News

PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN: Conor Gardner, past member of the Livingston Fire Department, and Clint Richards, a current member, were each promoted to the rank of captain for the Orange Fire Department on Wednesday, September 27. The two are shown here with LFD Chief Chris Mullin and Deputy Chief Kevin Francione

The Livingston Planning Board, at its Tuesday, October 3 meeting, voted to approve Steven Barckley’s request to subdivide 33 Sycamore Avenue into two parcels measuring into 9,158 and 9,000 square feet. Despite closing evidentiary records from the original July 18 hearing, the Board decided on August 3 to reopen a public hearing so Barckley could cross-examine new residential testimonies and statements with his lawyer present.

During the July hearing, Barckley’s witnesses explained that he wanted to reestablish the 18,158 square foot lot’s property dimensions to where it was before the lots were joined together in 1953. These lots would be roughly the size of other neighborhood parcels, but the Board expressed concern over the ap- plicant's de.nition of neighborhood atmosphere, while neighbors questioned its lack of building footprint.

The Board then held ou its vote to personally examine the neighborhood before deciding whether these measurements warranted concern.

In celebration of Fire Prevention Week, the Livingston Fire Department will hold its annual open house this Sunday, October 8.

“This community-wide event is designed to allow our neighbors the opportunity to come and visit the .re - house and meet the .re.ghters who protect the Township of Livingston year ’round,” explained Fire Chief Chris Mullin.

There will be a pumpkin bounce house and a trackless train for children. Children will also have the opportunity to hold and spray a real .re hose.

In addition attendees can speak to local .re.ghters about safety issues and concerns.

A motor vehicle extrication demonstration will be performed to educate the public in vehicle rescue operations.

In addition, there will be a fire prevention and education table/ display with important fire safety information for all age groups, including school aged children, teenagers, adults and senior adults.

On Thursday, September 28, the League of Women Voters hosted a Candidates Night at the Livingston Senior/Community Center. The debate featued two candidates – Fang Gong, and Harsh Raju – who are currently competing for a seat on the Livingston Board of Education. The seat is currently held by Board president, Vineeta Khanna, who is not seeking re-election.

The two candidates discussed their perspectives on various topics throughout the night, including public questions that were collected by the League. Many of the questions pertained to issues brought up by residents and Board members at previous Board of Education meetings, including ones focused on book bans, student populations, bus systems, and incentives for teachers and faculty.

Student Population

At its meeting on Tuesday, September 26, the Livingston Township Council approved a number of resolutions, including adding revenue items to the municipal budget and awarding contracts. Also approved was a resolution establishing fees for the use of municipal car charging stations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, public comment touched on the Bottle King development and an allegation of sexual harassment involving the Livingston Police Department.

Speed Bumps

In the conference meeting, prior to the regular meeting, the Council discussed potentially adding speed bumps to the area of Arden Road and Sherbrooke Parkway. A substantial housing development in that area has been the topic of discussion for several months, and some nearby residents have pointed to the safety on nearby roadways as one of their main concerns with the project. Some of those residents have specifically asked for speed bumps to be added to those roads.

During the Tuesday, September 26, Township Council meeting, discussion continued about Brightview Livingston Urban Renewal’s planned 150-unit senior living facility and the town’s skate park. An ordinance that would have approved an application for a long-term tax exemption - also known as a payment in lieu of taxes, or a PILOT - was initially listed on the agenda but pulled prior to the start of the meeting. Introduction of that ordinance had been tabled at previous recent meetings, as well.

The property, 321 South Livingston Avenue, is the current home of the West Essex YMCA, which will soon move to a new location across the street.

Meinhardt Statement

Before discussion on the matter was held, Council member Ed Meinhardt recused himself. Prior to doing so, he made a statement responding to “keyboard warrior comments” that have appeared on social media recently.

The Island Giants Exhibit at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo opened on Wednesday, September 20. The new exhibit space includes natural habitatthemed spaces for the alligators and Komodo Dragons. In addition, it was dedicated in honor of Essex County Commissioner and Livingston resident Patricia Sebold, who has served on the Board of Commissioners for over 30 years and has been a member of the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund since it formed in 1998.

“The new exhibit enables us to provide more indoor and outdoor

At the Livingston Board of Education meeting, held on Tuesday, September 26, boardmembers discussed school safety and security.

Superintendent of Schools Matthew Block and district security specialist Justin Toomey gave a presentation about newupdates to school security in Livingston, as well as a new program that the state of New Jersey has implemented into its schools.

“It’s really important to talk about school safety and that is a daily effort on our part,” Block said, “It’s not something that we think about once in a while, or meet about a couple times a year. Every day we think about our schools and how to keep them as safe as possible.”

The presentation discussed how the district and Police Department are working together to ensure safety in schools, as well as the importance of it.

HOLD TRIBUTE TO BUNNIE RATNER: The Livingston Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Jewish War Veterans’ posts held a ceremony last week to honor the late Bunnie Ratner, who devoted a large amount of her time and efforts to veterans’ causes. The veterans dedicated a plaque in Ratner’s memory, which has been installed behind the Homecoming Light at the Oval. Ratner was instrumental in the creation of the Homecoming Light, which remains lit in honor of residents serving in the military. Russell Jones Photos