During its Tuesday, May 28, meeting, the Township Council issued several proclamations to celebrate the achievements of residents.
“It’s a night of the stars in Livingston,” Mayor A1 Anthony said.
Mary Ann Apostolico, an employee of Livingston’s Building Department, was honored as TACO (Technical Assistant Construction Official) of the Year.
Pasquale Campanile was also lauded as Livingston’s UNICAN of the Year, by both the Council and Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie.
Rayna Stem discussed Orange Ribbons for Jaime, an organization named after Jaime Guttenberg, a 14-year-old girl who was murdered along with 16 others during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018. The foundation supports causes that were important to Jaime, including donations to performing arts, anti-bullying groups, and supporting children with special needs. Stern has been raising money for the organization since 2019, when she started doing so as a Bat Mitzvah project. In April, she raised over $25,000 from a gala.
On a related note, the Council acknowledged June 7 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, as it does each year. Laurie Khan, vice president of advocacy for the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), and Rebecca Grossman, director of advocacy for the NCJW, accepted the proclamation.
May 29,2024, was named Vineeta Khanna Day in Livingston and May 28, 2024 was named George Shen Day, in honor of the former Board of Education members. The dates align with May’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Both Khanna and Shen helped organize an AAPI picnic that was held the previous weekend. At the last meeting, the Council issued a proclamation recognizing the month, as well. Both were also honored by the Essex County Board of Commissioners earlier this month.
The Livingston Committee for Diversity andlnclusion (LCDI) also discussedpast and future events in town. Committee co-chairmen Harsh Raju and Andrew Miller explained what the LCDI does for the community. In June, the organizaation will host a Pride picnic, and recognize Women Veterans’ Day and Juneteenth.
Resolutions
There were no ordinances listed on the agenda for introduction or final hearing.
Two resolutions were passed. The first authorized the sale of a surplus vehicle through the online auction service Municibid. The vehicles are SUVs that were used by the Livingston Police Department.
The second resolution authorized a New Jersey Historic Trust grant application. Should the grant be awarded, the resolution states that the town will commit $370,750 in matching funds to complete the project that was submitted for a grant.
Closed Session
In a closed executive session between the conference and regular meetings, the Council was expected to discuss contract negotiations, Fair Share Housing, Harvest Lane, Hobart Gap Road, the Route 10 former Lexus site, and potential litigation.
