West Essex Tribune

We are facing an unprecedented time in every facet of our lives due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and that includes our schools, as districts struggle to plan for the upcoming academic year, which is nearly a month away.

Each day without an official strategy begs more questions. At the very least, we know full remote learning must be an option for families that wish to choose it. We have also heard of families potentially placing small groups of children together to be homeschooled for the year.

We understand the demand by parents and teachers for a concrete plan. The next few months for students, parents, teachers and administrators will all look very different based on what is decided, and all involved will need every possible day to prepare.

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Santo “Sam” John Petronella, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2020, in Livingston, New Jersey.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Sam resided in Livingston for the past 54 years, where he was a State Farm Agent for 34 years, before his retirement in 2000.

Christopher Mullin, Livingston Fire Chief and township fire official and emergency management coordinator, this week issued a reminder to residents that mulch fires are common during the summer, more so when the weather is hot and dry, as it has been.

He explained that the primary causes of mulch fires are cigarette butts, at commercial sites; and landscape lights, at residential sites.

With seven weeks left until September 1, when teachers are expected to begin the school year, Livingston Public Schools superintendent Matthew Block and the Livingston Board of Education, on Wednesday, July 15, continued to outline the planning process and the three overall options for school reopening in the fall. No specific plan was disclosed, however.

The meeting was held virtually via Zoom and live-streamed on the district’s Facebook page.

“Tonight, we will not present any specific plans for the fall,” said Block, explaining that new information comes out daily and that “the virus will be with us for an extended time; there are continuing outbreaks.”

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The Planning Board met on Tuesday evening, July 21, for a virtual conference and special meeting. The Board unanimously approved an application, Mango Tree Real Estate Holdings (NJ), LLC - Application No.2020-6-MSUBV and Eugene Taylo, Jr., - Application No. 2020-10-MSUBV. An application for JMZ Enterprises, at the Corner of East McClellan Avenue and Scott Terrace and Green Terrace Homes, was adjourned until Thursday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m.

South Livingston Ave. Property

Returning to the Planning board was an application for the property at 90 South Livingston Avenue. The applicant CP Management Group II, was represented by CherylLynn Walters of Nehmad, Perillo Davis and Goldstein.

The Livingston Police Department recently held its inaugural Junior Police Academy. The one week event was almost cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but, noted Police Chief Gary Marshuetz, “I am pleased to report a successful week. It was nice to have an in-person interactive camp, which exposed our youth to public service. Special thanks to our Community Policing Unit and the officers here who assisted with teaching and sharing their specialties. Also a thank you to the Livingston Fire Department and other participating law enforcement agencies.”

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Katherine A. Murphy died in her Livingston home on Thursday, July 16. She was 84 years old.

Ms. Murphy was born in Jersey City, where she lived through high school. She later married and raised her three children in Livingston. She began working part-time at Chubb Insurance in 1972 and worked her way through the ranks, eventually becoming a vice president.

After retirement in 1998, she volunteered as treasurer for the AARP, and delivered meals to seniors through Motor Meals.

She was predeceased by her brother, James Nurge.

Ms. Murphy is survived by her children, Jeannine Grabowski and her husband, Paul, of West Orange; Kristine Murphy of Monmouth Beach; and James Murphy and his wife, Karen, of Annandale; her brother, William Nurge; and four grandchildren.

The Last Dance Tournament was envisioned as a chance for New Jersey high school baseball players who missed out on their spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic to compete one last time.

The 222-team tournament is being played throughout New Jersey through the end of July.

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Walter (Walt) Alfredo Aguirre of Livingston New Jersey, passed away on July 16. He was 51.

Walter was born in San Salvador, El Salvador in 1968. He graduated from Randolph High School. He enjoyed fishing, roller skating, going to the beach and being a father to his beautiful daughters.

Walter is survived by his wife, Christine Aguirre; mother, Gloria Mendoza; daughters, Lia Ferranti, Joelle RoseAguirre and Jianna Bella Aguirre; brothers, Stanley Aguirre and Rafael Garciamendoza; sister, Josephine Garcia; and other family and friends.

At the family’s request, all services will be private.

KEEPING COOL: With temperatures in the 90s and high humidity resulting in “real feel” temperatures around 100°, this family jumps into Haines Memorial Pool on Sunday afternoon, July 19. Jerry Siskind Photo