Livingston community

Ayan Bhatnagar, a Life Scout (the second highest rank) with Boy Scout Troop 12 in Livingston, is collecting donations for the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter as part of his Eagle Scout Project.

Items listed below can be dropped off at 5 Yale Court, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., by the front door. Donations will be accepted through Thursday, August 20.

“Any donations are appreciated,” said Ayan, a rising sophomore at Livingston High School. “The shelter is a no-kill shelter and relies solely on donations.”

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

Fred Yoskowitz, 86, of Wellington, Florida, died on April 18. Born in Asbury Park, he was a longtime resident of Livingston and a member of Temple Beth Shalom.

Mr. Yoskowitz was the originator of American Elgen Co. and Capital Hardware.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his son, Jerome Yoskowitz; his daughter, Francine Abraham; three stepchildren, Scott Steingart, Mark Steingart, and Dacie Lang; two sisters, Evelyn Grossman and Linda Kohler; a brother, Joseph Yoskowitz; and nine grandchildren.

Lillian Ostrin, a long-time Livingston resident, died peacefully at home on July 24. She was 94. Lillian was born Lillian Shulman in New York City in 1925, the daughter of immigrants. Her family moved to New Jersey when she was a toddler and she grew up in Irvington and Newark, graduating from Weequahic High School. She put herself through Rutgers University night school, intending to be a teacher upon graduation. However, she discovered it wasn’t a profession she enjoyed. She returned to school to earn a graduate degree and become a school psychologist, studying part-time when her children were young.

Weeks of very hot weather, coupled with little rain, have taken their toll. Although we received some rain earlier this week, it’s not enough to make up for months of below-average precipitation.

Although, at the moment, our wells are still producing sufficient water to meet demand, this will soon change if we don’t get some significant rainfall. Officials hope to head off this scenario by asking residents to begin voluntarily conserving water, before greater restrictions have to be formally imposed.

We are facing an unprecedented time in every facet of our lives due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and that includes our schools, as districts struggle to plan for the upcoming academic year, which is nearly a month away.

Each day without an official strategy begs more questions. At the very least, we know full remote learning must be an option for families that wish to choose it. We have also heard of families potentially placing small groups of children together to be homeschooled for the year.

We understand the demand by parents and teachers for a concrete plan. The next few months for students, parents, teachers and administrators will all look very different based on what is decided, and all involved will need every possible day to prepare.

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

Santo “Sam” John Petronella, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2020, in Livingston, New Jersey.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Sam resided in Livingston for the past 54 years, where he was a State Farm Agent for 34 years, before his retirement in 2000.

Christopher Mullin, Livingston Fire Chief and township fire official and emergency management coordinator, this week issued a reminder to residents that mulch fires are common during the summer, more so when the weather is hot and dry, as it has been.

He explained that the primary causes of mulch fires are cigarette butts, at commercial sites; and landscape lights, at residential sites.

With seven weeks left until September 1, when teachers are expected to begin the school year, Livingston Public Schools superintendent Matthew Block and the Livingston Board of Education, on Wednesday, July 15, continued to outline the planning process and the three overall options for school reopening in the fall. No specific plan was disclosed, however.

The meeting was held virtually via Zoom and live-streamed on the district’s Facebook page.

“Tonight, we will not present any specific plans for the fall,” said Block, explaining that new information comes out daily and that “the virus will be with us for an extended time; there are continuing outbreaks.”

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

The Planning Board met on Tuesday evening, July 21, for a virtual conference and special meeting. The Board unanimously approved an application, Mango Tree Real Estate Holdings (NJ), LLC - Application No.2020-6-MSUBV and Eugene Taylo, Jr., - Application No. 2020-10-MSUBV. An application for JMZ Enterprises, at the Corner of East McClellan Avenue and Scott Terrace and Green Terrace Homes, was adjourned until Thursday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m.

South Livingston Ave. Property

Returning to the Planning board was an application for the property at 90 South Livingston Avenue. The applicant CP Management Group II, was represented by CherylLynn Walters of Nehmad, Perillo Davis and Goldstein.

The Livingston Police Department recently held its inaugural Junior Police Academy. The one week event was almost cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but, noted Police Chief Gary Marshuetz, “I am pleased to report a successful week. It was nice to have an in-person interactive camp, which exposed our youth to public service. Special thanks to our Community Policing Unit and the officers here who assisted with teaching and sharing their specialties. Also a thank you to the Livingston Fire Department and other participating law enforcement agencies.”

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