Livingston New Jersey news

While we are on the topic of pedestrian safety, and now that spring has finally sprung, it is time for many residents to address what has become a growing issue in town over the past few years – sidewalks.

Cracked, uneven, overgrown and otherwise damaged sidewalks are unsafe. Depending on the level of damage, individuals might be likely to trip and fall due to the unevenness of the surface. We at the Tribune can attest to this, with staff members having had their fair share of tumbles. In some parts of town, we even choose to walk and run in the street over what could be considered a “sidewalk” in name only, and is actually closer to a pile of rubble. Students walking to school on these same roads are forced to do the same, making this a dangerous and pressing situation for our youth.

Livingston’s annual “Pick It Up! ” community clean-up day will be held this weekend, on Sunday, May 5, from 9 to 11 a.m.

“Pick It Up Livingston is a great way to show your love for our town,” said Council member Shawn Klein who first launched the event in the community. “There will be hundreds of your neighbors coming together to keep Livingston beautiful. Come join us with your family, neighbors, and friends.”

“Pick It Up!” will offer a safe, fun way for residents to help keep Livingston beautiful by clearing litter from designated outdoor spaces. Volunteers can also earn community service hours for their participation.

Participants must sign up online, either as individuals or with a group, to volunteer to pick up and sort trash and recyclables at one of 11 specific clean-up areas. Location team leaders will advise volunteers on additional details and provide clean-up supplies.

The Livingston Zoning Board, at its April 25 meeting, revisited Rodney Brown’s application for a five foot chain link fence at 201 North Livingston Avenue, approving the request. The Board then heard four more cases across the night, ultimately approving all four of them.

201 North Livingston Avenue At the prior meeting, Rodney and Simone Brown had asked the Board for a one-foot variance to help set up the aforementioned chain link fence. As he explained, the fence company hired to replace their damaged fence never obtained a permit to fix it, leading to a door tag warning and the Browns requesting the Board’s assistance after the Town Hall denied their compromise permit application. The Board also noted that, because the fence encroached onto a right-ofway, they couldn’t officially approve the variance and asked the Browns to do research on steps to take next.

The Livingston Board of Education unanimously approved the proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year at its April 30 meeting. The budget included a total tax increase of 5.75 percent, or $6,728,883. This total increase comes from a two percent base tax increase, 0.72 percent in enrollment adjustments, and 3.04 percent of banked capital. This does not exceed the state imposed tax cap. Thomas Lambe, the Board’s business administrator, saidthatthiswould be a tax increase of $558 for the average township home priced at $721,238.

Other highlights for the finalized budget include that all programs currently in place will remain so for the upcoming school year. This budget included $830,064 in enrollment waivers and 3.04 percent of banked capital, or $3,541,737. The district switching health benefits, effective as of May 1, allowed for over $900,000 in additional savings. 154 other appropriation lines were also reduced, accounting for an additional $4.3 million.

During its meeting on Tuesday, April 30, the Livingston Township Council passed several resolutions, introduced one ordinance, and tabled three others.

At the start of the regular meeting, Mayor A1 Anthony recognized April 23 through 26 as Municipal Clerk’s Week, specifically honoring Livingston clerk Carolyn Mazzucco. The Council also recognized May 5 through 11 as Public Service Recognition week.

Resolutions

Mihir Shah was appointed as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, filling an unexpired term of two years, ending December 31,2025.

A 24-month contract extension was reached with Faircut Services, LLC, to furnish, deliver, and install trees in town.

At last month’s “Five on Five” meeting between the Township Council and the Board of Education, several parents shared safety concerns about themselves and their children walking outside of Harrison School, specifically during drop-off and dismissal.

The worries stem from a change in policy at the school that started in September, when a new pick-up policy was implemented at Harrison. Instead of students waiting in the parking lot for their rides to pick them up, parents now must meet their child at the door. This is how Livingston’s other elementary schools have operated, but the narrow, busy roads and limited parking surrounding Harrison, specifically along North Livingston Avenue, has raised concerns.

Frances Rose Bilotti, 86, of Livingston, died on April 20.

Ms. Bilotti was born in Jersey City, along with her twin sister, Louise. She is survived by Louise; her younger brother, Michael; her daughter, Gina; son, Jimmy; and grandson. She is predeceased by her older brother, Salvatore.

Visitation was held at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home and Mass was held at St. Raphael’s Church.

Anthony J. Cupo, 94, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, died on Friday, April 26. Born in Newark, he resided in Livingston before moving to Coatesville in 2022.

Mr. Cupo is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Angela (Finelli); his two sons, Michael and Thomas Cupo; by his daughter, Angela Lott and her husband, Frank; his brother, Richard; his sister, Mary Cruz; his nine grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. He is predeceased by three brothers, Fred, Pat and John Cupo.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday at Hancliffe Home for Funerals in East Hanover, with a mass at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church. Burial followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Marvin Pinkowitz, 87, died on April 20, after a long illness. He was born and raised in Newark and then moved to Livingston. He worked the New England area for a children’s clothing company before retiring to Florida.

Mr. Pinkowitz is survived by his two sons, Scott, Mark, and his wife Annmarie; two sisters, Rochelle Sherman, and Dianne Pinkowitz; and his longtime companion, Helen Marshall. He was predeceased by his son, Brett; and his two wives, Barbara Latour and Francine Elson.