News

RIKER HILL ART PARK was alive with activity this past Saturday morning, May 15. Amid runners, walkers, bikers, and strollers, there were two programs taking place. Shown below, Livingston resident Keith Hines, widely known for his philanthropic work for the community, speaks with Essex County Commissioner Pat Sebold during his Livingston Hydroponic Project announcement event. Pending appropriate approvals, the outcome would marry hydroponic farming with internet technology to help offset food deficit for the under-served and disenfranchised. Above, Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County (MGEC) from left, Beverly Shimada, Karen Schlam of Livingston, Kim Schafer, and Jill Ehrlich of Livingston, plant organic demonstration gardens at Riker Hill Community Garden. The Community Garden was created as part of the Art Park’s 2019 facelift. MGEC partners with Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors (LNHN) to distribute the produce grown in their organic plots to those in need.

As of Wednesday morning, May 5, the Livingston Health Department has reported that a total of 2,119 Livingston residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was recorded in mid-March. 87 of those residents have died as a result of the virus. Compared to the same time last week, there are 13 new cases, with one additional death. In the past month, there have been 139 cases.

Vaccinations

More than 3.66 million New Jersey residents are fully vaccinated as of Wednesday morning.

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GRADUATION TIME: Township workers have begun hanging banners around the Oval congratulating Livingston High School’s graduating class of seniors. The LHS graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 24. LPS Photo

At its meeting on Monday, May 10, the Livingston Township Council discussed several ordinances designed to accommodate affordable housing in town, among other items. Two of these ordinances passed, one was kept open, one was introduced, and another was pushed to the next meeting.

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

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The Livingston Starliners Dance Team brought home seven platinum awards, six high golds and several other awards at the recent “Beyond the Stars” regional dance competition.

The team has been practicing since September while following COVID guidelines: dancers social distanced, and wore masks during class and rehearsals.

The competition also followed guidelines and the awards ceremony was held virtually.

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Prices for household staples like diapers and tampons are poised to surge, according to recent reports. Both household staples will soon hit consumers with sticker shock, due to shortages of raw materials and increased shipping costs.
Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) director Jeff Friedman says, “The big price hikes are moot, in a sense, for the homeless and hopelessly poor. That’s because folks living below the poverty line can’t afford to buy them at current prices, anyway. Still, the pandemic-driven inflation pushes these basic family needs further from attainment. 
“LPI, along with continuing to purchase fresh produce, meat and other food varieties for adults and babies surviving only minutes away from Livingston, requires continued funding to procure and deliver these items through the summer months.”

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION: Township officials planted a tree behind the gazebo at the Livingston Oval on Friday, April 30, in commemoration of Arbor Day. Shown here are deputy township manager Russell Jones, councilmen Al Anthony, Michael Vieira, and Rudy Fernandez; and Department of Public Works members. Jerry Siskind Photo

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The Planning Board met virtually on Tuesday evening to open a hearing for an application to redevelop a 13.87-acre site with a 166 unit multifamily residential rental complex. The roughly three hour meeting may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

The proposed complex will include 25 units (15 percent) set aside for affordable housing. The site is in the R-5K Residence District and presently has an office building that would be demolished. The applicant for the property, which is located at 220 South Orange Avenue, is Livingston Corporate Park Associates, LLC.

This property is adjacent to Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care and the Regency Club in the southwest corner of Livingston.

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Livingston’s veterans’ organizations – the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW Auxiliary, American Legion and Jewish War Veterans – held a ceremony on Saturday, May 1, to commemorate Loyalty Day, which is marking its 100th anniversary. “On this day we affirm our recognition of our American heritage,” explained VFW chaplain Charlie Quinn.

The veterans in attendance “gave heart-felt speeches proclaiming their love and loyalty to America,” noted Brian Boyle, a member of the American Legion and Senior Vice Commander of the VFW.

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As of Wednesday morning, May 5, the Livingston Health Department has reported that a total of 2,106 Livingston residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was recorded in mid-March. 86 of those residents have died as a result of the virus. Compared to the same time last week, there are 30 new cases, with no additional deaths. In the past month, there have been 189 cases.

An age breakdown has been released for 162 of the Livingston cases reported in April: 20 cases from residents ten years old and under, 59 cases 11 to 20 years, 16 cases 21 to 30 years, 20 cases 31 to 40 years, 20 cases 41 to 50 years, 15 cases 51 to 60 years, four cases 61 to 70 years, five cases 71 to 80 years, three cases 81 to 90 years, and no cases 91 to 100 years.

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