During the Monday, February 5, meeting of the Township Council, the members passed a resolution naming Ketan Bhuptani to the Council. His appointment made history, as he became the first Asian American and Indian American person to ever be named to Livingston’s Council.
Bhuptani’s name was submitted by the Livingston Democratic County Committee – along with Laurence Bergmann and James McIlvaine – to replace Rosy Bagolie, who left the Council after one year to join the state Assembly.
Deputy Mayor Ed Meinhardt nominated Bhuptani, with Mayor Al Anthony seconding the nomination. The resolution was unanimously passed by the four Council members, who all spoke fondly of Bhuptani prior to the vote.
“Ketan, tonight you will make history in Livingston by being the first Council member of Asian American descent,” Council member Michael Vieira said.
“The words that come to mind when I think about you, is you are a kind person. I think you’re a generous person. You are smart and you’re motivated. You are committed to community organizing,” Council member Shawn Klein said. “I am proud to support you.”
“I have been looking forward to this day for many, many years,” Deputy Mayor Ed Meinhardt said. “You are a dedicated, caring, communityminded individual who shares great knowledge to this town and I know will serve this town with pride and with great distinction.”
“I am so looking forward to working with you on the Council,” Mayor Al Anthony said. “You do so much for the town, you love the town, the town loves you.”
Bhuptani thanked Bergmann and McIlvaine for submitting their names for consideration alongside him, as well as the many people who helped him on his road to becoming a Council member. He also said it was “really an honor” to be the firstAsian American on Livingston’s Council.
“This town runs on volunteers… Now in this role, I look forward to more opportunities,” Bhuptani said. “This role is about the residents, the quality of life, how do we improve that, and I plan to do just that.”
Essex County commissioner Pat Sebold, several past and former members of the Livingston Board of Education, and many residents publicly congratulated Bhuptani during the meeting.
“It is a humbling experience to hear all of you speak,” Bhuptani said.
Bhuptani will hold the seat through 2024, and he may run in a special election this November to retain it for the remaining two years of the term should he choose to do so. Bagolie’s term expires on December 31, 2026.
