During the Monday, November 25, Township Council meeting, officials approved several items, including emergency funding for the new Department of Public Works facility. The Council also introduced an ordinance that would pave the way for dogs to be permitted around the Oval.
At the start of the meeting, Sanskriti ofNew Jersey made a donation to the Livingston Fire Department.
The township also recently receivedits Sustainable Jersey Bronzelevel certification for the first time since 2013, and Connor Sweeny, who led the initiative for the town as an intern for the past two years, was honored with a citation for his work.
Ordinances Introduced
The Council introduced two ordinances on first reading during the meeting.
An ordinance was introduced to amend Bond Ordinance 26-2024, which had initially been adopted on September 23.
The amendment to the ordinance deletes thereference of“$7,050,000” for the appropriation and estimated cost and “$6,700,000” for the estimated maximum amount of bonds or notes. In its place would be the figures “$22,000,000” and “$20,900,000,” respectively. Also deleted would be the reference to “$350,000” for the down payment required by the Local Bond Law, instead substituting “$1,100,000.” Additionally to be deletedis a reference of “$2,000,000” for the Section 20 costs, substituting “$7,000,000.”
Another ordinance was introduced that would allow the Council to expand the public areas where people may walk their dogs in town. After this ordinance is approved, the plan is to allow additional dog access around the Oval.
“I think that dogs should be allowed to come out with their owners and enjoy our park space,” said Council member Shawn Klein, who suggested the idea for the ordinance at a previous meeting.
Both ordinances will have final hearings during the Monday, December 9, Council meeting.
DPW Funding
An emergency resolution was passed to pay for a down payment on the design and build of the new Department of Public Works (DPW) facility on Industrial Parkway.
The down payment is $1.1 million, and the amount available in the Capital Improvement Fund is $433,593.45. Therefore, the Council approved an emergency appropriation of $666,406.55, which will be provided for in the 2025 budget.
Opioid Settlement
The township has reached an interlocal agreement to pool proceeds from a national opioid litigation settlement.
Throughout 2023, Essex County reported 615 drug-related overdose deaths, which ranked it first in New Jersey based on New Jersey Department of Health reports. In 2022, the county had 450 suspected drug deaths, with 429 of the deaths including fentanyl and fentanyl analogs listed in the decedent’s toxicology report. In the same year, Essex County had2,695 naloxone administrations, which ranked it first in New Jersey in the use of naloxone by law enforcement or Emergency Medical Services The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the total “economic burden” of prescription opioid misuse alone in the (Continued on Page A-6) United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the cost of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement. As a result, Essex County, among other local governments in New Jersey, joined with thousands of other local governments across the country to file lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical distribution companies to hold those companies accountable for their misconduct.
The township received its Sustainable Jersey Bronze-level certification for the first time since 2013, and Connor Sweeny, who led the initiative for the town as an intern for the past two years, was honored with a citation. MI Photo
Representatives of the State of New Jersey and local New Jersey governments negotiated settlements on behalf of the State of New Jersey and local governments within the state to provide for equitable distribution of proceeds resulting from the national settlement.
Under this agreement, Livingston’s settlement proceeds will be directed to the National Opioid Settlement Funds to the County; in return, the county will re-direct opioid settlement proceeds to Livingston as needed.
Deferred Compensation
The Council adopted a deferred compensation plan for the township. The purpose of the plan is to attract and retain qualified employees and accrue tax benefits to eligible employees through participation in the plan.
There is no cost for the township to implement the plan, which the resolution states “serves the interest of the local governmental unit by enabling it to provide enhanced retirement security to its eligible employees.”
Contracts
A change order was approved for Mott MacDonald. The contract was initially for $69,600, for professional engineering services for the detailed evaluation of the town’s sanitary sewer main. Due to field conditions related to the drought requiring additional services, the change order increases the contract by $32,900, for a new total of $102,500.
A $13,281 contract was awarded to FDR Hitches for the purchase of a Car Mate 822C-CT trailer.
Aone-year contract extension was granted to PDM group, effective on January 1, 2025. The company handles the maintenance and repair of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for the town.
A $211,830 contract was awarded to Colliers Engineering and Design. The contract is for professional engineering services for the township’s aerial and planimetric service update.
The Council authorized the sale of 42 solar renewable energy certificates.
A$730,000 contract was awarded to Derstine, for the replacement of a tank skimmer at the Water Pollution Control Facility.
$20,000 in 2024 swimming pool budget appropriations of the Pool Utility Operating Fund was canceled, as the balance was unexpended.
Appointment
Cori Chiarolonzio was appointed to the Local Assistance Board, fulfilling an unexpired term of four years that is set to end on December 31, 2026.
Developer’s Agreement
The Council planned to authorize the execution of a developer’s agreement with A&M Partnership for a 6,166 acre property that is identified as Block 107, Lot 8.011 on Livingston’s tax maps. However, since certain exhibits were not included in the public agenda in time for the meeting, the Council agreed to not pass it on Monday, as it was not deemed to be a time-sensitive matter.
The agreement affects all or a portion of real estate located along the eastern side of Eisenhower Parkway between NaylonAvenue to the north and Executive Parkway to the south.
The developer plans to construct a four-story multi-family residential building. There will be three stories of residential dwelling units and resident amenities over a one story parking garage. In all there will be 71 residential dwelling units.
CDBG Hearing
During the meeting, the first of two Essex County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) hearings was held. The hearing was to suggest certain improvements in town which can be funded through this grant. Senior buses and improvements to the pools have been aided by this type of grant in the past.
There was no public comment, but Council member Ketan Bhuptani suggested using the grant to add ADA compliant parking spaces in town. Council member Shawn Klein agreed, and suggested adding spaces around the Oval. Deputy township manager Russ Jones suggested improving the automatic doors at the Senior/Community Center.
The second hearing will be held during the Monday, December 9, meeting.
December Meetings
The next Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 9. The final meeting of the year, currently scheduled for Monday, December 16, is expected to be changed to Wednesday, December 18.
