During its meeting on Tuesday, April 30, the Livingston Township Council passed several resolutions, introduced one ordinance, and tabled three others.
At the start of the regular meeting, Mayor A1 Anthony recognized April 23 through 26 as Municipal Clerk’s Week, specifically honoring Livingston clerk Carolyn Mazzucco. The Council also recognized May 5 through 11 as Public Service Recognition week.
Resolutions
Mihir Shah was appointed as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, filling an unexpired term of two years, ending December 31,2025.
A 24-month contract extension was reached with Faircut Services, LLC, to furnish, deliver, and install trees in town.
A resolution was passed stating that Livingston declines participation in the emergency building inspection program until further notice. The option is available to all municipalities, and township manager Barry Lewis stated that not participating is the more economical choice for Livingston. Ordinance Introduced
An ordinance was introduced to update the Township Code’s uniform fees for construction codes. Among the changes are new $95 set fees for hot water boilers, steam boilers, furnaces, commercial air conditioning, and hot water heaters.
This ordinance will have its second hearing during the May 13 meeting.
Ordinances Tabled
An ordinance that was scheduled (Continued on Page A-5) (Continued from Page A-1) to have its final hearing during the meeting will instead have its final hearing at the next Council meeting, on May 13. The ordinance would amend the town’s Zoning map to reflect the merger of the conveyed land in regard to the Brightview Senior Living agreement that had been approved at last month’s Council meeting.
Due to conflicts of interest related to the YMCA, Mayor Al Anthony and Deputy Mayor Ed Meinhardt recused themselves from voting on this ordinance. Because Council member Michael Vieira was also not present at the meeting, the Council lacked a quorum to vote on the ordinance.
The Brightview agreement is expected to pave the way for 150 senior housing units to be built at the current location of the West Essex YMCA. As per the terms of that agreement, part of the Town Hall property at 357 South LivingstonAvenue (Block 3100, Lot 55) will be conveyed to an expanded lot 56 on the same block, adjacent to the property. The entirety of the expanded Block 3100, Lot 56 shall be located within the P-B Zone and be subject to the previouslyapproved redevelopment plan for the property.
Another ordinance, to amend the Township Code concerning certificates of occupancy, was also tabled and will now have its final hearing on May 13.According to the ordinance, a certificate of occupancy currently needs to be applied to reoccupy any existing building or premises, other than a residential building. Should this pass, a new tenant certificate will instead be required.
An additional ordinance was once again tabled to 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, according to the ordinance.
The ordinance was tabled at the previous five Council meetings, after resident Tim Foley stated that it would be unfair for residents to have to be responsible for maintaining the part of the property that the town owns, but that the town would not be responsible for repairs if town workers damage it.
The Council had agreed to hold off on the ordinance until they discussed it with the town engineering department, who had proposed it, to hear the rationale behind it. It will next be heard at the May 13 Council meeting.
Closed Session
At the start of the conference meeting, which began prior to the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., the Council immediately went into a closed session for over an hour to discuss litigation and Fair Share Housing.
The conference meeting resumed in an open public session at about 7:45 p.m. The regular meeting then began at 8:30 p.m.
