latest news from Livingston

Frank J. Passaretti, 90, of Livingston, formerly of Newark, died on February 28.

Mr. Passaretti was a US Navy veteran who served during the Korean Conflict and worked for over 40 years as an agent for the State Farm insurance company.

The husband of the late Anita (Leo) Passaretti, Mr. Passaretti was the last survivor of four siblings. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, March 4, at St. Vincent the Martyr Church in Madison. Interment was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

To write a condolence, visit www.LeonardisMemorialHome.com.

By Jeff Friedman
Editor’s Note: Essex County’s Homeless Connect Day was held recently, and Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) participated. Here, LPI founder and director Jeff Friedman, in his own words, recounts the project.
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The 14th annual Essex County Project Homeless Connect Day, with over 70 non-profit agencies participating, is held each year to help clients escape the elements for a time and connect them with a variety of local resources who can assist them with getting their lives back in order. It’s all about information, introductions, services and helpful contacts.

The Lancer wrestling team hosted the District 9 Wrestling Tournament last weekend. The Districts are the first leg of the journey to the NJSIAA State Championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Eight neighboring teams, from the number one team in New Jersey, Delbarton, to sectional rival North Bergen and conference foes Nutley and Bloomfi eld, came to town for the competition.

Delbarton earned the team title, thanks to advancing 13 wrestlers into the finals and having 12 champions, but for the second consecutive year, the Lancers were the number one public school in the District. Nine Lancers finished in the top three in their respective weight classes and advanced to this week's Region Tournament at West Orange.

The Livingston Zoning Board of Adjustment heard five applications at its meeting on Tuesday, February 25. An additional three applications were adjourned to the April 28 meeting.

Fence Application

Bonnie and Steve Isaacson received variances for a fence in the backyard of their home at 31 Shadowlawn Drive. The couple was granted a two foot front/corner yard fence setback variance; a variance to permit a privacy fence, where township ordinance requires fences to be 50 percent open; and a variance to have no plantings in front of the fence, where plantings are required by ordinance.

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At the conference meeting of the Township Council on Monday, February 24, the Council discussed the planned plastic ordinance with officials from, and one representative of, the area’s largest supermarkets.

Laurie Ehlbeck, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, spoke on behalf of Livingston businesses including Aldi, Kings, and ShopRite about their concerns. Also in attendance and voicing their concerns were Kings Supermarket CEO Joseph Parisi and Village Supermarkets (owners of ShopRite) Board chairman and executive vice president William Sumas.

The group discussed with the Council several issues that may arise for their stores with a potential ordinance.

At its Monday, February 24, meeting, the Board of Education began its conversation about the 2020-21 school year budget with a presentation focused on curriculum.

Two new positions were proposed, both at Livingston High School: a college counselor and a theater arts teacher.

The budget process starts in October, when the business administrator meets with principals and supervisors to determine wants and needs, explained Steve Robinson, the district’s business administrator and board secretary.

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At the Monday, February 24, regular meeting of the Township Council, members approved the acquisition of a multimillion dollar open space property and honored two longstanding members of Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

The Council posthumously honored Karen Garber, who worked with the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) food pantry, and Trudi Fredersdorf, who recently retired from the organization, which helps individuals and families in need. President Stacey Rubinstein said the organization has worked with 52 families since 2016.

Fredersdorf thanked Rubenstein for keeping up her work with Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

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Jacqueline Ann Lepore, 79, of Livingston, died on Friday, February 21.

She was born in Concord, Massachusetts to Pauline and Cornelius Sullivan, and was a librarian for the West Orange Public Library.

She was married to Crescenzo Lepore for 61 years, and was the mother of Chris Lepore and his wife, Susan, and Robin Raite and her husband, John; the grandmother of four; and the great-grandmother of four. She is also survived by her brother, Carl Sullivan, and his wife, Barbara.

A memorial gathering and service was held at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 26.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in Mrs. Lepore’s name to Embrella, an organization serving local children and families in the foster care system, at embrella.org/donate-now/.

As the season winds down, the Livingston High School girls’ track and field team competed in three meets over a five-day stretch.

Eastern States

First up was the 86th Eastern States Championships, held at the New York City Armory on Tuesday, February 18. This prestigious meet draws competitors from many states along the East Coast. Schools must submit qualifying performances to be considered for acceptance to compete at this meet. LHS qualified four girls, in the 55 meter dash, the 55 meter high hurdles, the long jump and the 4x200 relay. More than 225 schools were represented at the meet. Liz Lam took on the 55 meter dash (7.65; 52nd place). Kayla Hudson (9.08; 39th) and Katrina Pham (9.86; 81st) gave it their all in the 55 meter high hurdle event. Joanne Cao (15’7”; 37th) went into the pit with an indoor personal best in the long jump for LHS. The 4x200 relay squad recorded a time of 1:51.9 for 26th.

RETIRES FROM DIVERSITY COMMITTEE: Keith Hines was honored on his retirement as co-chairman of the Livingston Committee of Diversity and Inclusion (LCDI) on Sunday, February 23, at Nero’s Grille in Livingston. More than 60 friends, family members, and elected officials honored Hines for his 22 years of service to Livingston. Attending were Livingston Township Council members Al Anthony and Michael Vieira; former Livingston mayor Arlene Johnson; and Essex County freeholder Pat Sebold. LCDI co-chairman Billy Fine and several guests toasted Hines. LCDI member Mike Ramer organized the event. Shown here, Hines (seated, at center) poses with a crowd of people who attended the event. At right, Hines plays violin as musician Ben Zabel looks on. Below are Fine, Carol Hines, Keith Hines and former Livingston mayor Arlene Johnson.