community news from Livingston

The Livingston Township Council discussed changes to Council procedures and a potential green density bonus for developers at its meeting on Monday, March 22. The meeting was held virtually and may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

Green Density Bonus

The Council listened to a presentation from Sustainable Solutions Corporation employees Tad Radzinski and Nicole Meyer about a potential green density bonus for developers in town.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

Carol Ann Ettore-Asimou, 63, formerly of Livingston, died on March 19.

Born in Newark to Eugene and Concetta Ettore, Mrs. Ettore-Asimou lived most of her life in Livingston and settled in Andover in 2016. For many years, she was an event planner for LAPP Corp. in Florham Park.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, John Asimou; her sons, Eugene A. Asimou (Taryn Alysha), and Christopher J. Asimou, and a granddaughter.

Services were held on Sunday, March 21, at the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home in Roseland. Cremation services were private.

The family suggests that donations may be made in the memory of Mrs. Ettore-Asimou to the charity of the donor’s choice.

The Livingston High School boys’ and girls’ track and field teams, in recent action, competed in a home meet against Millburn and participated in the Ranger Winter Invitational.

Dominate Millburn

Both the girls’ and boys’ squads dominated Millburn in the sprints and hurdles events, but were unable to outrun the Millers’ more experienced distance runners.

Because of the pandemic, the Super Essex Conference is not conducting an official season this year. However, the unofficial score showed the Lancer boys’ team winning, 38-21, and the girls’ team winning, 37-22.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

The West Essex Tribune strongly condemns the racism and violence being inflicted upon the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

Nearly one year ago in this very space, we condemned reports of hate speech and racist remarks on social media against the AAPI community. Now, not only have such instances continued on a national scale, but they have turned violent, and in some cases, deadly. Last week, six Asian American women were among eight people murdered during a series of shootings in Atlanta-area spas.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

After months of discussion, there appears to be some movement on the future of the Livingston Mall district. The committee of residents, business owners, and township officials who started talking late last year have revealed their findings, recommending that the district be declared an “area in need of redevelopment.” Additionally, last week, the Planning Board voted to conduct a redevelopment study of the area.

In a letter drafted to the Township Council, the Livingston Mall Committee provided some great suggestions for what could be done with the area. Some of those ideas may just be pipedreams (an “upscale boutique” hotel?), while others are much more feasible (family entertainment, walking paths).

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

Shown here, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) founder Jeff Friedman and Livingston volunteer Alan Wishengrad load hundreds of pounds of fresh produce purchased with Livingston contributions at the Livingston Farmers’ Market. The “truck-full of health,” along with cases of baby food and baby formula purchased at a discount from Livingston ShopRite, helped stock the big Free Groceries Give-away event at Newark Emergency Services for Families (NESF), a long-time LPI distribution partner. “The recurring word here is ‘Livingston,’ ” said Friedman. “Livingston donors, through their continued support of Livingston Philanthropies, fed hundreds of profoundly poor Newark families living well below the poverty line.” Visit LPI at njhomeless.org to find out how to “personal shop for the homeless.”

POLICE TRADING CARD PROGRAM: Saint Barnabas Medical Center is a gold sponsor of the Livingston Police Department’s trading card program. This program, explains Officer Joy Klapal of the Livingston Police Department’s Community Policing Unit, “fosters a positive relationship between officers and the children within the community. In addition, it also creates productive dialogue between the community and police officers. Children will be encouraged to approach and speak with police officers in order to collect the officer’s trading card, and prizes will be awarded to children who are able to collect all the cards in the series.” The Police Department is anticipating a summer kick-off of the program.

Lee Peyser, of the Livingston Mall Committee, this week announced the committee’s recommendations for the Livingston Mall property, which include redevelopment of the site.

Previously, in January, the committee recommended that the township undertake a study to determine if the mall is eligible to be declared an area in need of redevelopment. The Planning Board also discussed on Tuesday a request from the Livingston Township Council to investigate whether the land on which the Livingston Mall sits is in need of redevelopment.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

The Livingston High School boys’ winter track and field team finally had its opportunity to compete. The squad opened its season with two wins, on March 10 over Irvington, and on March 13 over Bloomfield. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the winter season, usually held indoors at venues in Staten Island and Manhattan, was relegated by the Super Essex Conference to “Polar Bear” meets outdoors. The season was again delayed by the heavy snow that blanketed the tracks in the county. “The boys, however, persevered and continued their training on any safe surface available or virtually when necessary,” said coach Nancy Petryna. “Their efforts were rewarded with their strength in numbers and preparedness in comparison to the other teams.”

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/

The Township Council and manager Barry Lewis held a special meeting on Monday, March 15, to discuss the annual budget. It was a preliminary workshop, as the budget is not expected to be introduced for at least a few weeks, if not months, depending on whether or not the state allows an extension due to the pandemic relief bill, which will provide nearly $3 million to Livingston.

Due to the “extraordinary circumstances” of the past year, from COVID-related costs to incorporating the relief bill, another special meeting is expected to be planned in a few weeks.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/West%20Essex%20TribuneID480/