Livingston New Jersey news

The Livingston Zoning Board, at its Tuesday, February 27, meeting, reheard cases for Gary and Darice Tufaro at 89 East McClellan Avenue, Abhishek Gangwal at 6 Hazelwood Avenue, and Ajith Kumar Bodepudi at 17 Maplewood Drive. Ultimately, the Board approved the Tufaros’ and Bodepudi’sproposals alongwithone other application, while delaying votes on Gangwal’s case andanother case to March 26.

89 East McClellan Avenue

Following their December 12 hearing, Gary and Darice Tufaro requested a five-foot height variance to build a two-car garage at the aforementioned address. At the prior hearing, they had presented an updated version of the garage plan, which would reduce its height to 18 feet in total. However, the Board had requested the Tufaros and their architect change the height further so that it properly conforms with Livingston’s zoning code.

The Livingston Board of Education heard a presentation on the 2024-25 budget at its meeting Tuesday night.

Assistant superintendent Mark Stem spoke about the implementation of EduPlanet21, an online platform where educators write and revise their curriculum. EduPlanet21 gives parents access to the curriculums and increasing transparency.

Stem reported that new courses and programs are being added to the district. Math in Focus will be growing into the sixth grade, while Word Study programs will be implemented in kindergarten and first grade.

The gifted and talented music program will be expanded to grades six through eight. The curriculum for AP Microeconomics will be written this summer. A costume design course will be offered next fall. Dance 4 will also be implemented, allowing students to fulfill all four years of their physical education requirements with dance courses.

While the West Essex Tribune’s regular readership will not notice any changes to this week’s issue (other than a larger page count), some are picking up our paper for the first time. This week’s edition is what we in the Trib office call a “TMC,” which stands for Total Market Coverage. It is the first of four newspapers this year that we will send to every residence in Livingston, whether or not you subscribe. So for those who are new, allow us to tell you why this paper is worth reading as you wait for your coffee to finish brewing.

I have always enjoyed board games, but rarely do I have the opportunity to play them. Growing up, my parents weren’t big fans, and I could only rely on my brother and neighbors to play on a rainy day. I had to wait until college to find a group of friends who really enjoyed a good game of “Catan.” Now, my wife humors me on occasion, but playing a game is never her first, second, or third choice of activity when the kids finally fall asleep. And we rarely have the free time to host a game night. But now, at long last, I have two budding board game partners.

In the past six months, my threeyear- old boys have become obsessed with board games. They started with the basics, games like Hi-Ho Cherry O and Candyland. But the real fun started after Christmas, when I gave them Trouble. We weren’t sure if it would be too soon for them to understand a “real” game with more rules and (minimal) strategy, but they took right to it, especially Henry.

As the newest staff member at the West Essex Tribune, I’ve spent my first month learning as much as I could about Livingston, its history, and what makes this township special. Among the interesting tidbits I learned, I was shocked to discover that many celebrities were born and raised within Livingston’s borders. Sure, there are some A-listers everyone has heard of like Chelsea Handler, Jason Alexander, and Wendy Williams, but there are many more.

New York Times Bestselling author Harlan Coban graduated from Livingston High School, but he was not the only acclaimed writer to receive an LHS diploma.

Underground horror author Jack Ketchum was a pen name for Livingston’s Dallas William Mayr. Described by Stephen King as one of the scariest writers of all time, some of Ketchum’s notable credits include The Girl Next Door. Offspring, and Off Season.

Norman W. Spindel, 76, died on Sunday, February 25.

Born in Newark, Mr. Spindel lived in Livingston for 30 years before moving to Parsippany-Troy Hills 12 years ago. He and his wife, Sharon, also lived in Florida for several months each year.

After earning a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, Mr. Spindel received a law degree from Georgetown University. He worked as an environmental attorney for Lowenstein Sandler LLP for many years. He was also a member of the New Jersey Bar Association, Cedar Hill Country Club, Temple B’nai Abraham, and was on the board of PEEC – Pocono Environmental Education Center.

He was the husband of Sharon Spindel for 53 years; the father of Melissa Hendrix (Scott) and Carrie Bashoff (Evan); and grandfather to four.

A funeral service for Mr. Spindel was held Tuesday, February 27, at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston.

Stephen Messarosh, 91, of Livingston, passed away on Saturday, February 24, with his family by his side. Born on October 22, 1932, in Throop, Pennsylvania, Stephen led a life filled with passion, purpose, and service. A proud veteran, Stephen served his country honorably in the Navy during the Korean War, stationed aboard the USS Midway.

Margaret Judith Doran – Judy to all who knew her – passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 12, in Livingston. Judy was born on September 12, 1943 to the late William and Mabel (Sullivan) Doran.

Judy graduated from Catholic Central High School (Troy New York) in 1961, Manhattanville College (Purchase New York) in 1965, and received a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1975. Judy had a long career as a management consultant at AT&T.

Judy was devoted to opera music, mahjong, bridge, and the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Judy is survived by two sisters: Linda (Ted) Lupul of Saratoga Springs, New York, and Wilma DeLucco of Delmar, New York, and the late Susan Klein of Delmar, New York. Judy is survived by many nieces and nephews and great niece and nephews.

A funeral service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday March 2, at The Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar, N.Y.

This week, the municipal courts heard a number of cases, including charges of a broken door at Cooperman Barnabas, disorderly conduct, and fraudulent checks.

Criminal Mischief

A Newark man was arrested and charged with criminal mischief at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center on September 3. Marquise Granger, 30, kicked, pushed, and subsequently damaged a magnetic door. Damages totaled $2,532.08.

When reviewed by the Essex county prosecutor, the charge was downgraded to a disorderly persons charge. Granger pled guilty and was assesseda $300 fine, plus $33 in court costs; $75 for the Safe Neighborhoods Fund; and $50 for the Victims of Crimes Compensation Organization( VCCO). Granger must also pay $2,532.08 to Saint Barnabas Health.

Disorderly Conduct

LIVINGSTON GIRLS’ WRESTLING IN TOURNAMENT: The Livingston High School girls’ wrestling team competed in the Essex County girls’ tournament on Friday, February 16. The competition was held at Nutley High School. Two members of the team placed in their respective weight classes. Shown above, left, Livingston High School’s Ashlea Budzinski placed first within her weight class, receiving a gold medal. At right, Izadora Boneares placed second.