DEV Community: Livingston First

May 28, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Livingston First — Fri, 29 May 2026 02:47:39 +0000

May 28, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Meeting Overview

The May 28th, 2026 Livingston Township Council meeting celebrated youth achievement, community arts, and civic engagement. The council honored a high school student for his municipal leadership scholarship, heard from a hometown author and inventor about an upcoming play adaptation of his children's book, and passed several bond ordinances for infrastructure improvements. A heated public discussion unfolded over the township's acquisition of the Federated Church property, with members of the Buddhist community urging the council to reconsider.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening & Announcements

Roll call: All council members were present.
Moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance observed.
Meeting live-streamed on Facebook; comments accepted via email by 4pm.

Proclamations & Presentations

Jacob Glazer — Lewis Bay Future Municipal Leadership Scholarship
Jacob Glazer, a Livingston High School student, was honored as the first-ever Livingston student to win the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Lewis Bay Second Future Municipal Leadership Scholarship. In his winning essay, Jacob wrote about how embedded government is in the Livingston community — council members, the mayor, and township staff attending events, supporting students, and engaging with committees and commissions. He proposed student membership on the Environmental Commission, authored the Skip the Stuff ordinance reducing single-use plastics, and conceived the Light the Way initiative to install in-ground LED crosswalk lighting for pedestrian safety. Council presented Jacob with a citation and a scholarship check from the NJ League of Municipalities.

Barry Farber — Author, Inventor, and LHS Alum
Barry Farber, a 1977 graduate of Livingston High School, presented on his children's book The Adventures of Little Billy in Search of the Magic Tree. The book teaches five secrets to a good life through animal characters: patience and service (Lawrence the Owl), attitude (Bosco the Bear), courage (Sheba the Wolf), empathy (Rupert the Toad), and determination (Sherman the Turtle). Livingston High School students have adapted the book into an animated YouTube series (featuring NFL Hall of Famer Ottis Anderson as Sherman the Turtle and comedian Bobby Collins as Bosco the Bear), and are now transforming it into a stage play. The play will be performed Monday, June 15th at 7pm at the Livingston Auditorium (600 seats). Proceeds from book sales benefit the Tamerlane Animal Sanctuary and Preserve. Barry also shared the story of a flat pen he co-invented — now with approximately 7 million units sold — and encouraged the audience with the message that rejection is part of the path to success: "Falling isn't failing as long as you don't fail to get back up."

Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation
The council read a full proclamation recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 5th and Gun Violence Awareness Month throughout June 2026. The proclamation noted that firearms are the number one cause of death for American children and adolescents since 2020, that the U.S. has 121 firearms per 100 residents (the only country with more civilian-owned firearms than people), and that New Jersey ranks fourth lowest nationally in gun deaths — a testament to common-sense legislation. Speakers from TOVA (formerly NCJW Essex, rebranding imminent) and Moms Demand Action urged residents to contact state legislators in support of the pending safe storage bill, noting that 1.5 million New Jerseyans own guns responsibly and that safe storage protects children. TOVA and Moms Demand Action thanked the council for its annual commitment to this proclamation.

Minutes Approval

Regular and conference meeting minutes from May 11, 2026, and closed session minutes from May 11, 2026, approved unanimously.

Budget

Municipal Budget Amendment — Public Hearing Continued
The council reopened and immediately closed the public hearing on the 2026 municipal budget amendment, noting that the State of New Jersey required some changes that needed to be addressed. The amendment was introduced via Resolution 26-186, with the full public hearing and final adoption scheduled for June 8th. CFO Ann Cucci noted the amendment was necessary in part because the PFAS loan ($1 million in forgiveness, half interest-free) did not close until May, making the final numbers unavailable for the original budget. Council members praised Ann Cucci and Barry Lewis for their meticulous work on the budget process.

Ordinances

Second Reading — Passed Unanimously:

Ordinance 14-2026: Amending Chapter 146 (Food and Beverages) — allowing ice cream trucks in town.
Ordinance 17-2026: $8,275,000 bond for various improvements.
Ordinance 18-2026: $3,000,000 bond for sewer utility.
Ordinance 19-2026: $2,950,000 bond for water utility system (PFAS Phase C — FACI of wells not currently in violation; construction likely in 2027).

Introduction — Public Hearing June 8th:

Ordinance 21-2026: Amending Chapter 29 (Traffic and Parking) — installing a stop sign at Hillside Terrace intersection based on traffic division accident data analysis. Councilman Vieira noted this reflects the township's proactive evaluation of accident history and speed data.
Ordinance 22-2026: Establishing requirements for project labor agreements on certain public construction projects. Councilmember Vieira and Mayor Klein praised the ordinance for helping local businesses and providing hands-on training and union career pathways for high school students.

