Livingston Tribune

This Saturday, residents can safely dispose of old or unwanted electronics and can have their confidential papers shredded at Livingston’s Electronics Recycling and Paper Shredding Event. The event will take place on April 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior/Community Center, 204 Hillside Avenue. The event offers residents drive-through service to dispose of unwanted electronics and small appliances and have confidential papers shredded.

Under New Jersey state law and the township’s recycling ordinance, it is mandatory to recycle electronic items. Electronic items cannot be placed at the curb for pickup – the garbage and recycling collection trucks will not take them.

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GOLFERS PREPARE FOR SEASON: The Livingston High School varsity golf team was scheduled to travel to the Rockaway River Country Club on Monday, April 12, to open the season with a nine-hole match against the Golden Eagles of Morris Knolls. Results were not available at press time. Shown here, Lancer junior Srishti Dhurandhar follows through on a five iron shot during a practice at the Essex Golf Center in Roseland. Don Schwartz Photo ha bo W at Ri

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The Livingston Township Council hosted a public forum Tuesday evening to discuss potential cannabis legislation in town.

“The Council sees tonight as an opportunity to listen,” Mayor Shawn Klein said at the start of the meeting.

Township attorney Jarrid Kantor explained the basics of the new marijuana law passed earlier this year in New Jersey after 67 percent of New Jersey voters voted in favor of legalization during last November’s election. The Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Modernization Act was signed by Governor Phil Murphy on February 22, and the township has 180 days from that date to pass any ordinances restricting marijuana-related business in town, making August 21 the deadline for municipalities to enact applicable zoning regulations.

At its meeting on Monday, April 12, the Livingston Township Council updated procedures for meetings, introduced several ordinances that could lead to new development, and passed several resolutions. The meeting was held virtually and may be viewed on the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page.

Final Hearing for Ordinance

Following a final hearing, an ordinance was passed to amend the township code to update Council procedures. Among the updates are changes to public comment during the meeting.

There will be two public portions, consisting of four minutes for the first public portion and three for the second public portion. Any response made by the Council shall be included in the speaker’s four-minute and three-minute allotted time periods. Previously, public comment was limited to a total of six minutes per person, though members of the public have regularly been permitted to exceed that amount of time.

HOUSE FIRE: At about 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, the Livingston Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 8 Arbor Court. Firefighters responded and found the siding of the house, near the garage, was on fire (shown below). Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire before it spread to the rest of the home, and no injuries were reported. The fire appeared to have been caused by a cigarette on or near the siding, according to Fire Chief Chris Mullin. MI Photos

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The Livingston Health Department has announced the renewal of its contract with the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark for litter abatement throughout the township through a grant from the New Jersey Clean Communities Program.

Catholic Charities and its staff have been providing these services to the Livingston community for the last nine years. The clean-up program commences in April and runs through December. Litter and debris will be removed from public areas within the township, including the Municipal Complex, Memorial Park, the Town Center, the Okner Sports Complex, and bus stops throughout town.

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JV TEAM WINS SCRIMMAGE: The Livingston High School junior varsity baseball team defeated Old Tappan, 7-2, in a scrimmage at home on Saturday, April 10. Shown here, Lancer pitcher Joey Maiello delivers a fastball against the Golden Knights of Old Tappan. Don Schwartz Photo

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Michael SanMartin, 57, died Thursday, April 8, in Livingston.

Born in Newark, Mr. SanMartin was a lifelong resident of Livingston. He worked for many years as the assistant librarian at the Livingston Public Library. He was a long-time member of the St. Raphael Church choir.

Mr. SanMartin was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Anna SanMartin, and his sister, Regina Kambach. He is survived by his sister, Judy Rose; his half-brother, Raymond; and nieces and nephews, Keith, Paul, Glenn, Heather, and Kaitlyn.

Funeral arrangements were by the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. A funeral Mass was offered for him on Monday, April 12, at St. Raphael Roman Catholic Church, Livingston. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial donations to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

There are still many people who have yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccines, but beginning next Monday, all residents ages 16 and older will be eligible for their doses.

Residents may notice signs around town encouraging people to get their vaccines; in fact, you may even see ads saying the same in the Tribune. For some time, this was a frustrating message, as most people weren’t eligible to receive the vaccines. But, very soon, all who want a vaccine will have gotten one. Then, the difficult work will begin – convincing our vaccine hesitant friends and family to get their doses.

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We are still a period of time removed from the finalization of this year’s municipal budget, but its foundation is relatively clear. Last year, the township made a concerted effort to not raise taxes in the budget, as residents dealt with the uncertainty of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, now, that bill is coming due.

We are lucky to have the potential litigation settlement with Saint Barnabas and the COVID relief bill to offset much of it. The relief bill is expected to provide nearly $3 million to Livingston over the next two years. A settlement with Saint Barnabas will likely be even more beneficial over the long term.

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