News

During a week in which the vast majority of its calls were false alarms, the Livingston Fire Department investigated reports of smoke and gas odors; responded to two calls on oven fires at the same address; and answered a mutual aid request to help extricate a man crushed uunder porcelain slabs.

Extrication

On Monday, September 20, Livingston volunteer firefighters answered a mutual aid call from the Roseland Fire Department. Fire officials went to 140 Harrison Avenue, a building owned by the Kearny-based company Porcelain Source. There they assisted in the extrication of an employee who had been crushed under 6,000 pounds of porcelain slabs.

The accident took place at about 3 p.m., and although the victim was successfully removed, he did not survive. His name was not released.

According to reports, a medevac had been on standby, and arrived at the landing zone, but was then canceled before the transportation of the patient took place.

During the period prior to the November 2 election, the West Essex Tribune will make space available to each 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 in October, excerpts from letters of endorsement received during the campaign.

Three candidates – Jenissa Arnette, James Calderón, and Pamela Chirls – are running for two open seats on the Board.

Long-time Livingston residents Lenore and Ira Drucks celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September l6, 2021.

The two met when Ira came to sell insurance to Lenore’s twin brother, who had accidentally put down the wrong date for his discharge from the service. They were married at the Maplewood Manor in Maplewood one year later.

Ira grew up in Irvington and served in the Army Security Agency from 1965-69, with a oneyear tour of duty in Vietnam. Upon his return, he became an insurance agent for Prudential and then Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and worked in that capacity for over 50 years. He is retired and now specializes in selling Medicare products. Ira has been involved in many volunteer organizations in town for many years.

Lenore grew up in Newark and received her bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1971. She taught elementary school in Edison and Newark for over 25 years.

A letter is being sent out to Livingston residents, explaining that at least one township well is above the limit of a recently-regulated contaminant. This contaminant, PFAS, is found in everyday household products, as well as things like firefighting foam.

The well in violation has been shut off at the moment, so there is no active township well in excess of the limit. However, there appear to be additional wells that will be above the threshold once fourth quarter measurements are taken into account.

Township manager Barry Lewis added that remedial measures are underway, and have been since before the regulations were put in place. These measures will likely take a year or two to complete. He noted that this issue is widespread throughout the state and country, and is affecting most neighboring towns, some worse than others.

The Livingston Township Council discussed flooding concerns in town, changing water prices, and cannabis businesses at its Monday, September 13, meeting. The Council also issued proclamations and passed several resolutions.

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

At the start of the meeting, the Council issued several proclamations, including honoring the Livingston High School Varsity Softball team for its state championship this past June, and the Livingston Exit 65A Robotics team for its MAPSS project designed to pedestrian safety using lights and sensors (the team should hear by early October if they are one of 18 national finalists).

The Council also acknowledged National Preparedness Month, and hosted the Livingston Lions Club, whose members held an awards ceremony during the meeting.

CAR HITS PIZZERIA: Livingston Police and Fire officials responded to Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza at Town Center at 11:14 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14, for a report of a car into a building. Upon arrival, they found that a car drove completely into the dining area of the restaurant. Police said that Winifred Vreeland, 80, of Roseland was attempting to park a 2005 Jaguar when she apparently hit the gas instead of the brake. The car accelerated and crashed through the windows of the pizzeria. The car wound up completely inside the building and took out a non-loadbearing wall. The restaurant was closed at the time of the accident and the driver was not injured. CJM and LFD Photos

UNICAN OF THE YEAR: At the June 16 membership meeting, Livingston UNICO chapter president Maria Brush awarded chapter member Carol Branchi with the UNICAN of the Year Award. She was honored for her commitment to “service above self,” particularly when caring for her husband, past president Al Branchi, who has been very ill this past year. Not only was she surprised to win the award, but she was shocked to see her husband show up to stand by her side. Shown here are Livingston UNICO President Maria Brush, past president Al Branchi, and UNICAN of the Year Award recipient Carol Branchi.

Livingston Township’s annual September 11 Ceremony of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, September 11, at the 9/11 Living Memorial Garden located on the Livingston Oval. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held rain or shine. All are invited and encouraged to attend to honor those who lost their lives on that day 20 years ago.

The Ceremony honors the lives of the seven Livingston residents whose lives were taken in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centers in 2001: Luke A. Dudek, Jeffrey Brian Gardner, Donald Thomas Jones II, Ming-Hao Liu, Joseph P. McDonald, John M. Pocher, and Kenneth Albert Zelman.

9/11 Garden and Ceremony chairwoman Bunnie Ratner reminded residents of the importance of remembering what happened that day. “While the attacks themselves occurred 20 years ago, their consequences are still felt each day,” she said.