mortgage belonging to Robert and Florentina Hervian for 32 West McClellan Avenue.
In 2013, the Hervians entered into a mortgage agreement through the Livingston Home Improvement Program, which permits certain homeowners to receive a forgivable loan of up to $25,000 provided that the homeowner retains the title and continuously occupies the property for ten years from the date of the loan. Through the program, they received a loan of $16,000, which the township will now discharge, per the terms of the agreement.
This ordinance will have its second hearing on May 13.
Developer’s Agreement The Council approved a developer’s agreement with EAS Livingston, to develop a property designated as block 1512, lot 12 on the township’s tax maps. This 2.31 acre property is located on East Mt. Pleasant Avenue between Glendale Avenue and Greenwood Court.
It is commonly known as 107 East Mt. Pleasant Avenue, and contains a building that includes several businesses, such as Livingston Pharmacy and Eppes Essen. That building will remain as it is, but the car wash in the back of the lot will add ancillary improvements, including vacuum stall spaces and improving site circulation throughout the property.
LMAC
The Council approved the 2025-26 municipal grant to prevent substance use disorder. The Livingston Municipal Alliance (LMAC) will receive $26,500 from the Governor’s Council on Substance Use Disorder (GCSUD), $6,625 in grant cash, and $19,875 through an in-kind match from the township.
Mitigation Plan
The Council adopted the 2025 Essex County Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies mitigation goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to people and property from the effects of future hazards and disasters.
Contracts
A $516,750 contract was awarded to Grabowski Construction for stream cleaning.
DLS Contracting was awarded an $813,016.75 contract for the expansion and resurfacing of the Livingston Library parking lot.
A $173,775.51 contract was awarded to Watson Furniture Group, for new dispatch furniture for the Police Department.
The Council approved a $105,700 contract with Suburban Consulting Engineers for Little League field improvements. During the conference meeting prior to the start of the regular meeting, Deputy Mayor Shawn Klein had questions about using the funds for turf fields that use PFAS materials, but was told that this money would not be used in that way.
A $19,750 contract was approved for NV5, for inspection of the Bear Brook Dam.
Jesco was awarded a $497,116 contract for the purchase of a 744P wheel loader for use by the Department of Public Works.
A$56,018.50 contract was given to Gold Type Business Machines for the purchase and installation of license plate readers for the Police Department. An additional $19,000 contract with the company was approved for software maintenance related to e-tickets.
Rio Supply was awarded a $50,738 contract for the purchase of water meters for the Water Department.
A $27,000 contract was given to Continental Hardware for the purchase of lumber, insulation, and hardware for the Department of Public Works.
A resolution was passed to reject a bid received to furnish a fitness court with equipment at the Senior/ Community Center.
Closed Session
At the start of the conference meeting, the Council went into a closed executive session to discuss Fair Share Housing, personnel, and a matter regarding the police department’s shooting range. That meeting was continued following the end of the regular meeting.
Upcoming Meetings
The next meeting of the Township Council will be held on Tuesday, May 13, at Town Hall.
The Council also discussed multiple meeting changes. The June 5 meeting is expected to be changed to June 4, and the July 14 meeting is expected to be changed to July 17.
