West Essex Tribune

Last week, in a TV interview, Governor Phil Murphy indicated that teachers were “on deck” to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccinations. Teachers are among the non-healthcare essential workers who were categorized into the 1B section of vaccination eligibility, only to have other categories ranked behind them hear their name called first, including millions of smokers. They’ve since been waiting for their turn, wondering when they would be able to teach inside their classroom with less fear of serious illness.

Mayor Shawn Klein, Deputy Mayor Ed Meinhardt, and the rest of the Township Council say they have been advocating at every level of government for teachers to be next to receive their vaccinations. Recent confirmation that teachers will, in fact, be next, is certainly great to hear. Of course, we have no idea when “next” will be. Will they be able to receive a dose in a matter of weeks or months?

Does Livingston need two pools?

That was the question Mayor Shawn Klein posed to his fellow Council members at last week’s meeting, asking them to be prepared to discuss the matter at the following meeting, which will be held on February 8.

Klein’s argument is that the town can no longer financially support two pools; dwindling attendance over the past few years (prior to the pandemic) appears to prove that demand is not what it used to be.

If the town wants to, can it still afford to pay to maintain both pools? We are sure that it is possible to do so, but we are less certain that it would be the best use of Livingston’s money and resources.

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DECISIVE WIN FOR HOCKEY TEAM: The Livingston High School varsity ice hockey team defeated Nutley, 10-1, on the Lancers’ home ice at Codey Arena on Saturday, January 30.

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A slow-moving but powerful nor’easter, believed to be the biggest snowstorm in five years, dropped nearly two feet of snow on Livingston between late Sunday afternoon and late Tuesday afternoon.

Chris Southworth, assistant superintendent ofLivingston’s Department ofPublic Works, reported a total of22 inches of snow as of mid-afternoon on Tuesday. Light snow continued to fall through late Tuesday afternoon, though there was little additional accumulation.

DPW crews, he said, had begun treating Livingston’s roadways at noon on Sunday, January 31.

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After conducting several investigations, the Livingston Police have charged multiple people in relation to auto thefts committed over the last few months.

On June 10, 2020, a MercedesBenz was stolen from a Ross Road home. The Mercedes was later recovered in Elizabeth and processed by Detective Michael Spano.

Fingerprint evidence led to the identification of a suspect, and cell phone records then placed the suspect at the scene when the vehicle was stolen. Almuta Thomas, 27, of Newark was charged with theft of a motor vehicle. He was already in the Essex County jail when served with his complaint.

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Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) has put out a request for those residents who have been participating in its “Personal Shopping/Shipping for the Homeless” initiative to include shopping for infant items.
“I’m asking generous Livingston neighbors to ‘Personal Shop’ for the babies,” said Jeff Friedman, LPI founder and director. “Although we don’t generally think of them when we picture homeless people, there are many, many babies and children living below the poverty line.”
On behalf of LPI’s Newark distribution partners, the Bessie Green Community (BGC), Newark Emergency Services for Families, (NESF) and the Willing Heart Community Care Center (WHCCC), Friedman is specifically requesting diapers and baby wipes. 

The Livingston Police Department is about to get a little more visible. Police Chief Gary Marshuetz has announced a newly designed police vehicle in 2021. Livingston Police cars, which have recently been a mixture of yellow, blue, and black, are now slowly transitioning into a more “vintage” black and white. “Even though our current design is unique, ultimately a police car should look like a police car,” stated Chief Marshuetz.

The new design will feature bold white doors with sleek block lettering that emblazons “Police” across the front and rear doors of each car. A subdued Livingston Police patch will also be prominently displayed close to the hood. Perhaps the biggest change, which has much more intent than just style, is the addition of a large graphic that reads, “Township of Livingston” under the “Police” lettering. On the previous design, “Livingston” was significantly less featured.

Cold temperatures did not keep Livingston residents inside on a sunny Sunday, January 24. Shown here, a group of children were playing flag football as their parents looked on.

Jerry Siskind Photo

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At the January 25 Livingston Board ofEducation meeting, superintendent of schools Matthew Block reported that the secondary school principals have sent out student cohort assignments and schedules as the district moves to implement the two-cohort model at the secondary schools on Monday, February 1.

Block said that the district has seen an increase from December in the number of elementary students attending school. The numbers at the secondary level are slightly higher than they were in December; but not as high as the 60 percent who filled out the survey, he explained.

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With the legalization of cannabis in New Jersey imminent — Governor Phil Murphy is expected to sign a bill any day — township attorney Jarrid Kantor briefed the Township Council on the steps members would need to take to control what will be permitted in town.

There are six classes of ways to get involved in the marijuana business: cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and licensers. If the town does nothing, then all would be allowed to operate in Livingston. Once a class is permitted, it must be allowed for five years. Classes that are not allowed, however, can be permitted by the Council at a later date, should the governing body decide to do so. The only class that cannot be banned is distributors, as they cannot be stopped from driving through a town.