Livingston news

Livingston firefighter Frank Leck was honored by the Livingston Fire Department at its recent annual dinner dance. The event, commonly known as Ladies’ Night in other local fire departments, is held with firefighters and their spouses and guests in attendance as well as Fire Chiefs and their spouses, and guests from other area fire departments. During the event each year, anniversary awards are presented to commemorate years of service.

At this year’s event at Cedar Hill Country Club, firefighter Franklin T. Leck was honored for 60 years of service to the Livingston Fire Department, becoming only the second member in the department’s history to reach that milestone. Retired Chief Charles W. Schilling was the first; he retired this past January after 73 years of active service with the LFD.

The roof of the United States Post Office on West Mt. Pleasant Avenue caught fire Tuesday evening, May 7. A new roof was being installed on the building, and a seam-sealing machine overheated and ignited the glue. There was minor damage to the roof, but none to the interior, and employees were able to resume work immediately. This photo was taken by Ethan Schwartz, 14, of West Orange, from a passing vehicle. Ethan Schwartz Photo

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The Livingston High School boys’ varsity volleyball team won two of its three recent matches. The Lancers defeated West Essex, 2-0, on Tuesday, April 30; dropped a 2-0 match at St. Peter’s Prep School on Thursday, May 2; and defeated Payne Tech, 2-0, on Friday, May 3. Shown above, Lancer junior Sebastian Chung elevates to score on a serve against the West Essex Knights. Don Schwartz Photos

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At the April 29 Board of Education meeting, interim superintendent of schools Jim O’Neill discussed the increased exposure children now have to coarse language, hate and violence.

“We frequently hear educators, sociologists and others say that young people today are exposed to information and issues they previously did not receive until they were much older,” he said. “This reality is now evident in every community in the United States.” O’Neill added that the most alarming thing students are now confronted with is the “increasingly commonplace” violence in schools. He ran through a flurry of recent headlines focused on school shootings, gun laws, and active shooter drills.

O’Neill said the district plans to do its part to help its students navigate through these experiences, by increasing awareness and discussing any issues that may occur. But it is not simply mass shootings that pose a threat; there are incidents that are far more common and more insidious.

At the Monday, May 6, regular meeting of the Township Council, an ordinance was passed to allow a conditional use of block 6300 in the Coventry section of town, which will permit an assisted living facility to be built on the property if it is approved by the Planning Board.

The hearing had been left open on the agenda for five consecutive meetings, several months’ time, as residents living in the area have expressed concern about adding vehicles to an area with existing traffic problems, among other issues. The Council, citing obligations to fulfill affordable housing requirements and provide options for a growing aging population, were always likely to move forward with this ordinance. But they did not rush this decision through, and we applaud them for it.

Renee Lopomo of Livingston died Thursday, May 2. She was 94 years old. Visitation took place Monday, May 6, at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston. A funeral Mass was offered Tuesday, May 7, at St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church. A committal service followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

Mrs. Lopomo was born in Newark and lived there until 1962, when she moved to Livingston. She was a parishioner of St. Philomena Church, and volunteered at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. She also worked for Sunlight Life as a secretary, and was a judge for the Essex County Board of Elections polling centers.

Mrs. Lopomo was predeceased by her husband, Rocco, and her brother, Benjamin Sciarrillo and his wife, Geraldine. She is survived by her children, Patricia Biello, and Rocco Lopomo, Jr.; and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The Livingston High School varsity baseball team swept the first round of the Greater Newark Tournament. The team defeated the North Hunterdon Lions, 2-1, on Tuesday, April 30; the Newark Academy Minutemen, 5-3, on Friday, May 3; and the Caldwell Chiefs, 4-2, on Saturday, May 4. Three Lancer pitchers held North Hunterdon to a single run. Shown above, left, Lancer Robert Sayle scores before the throw can be made to North Hunterdon catcher Trey Prismatic. Homeplate umpire Mike Testa signals the score. Above, right, Lancer middle relief hurler Ray Larsen throws a third strike fastball during the middle innings. Don Schwartz Photos

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The annual Kiwanis Karnival opened in Livingston on Tuesday night, May 7, and will run through Saturday, May 11. The Karnival, a primary fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club, is being held at the carnival grounds on East Northfield Road, east of Northfield Center. Hours are Thursday, 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 6 to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, 2 to 11 p.m. The Karnival includes rides, games, and food. Rides require tickets, which may be purchased on-site; credit cards are accepted for ticket purchases. Saturday, May 11, will be “hand stamp day;” patrons may pay one price to ride all day. All proceeds from the Kiwanis Karnival go to charities that benefit the community. Shown here, the Tuesday night opening of the Karnival provided fun for all. Jerry Siskind Photo

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The Planning Board split approval on an application for minor subdivision and preliminary and final site plan with variances for CP Management Group II LLC. The property in question, located at 92 South Livingston Avenue, was previously home to Bank ofAmerica. The applicant proposes to subdivide existing Lot 3 to create two new lots. The existing, now-vacant building would be expanded on one of the new lots to house a child care center, Lightbridge Academy. A Starbucks with a drive-through is proposed to be constructed on the second lot.

The Board closed its evidential hearing on April 11, including public comment, but decided to meet on the application one last time for deliberations among the members before voting on the matter.

Essex County, in cooperation with Livingston Township, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, New Jersey Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration, will host a public information session to inform local residents, officials, businesses and the general public of the proposed modern roundabout at the intersection of Walnut Street and West Hobart Gap Road. The purpose of this session is to inform the public of the project’s progress to date, its purpose and need, and to solicit public input and comments. The meeting will be held at the Livingston United Methodist Church onThursday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., with a presentation at 6:30 p.m.