During the Monday, February 5, Township Council meeting, Captain John Drumm was honored by the Council. Drumm retired at the end of January after working more than 34 years with the Livingston Police Department. February 5, 2024, was named John Drumm Day in his honor.
Each member of the Council, township manager Barry Lewis, deputy township manager Russ Jones, and township attorney Jarrid Kantor all spoke fondly of Drumm, saying that he was a friend and that the Livingston community would miss him.
Chief of Police Gary Marshuetz called Drumm a brother over the past five years. In September of 2018, he was sworn in as chief at the same time that Drumm was named captain along with Tom Smith, who will also retire from the department in a few months. Marshuetz noted that it was a pivotal time for the department, citing challenges in recent years that have included the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, which put the Livingston community on high alert; dangerous flooding; and navigating the COVID pandemic.
“It was fate that three humble individuals just happened to take the reins at that point in time,” Chief Marshuetz said. “We worked together as a team and I’ll be indebted to (Captain Drumm) forever.”
Ordinance Passes
The Council passed an ordinance to amend the township code to establish re-inspection fees for any limited food establishment, public eating establishment or food establishment identified in Section D (1), D (2) or D (3). The first re-inspection will be $75 and subsequent re-inspections will be $150. Council member Ketan Bhuptani, who was sworn in earlier in the meeting but was not present when the ordinance was first introduced, abstained from the vote; the other four members approved it unanimously.
Ordinances Introduced
The Livingston Township Council introduced five new ordinances during the meeting.
The first ordinance would amend the township code on streets and sidewalks by adding verbiage regarding damage to structures and improvements within the right of way.
Under the ordinance, neither the Township of Livingston nor its contractors would be responsible for the replacement or repair of any damage caused by public maintenance, repair or improvement activities to private structures or improvements placed within the public right-ofways, including fences, retaining or decorative walls, landscaping, sprinkler pipes or heads, lamp posts or lighting, and private electrical conduits, as well as improperly installed mailboxes. An exception would be made for “legally placed” mailboxes.
Another ordinance would designate as stop intersections the intersection of CIT Drive (Eisenhower Parkway Extension) and Volunteer Way, and Peach Tree Hill Road and Volunteer Way. If the ordinance is approved, stop signs will be installed on Volunteer Way at each intersection.
A third ordinance would add a section, “Rules Applicable to All Committees,” to the township code regarding board, commissions, and committees. The new section will define, and establish guidelines for, student membership on committees.
Under the proposed ordinance, student members would include either: Livingston High School students, or residents of the township currently enrolled in an accredited high school program. Student members of a township committee would be appointed by the committee members, and would be allowed to participate in committee matters assigned by, and under the supervision of, the committee chairperson. The term of a student member would be determined by the committee members.
The above three ordinances will be subject to final public hearing at the Council’s February 26 meeting.
Also approved on first reading was an ordinance amending the township code on “deer fences” regarding materials. Under the proposed ordinance, a deer fence, which may not be taller than 96 inches at its highest point, may now be constructed of black chain link as well as the previously approved black polypropylene mesh. The size of the openings in the fence may not be more than 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches and shall not be less than 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches. A deer fence may be installed parallel to a side or rear lot line of a property in a residence district when such a line abuts undeveloped property not less than two acres in size.
Also introduced was a bond ordinance providing for an appropriation of $5,475,000 for various townshiprelated improvements, computer communication system upgrades; and reconstruction and renovations to public buildings and facilities. These renovations will include replacement of the roof at the Fire Department and repainting of its building; renovation and replacement of gas tanks at Town Hall and the Fire Department; replacement and building improvements, parks, playgrounds and Senior, Youth, and Leisure Services (SYLS) facilities; and acquisitions of, and repairs to, township vehicles.
The deer fence and bond ordinance will be subject to final hearings on March 11.
Pool Contract
A $19,375 contract was awarded to LAN Associates to provide professional engineering, planning and architectural services in evaluating and providing cost estimates for options regarding the township pools.
“This is the beginning of what’s going to be a long-term project for this town, reevaluating the pools,” Deputy Mayor Ed Meinhardt said. “This Council is committed to finding a solution to the pool situation that has not been touched by our previous Councils for probably the last 50 years. The can has been kicked down the road as far as possible. It is now this Council’s responsibility to start working on it.”
Other Contracts
Two additional contracts were approved in separate resolutions.
R&R Trucking was awarded a 24 month contract, effective March 1, at a cost of $45 per 1,000 gallons for the removal and off-site disposal of liquid sludge.
Stanziale Construction, LLC was awarded a contract, in an amount not to exceed $670,413.60, for road improvements.
Water Report Amendment
A resolution consenting to a proposed amendment to the Water Quality Management Plan that accounts for the Collins Brook Estates development was passed. The report and amendment were prepared by Casey and Keller, Inc.
Wine and Beer Sales
Another resolution authorized the consumption of beer and wine to be sold by an authorized vendor for the township’s Independence Day celebration on July 4 and Summerfest, scheduled for June 9. Both events will take place at the Oval in Memorial Park.
Budget Appropriations
The Council approved a resolution authorizing emergency temporary appropriations in the amount of $2,472,650.
The amount will fund contracts, commitments and payments that need to be made prior to the 2024 budget adoption.
All resolutions were approved on a 4-0 vote, with Bhuptani abstaining since he was sworn in during the meeting.
Closed Session
In a closed executive session at the end of the regular meeting, the Council was expected to discuss tax appeals, open litigation, land contracts related to the pools, and redevelopment contract negotiations.
