Columns/Opinions

Thu
04
Mar
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Shovel Your Sidewalks

We just endured one ofthe snowiest months in recent memory, seemingly weathering a major storm at least once a week in February. The town battled salt shortages, and residents ran their snow blowers and shovels into the ground, trying to keep up. It wasn’t easy, but we made it through and managed to clear the snow. Well, most of us managed to.

As is always the case, there were dozens of homeowners throughout town who didn’t clear their sidewalks. As a result, individuals trying to safely walk or jog around Livingston have been put in unnecessarily dangerous situations, forced to walk in a lane of traffic on Northfield Road, for example.

 

 

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Thu
04
Mar
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Yes to Energy Aggregation

After listening to Gabel Associates’ presentation to the community last week, explaining Livingston’s upcoming energy aggregation, we are pleased with what appears to be a way for Livingston to use more renewable energy at no additional cost to most residents.

This latest energy aggregation contract (the previous one ended in October 2020 after 16 months), will run from April 2021 through September 2022, at a fixed price of $0.12696 per kilowatthour. Energy Harbor will be the supplier. The deal is for 40 percent renewable energy content, compared to the state-required 23.5 percent renewable energy content. The renewable energy consists of about five percent in-state solar, and about 35 percent regional renewable energy, primarily wind.

 

 

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Thu
25
Feb
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About the Health Department

This has been an unprecedented year to say the least. We have all been, in any given moment, scared, sad, anxious, or angry.

The fact that children are still not physically in school every day is certainly one of those frustrations. This is a year — and counting — that students will never get back. Children are missing out on foundational experiences and there are fears that some may be falling behind. Working parents are dealing with their own issues, trying to manage children learning from home. The frustrations abound. But the reasons for this situation are also quite obvious. Namely, we are in the midst of a deadly pandemic. On top of that, most teachers and students have yet to be vaccinated, as the state is still not allowing them (and other non-healthcare essential workers) to receive their shots.

 

 

Thu
25
Feb
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Let’s Get Building

Two weeks ago, Livingston’s school buildings were closed the Monday following a storm that dropped about eight inches of snow on the township, ending around 4 p.m. the previous day. The primary reason that the district could not safely reopen was a lack of salt to treat the parking lots and walkways. The town’s supply was depleted from the preceding week’s inclement weather, when nearly two feet of snow accumulated in town.

The problem, it seems, can be traced back to a salt dome that is too small to meet the needs of the township. The current dome can hold enough salt to treat the roads roughly twice, so additional salt must be ordered in advance of expected storms. Except, following the massive snowfall of a few weeks ago, salt was in short supply statewide, and an order for more salt was delayed by more than a week, leaving Livingston without the amount needed to treat the town.

 

 

Thu
18
Feb
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Chuck Tahaney: He Cared

Chuck Tahaney: He Cared

Perhaps the phrase “the passing of an era” has been overused in the past; but, the loss of former township manager Charles (Chuck) J. Tahaney, this week certainly qualifies as the passing of an era.

Chuck, who was born and raised in Livingston, was only the second municipal manager in the town’s history. His family lived in the converted barracks on Berkeley Place, behind the old house that then served as the Township Hall. He was a of Livingston’s public schools before earning a bachelor of science degree in English with a minor in education from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City. He later earned a master of business administration degree from Seton Hall University. He was certified to teach secondary school and, although he never became a school teacher, that background was evident in the calm and personal way he ran the Township of Livingston.

 

 

Thu
11
Feb
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Celebrate Black History Month

We are currently in the midst of Black History Month, an annual observance each February. This year’s remembrance of the people and events of Black history feels particularly poignant, as this is the first one following the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the Black Lives Matter protests that followed in the summer of 2020 and beyond.

Thu
04
Feb
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Waiting “On Deck”

Last week, in a TV interview, Governor Phil Murphy indicated that teachers were “on deck” to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccinations. Teachers are among the non-healthcare essential workers who were categorized into the 1B section of vaccination eligibility, only to have other categories ranked behind them hear their name called first, including millions of smokers. They’ve since been waiting for their turn, wondering when they would be able to teach inside their classroom with less fear of serious illness.

Mayor Shawn Klein, Deputy Mayor Ed Meinhardt, and the rest of the Township Council say they have been advocating at every level of government for teachers to be next to receive their vaccinations. Recent confirmation that teachers will, in fact, be next, is certainly great to hear. Of course, we have no idea when “next” will be. Will they be able to receive a dose in a matter of weeks or months?

Thu
04
Feb
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One Pool or Two?

Does Livingston need two pools?

That was the question Mayor Shawn Klein posed to his fellow Council members at last week’s meeting, asking them to be prepared to discuss the matter at the following meeting, which will be held on February 8.

Klein’s argument is that the town can no longer financially support two pools; dwindling attendance over the past few years (prior to the pandemic) appears to prove that demand is not what it used to be.

If the town wants to, can it still afford to pay to maintain both pools? We are sure that it is possible to do so, but we are less certain that it would be the best use of Livingston’s money and resources.

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Thu
28
Jan
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If You Love Your Pet, License It

This Sunday, January 31, is the deadline to get your dog or cat licensed for the year.

Licensing your dog is not just a good idea; it’s the law. The township requires that every dog, age seven months and older, be licensed and immunized against rabies. Licensing also enables dog owners to get a pass to the Livingston Dog Park. Those who do not obtain current licenses are subject to fines and possible court appearances.

 

 

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Thu
28
Jan
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Mall Committee

It is no secret that the Livingston Mall has seen better days. Just prior to the pandemic, Sears announced that it would be closing; Lord and Taylor closed more recently. Malls in general have been hurt in the past decade by a growing increase in online shopping. Something needed to be done to support Livingston’s single largest taxpayer, which is why we were thrilled to hear, late last year, that a committee had been formed to discuss what could be done to support the mall.

Last week, the 16-person committee announced the fruits of its initial work, recommending that the Township Council designate the mall district as an area in need of redevelopment. This is all preliminary, with many more steps to take, but we think this is a fantastic idea.

 

 

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