News

The Livingston Planning Board met remotely on Tuesday, January 18, for a workshop and conference session. The evening’s agenda included a “Complete Streets” presentation by Urban Cycling Solutions.

Hearing Scheduled

The Board reviewed a report by Beacon Planning and Consulting Services, LLC, which was retained to conduct a professional analysis of the land comprising 1, 2, and 17 Old Road and 397 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue, and a portion of the Old Road right-of-way, to determine whether it was in need of redevelopment. The parcel includes the property at the end of Old Road where it meets the Livingston traffic circle, the site of a former Masonic temple and, before that, Olivet Chapel. It also includes a parcel containing retail businesses.

It was announced this week that Ayan Varma Bhatnagar of Livingston Boy Scout Troop 12 earned the Eagle Scout rank on August 10, 2021. His Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held on October 23, 2021.

Bhatnagar began his Scouting journey in first grade in 2011, when he became a Tiger Cub with Den 1 of Pack 16, Livingston.

After earning the Arrow of Light Award in February of 2016, Bhatnagar continued his Scouting journey with Troop 12 Livingston. He was eager to bridge over into Troop 12 and join his older brother, Nishay, who became an Eagle Scout in 2016.

After earning the First Class rank in 2018, Bhatnagar served as Patrol Leader for three terms. He notes that he “enjoyed taking on the responsibility and committed to helping younger Scouts learn skills and advance in rank.”

Food, clothing, toiletries and other necessities poured in to the collection center behind Town Hall on Monday afternoon during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service that was carried out by the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (LCDI).

In the morning, Simone Anthony-Brown led a youth-centered virtual activity to reflect on Dr. King and his message. She shared a book about the involvement of children in the civil rights movement in 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, and an art project highlighting Dr. King and his words. Both the reading and artwork can be viewed on the LCDI Facebook page, at https://www.facebook.com/ LCDINJ.

An anti-bullying poster contest was held by the Livingston Police Department, and the Livingston

League of Women Voters helped eligible individuals register to vote.

In his report this week, Livingston Philanthropies Inc. founder and director Jeff Friedman notes, “Whether generous Livingston neighbors have made monetary contributions or purchased badly needed items online or in-person, the outcome remains the same: LPI, now in its 11th season of operation, continues to provide for the ‘homeless, profoundly poor and disenfranchised.’”
Since September, Livingston residents have donated cases of Enfamil baby formula; multiple pallets of fresh produce and non-perishable food items; clothing, nail clippers, and toiletries; men’s and women’s underwear, socks, and handbags; face masks; diapers, baby wipes, baby food, baby bottles, and baby clothes; gloves, hats, scarves, and mittens, both store-bought and hand-knitted; new stuffed animals for children; and, of course, coats.

A snowstorm, which struck in the early hours of Friday morning, January 7, dropped five inches of snow on Livingston.

Chris Southworth, superintendent of the Department of Public Works (DPW), called crews to report to work at 3:30 a.m. By 5:30 a.m., trucks were out salting the roadways. All township roads and parking lots, including the schools, were cleared by noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Southworth said. Later in the day, crews resalted the cleared roads.

Because of the storm, Livingston Public Schools went to a virtual schedule for the day. Additionally, there was a delayed opening to enable teachers to prepare for the remote instruction.

New quarantine procedures from the New Jersey Department of Health were put in place on Tuesday afternoon, the school district announced in a letter to the Livingston public schools community.

The new protocols will take effect with cases that are contact traced that afternoon, superintendent of schools Matthew Block said; principals will contact any students and staff currently in quarantine who now qualify to return to school.

The letter spells out quarantining requirements for positive symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals; for close contacts of positive cases; and requirements about returning to school following a quarantine.

Positive but asymptomatic individuals will now return to the classroom after five days. If the student is symptomatic, they will return 24 hours after their symptoms subside.

Block also reiterated Governor Phil Murphy’s extension of the school mask mandate for the foreseeable future.

During the first regular meeting of 2022, the Livingston Township Council passed its first resolutions of the new year and introduced ordinances. Township water, pools, body worn cameras, and pickleball courts were also among the topics briefly discussed at the meeting.

The meeting was held virtually and may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

At the start of the meeting the Council listened to Samay Malde, who explained his proposed Eagle Scout project to the group. To inspire students and improve mental health, Malde wants to post signs around the town, specifically near the schools and on school buses, sharing motivational quotes.

Adelynn Adiguzel, who was born to Jessica and Rusty Adiguzel of 48 Fellswood Drive on January 5, is the winner of the Tribune’s 64th annual First Baby Contest. The little girl was born at 12:16 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, weighing seven pounds, three ounces. She joins a 2½ year old brother, Lucas.

Julian Daren Steinberg, who was born to Jennifer and Ricky Steinberg of 315 Cider Mill Court, was last year’s winner. Jeffrey Frank Thornton, who was born January 1, 1957 to Dr. and Mrs. William A. Thornton of 48 Walnut Street, was the winner of the Tribune’s inaugural first baby contest.

As it has for more than six decades, the West Essex Tribune is welcoming the first baby of the new year with an assortment of gifts generously donated by our advertisers.

The gifts that Adelynn will receive include:

Broadway Elite, a $100 gift certificate;

ONLY NATURAL: Artists’ work is currently on display at the ACL Gallery, located at 2115 Town Center Way. The current theme is “It’s Only Natural,” and the exhibit will run through Sunday, February 27. Regular gallery hours are Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Masks are required. The gallery is free to attend. For more information, call 973-868-9626. Hugh Mahon Photo

Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) is currently offering assistance to local fire victims. “We have just learned about an increase in the number of winter fire victims who lose everything,” explains Jeff Friedman, LPI founder and director. Among the items they need are suitcases.
Amina Bey, executive director at LPI’s longtime distribution partner Newark Emergency Services for Families (NESF), told Friedman, “Fire victims are forced to move around to temporary shelters and housing. We give them family clothing, but they have nothing to put it in.
“In the winter, we get more fire victims who need suitcases, along with other homeless residents. We also do more deliveries to, and pick-ups for the seniors. If you're in position to procure rolling suitcases and carts, that would be a blessing.”