community news from Livingston

VACCINATED AND READY FOR SCHOOL: Students lined up at Livingston High School to receive COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday, August 30. Shown here, Ernani Sadural, social impact global health director at RWJBarnabas Health, vaccinates a student. In addition to 50 registrants, walk-ins were accepted on-site.

LPS Photo

PREPARING FOR THE SEASON: The Livingston High School girls’ tennis team get ready for the upcoming season on the Memorial Park Courts. Shown above, Lancers Lindsay Bisk, Allie Miller and Rachel Friedman work on the swing balance drill. Shown left, Lancer Lindsay Bisk works on her serve. Shown right, Lancer Rachel Friedman works on ball striking.

Don Schwartz Photos

The Livingston Zoning Board of Adjustment approved six residential applications and one commercial application at its August 24 meeting, pending formal adoption at a future time.

The meeting was held on Zoom and may be viewed on the town’s Facebook page, LivingstonTownshipNJ.

An application by Joseph and Stacy Moore and Todd Weinberger regarding a riparian zone on the property at 354 Beaufort Avenue was adjourned to the September 28 meeting.

Deck on Hillside Avenue

Shefali and Puneet Goel came before the Board seeking a ten foot rear yard setback variance to construct a new second story deck at 245 Hillside Avenue.

The proposed deck, 16 feet by 20 feet, will be the same size as the patio beneath it. The application was granted based on the shallowness of the property.

Addition on Dickinson Lane

Township officials this week announced an increase in water and sewer rates.

“Livingston’s water and sewer facilities must be maintained and upgraded in order to continue to adequately serve residents,” explained Judith Heller, the township’s communications coordinator. “Preserving and improving Livingston’s infrastructure amidst rising demand have led to a necessary increase in water and sewer rates, which have not changed since 2015.”

New water and sewer rates are now in effect and can be found on the township website at livingstonnj.org/WaterSewerRates.

Yet another unlocked car has been stolen in the township, reported Livingston Police this week.

An unlocked BMW was reported stolen from the driveway of a Rumson Road home on Sunday evening, August 22, between 6 and 7 p.m. The stolen vehicle was recovered in Elizabeth the following morning. At press time, the investigation is ongoing.

Lock It Or Lose It!

Recently the Livingston Police Department has initiated the “Lock It or Lose It” campaign. The crime prevention initiative is designed to help residents remember to secure their vehicles and the personal items located within those vehicles. In addition to its announcement in the Tribune, notice of the campaign has been posted on the Livingston Police Department’s social media page, and a mobile sign board has been put out into the community to help spread the word.

Tropical Storm Henri dropped nearly ten inches on parts of New Jersey – but only 5½ on Livingston – as it swept through the state late Saturday, August 21, and all day Sunday, August 22.

Although by Sunday night it had weakened to a tropical depression, Henri spurred a few last rainfalls, some heavy, into Monday afternoon.

The storm dumped record amounts of rain in a short amount of time overnight, triggering in low-lying areas floodwaters that continued to rise Monday morning. Middlesex County saw significant flooding and damage, with more than 150 people needing to be rescued by boat in the town of Helmetta alone. Oakland in Bergen County received the most rain, 9.22 inches.

Ellen (Lieber) Eisen, a lifelong resident of Livingston, New Jersey, passed away Sunday, August 22, at her home in Livingston after a fierce battle with cancer. She was 56.

Ellen was born in the Bronx on November 28, 1964, the first of two children of Murray and Ruth Anne Lieber. Shortly after she was born, Murray and Ruth Anne moved to Livingston, where Ellen lived for her entire life. She graduated from Livingston High School in 1982, and attended Boston University, where she earned a bachelor of science in marketing in 1986. Following college, Ellen worked in the fashion industry for a few firms, including the Dana Buchman division of Liz Claiborne.

FOOTBALL TEAM WORKING HARD: The Livingston High School football team is continuing to work hard under head coach James Matsakis and staff. The preparation continues for a home scrimmage this Friday, August 27, at 10 a.m. The Lancers host Millburn in the season opener on Thursday, September 2. Shown above, quarterback Brandon Kenney hands off to running back Jaylen Dixon during a sweep play. Don Schwartz Photo

Fall registration for Girls on the Run in Livingston, a program for girls in third, fourth and fifth grades, is now open.

The program will meet Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. at the Livingston Oval, for eight weeks beginning September 21.

Girls on the Run is also seeking a junior coach to assist the head coaches at the Livingston site; the previous junior coach has left for college.

“Serving as a junior coach is a fun and rewarding way for 16 to 18 year old high school girls to grow their leadership skills and make a difference in the lives of girls throughout their community,” explained Randi Cohen, one of the Livingston coaches. “They get to participate in a program that provides training, experience, and service credits, impact younger girls, and be part of a positive community.”

With schools opening next week, it is a good time to consider what more we can do to keep our children safe. Back-to-school season means increased automobile and pedestrian traffic. According to AAA, nearly one-fifth of all traffic fatalities are child pedestrians under the age of 15, and more school-aged pedestrians are killed between the hours of 3 and 4 p.m. – once school ends – than any other time of the day.

With these frightening statistics in mind, we implore drivers to slow down and remain alert behind the wheel. That means keeping speeds low in areas where children are most likely to be present, such as schools, playgrounds, and recreation areas. It also means driving distraction-free. Glancing away from the road for even just two seconds doubles the chance of being involved in a crash.