News

At the regular meeting of the Township Council on Wednesday, December 4, the Council passed an ordinance authorizing the purchase of the Licari Miniature Horse Farm property – block 7300, lots 68, 82 and 83 at 240 East Northfield Road – through the Open Space Trust Fund. The 11 acres of land will be purchased for $2,556,750.

“This is a big year for our open space,” mayor Al Anthony said. “Really a momentous year. The most we’ve ever had for open space in a year is two acres, and this year we have 20 acres.”

The Council also purchased the Strahman property on East Cedar Street through open space funds earlier this year.

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On Monday, School Board president BuddyAugust presented a plaque to outgoing member George Shen in appreciation of his dedicated service to the Board and community.

Shen did not seek another term in the November School Board contest, in which incumbent Samantha Messer and newcomer Seth Cohen were elected.

Vice president Ronnie Konner agreed, saying that Shen “brought a different perspective sometimes in the questions you asked and made us look at things in a different way.” She also noted his support of global education.

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CIRCLE CRASH: At 6:49 p.m. on Monday, December 2, Livingston Police responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Eisenhower Parkway and West Mt. Pleasant Avenue. A 2011 Ram pickup truck operated by John Genao-Perez, 37, of Plainfield, was traveling east on West Mt. Pleasant Avenue, while Michael Amorosi, 64, of Denville, was operating a 2011 Chevy Silverado north on Eisenhower Parkway. Genao-Perez told officers that he entered the intersection while the traffic light was still yellow, while Amorosi stated he had a green light. Responding officers determined that Genao-Perez ran a red light, causing the accident. Four passengers in Genao-Perez’s vehicle were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The impact of the accident caused Amorosi’s vehicle to spin and strike a traffic signal pole, knocking it down.

CAMUSO DISPLAY OPENING: With preparations under way for the opening of the Camuso Holiday Display, the first snowstorm of the season covered the Livingston Oval with a blanket of white on Monday, December 2. The Camuso Display will open on Saturday, December 7, with a lighting ceremony to be held at 6:30 p.m. There will also be train rides for children, guest appearances from Batman and Wonder Woman, and a performance from the Livingston Starliners dance team. The annual fundraiser is also taking place this season. People may buy a tree or dreidel for $20, and it will be added to the display with the person or family’s name on it. They will be for sale on opening night and every evening after that. All proceeds go to the restoration and upkeep of the characters in the display. Jerry Siskind Photo

In an effort to offer new opportunities for its special needs students, Academy 360 Upper School, a high school program provided by the nonprofit organization Spectrum360 to support students with autism and other behavioral disabilities, held a ribbon cutting for a newly-opened 20,000 square foot addition to the school on Wednesday, December 4.

As demand for services increases, the expansion provides extra space for classrooms, staff, sports, and extracurricular activities for its students to accommodate the growth of the school, which is located on Regent Street.

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The Livingston Planning Board approved two applications at its meeting on Tuesday. Cryoport Systems received approval to add a second tank to a previously approved application, and Saint Barnabas Medical Center received approval to construct a heat and power plant.

Both applications were unanimously approved and will be memorialized at a future meeting.

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As Livingston Public Schools works to recover from the ransomware attack two weeks ago that encrypted the district’s data, superintendent Matthew Block offered an update on Tuesday, December 3. He previously addressed the community concerning the matter on Monday, November 25, and in a letter on Friday, November 22.

“Last Friday, when I sent my letter to the community on this issue, I estimated that it would begin to feel back to ‘normal’ (in terms of technology) by December break. We still feel that this is a realistic timeline to have our major systems back in place,” Block said. “We have made progress towards that goal over the past week. I am encouraged by the advances we have made, particularly when you consider that the district has only officially been open for a day and a half since my meeting with parents.”

Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) “is mega-busy this time of year,” said founder Jeff Friedman. LPI, which has already delivered 1,000 warm coats and jackets to the homeless and profoundly poor, also  accepts winter accessories, toiletries, cosmetics, diapers, women’s products and more.  
Donations may be dropped at LPI’s partner, Livingston’s West Essex Tribune, located on South Livingston Avenue next to ShopRite.
“To make other arrangements, explore volunteer opportunities, or discuss keeping one’s monetary donations in Livingston, send me an email at  njhomeless@aol.com,” Friedman said. Contributions are  tax-deductible.
“I’m privileged to share LPI’s flurry of activity with our altruistic community,” Friedman continued. He reported on the successful donation drives by school and religious organizations, and the efforts to keep up deliveries to distribution partners in Newark and East Orange.

The Livingston Fire Department, with help from the Roseland and West Orange Fire Departments, were able to bring a house fire at 6 Twilight Court under control on Monday, November 25.

Emergency responders were alerted when Livingston Police dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from the homeowner reporting black smoke coming from the ceiling area of a second floor bathroom. A general alarm was sounded, and firefighters arrived to find a working fire in the second floor rear roof area of the house. All occupants of the house had escaped the structure without injury.

Members of Engine Co. 1 established a water supply from a nearby hydrant and stretched two 1¾” hand lines to the second floor via a rear balcony access to the second floor.

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A half century ago, on November 27, 1969, the Livingston High School football team emerged as co-champion of the Jersey Hills Conference after a 12-7 win on Thanksgiving Day. The win tied Livingston with Morris Hills for the conference title.

The stakes were high, and the Lancers gave it their all, and claimed a win against West Essex. Both had entered the game with 4-2 records.