community news from Livingston

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.

The Livingston High School boys’ cross country team opened its season in the Super Essex Conference on Tuesday, September 14, at Branch Brook Park in Newark.

“For four consecutive Tuesdays, the Lancer squad goes against American Division foes in dual meet action,” explains coach Jim Memory. “On the fifth week, the championship meet will be held. The course is flat, with a one-mile inner loop and a 2.1 mile outer loop with a slight upgrade to the finish line.”

During last week’s season opener, the Lancers were pitted against American Division rivals Millburn, Montclair and Bloomfield – “all tough opponents,” according to coach Memory.

Each year, the meet opened with a mixed-gender freshman/novice twomile race. That race is followed by numerous varsity races within divisions, and the meet ends with a mixed junior varsity five kilometer race.

Last week, a letter was sent out to Livingston residents, explaining that at least one township well is above the limit of a recently-regulated contaminant. While that letter provided useful information, it also encouraged residents to do their own research on whether or not to drink the water.

This contaminant, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), falls under a broader category of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) and is a synthetic chemical found in everyday household products, as well as in things like firefighting foam.

PFAS is used to make products stain, grease, heat and water resistant, and its sturdy structure means it takes much longer to break down in comparison to organic chemicals. More specifically, PFOA are used for its emulsifier and surfactant properties, or as fluoropolymers (such as Teflon), firefighting foams, cleaners, cosmetics, greases and lubricants, paints, polishes, adhesives and photographic films.

LANCER BOYS SOCCER TEAM DEFEATS MILLBURN: The Livingston High School boys varsity soccer team defeated Millburn, 1-0, on the turf on Thursday, September 9. Shown here, Lancer goalie Logan Paredes starts a scoring drive with a goal kick. Don Schwartz Photo

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

Janet Mapletoft Roberts, 97, died on September 8. She was born in East Orange and attended East Orange High School.

A resident of Livingston for nearly 50 years, she retired to Cape Cod in 1995 and later moved to Linden Ponds in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Mrs. Roberts is survived by her children, Charles (Anita) Roberts of Manlius, New York; Thomas (Yoonhee) Roberts of Ridgewood, and Nancy (Joe) Roberts Craven of Hingham; her partner, James Eastman, of Hingham; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Edward Roberts, and her brother, John Mapletoft.

She had worked on radar production at Westinghouse during World War II, and served as the Clerk of Session for the Presbyterian Church of Livingston.

A celebration of Mrs. Roberts’ life will be held on Sunday, September 19 at 2 p.m. in the performing arts center at Linden Ponds.

Salvatore Palmieri, 98, died on September 12.

Born in Newark, Mr. Palmieri was a resident of Livingston for 49 years and served as a Newark police officer for 37 years, retiring as a lieutenant 30 years ago.

He was the husband of the late Sofia Palmieri, the father of Marie Portella-Silver, Gloria Elbaz and her husband, Mohamed, and Thomas Palmieri; the brother of Dante Palmieri, and the grandfather of one.

A funeral service was held at the Galante Funeral Home in Caldwell on September 15, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

LANCERS DEFEAT CALDWELL: The Lancers defeated Caldwell, 2 - 1, in a varsity volleyball match in the Livingston High School Fitness and Wellness Center on Thursday, September 9. Above, Lancer senior captain #2, Nora Shaj, serves for a point against the Chiefs. Don Schwartz Photo