The Livingston Township Council discussed flooding concerns in town, changing water prices, and cannabis businesses at its Monday, September 13, meeting. The Council also issued proclamations and passed several resolutions.The meeting was held virtually and may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.At the start of the meeting, the Council issued several proclamations, including honoring the Livingston High School Varsity Softball team for its state championship this past June, and the Livingston Exit 65A Robotics team for its MAPSS project designed to pedestrian safety using lights and sensors (the team should hear by early October if they are one of 18 national finalists).The Council also acknowledged National Preparedness Month, and hosted the Livingston Lions Club, whose members held an awards ceremony during the meeting.Gallite Kestler, mother of Jake Kestler, who died of pediatric cancer a few years ago, also spoke and asked the township to support the upcoming Trial Blazers Bowl. On Friday, September 17, the Livingston High School football game against West Orange will feature a special ceremony prior to kickoff to raise awareness for the work being done by the Trial Blazers (which Jake participated in) to fight pediatric cancer. The event will pay tribute to Jake, as well as a cheerleader in West Orange, and start at about 6:30 p.m.FloodingWhile discussing National Preparedness Month, Mayor Shawn Klein noted that Livingston was hit with 9.5 inches of rain in about six hours during Hurricane Ida.“Our hearts are broken for everybody that had flooding,” he said. “Out hearts go out to everybody who is affected.”Klein noted that people who have sustained damage can now apply for federal aid on the FEMA website, and the state also has a fund set up specifically for small businesses.While Ida was considered a “thousand year storm,” Klein said that, due to climate change, these types of storms will continue to happen at a much greater frequency than once every thousand years.“Flooding is a problem that will be very difficult in the future,” he said. “It is clear these are going to be the new normal.”In aggregate, the Department of Public Works was impressed how well the town’s infrastructure held up, given the severity of the storm.Klein noted that, for those in town that sustained damage and will begin the process of building back, residents must be mindful not to build in a way that will lead to the same issues as ...
