Livingston news

CHANGING THE FACE OF NORTHFIELD: Demolition continued this week along Northfield Road at the South Livingston Avenue intersection. Last week, the Northfield Baptist Church was knocked down, and on this past Tuesday, neighboring structures, including the former Infinity clothing store building, shown below, were also torn down. MI Photos

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

Now that all residents over 16 years old are eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations (and with the Pfizer vaccine expected to be authorized for 12 to 15 year olds next week), we wanted to again take a moment to strongly urge all who have yet to do so to seek out a shot. Unfortunately, as eligibility has expanded, the nation’s number of daily shots given has begun to dip, indicating that demand for the shots is beginning to wane, despite there being tens of millions of unvaccinated Americans.

At a meeting last week, the Township Council discussed three ordinances designed to accommodate affordable housing in town. Township manager Barry Lewis explained that the Fair Share Housing Center had pushed for Livingston to create about 600 affordable housing units in its latest round, but the town was able to negotiate that down to about a third of the request. As a result, Livingston must now make space for roughly 1,000 new units, as apartment complexes that are built typically accommodate 20 percent affordable housing.

Understandably, residents of the districts that will be affected by these ordinances were unhappy. The Council listened to all of their concerns, and did not take action that evening. These ordinances will be discussed at future meetings, and additional ones are expected to be introduced, as well.

Long-time Livingston resident Marion Lichtenstein visited Living-ston Philanthropies Inc., (LPI) World Headquarters (LPI founder Jeff Friedman’s garage) to make a generous contribution in person. 
The two first met in 1967 when Friedman, a Livingston High School junior, worked at Livingston’s Fellman Footwear, a then-popular business located on South Livingston Avenue. “Mrs. Lichtenstein brought her kids in often for size checks and new Buster Browns,” Friedman said. “Now, some 54 years later, Mrs. Lichtenstein has been reading about LPI in the Tribune and knew it was the same guy from the shoe store. I remembered her well, too.”

CHURCH DEMOLISHED: Northfield Baptist Church was demolished on Monday, April 26. By Wednesday, April 28, the entire structure had been knocked down. In its place is expected to be a mixed-use residential and retail development. Shown on the bottom left is the church in its original form, in 2016, when it was put up for sale. MI Photo

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

Sanskriti of New Jersey celebrated Dakshin Mahotsav (“Grand Festivals of South India”), which coincides with New Year in many of the country’s southern states.

The celebration on April 17 virtually showcased the cultural diversities of the region. It included music and dance performances, a fashion show featuring Kanchipuram saris woven from pure mulberry silk, and Rangoli decorative art patterns that signify happiness and positivity and welcome visitors to the home.

The origins of the various new year traditions were explained by Satyanarayana Murthy, a retired Indian Air Force officer.

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

At its meeting on Monday, April 26, the Livingston Township Council discussed three ordinances designed to accommodate affordable housing in town, among other items. The meeting was held virtually and may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page. This was the first meeting featuring revised Council procedures which slightly altered the order that topics were discussed compared to previous meetings. Altered speaking time limits, on both the public and the Council, are also part of the new format and were strictly adhered to during the meeting.

Final Hearing Ordinances

LANCER JUNIOR Matt Ho clears the pole vaulting bar at 9’ while competing in the season opener against Bloomfield. Ho finished second in the event, which was won by Lancer senior Siraj Akmal. The boys’ team won the meet, 70-69. Read more about the boys’ varsity track meet on page B-4.

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

The Livingston Board of Education will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed 2021-22 school budget on Tuesday, May 4, at 7:15 p.m.

This will be the public’s final opportunity to ask questions and comment about the budget before it is finalized.

The Board had approved a tentative school budget for 2021-22 on March 15, with a tax increase of $87, based on the average assessed home of $700,000. The budget was published as a public notice in last week’s Tribune.

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

SPARKS FLY: The Fire Department held a training drill using an old Livingston Board of Education school bus that was donated to practice techniques involving mass casualty incidents, such as school bus extrications, according to Fire Chief Chris Mullin. “Members trained in creating access points to the interior of the bus when conventional doors were inaccessible due to simulated damage,” Chief Mullin said. “Members trained in the use of rescue air-bags that were used to lift the bus off the ground to rescue trapped victims. Many rescue tools and techniques were reviewed and practiced during this hands-on drill.” Craig Melhorn Photo.

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