During the Monday, October 14, Township Council meeting, members introduced a “film ready” ordinance andpassed several resolutions, including one designating the Livingston Mall as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment.
BID Presentation
At the start of the meeting, Beth Lippman, director of the Livingston Business Improvement District (BID), updated the Council on its recent initiatives. She said the town will welcome 24 new businesses in 2024.
Deputy mayor Ed Meinhardt suggested that Lippman host a town hall meeting with business owners to hear suggestions on what they would like from the BID. He noted that he has been told by some business owners that they do not understand what the BID does and the value it brings to the town, just that it is something they pay into.
Meinhardt added that the BID should entice people to shop in Livingston.
“I never hear that kind of buzz,” he said.
“Film Ready” Ordinance
The Council introduced an ordinance to replace the entirety of chapter 135 of the township code to establish “film ready” standards for motion picture filming in Livingston. This “film ready” certification is expected to entice more productions to film in town.
Among the standards included is the need for insurance for injury or damages, as well as setting permit and filming fees. A filming fee of $250 per day will be set for use of public lands; that fee would be increased to $500 per day on a “major motion picture,” defined as a production with a budget of over $5 million.
This ordinance is expected to have its final hearing during the Monday, October 28, meeting.
Livingston Mall
During the September 9 Council meeting, a resolution was passed to revise a previously-passedresolution authorizing a preliminary investigation into the potential redevelopment of the Livingston Mall, 112 Eisenhower Parkway. The revision states that the properties to be investigated by the Planning Board are block 6002, lots 1 (including additional Lot 1.02) and 1.01. This area covers roughly 60 acres of land located adjacent to the mall, between Eisenhower Parkway and Walnut Street.
Following review from the Planning Board on September 17, a subsequent resolution was passed during the October 14 Council meeting, designating the mall as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment.
Issues with the mall have been increasing with greater frequency in recent months.Township manager Barry Lewis noted that the power was shut off at the mall last Friday by JCP&L due to nonpayment; it was the second time such a threat was imminent and the first time the power company had to go through with shutting it off in order to be paid.
Livingston Mall
“It’s indicative of a larger problem, which is the reason we are going through (with this process),” Lewis said. “The township continues to do everything within our power.”
The property will also be in tax sale due to delinquent payment of taxes as of October 30, and Livingston’s code enforcement continues to fine the mall’s owners, according to Lewis.
“We certainly understand the residents’ frustration and we share it,” Lewis said. “And we will just continue to do everything within our power and legally available means to address the situation.”
In a closed executive session at the end of the meeting, the Council was expected to discuss litigation involving the mall, as well.
Redevelopment Plan
Aresolution was passed to authorize the preparation of a redevelopment plan for block 101, lots 3 and 4 on the township tax maps. The area is commonly known as 576-586 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue. Formerly a car lot, it is currently vacant.
The property on the land is over 50 years old and in need of repair and substantial maintenance, according to a report by the township engineer.
Beacon Planning and Consulting Services will prepare the plan.
Council member Shawn Klein recused himself from this vote, due to a conflict of interest because of a familial relationship. The other four Council members passed it unanimously.
Pool Contract
LAN Associates was hired to evaluate the options and provide cost estimates for building a new township pool. The contract – for professional engineering, planning, and architectural services to prepare the proposal – was for $127,845.
Other Contracts
The Council approved a $512,604 contract with Hudson County Motors for the purchase of three Western Star trucks.
A one-year contract extension was granted to Hawk Graphics – at a unit price of $.039 per standard envelope and $.0274 per page – for printing services for the quarterly mailing of water department regulatory notices.
Additional Resolutions
An agreement was reached between Livingston’s Water and Sewer Utility Departments and the state relating to a construction project on Route 10 between Chelsea Drive and Kelly Drive. The agreement concerns a state construction project that may affect Livingston’s existing utility facilities and systems in the area.
A conservation restriction was authorized for the Water Pollution Control Facility (block 100, lot 52 in the township tax maps). This will restrict subsequent development of the area.
The Council canceled outstanding sidewalk program charges for two properties in town – block 4009, lot 1 (West Northfield Road), and block 4901, lot 23 (the corner of Byron Place and Ridge Drive). In the first instance, the sidewalk had been removed due to a water main project; in the second the property had been sold to a new owner but the township had inadvertently failed to include the outstanding balance in its report provided to the buyer’s attorney.
The Council also authorized the sale of surplus vehicles and grounds equipment through the online auction service, Municibid. A separate resolution authorized the disposition of surplus desktop computers.
Purchases were also authorized to be made under both the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey Purchasing Program and the North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System.
DPW Building
Township manager Lewis said that work on the new Department of Public Works facility on Industrial Parkway is progressing.
The town has received proposals from four design-build teams, and will conduct interviews with them in early November, Lewis said.
The plan is to award a contract to one of them during the November 12 Council meeting, so construction on the new DPW building can begin by the end of the year.
Composting Initiative
Shradha Prakash, on behalf of the Livingston Recycling Committee, spoke to the Council during the conference meeting about starting a composting initiative in town.
Prakash said that there would be two composting options. The first would be a sponsored municipal drop-off, in which the town pays $500 per month to operate it. The second would be a hosted drop-off, in which the town would pay a one-time setup of $250, then help enlist residents to participate. With this option, the cost would then go to the participating residents for a few dollars per week; at least 15 residents would need to participate for it to work.
The Livingston school district is already participating with the same company proposed by Prakash, Java Compost, so the Council members suggested seeing if residents could join that contract to save money. The Council also seemed amenable to trying the first option on a six month contract to gauge the interest among residents.
