latest news from Livingston

Glen Ridge police officer and former Livingston resident Charles Edward Roberts III, 45, of Glen Ridge, died May 11 of complications related to COVID-19. He was 45 years old.

Officer Roberts grew up in Livingston and, after graduating from Livingston High School in 1992, worked at DuBrow’s Garden Center. Mr. Roberts served the Glen Ridge Police Department for 20 years, starting in 2000 as a dispatcher. He was currently the most senior patrol officer in the department and had been a DARE/LEAD officer, a Special Olympics torch run participant, and a bicycle officer.

Officer Roberts is survived by his wife, Alice (née Baker) and three children, Shea, 15, Natalie, 12, and Gavin, ten. Also surviving are his parents, Dotty and “Ned” (Charles Edward Roberts Jr.) of Waretown; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Elizabeth and Paul Baker of Glen Ridge; his sister, Kara Brennan of Millington; and his former brother-in-law, Christian Brennan of Gillette.

Editor’s Note: A Livingston High School track coach submitted this reflection on the “lost season” of 2020, and the effect it has on students and coaches alike.

Spring track and field – the exhilaration as you cross the finish line; letting that javelin fly and watching its airborne path; landing in the sand after a nice jump; clearing the bar at your goal height. These things were not to be for the 2020 campaign. So many lost memories: practices, team meetings, competitions, team dinners, personal bests, the camaraderie and more. This has become the reality for athletes. I feel deeply for each and every one of them, from all over the country. It’s a devastating loss.

Doris (Pat) Reinhardt (née Fitzpatrick) passed away May 10, 2020 at home. She was 94.

Pat was born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey. She married William (Bud) Reinhardt and moved to Livingston, where they raised their four children. She worked for the Livingston school system until her retirement in 2007.

Every year, Pat looked forward to the opening of the Northland Pool in Livingston, where she worked as the gatekeeper for more than 30 years.

Pat was predeceased by her husband, William L. Reinhardt; two sons, Laurance and William L. Reinhardt; her daughter-in-law, Marlyn Reinhardt; and her granddaughter, Lauren Reinhardt.

She leaves behind her loving children, Nancy Schmaler and her husband, Ray; and Bruce Reinhardt and his wife, Susan. Her cherished granddaughters, Kelley, Jamie, Jennifer, Suzanne and Melissa. She also leaves behind her two cherished great-granddaughters, Blake and Brooke.

Robert C. Stewart, 65, of Orange, New Jersey, passed away from COVID-19 on Friday, May 15, 2020.

Born in Livingston, New Jersey, he was the son of the late George C. Stewart, Jr. and the late Theresa M. (Rafferty) Stewart.

He was a graduate of Livingston High School, class of 1973, and enjoyed fishing, playing the guitar, and laughter. He worked as a land surveyor with his father and had many jobs over the years. One of his favorites was working at a health food store in Montclair, New Jersey. He was a life-long music lover, and had the opportunity to spend a year on the road working for a rock and roll band.

Carolyn N. Gottlieb (nee Newman) passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at Mattison Crossing at Manalapan Avenue, Freehold. She was 92.

Born in Manhattan, New York, she resided in Livingston for nearly 40 years before relocating to Monroe Township, and then Freehold, 20 years ago.

Carolyn was a congregant of Temple Emanu-El during her time in Livingston and then Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan.

She is predeceased by her husband, Elias, in October 2009, and her sister, Francine Newman.

Surviving are her children, Robert and his wife, Margo Rosenbach, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts; Nancy Gottlieb of Angola, Africa; and Doris Gottlieb of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, all formerly of Livingston; and two grandchildren, Dana and Hannah.

Her warmth, kindness and cookies will be sorely missed by her friends and family.

Thomas W. Cooney, “Poppy,” 86, of Livingston, New Jersey, passed away on May 16, 2020, at home.

Born June 7, 1933, he was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Marion Cooney (née Sullivan); and his brothers, Robert, Raymond, James, and Patrick. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Diane J. Cooney (née Stafford); his sons, Thomas and his wife, Cathy, of Livingston; Daniel and his wife, Robin, of Oldwick, New Jersey; and Darren of Califon, New Jersey; his brother, Edward and his wife, Gloria, of Livingston; his sisters, Marilyn Cimino of Old Bridge, New Jersey, and Delores Wilson of Springfield, New Jersey; his beloved grandchildren, Thomas, Haley, Megan, Sydney, and Ryan; and a large extended family and many friends.

Updated COVID-19 information on the local cases as well as information on long-term care facilities in Livingston have been released by both the Township and Essex County officials.

As of Wednesday morning, May 13, there were 433 total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Livingston, as well as 64 deaths. 51 of the deceased were residents of long-term care facilities.

The total confirmed Livingston cases in long-term care facilities is 278.

The average age of all Livingston COVID-19 patients who have died is 84.94. Breaking this down, the average age of long-term care facilities fatalities is 87.21, and of private residence fatalities, 77.02.

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Mark Stern, principal of Livingston High School, this week outlined plans for graduation ceremonies for the members of the LHS class of 2020. Diplomas will be presented during individual ceremonies at the school June 22, 23, and 24, while a virtual classwide celebration will be held June 25.

Livingston school facilities have been shut down since Friday, March 13, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, governor Phil Murphy, who ordered schools statewide to close Wednesday, March 18, announced New Jersey school buildings would remain closed through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. Livingston’s public schools have been conducting remote learning since being closed.

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At the public hearing on the budget held on Thursday, May 7, the Livingston Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a 2020-21 school year budget of $128,369,023. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom and FaceBook Live.

This budget is $575,000 lower than the tentative budget that the Board adopted on March 18, due to deferral of a proposed parking lot expansion at Hillside School and replacement of strength training equipment at Livingston High School. It is $1.8 million higher than the 2019-20 school year budget, an increase of 1.66 percent. The March 18 budget, which was developed before the coronavirus epidemic, had called for a two percent increase.

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The Livingston Township Council, at its livestreamed meeting on Monday evening, May 11, briefly introduced the 2020 municipal budget, discussed the potential for “pop-up drive-in” movie events, and heard Livingston Health Department updates.

Budget Overview

Township manager Barry Lewis gave a brief overview of the 2020 municipal budget.

This year had been shaping up well, he said, prior to the coronavirus crisis. As a result, the township has a surplus of nearly $7 million.

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