The Livingston Township Council, at its Monday evening meeting, approved a number of resolutions and ordinances. Included in these were the approval of its first major PFAS remediation contract and regulations to ensure new buildings in town are constructed in a more environmentally-friendly manner. The Council also heard a presentation from the Arts Council ofLivingston, during which president Barbara Sax suggested that the former municipal court building located on the Oval could be the next home of the ACL Gallery.
Northfield Ordinance
An ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for the property at the intersection of East Northfield Road and South LivingstonAvenue was not on Monday’s agenda and has been removed indefinitely.
The ordinance was introduced during the May 30 Council meeting, but did not have the votes to be sent to the Planning Board.
A new ordinance would have to be introduced on the matter for it to proceed in the future.
Moving forward, the sending of redevelopment ordinances to the Planning Board will occur once such an ordinance is introduced, and not require a separate resolution to do so.
Pending Ordinance
The Council introduced and passed on first reading an ordinance adopting the 45 South Livingston Avenue district redevelopment plan, as prepared by Beacon Planning and Consulting Services. Council member Shawn Klein recused himself from the vote, with the other four Council members voting to introduce it.
The redevelopment area is located along the eastern side of South Livingston Avenue between East Mt. Pleasant Avenue to the north and Arden Road to the south. The area was designated as an “area in need of redevelopment” by the Township Council in February of 2021.
The parcel is situated within a commercial area; surrounding the subject property to the north, south, and west are commercial uses, while single-family homes border the property to the east and southeast.
The ordinance will be read on second hearing during the July 24 meeting.
Passed Ordinances
The Council unanimously approved four ordinances on final public hearing.
Ordinance number 14 adds provisions for “Green Building Design” into the township’s Design Standards for redevelopment. These standards include the use of energy efficient lighting, appliances, and heating and air conditioning systems; environmentally friendly landscaping; and the inclusion of EV charging stations in parking lots.
“What this is going to do is create a floor for green building design,” Council member Shawn Klein said. “These are all low hanging fruit and not very expensive items (that can) make a building ‘green.’” Three bond ordinances were also passed on final reading. These include authorizations of an appropriation of $2,655,000 for improvements to the township’s water utility system; of an appropriation of $4,225,000 for improvements to the sewer utility system; and an appropriation of $3,935,000 for various road improvements, with $3,389,961 in bonds or notes for financing part of that appropriation.
PFAS Contract
A contract was awarded to Coppola Services, Inc., for work on wells 1, 4, and 11, including the installation of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) treatment facilities, in an amount not to exceed $8,994,890. Township manager Barry Lewis called the contract a “milestone,” noting that this is the first step in the township’s PFAS well treatment.
The township targeted the wells that produce the most water for the town with this first contract, he added.
“It’s progress, it’s an important first step, and we will continue to work diligently,” Lewis said.
Other Contracts
Open-ended 12 month contracts were awarded to Core and Main, LP; Ferguson Enterprises, LLC; and Raritan Group, Inc., for the purchase of water and sewer system parts.
S. Rotondo and Sons, Inc. was awarded a contract for leaf disposal at $9.44 per cubic yard for the 2023 and 2024 leaf collection seasons.
Liquor License Renewals
Another resolution allowed for the renewal of liquor licenses, a hotel/motel license, plenary retail distribution licenses, and club licenses for a number of Livingston establishments.
Liquor licenses were renewed for the following businesses: Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, 8119 Town Center Way; Calabria’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, Inc., 588 South Livingston Avenue; Cedar Hill Golf and Country Club, Inc., 100 Walnut Street; Crystal Plaza Inc., 307 West Northfield Road; Marsag, LP, 277 Eisenhower Parkway; Vuthaj, Inc., 405 Eisenhower Parkway; The Landmark Pub, LLC, 259 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue; Panevino, LLC, 637 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue; RTC Restaurant Corporation; Pizzeta Livingston, LLC, 62 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue; and 2 Chef’s Inc. (Nero’s), 618 South Livingston Avenue.
Westminster Hospitality, LLC, 550 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue, had its hotel/motel license renewed.
Plenary retail distribution licenses were renewed for OM Livingston Liquors, LLC, 214 North Livingston Avenue; Livingston Bottle King, Inc., 343 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue; Livingston Legend, Inc., 277 Eisenhower Parkway; and Wine Depot of Livingston, Inc., 603 South Livingston Avenue.
Club licenses were renewed for the Columbian Association of Livingston, 299 Eisenhower Parkway, and Livingston Lodge No. 185, B.P.O. Elks, 19-21 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue.
Other Resolutions
The Council also approved several “housekeeping” resolutions. These included authorization to apply for a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the milling and repaving of Martin Road, section one; and confirming Livingston’s participation in the Essex County Urban County Community Development Program for federal fiscal years 2024-26, which enables the township to apply for grants through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Another resolution authorizes the township to enter into a cooperation agreement with the County of Essex for CDBG grants as of October 1.
Another resolution authorizes the township to junk a 2003 Ford E-350 SD Xl vehicle used by the Department of Senior, Youth, and Leisure Services and deemed no longer usable or saleable. The Council also approved a resolution authorizing the sale of 28 Solar Renewable Energy Certificates on an online auction site.
Closed Session
In a closed executive session at the conclusion of the public portion of the meeting, the Council was expected to discuss Fair Share Housing litigation and a development proposal for an Eisenhower Parkway property located south of the ParkVue complex.
