Livingston community

Now that spring has finally sprung (or, as far as the weather is concerned, is in the gradual process of springing), it is time for many residents to address what has become a growing issue in town over the past few years – sidewalks.

Cracked, uneven, overgrown and otherwise damaged sidewalks are unsafe. Depending on the level of damage, individuals might be likely to trip and fall due to the unevenness of the surface. We at the Tribune can attest to this, with staff members having had their fair share of tumbles. In some parts of town, we even choose to walk and run in the street over what could be considered a “sidewalk” in name only, and is actually closer to a pile of rubble. Students walking to school on these same roads are forced to do the same, making this a dangerous and pressing situation for our youth.

The Livingston Fire Department responded to a large brush fire in a tall grassy area behind Eisenhower Parkway and Route 10 on Tuesday evening, March 22.

Details were still coming in as of press time Wednesday morning, but the fire appears to be accidental and related to the power lines in the area, according to Fire Chief Chris Mullin.

Power outages were reported in the area immediately before the fire alarm came in to the department at 6:50 p.m.; it appears a wire dropped and ignited the dry grass, causing the fire to take off.

“It was a pretty extended operation, both attacking the fire and getting a water source,” Chief Mullin said. The closest fire hydrant was not close to the blaze, and was located on the other side of Route 10. As a result, the hose had to run across the length of the roadway, forcing it to temporarily shut down between the Livingston traffic circle and Walnut Street.

A quarterly letter was recently sent out alerting residents that the Livingston Township Division of Water is still reporting levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) above drinking water standards. A letter is required to be sent to residents for each quarter a well is in violation until it is remediated.

The maximum contaminant level for PFOA is 0.014 micrograms per liter, based on a running annual average of the four most recent quarters. As of the latest average, four well treatment plants in town are in violation. The wells listed are 4, 8, 10, and 11, though no explanation is given for what or where those numbers refer to in town. As of this moment, all but well 10 are still in use. Well 10 has been undergoing a treatment design since September of 2021.

What is PFOA?

OPENER WILL BE MARCH 30: The Lancers lacrosse opener will be at home on Wednesday, March 30, against Verona at 4 p.m. Above, junior Ari Rodman is defended by senior Ruan Kenney, with senior Gavin Coyne in the goal. Don Schwartz Photo

At the conference meeting of the Township Council, prior to the start of the regular meeting on Monday, March 21, the Council heard from several residents about upcoming events and celebrations, including a pitch about Women Veterans Appreciation Day.

Steve Delman and Alyse Berger Heilpern, speaking on behalf of the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, requested a ceremony and flag raising at Memorial Park on the Oval for Women Veterans Appreciation Day, which is on Sunday, June 12.

In recent years, the ceremony for the state-recognized holiday has been held outside of Town Hall, just across the street, at the behest of the other veterans groups in Livingston. However, the Oval, and specifically the area of Memorial Park, is owned by the township, not the veterans, so Delman and Heilpern asked the Council to approve the event. Memorial Park is the area located at the entrance of the Oval, featuring several war monuments and flags.

END OF AN ERA: The gazebo at the Oval was torn down on Tuesday, March 22, to make way for its eventual replacement. A new gazebo, donated by the family of former Livingston mayor, Doris Beck, is expected to be installed by early May, according to township officials. MI Photo

Nancy Boehm Collins of Livingston died on Tuesday, March 15. She was 92 years old.

Mrs. Collins was born in New Brunswick and graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1947. She was a 1952 alumna of New Jersey College for Women (Douglass College).

She worked part-time at Burelle’s Press Clipping Service in Livingston for many years, and was an active communicant of St. Philomena Church.

She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Charles F. Collins, with whom she raised four children: Jean (Howard) Fingerhut, David (Donna) Collins, Emily (John) Grasso and Glenn (Nancy) Collins.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her brother, Robert Boehm.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Philomena Church on Tuesday, March 22, followed by entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

Marc David Greenberg of Germantown, Tennessee, died on Thursday, March 17.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was a graduate of Livingston High School. Shiva was held on March 21, 22 and 23. Arrangements were by Memphis Funeral Home.

Condolences for the Greenberg family may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com.

The Livingston High School track and field team ended its winter season at the National Scholastic Athletics Federation Indoor Nationals track meet. Only athletes that met the qualifying standards were able to compete in the events.

The three-day meet was held at the Ocean Breeze Athletics Complex in Staten Island and featured athletes from states as far away as Texas and Georgia as well as the Northeast. Livingston High School met the standards in several relays at both the Championship Elite and Emerging Elite levels.

The girls’ shuttle hurdle squad of Summer Yung, Maggie Siao, Kylie Prendergast, and Darcy Bialick started off for the Livingston athletes in a Championship Division. The race involves four runners completing a 55-meter race over hurdles, back and forth. Each athlete must wait until the one before her crosses the line before starting her “leg” of the race.

FUNERAL PROCESSION: A funeral procession for Ted Panek traveled through Livingston on Friday, March 18. At Panek’s Servicenter, tow trucks were displayed and bunting was hung on the building. Jerry Siskind Photos