Livingston news

THANKING THEIR TEACHERS: Livingston High School’s National Merit Semifinalists presented books to their favorite teachers during the Tuesday, December 12, Board of Education meeting. Shown here are LHS student Samuel Liang and biology teacher Paul Raiz. Liang gave Raiz a copy of “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi.

During its last meeting of2023, the Livingston Planning Board approved Devan Partners LLC’s site plan to convert the automotive repair facility at 505 South Livingston Avenue into a dental office. It also marked Peter Klein’s final meeting before retiring from the Planning Board at the end of the year. Klein had served as a Board member since 1996.

Four witnesses spoke at the applicant’s initial November 21 hearing, supporting requests for variances related to the building’s size, signage placement, and extension of back parking spaces. However, a vote was delayed so the applicant could address the Board’s concerns, including the lack of a garbage plan and front signage length.

A large coastal storm that dropped up to nine inches of rain on South Carolina barrelled up the east coast Sunday afternoon, December 17, into Monday, December 18, leaving significant flooding, damage and power outages in its wake. In Livingston, the storm dropped a total of 4.26 inches, according to reports.

Western Essex County was among the harder-hit areas. A total of 4.85 was recorded at Caldwell Airport, while Verona got 4.83 inches, Cedar Grove, 4.8 inches, and West Caldwell, 4.51 inches.

Most of Morris County received over four inches of rain, with Long Valley recording 5.88 inches, and Butler, five inches.

In contrast, much of Bergen, Camden, Cape May, and Ocean Counties recorded “only” two to three inches of rain, although Estell Manor in Atlantic County got 5.05 inches.

40 Incidents in Town

Livingston Police officers responded to multiple attempted residential burglaries and a pharmacy burglary in the past week.

Pharmacy Burglary

At 9 a.m. on Monday, December 18, Livingston officers responded to Livingston Pharmacy on East Mt. Pleasant Avenue on a report of a burglary at the store.

Officers arrived and were met by store staff, who said that when they entered the store, they found the front door ajar and medications and cash missing. The front door appeared to have been pried open and the store was ransacked. Medicine and cash were confirmed to have been stolen.

The Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating the matter.

Attempted Residential Burglaries At4:55 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, Livingston officers responded to an East Cedar Street residence on a report of several suspects attempting to enter the home.

Livingston’s Temple Beth Shalom was one of about a dozen synagogues that received a bomb threat this past Sunday, December 17. The threat was ultimately determined to be unfounded.

Specifically, at 8:39 a.m., Livingston Police was notified of an email that had been sent to Temple Beth Shalom claiming that there were multiple explosives in the building that would be going off in a few hours.

Livingston officers responded to the scene and evacuated the temple. A check of the building was performed with the assistance of the Essex County sheriff’s office Bomb and K-9 Unit, and the temple was found to be clear of any explosive devices.

Police determined that the email had been sent to numerous temples statewide and throughout the country – synagogues in more than a dozen states received a total of more than 200 threats – and no credible threat was found.

On Thursday, December 14, the Livingston High School bowling team defeated Millbum. Bowling coach Griff Hughes also won his 300th career match that day.

The team started off with captain Rishabh Sinha’s 192 bowling score. Captain Gabe Shulman scored a 215, and Victoria Cheng’s 175 helped the team to a 868-792 pin victory.

During the second game, the Lancers struggled with spares, but managed a 780-737 win behind Aidan Reyes’ 180 bowl. The Lancers unfortunately did not win game three, and were defeated 819-763, but won the overall match 5 -2. Parker Shulman rolled a 147 in the loss.

On the junior varsity lanes, the Lancers were defeated by Millbum. Lancer Abhiman Chandin scored a 71, 88, and 106, while Douglas Coppola bowled a 100,92, and 113.

Sungi Shariff’s 155 was the high score of the game for the Lancers, and Prakhar Samaiya’s scores of 125, 154, and 117 earned him the high series of 396.

BASKETBALL TEAM WINS TWO: On Thursday, December 14, the Livingston High School boys’ basketball team defeated the West Caldwell Tech Eagles, 46-39, during their home opener. They next traveled to West Orange to defeat the Mountaineers, 43-31, on Saturday, December 16. Above, left, Lancer Zach Smith drives through two West Caldwell Tech defenders to score for Livingston. At right, Lancer guard Luke McNichol, #55, sinks a foul shot against West Caldwell Tech. Don Schwartz Photos

Phyllis loved the fact that she was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, so much, that even in her last week of life, said she wished she could be either there or in heaven. She was a devoted wife and mother of two children. She and her husband, Franklin, adopted them after they moved to Livingston, NJ.

Throughout her lifetime, she embraced her Judaism, as she sprinkled unconditioned love and acceptence everywhere she went, regardless of the nationality, political affiliation, or religion of the person she was with.

It didn’t matter if you were related to Phyllis or not, she would become your biggest cheerleader; calling out the greatness she was able to see inside of you. It’s no wonder so many lovingly called her Nana!

On Friday, December 15, Suzette Joseph, of Livingston, died at the age of 95.

Mrs. Joseph was born and raised in Acul-Du-Nord, Haiti, and lived in Brooklyn and Queens, NewYork, before settling in Livingston, in 1967.

She was an elementary school teacher before retiring.

Mrs. Joseph is predeceased by her husband, Michelet. She is survived by her children, Albert, Frederique, and Lemoine; her four grandchildren; and sisters, Therese and Deliverance.

Philip Julius Solondz, father, builder, philanthropist, died on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at his home in Boca Raton, Florida. He was 97.

Born in Newark to Polish immigrants Israel and Jenny, he was valedictorian of his Weequahic High School class and later studied civil engineering at M.I.T., with an interlude in the Navy serving at Guam during World War II.

He acted as president of the New Jersey Home Builders Association in 1965.

He was a major donor toTemple Beth Shalom in Livingston, New Jersey, M.I.T., and various Jewish and Zionist philanthropies.

He leaves behind four children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.