The Livingston Township Council held its annual reorganization meeting on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1. During the meeting, A1 Anthony was sworn in as mayor, his third time in the lead role, and Ed Meinhardt was named deputy mayor.
Longtime Planning Board chairman Peter Klein, who retired from the board at the end of 2023, was also recognized for his years of service. Klein, who spent 27 years on the Planning Board, including 22 as chairman, was given the key to the town.
New Mayor, Deputy Mayor
Anthony was tapped as mayor for the year following a unanimous vote.
Now the longest tenured Council member at the start of his 12th year, he was previously the mayor in 2016 and 2019.
“Livingston will be very fortunate to have A1 Anthony as mayor in 2024,” Meinhardt said in nominating him, calling him a great family man.
Council member Shawn Klein seconded the nomination, saying that Anthony is a “steady hand at the wheel” and that doing what he feels is right for the town is his “North Star.”
After he was sworn in, Anthony presented Michael Vieira, the outgoing mayor, with personalized gear from his favorite hockey team, the New Jersey Devils.
Meinhardt was then unanimously selected as the 2024 deputy mayor, and was sworn in for a third time.
“It is my honor to call you a friend and nominate you as deputy mayor,” Anthony said.
Vieira seconded the nomination, thanking him for the advice he gave him during his year as mayor. “I know you love what you do for the Township ofLivingston andit clearly shows,” he said.
Appointments
All committee appointments were approved by a unanimous Council vote. The committees included the Open Space Trust Committee; Livingston Community Partnership Management Corporation; Ad Hoc Licari and Strahman Tracts Committee; Advisory Committee for Disabilities; Advisory Committee on Transportation; Advisory Committee on Senior Citizens; Livingston for All Ages Committee; Arts Council of Livingston; Camuso Collection Preservation Committee; Committee for Diversity and Inclusion; Consumer Affairs Committee; Fourth of July Celebration Committee; Green Team; Livingston Animal Shelter Committee; Livingston Municipal Alliance; Livingston Public Broadcasting Committee and Executive Board; Local Emergency Planning Council; Parade Day Committee; Recycling and Reclamation Committee; Social Justice Advocacy Committee; Technology Committee; Trails and Greenways Committee; Township Golf Tournament Committee; Vision 20/20 Committee; and Welcome to Livingston Committee.
Additionally, Jarrid Kantor was appointed township attorney; William Williams was named municipal court judge; Michael Berliner was appointed assistant township attorney; and Marc Garfinkle was named municipal public defender. Assistant municipal prosecutors and public defenders were also appointed.
For the Planning Board, Ed Meinhardt, class III member, one year; Lauren Tabak Fass, class IV member, four years; Shawn Partin, alternate number one, one year; and Jill Wishnew, alternate number two, two years, were appointed.
For the Zoning Board, Michael Affrunti, four years; Ketan Bhuptani, two years; Kalpesh Kenia, one year; Vineeta Khanna, three years; Sherri Marrache, one year; Todd Sherman, alternate, number one, one year; Hong Yuan, alternate number two, two years, were appointed.
Council Speeches
The meeting closed, as it always does, with speeches from each of the Council members and township manager Barry Lewis. To hear the full speeches, the entire meeting will be broadcast on LTV. It should also be added to the Livingston Township, NJ YouTube page, though it was not yet available at press time.
Lewis thanked the town’s employees for keeping Livingston running and told the Council he looked forward to working with them in 2024.
“To have such dedicated, knowledgeable, hard working residents willing to sit on the Council,” Lewis said, “all for the betterment of the community... I look forward to another year of working together.”
Vieira recognized some of Livingston’s 2023 accomplishments and thanked all of Livingston’s volunteers. He noted that much of the Council’s year was spent dealing with Fair Share Housing’s “unrealistic” requirements put upon the town. He also mentioned the LTV’s new “Inside Livingston” show; a low 1.82 percent tax increase (“A great post-COVID accomplishment not seen by many towns.”); the fact that Livingston will receive $6.5 million for PFAS remediation; continued discussion of the pools; improved livestreaming of Council meetings; working collaboratively with the Board of Education; attending 38 ribbon cuttings and business anniversaries; and bringing Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s office to Livingston Town Hall as notable 2023 accomplishments.
Vieira also announced the introduction of a Volunteer Fire and First Aid Recognition and Incentive program. He said the Council has a goal of providing $300,000 over the next few years to the town ’ s volunteer first responders. The goal of theprogram, aside from recognizing deserving residents, is to attract more first responders to the organizations and keep the Livingston Fire Department a volunteer organization. A paid fire department, Vieira said, would cost the taxpayers more than $ 10 million.
“I now know the feeling that every mayor in Livingston feels. I’mgoing to miss that title,” Vieira said. “But I realize a title doesn’t make the person. I feel no different; I will not act any differently. I will continue to serve the residents of Livingston as I have since 2019. I’m proud of the reputation I have for answering every phone call and email I receive and trying to be in every place at every time and at every event. So, as I go back to the title of councilman, I know the title doesn’t make me. I am going to continue doing the same as I have for the past five years, which is serving the Livingston community.”
Council member Klein listed some additional accomplishments in his speech, including purchasing license plate readers to aid the Livingston Police Department in stopping crimes and introducing green building requirements for developers seeking PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes).
“The Town Council has much to do in 2024,” Klein noted. “Especially concerning pools.”
Council member Rosy Bagolie’s remarks doubled as a sendoff before she leaves for her new role later this month in the state Assembly.
“Our work involved making tough decisions... in pursuit of a greater good,” Bagolie said. “It has been an incredible honor to serve this community... you are the reason I will be serving the 27th district for this state” Meinhardt wished a prosperous New Year to Livingston’s residents.
“In this year, may we enjoy good health, love of family, and peace among the people in the world,” Meinhardt said. “May God bless the United States of America and all the residents of our town.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, Anthony said it was an honor to be selected mayor for a third term.
“Asmostofyouknow,I liketoroll up my sleeves and get things done,” Anthony said. “As a community, I think we can accomplish anything.”
Anthony said that he has some “long-awaited projects” that he would like to get done this year, including constructing the new Department of Public Works building on Industrial Parkway.
“There’s no excuse not to get a new garage built this year,” he said.
Anthony also mentioned acquiring more Open Space land; continuing to improve Riker Hill Art Park; and finding a spot in town to prompt and support the arts as other objectives.
“It’s time to get things moving again that we want to do,” Anthony said. “Let’s get things moving and let’s get things done.”
