For the first time since January of 2020, pomp and circumstance returned to the Livingston Senior/ Community Center for the annual Township Council reorganization meeting. It was standing room only in the building, as several Council members were sworn in, a new mayor was named, and dozens of residents were appointed to township committees.
Councilwoman Bagolie
Rosy Bagolie was sworn in as Livingston’s newest Council member after winning the seat alongside incumbents Shawn Klein and Ed Meinhardt, who all took the oath of office for their four-year terms. Representative Mikie Sherrill, who was a witness for each of the oaths, also spoke; she was set to be sworn into office herself the following day after winning her re-election campaign in November.
Mayor Vieira
Michael Vieira was sworn in as Livingston’s mayor for 2023 after think of Michael is generous,” Klein a unanimous vote from the rest of said in nominating him for the posithe Council. tion. “He is exactly what Livingston “The first word I think of when I (Continued on Page A-6) needs.”
Bagolie seconded the nomination, “I know he will continue to (do what is asked of him) and make an exceptional mayor to Livingston.”
Vieira gifted Meinhardt, the outgoing mayor, a large picture of the two of them, and a University of Michigan lunch box with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a banana. He also made a $500 donation to the Horseneck Riding Club in Meinhardt’s name. Meinhardt was also given a gavel with his name inscribed on it, signifying his year as mayor.
Deputy Mayor Anthony
Al Anthony was tapped as deputy mayor for the year following a unanimous vote. Now the longest tenured Council member at the start of his 11th year, he was previously mayor in 2016 and 2019, and also deputy mayor twice before.
“He is well-loved and respected by everyone in the town and in the community at large,” Meinhardt said in nominating him. “Livingston will be very fortunate to have Al Anthony as deputy mayor in 2023.”
Bagolie, in seconding the nomination, credited Anthony with encouraging her to run for her Council seat and “bring a bit of change to this Council.”
Fernandez Honored
The Council also honored Rudy Fernandez, former mayor and Council member, along with his wife, Pat. Fernandez retired at the end of 2022 following 14 years on the Council, including three terms as mayor. Fernandez, who will remain a member of the Planning Board, was given the “key to Livingston” upon his departure.
“I am humbled. It’s truly an honor to work with these Council members,” Fernandez said. “Thank you very much. I am going to miss the Monday meetings, but I will be watching.”
Appointments
All committee appointments were approved by a unanimous Council vote. The committees included the Open Space Trust Committee; Livingston Community Partnership Management Corporation; Ad Hoc Licari and Strahman Tracts Committee; Advisory Committee on Holiday Decorations; Advisory Committee for Disabilities; Advisory Committee on Transportation; Advisory Committee on Senior Citizens; Livingston for All Ages Committee;Arts Council of Livingston; Blue Ribbon Committee on the Redevelopment of the Livingston Mall; Camuso Collection Preservation Committee; Committee for Diversity and Inclusion; Consumer Affairs Committee; Fourth of July Celebration Committee; Green Team; LivingstonAnimal Shelter Committee; Livingston Municipal Alliance; Livingston Public Broadcasting Committee and Executive Board; Local Emergency Planning Council; Parade Day Committee; Recycling and Reclamation Committee; Social Justice Advocacy Committee; Technology Committee; Trails and Greenways Committee; Township Golf Tournament Committee; Vision 20/20 Committee; and Welcome to Livingston Committee.
Additionally, Jarrid Kantor was appointed township attorney; Michael Berliner was appointed assistant township attorney; and Marc Garfinkle was appointed municipal public defender.Assistant municipal prosecutors and public defenders were also appointed.
For the Planning Board, Richard Dinar (Class IV, four year term), Rudy Fernandez (Class IV, four year term), and Rosy Bagolie (Class III, one year term) were appointed.
For the Zoning Board, Pearl Hwang (four year term) and Ketan Bhuptani (alternate 1, two year term) were appointed.
Council Speeches
The meeting closed, as it always does with speeches from each of the Council members and township manager Barry Lewis. To hear the full speeches, go to the Livingston Township, NJ Facebook page, where the entire meeting is posted.
“I am grateful to live in a community where our residents and neighbors prove time and time again how much we care about one another,” Meinhardt said.
Council member Klein said that, “It is an enormous honor to serve in this special place that we all love.” He also discussed the importance of the town’s rotation of mayors in keeping Livingston strong, as no one Council member is more powerful and it keeps the leader of the town fresh each year.
“If everyone in Livingston knows they will get their turn,” Klein said, “then everyone will keep their eye on the ball.”
“I certainly know I have big shoes to fill,” Bagolie said, referencing Fernandez. “I refer to Livingston as a giving community, and this generosity gives us our strength… I am so proud of Livingston, I believe in our future, and I am so proud to be your councilwoman” Deputy Mayor Anthony said he is looking forward to serving the residents in the upcoming year.
“These ten years have shown you can really make a difference on the Council,” Anthony said. “With hard work and relationships, you can make a difference up here.”
Mayor Vieira thanked the Council for the honor of selecting him to be mayor.
“Who could have imagined that a kid from Orange, raised in Orange, could have the opportunity to become mayor of Livingston?” Vieira said. “As a Council member since 2019, I have always spoken about how great (Livingston) is… we come together as one community… that’s what makes Livingston so special.”
Vieira dedicated his mayoral term to the community and all who contribute to it.
Township manager Barry Lewis said it was the “best professional decision of my life to come here” to Livingston nearly five years ago and that he “looks forward to working with everyone to make 2023 another successful year.”
Some of the goals listed by Council members during the meeting included working in tandem with the school district, finally opening the new Department of Public Works building, consolidating and refurbishing the township pools, utilizing Open Space land, and permitting some or all classes of cannabis.
