At its meeting on Tuesday, September 26, the Livingston Township Council approved a number of resolutions, including adding revenue items to the municipal budget and awarding contracts. Also approved was a resolution establishing fees for the use of municipal car charging stations.
At the conclusion of the meeting, public comment touched on the Bottle King development and an allegation of sexual harassment involving the Livingston Police Department.
Speed Bumps
In the conference meeting, prior to the regular meeting, the Council discussed potentially adding speed bumps to the area of Arden Road and Sherbrooke Parkway. A substantial housing development in that area has been the topic of discussion for several months, and some nearby residents have pointed to the safety on nearby roadways as one of their main concerns with the project. Some of those residents have specifically asked for speed bumps to be added to those roads.
While speed bumps create issues for snow plows, township manager Barry Lewis said, there are other designs that are easier to plow over and could be explored. These include speed waves and tables.
Lewis said that town officials would explore conducting studies on the feasibility of adding some form of speed bumps to the area.
Annietober
At the start of the meeting, the Council recognized October as “Annietober,” in honor of Annie Eisner, who tragically and suddenly died in August from complications of leukemia
old. Next month, several businesses in the community will hold events in her honor.
Annie’s parents, Jodi and Andrew Eisner hope Annietober will raise funds to fight rare cancers.
“Which, we are finding, are not very rare at all,” Jodi Eisner said.
A calendar of Annietober events may be found elsewhere in this edition of the Tribune.
Adding Items of Revenue
Five resolutions authorize the insertion of special items of revenue in the municipal budget. These include $7,000 for the “Click It or Ticket” program; $68,050.33 for the NJDEPClean Communities Program; $24,056.31 for the National Opioid Settlement Fund; $15,000 for the Spotted Lanternfly Program-2023 Chemical Control Treatment Grant; and $15,000 for the Stormwater Assistance Grant.
Contracts Awarded
The Council authorized several contracts.
Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc. was awarded a contract, not to exceed $85,930, to provide professional engineering services for the design and development of construction documents for West Oakwood Avenue water main improvements.
Acontract, not to exceed $36,600, was awarded to Community Grants, Planning and Housing, LLC to provide professional affordable housing services and rehabilitation services.
A 24 month contract was awarded to Agra Environmental Service, Inc., effective October 1, to perform laboratory testing services.
Charging Station Fees
The other resolution passed on Tuesday night establishes fees for the use of township-owned electrical vehicle charging stations. Charging will be free for the first 30 minutes; after that, the charge will be 50 cents per kilowatt (kwh) of electricity used between 30 minutes and 240 minutes; then $1 per kwh of electricity used between 240 and 480 minutes; then $3 per kwh of electricity used over 480 minutes. In addition, 50 cents will be owed per minute of time for any electric vehicles connected but not charging after a ten minute grace period.
Bottle King Comments
Sara Goldstein of Audobon Road encouraged the Council “not to act out of fear” when considering approving ordinances to pave the way for the proposed redevelopment at the site of the former Bottle King property along South Livingston Avenue. The proposed development would include a 240-unit rental complex. The affordable housing element of the project, to be designed for people with special needs, would be located off-site.
Several others wrote in to the meeting on Tuesday to ask the Council not to approve the project, as well. An ordinance related to the project has not been listed on the agenda since July, and dozens of residents have spoken out against the project at meetings since. A meeting with the developer, held earlier this month, was attended by hundreds of residents who are in opposition to the project Concerns mentioned have included increased traffic and the safety issues that result; the crowding of schools and further taxing of school infrastructure; a growing lack of green space in town; flooding concerns if trees are removed to build the project; and height and density concerns of the proposed building.
At the meeting earlier this month, the developer listened to the concerns of residents but did not state any intentions to make changes to the project. No additional comment was made by the Council Tuesday evening.
Maura Mullaney
Resident Maura Mullaney wrote in to the Council meeting to ask members to comment on her allegations that she was sexually harassed by a Livingston Police sergeant.
“We take all allegations seriously, especially ones which accuse sexual harassment,” Mayor Michael Vieira said, before adding that he cannot comment, on the advice of counsel, due to “ongoing investigations, ongoing litigation, and the threat of future litigation.”
Council member Rosy Bagolie said the statement offered by the township in response to Mullaney’s comments earlier this month “lacked compassion,” and she condemned all sexual harassment as “unacceptable.” Bagolie also noted that she is waiting on the reports to make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Council member Shawn Klein noted that “I do have faith in the Livingston Police Department to do the right thing,” but also said that the township’s statement on the matter lacked compassion.
“Not the type of statement that I would have wished to see,” Klein said.
Mayor Vieira additionally asked the public not to take out their anger on the matter at other Livingston Police officers.
“I know you’re mad, I know you’re upset, but we have a lot of good men and women risking their lives to protect us,” Vieira said.
Closed Session
In a closed executive session held after the conference meeting but prior to the start of the regular meeting, the Council was expected to discuss Michele Meade litigation, Kevin Mullaney litigation, and Fair Share Housing litigation.
