Livingston news

LANCER SWIMMERS FALL TO SETON HALL: The Livingston High School boys’ swim team was defeated by Seton Hall, 39-55, at the West Essex YMCA pool on Thursday, December 9. Shown above, Lancer swimmer Howard Zhuang powers through the water in the breast stroke event. Don Schwartz Photo

FRESHMAN LANCER THREE-WAY SCRIMMAGE: The Livingston High School boys’ freshman basketball team played a three-way scrimmage against Randolph and Clifton on Saturday, December 11, at home in the LHS auxiliary gym. Each team played a half game scrimmage against the other. Shown above, Lancer Cameron Urban drives the baseline against Clifton. Below, Lancer Zachary Smith scores on a fast break against Clifton. Don Schwartz Photos

Mary Begasse (nee Petracca) peacefully passed away Wednesday, December 8, at the age of 74.

Mary grew up in Rutherford and was the oldest of three children of Louise Romano and Carmine Petracca.

She graduated from Rutherford High School in 1965 and went on to receive a nursing degree from Clara Maass in 1968. She met her future husband, John Begasse, whom she married in 1969; together they raised two children. She retired from nursing in 1998 after a rich and extensive career that she found rewarding.

She was a generous, caring and compassionate friend, wife and mother who enjoyed writing, and scrapbooking, and she was very active in championing for the underserved and less fortunate.

The Livingston Zoning Board of Adjustment reviewed seven applications at its Tuesday, December 14 meeting. The meeting was held on Zoom and may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

Pool Approved

The first application was submitted by Susan and Steven Scheichet. The applicants sought approval for a pool at 8 Rainbow Ridge Drive. The application included a request for a ten foot pool setback variance. Joe Tirrito, developer of Rainbow

Joe Tirrito, developer of Rainbow Ridge Homes, called in to voice his support for the application. The application was unanimously approved. Rear Yard Deck Approved

Rear Yard Deck Approved

Ricard D. Pecht sought approval for a 12 foot by 12 foot, four foot high deck on 42 Baker Road. An 8.98 foot rear yard setback variance was requested. There were no public comments,

There were no public comments, and the application was unanimously approved.

Livingston police are currently investigating four car burglaries and three residential burglaries reported during the past week.

Cars Entered

On Thursday, December 9, at 6:19 a.m., an unknown perpetrator attempted to enter a car on Sterling Drive. According to police, a dark colored car pulled up in front of the house. One person got out and was trying to open doors on cars in the driveway. The person ran back to the waiting car when the homeowner turned on the outside lights.

Also on Thursday, a Rockhill Drive resident reported that his BMW had been burglarized sometime during the overtime period between Monday, December 6, and Tuesday, December 7. The vehicle had been unlocked overnight, and an unknown person had rummaged through the interior. In addition the front license plate had been removed from the vehicle.

The Township Council has announced that its next meeting, scheduled for Monday, December 20, will take place in person.

For the first time since the pandemic began in March of 2020, Council members will meet in person in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, 357 South Livingston Avenue. The regular meeting will continue to be livestreamed, as Council meetings have been for the past 18 months.

Prior to the regular meeting, the Council will hold a conference meeting in person at 7 p.m. in the conference room at Town Hall. The conference meeting will not be livestreamed. In addition, residents must attend in person to participate.

The Livingston High School ice hockey team defeated Princeton High School, 19-0, on Saturday, December 11, at the Codey Arena. The Little Tigers played with a shorthanded team and did not skate a goalie.

The Lancer goals were scored by Austin Vecchio, Ayan Chaudhun, Egor Tarasyuk, Ryan Zales, Danny Grossbard, Dillon Schultz, Reed Plotnick, Zach Silva, Alex Selvin, Shalua Samchkuashvilli and Jace Dockx. The state ranked #19 Lancers have a current record of 6-0.

SANTA TO VISIT CAMUSO DISPLAY: Santa’s visit to the Camuso Holiday Display last week was cancelled, along with other scheduled events, due to high winds on Saturday night, December 11. Santa will be at the display this Saturday, December 18, weather permitting. At press time, it had not been determined if the petting zoo and Clydesdale horse wagon rides had been rescheduled. The display is open every night, free of charge, from 5 to 10 p.m. through Sunday, January 2. NBD Photo

LEAF TRUCK FIRE: Livingston Fire Department volunteers responded to a leaf truck fire in the driveway of the Cooperman Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center at 200 South Orange Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, December 14. According to Fire Chief Chris Mullin, the contents of a private landscaper’s leaf collecting truck were burning in the back hopper area. The cause of the fire is unknown at press time. There were no injuries reported, and the fire was extinguished without incident. CKS Photo

Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) has announced a community partnership with ECLC’s Chatham School. The ECLC acronym stands for Education, Careers and Lifelong Community. 
The partnership initiative was facilitated by Livingston resident Michele Florio-Campisi, a long-time ECLC educational staff member and lifelong friend of LPI founder and director Jeff Friedman. 
ECLC’s Chatham school enrolls approximately 160 students with a range of special needs, primarily autism, Down syndrome, and multiple disabilities, explained Friedman. “Its goal is to mirror a ‘typical’ school experience with clubs, activities, trips, proms and a beautiful graduation ceremony,” he noted.