News

During the period prior to the November 7 election, the West Essex Tribune will make space available to both of the Board of Education candidates, at no cost, in order for them to present their views to the public. It is our hope that this will allow the voters to make a direct comparison which will assist them in making an informed voting decision. The Tribune will not, however, accept “Letters to the Editor” from the candidates during that portion of the campaign. Nor will the Tribune publish letters of endorsement or opposition for any candidate, though we may choose to publish, in the issues before the election, excerpts from letters of endorsement received during the campaign.

Two candidates – Fang Gong and Harsh Raju – are running for one open seat on the Board. Candidates are not obligated to answer the questions, or even to present any statement at all. A maximum of 300 words is allocated to each candidate each week.

The Livingston Police Department is investigating a residential burglary that occurred last week.

At 8:23 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, officers responded to a Arden Road home on a report of burglary to the residence.

Upon arrival, officers met with the homeowner and confirmed forced entry was gained to the home through a rear window sometime over that past day.

The homeowner is unsure if anything was stolen as of press time, and the Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating the matter.

Jim McGovern has lived in Livingston, and has been passing by the Northfield Baptist Cemetery on West Northfield Road, for over 30 years. So when he saw it becoming very overgrown, he and his wife, Joanne Brenckle, became very concerned.

The Livingston Planning Board, at its September 19 meeting, approved Anthony and Lisa Yu’s application to renew a minor subdivision approval with variances at 60 Chestnut Street.

Additionally, the Board heard arguments from Pulte Homes about moving trash inclosures on Jubilee Court before approving that request.

60 Chestnut Street

According to attorney Matthew Posada, Mr. and Mrs. Yu previously received minor subdivision approval for 60 Chestnut Street in 2013, along with minimum variance relief for minimal lot size. This approval, however, required meeting multiple conditions, such as the development of a key lot and permission to demolish an existing home. However, because those conditions did not occur within the required 190-day time frame, the Yu’s are now requesting permission to renew the subdivision using a new application.

Ameeting to discuss the proposed redevelopment at the site of the former Bottle King property was held on Monday, September 18, before a standing room only crowd of residents at Town Hall. Residents living near the proposed development have spoken in opposition to the project at Township Council meetings all summer, and this meeting offered them a chance to share concerns and ask questions directly with the proposed builder of the project, Jonathan Schwartz of the BNE Real Estate Group. The meeting grew heated enough, at times, for one Council member to threaten to adjourn the gathering early on, but it ultimately lasted three hours.

Joe Fiordaliso, former Livingston mayor who had been most recently serving as president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, died suddenly last week at 78. Several in the community spoke in remembrance of Fiordaliso following his passing.

•••

Livingston Mayor Michael Vieira

“Today, the entire Township of Livingston mourns,” said Mayor Michael Vieira. “Livingston loved Mayor Joseph Fiordaliso and Joe loved Livingston. We send our heartfelt prayers to his wife Marilyn, his daughter Dana, son Joseph and his six grandchildren. Joe was a three time mayor of Livingston.”

Vieira continued, “I had the opportunity to speak with Joe just two weeks ago when he called to talk about a project in Livingston and share some advice on how he handled a similar issue when he was mayor. Joe was always there for me and Livingston.

The Livingston Township Council passed ordinances, including one amending the town’s code focused on government speech; introduced others, including an ordinance that would adopt a new overlay district to pave the way for a housing complex; and passed several resolutions during its Thursday, September 7, meeting.

Voter Registration

At the start of the meeting, proclamation was also issued to recognize September 19 as National Voter Registration Day. Members of the National Council of Jewish Women - Essex were recognized for their work in helping to register voters and share information about how to vote.

The voter registration deadline is October 17, and vote by mail applications must be received by October 31 to be counted for the November 7 election. For all forms and voting information, go to nj.gov/state/ elections/vote.shtml. Additional information is available at nejwessex. org/voting-rights.

Overlay Districts

The Board of Education held its first meeting of the school year on Tuesday night at Heritage Middle School to discuss new developments within the school system to the public. The Board also passed two new board bylaws which took effect immediately.

Superintendent of schools Matthew Block started off the meeting by thanking school secretaries, custodians, administrators, and other faculty who worked over the summer and helped open the school.

“All of their efforts were truly felt, as 6,000 students returned to school last Tuesday,” Block said.

Block welcomed 60 new educators to the school system, and also explained how teachers were given a full day of professional development classes a week before school started, to help educators learn new skills and reflect on how to educate their students.

Block further explained how this will help teachers and faculty know each child that is in their care, each day.