The Livingston Township Council, at its regular meeting on Monday, February 13, passed several resolutions, one ordinance, and introduced two additional ordinances. The resolutions addressed several topics, including supporting a state bill to study reparations and construction of the to-be-built new Department of Public Works building.
The meeting was the first one to be livestreamed through the new setup at Town Hall, designed to improve audio and video quality.
Ordinance Passes
The Council unanimously passed its first ordinance of2023, amending the township code by creating chapter 327, titled “Liability Insurance for Business Owners and Rental Unit Owners.” The ordinance requires these owners to maintain such insurances to protect township residents.
Ordinances Introduced
An ordinance was introduced to amend the township code to allow student representatives to be appointed to the Livingston Environmental Commission. Students must attend Livingston High School or be a resident attending another accredited high school to be eligible for the one-year term.
A second ordinance was introduced, which would amend chapter 170 section 113 D-S of the township code. That section of the code establishes permitted uses in the designed shopping center district zone. The additional text to be added to the code reads: “not more than 15,000 square feet of space for providing continuing education, training or orientation for persons in the healthcare field.”
Both ordinances will have a second hearing during the Monday, February 27, Council meeting.
Reparations
A resolution was passed affirming the Council’s support of a state bill to establish the “New Jersey Reparations Task Force,” which would seek to study and develop reparations proposals for Black people in New Jersey. A copy of the resolution will be sent to members of New Jersey’s 27th legislative district, as well as the State Senate President and State Assembly Speaker.
There was public comment for and against the passage of this resolution, with the majority in strong support of it, including representatives from the League of Women Voters, Livingston Justice, and Rabbi David Vaisberg of Temple B’nai Abraham.
DPW Facility
A resolution was passed to authorize the use of a “design-build” process for the development and construction of the future Department of Public Works facility on block 102, lot 12 on the Livingston tax maps, which is a section of Industrial Parkway.
The “design-build” project delivery process is expected to facilitate a shorter overall process when compared to a “design-bid-build” process, according to the resolution. This is because it is expected to reduce the likelihood of work stoppages and change orders that would lengthen the construction time.
“Hopefully that will start to pick up steam and we will see something coming out of the ground later this year,” township manager Barry Lewis said.
The resolution notes that the project is expected to cost in excess of $5,000,000.
Redevelopment
Aresolution was passed designating Brightview Senior Livings as the redeveloper of block 3100, lot 56 on the township tax maps. Commonly known as 321 South Livingston Avenue and currently the site of the West Essex YMCA, the resolution also authorizes the execution of a redeveloper’s agreement.
The redeveloper proposes to expand housing opportunities to service seniors by constructing a fourstory assisted living community, approximately 170,000 gross square feet. There would be approximately 150 units for seniors who wish to remain within the community, in addition to certain related on-site and off-site improvements.
Other Resolutions
A resolution was passed to permit alcohol in designated areas at the Oval for two events this year. The first event is Summerfest, from noon to 4 p.m. on June 4, with a rain date of September 10. The second event is the Fourth of July, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
An affordable housing agreement was reached with Community Options, which has contracted to purchase property at 43 Wychwood Road with the intention of using it as “supportive and special needs housing for individuals who have a developmental disability.” In compliance with the township’s obligation to provide low and moderate income housing, the resolution affirms a financial commitment from the town to help. Specifically, the town will provide a grant of $600,000 through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Another resolution was passed to permit the town to accept a $32,400 grant from the state under the Safe and Secure Communities Program.
Contracts
The Council approved several contracts during the meeting.
A$118,280 contract was issued to H2M associates for a panel replacement at the town’s water pollution control facility.
A contract was issued to Beacon Planning and Consulting Services for professional planning consultant services for $15,000. In addition to that sum, the company will also be paid for services charged to escrow accounts on applicants with business before the Planning Board and Zoning Board.
A $1,846,514.50 contract was issued to DLS Contracting for road improvements.
A contract was granted to Antonelli Kantor Rivera for affordable housing counsel at a rate of $165 per hour in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
Executive Session
In a closed executive session at end of the meeting, the Council was expected to discuss litigation related to the Livingston Advisory Committee on Disabilities (LACD); Fair Share Housing, related litigation, and the March compliance hearing; contract negotiations related to Habitat for Humanity; potential litigation related to public use of township spaces and resources in regard to public speech and sculptures; and contract negotiations related to professional services.
In updating the public on the closed topics, township attorney Jarrid Kantor noted that an October 2023 trial date has been set for litigation involving former township manager Michele Meade.
