West Essex Tribune

During the past week, Livingston Police officers responded to multiple reports of vehicles that had been burglarized.

Burglary to Vehicles

This past Sunday at 6:26 a.m., a Stonewall Drive resident appeared at police headquarters to report that his 2023 BMW had been burglarized that morning. His surveillance camera captured two people running up to his vehicle and getting in. They were captured on camera stealing a briefcase and laptop from inside the vehicle before fleeing.

The Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating the matter.

Another Livingston resident reported a burglarized vehicle that Sunday. A Tilden Court resident contacted Police Headquarters to report his 2020Audi had been broken into. The resident’s security cameras captured a suspect approaching the unlocked Audi, stealing a pair of sunglasses from inside it, andfleeing the scene.

The Livingston Detective Bureau is also investigating this instance of burglary.

At the latest Township Council meeting on February 26, members discussed A-4, a state Assembly bill that recently passed and could affect Livingston’s future affordable housing plans.

Specifically, A-4 is a planned overhaul of the current affordable housing system. It would abolish the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and give its regulatory power to state-run agencies. If towns follow the guidance of the state, they would be immune to the builder’s remedy lawsuits that have threatened towns - including Livingston- during previous affordable housing rounds. Governor Phil Murphy has previously stated his approval of the bill, which will now move to the Senate, under bill S50 Sca(lR).

The Lancer bowling team finished in second place with an 11-5 record in the Colonial Conference of the Super Essex Conference (SEC). Seton Hall Prep won the conference going undefeated at 16-0.

Rishabh Sinha and Aidan Reyes won First Team Honors with Gabriel Shulman, Parker Shulman and Victoria Cheng capturing Second Team Honors in the division. Maxwell Miller was awarded Honorable Mention for the team.

The team qualified for the NJSIAA State Sectional semi-finals. On the way, the team defeated Montclair with an impressive 1039-1019 win.

The Lancers were defeated by Fair Lawn, 2-1, in the semi-final round. LHS finished fifth in the Essex County Tournament but Victoria Cheng was able to repeat as the Girls’ Individual Champion. The team earned coach Griff Hughes his 300th win in December.

CHEERLEADERS WIN FOUR COMPETITIONS: The cheerleading team provided Lancer spirit at Livingston High School junior varsity and varsity girls and boys basketball games throughout the winter season. The varsity cheerleading team also competed in four competitions all around the state, taking home first place in each one. Shown above is the varsity cheerleading squad; below, the squad performs the “Green and White” cheer. Don Schwartz Photos

On Sunday, March 10, clocks “spring forward” to start Daylight Savings time. This change should also prompt the change of batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and the inspection of fire extinguishers.

“The biannual tradition of Daylight Savings is the ideal time to remind residents to change the batteries whenever we change the clocks,” explained Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullin. “When smoke alarms or detectors fail to operate, it’s usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.”

Chief Mullin advises homeowners who may have purchased newer “Ten-Year Sealed Battery” detectors that once detectors are activated upon initial installation, there is no need to replace the batteries. Tenyear sealed battery detectors are designed to operate using a “sealed” battery, so attempting to open or change the battery will render the detector useless, and it will have to be discarded.

Smoke Detectors

Bette Anne (nee Feldman) Silverman died on February 17 at the age of 87. Born September 27, 1936, in Fall River, Massachusetts, she was married to the late Richard Silverman for 66 years.

Agraduate of Mt. Holyoke College in 1958, she met Mr. Silverman during her senior year. She also received a master’s degree in political science from Rutgers University. The Silvermans were longtime members of Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills.

Mr. Silverman pre-deceased his wife in December 2023. She is survived by her children, Jodie and Neill, and their families.

Funeral arrangements were private.

James Joseph Meehan, Jr., 72, of Gainesville, Florida,died on December 13. He was born October 7, 1951, in Montclair.

After graduating from St. Philomena and Livingston High School, Mr. Meehan attended the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut and received his degree in engineering from the University of Florida.

Mr. Meehan is survived by his wife of 33 years, Poppy; and his daughter, Alexandra (Robbie Czopek). He is also survived by his brother and sisters.

There will be a celebration of Mr. Meehan’s’ life on March 22 at Ironwood Golf Course clubhouse, Gainesville, Florida.

Madeline A. Zecchino, 104, of Livingston, died on Thursday, February 29.

Mrs. Zecchino was born and raised in Orange and was one of eight siblings. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Air Force veteran Vincent Zecchino; her son, Vincent Jr.; daughter-in-law, Geraldine; and her three grandchildren.

A visitation was held on Sunday, March 3, at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home in Livingston .Afuneral Mass was celebrated on Monday, March 4, at St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church, and entombment immediately followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

Malcolm Fleischer, age 88, of Morris Plains, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024.

Born and raised in Newark, Malcolm graduated from Weequahic High School and earned his Bachelor degree from Upsala College. He lived in Livingston for more than 50 years.

He worked for many years as an executive for Bamberger’s Department Stores and then owned several card and gift shops. He enjoyed his retirement by spending time with family and friends, playing golf, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Mr. Fleischer was the beloved husband of Paula for 65 years, loving father of Steven Fleischer (Susan), Heidi Fleischer (Ken), and Beth Richmond (Daniel), devoted grandfather of Jason,Austin, Brian, Alexa, Lauren, Joelle, Maxston, and Jenna, cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Paula Chapman Du-Brow, 87, formerly of Livingston, on Sunday March 3, in Bridgewater. She passed peacefully surrounded by her family. Paula is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Sheldon, and her parents, the late Faye and Jackie Chapman. She leaves behind her children, Abbe DuBrow Branch of Clinton, Beth and Jeffrey Berger of Basking Ridge, Carrie and Richard Solomon of Basking Ridge, and Darin and Ellen DuBrow of Livingston; along with 12 grandchildren and a great grandchild, Jack; her brothers, Arthur Chapman of Manalapan, NJ and Stuart Chapman of Hollywood, Florida.

Funeral services were Wednesday, March 6, at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 or Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, 194 NJ-10, East Hanover, NJ 07936.