Consent Agenda

Resolution 26-189: Award of contract to Downs Tree Service Company Inc. for trees.
Resolution 26-190: Award of contract to Downs Tree Service Company Inc. for stream cleaning.
Resolution 26-191: Award of contract to RIVAC Contracting Corp. for the municipal parking lot.
Resolution 26-192: Ridge Drive NJDOT Local Aid Grant 2027.

All consent agenda items passed unanimously.

Public Comment

Jean's Follow-Up on Demonstrations Ordinance
Jean Stoloff (18 North Drive) returned to follow up on questions she had raised previously about the township's ordinances on protests and demonstrations. Town Attorney Jared Cantor reiterated his detailed response from February 9th, 2026: he had reviewed neighboring municipalities including West Orange, West Caldwell, Roseland, Florham Park, Springfield, and East Hanover. Some have explicit protest permit ordinances; others rely on general event or public safety frameworks — but constitutional law ultimately constrains all municipalities similarly, prohibiting fees for ordinary sidewalk-based expressive activity. Mayor Klein emphasized the council had gone above and beyond to address Jean's questions and expressed frustration that three years of discussion had not resolved her concerns.

Federated Church Property — Buddhist Community Public Comment
The most extensive public comment of the evening centered on the township's acquisition of the Federated Church property at the intersection of Mt. Pleasant Avenue and Livingston Avenue — one of the highest-profile corners in town. Multiple speakers from the Buddhist community urged the council to reconsider:

Shi Zhongjian, a Buddhist monk with the American Association of Buddhist Education (AAB Temple), explained that the Buddhist community had been in discussions with the Federated Church about purchasing the property starting over a year ago. Both the church board and congregation voted to approve the sale to AAB Temple, and a contract was signed on October 21st, 2025. The township sent a letter via certified mail on December 23rd, 2025, expressing interest in using eminent domain proceedings to purchase the property. Shi Zhongjian noted the Buddhist community has responsibly maintained a former church property in Rancocas, NJ for years and intended to preserve the building, maintain the cemetery with respect, and serve the spiritual and community needs of the area.
Jure (non-Livingston resident) argued that using government power to prevent the establishment of a Buddhist temple interrupts a lawful, good-faith religious transaction and raises constitutional concerns. He invoked Governor William Livingston — the town's namesake and a signer of the Constitution — as a defender of liberty of conscience.
Myung An (non-resident Buddhist) spoke in support of the temple, drawing parallels to the council's own values around compassion and community reflected in the evening's proclamations.
Greg Alvarez (Livingston resident, former Planning Board member) expressed strong support for the AAB Temple as neighbors, noting they have been excellent caretakers of their current property in Rancocas. He questioned why the township would assume the maintenance burden when a community ready to preserve the property with care already exists, calling it a potential win-win.
Pui-Hsien Lee (Millburn resident) explained that her family and many others in the broader community rely on the temple, which currently requires a 90-minute drive. Her parents — both in their late 60s — volunteer there every Sunday.

Council Response on Federated Church:
Mayor Klein and council members were unambiguous: the interest in the property predates any knowledge of the Buddhist community's contract and has nothing to do with blocking any religious group. Mayor Klein said he had flagged the Federated Church as the township's most important acquisition target 12 years ago when he first joined the council. Councilman Vieira noted that a longtime resident first brought the property's availability to his attention in July 2024, and the township's interest was always tied to the corner's strategic significance. The township did not use eminent domain — it executed a private sale contract. Council members explicitly stated the township welcomes people of all faiths and expressed willingness to assist the Buddhist community in finding alternative locations in Livingston or neighboring communities.

Reports of Township Officials

Township Manager / Assistant Township Manager (Adam Lerner):

Reminded residents of the electronics recycling event on Sunday, June 7th, 9am–2pm at the Community Center (accepting electronics, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent tubes, and confidential paper shredding). The event typically draws 700–800 cars.
Announced the veteran banner application period is now closed for the current cycle; it will reopen at the end of 2027. All 76 banner spots have been filled.

Township Clerk (Carolyn Mazzucco):

Reminded residents that the primary election is June 2nd. Early voting is open now at Turtle Back Zoo (described as taking about 30 seconds). Mail-in ballots can be returned via the drop box in back of the building through 8pm on Election Day.

CFO (Ann Cucci):

Announced the PFAS Phase A loan closed with $1 million in loan forgiveness; half the loan is interest-free. This contributed to the budget amendment.

Township Attorney (Jared Cantor):

Provided update on Express Auto Spa noise complaints. Councilman Vieira, Councilman Meinhart, the attorney, and the township manager met with Express Auto Spa principals and their counsel. A noise remediation framework was communicated to affected residents today. The township is committed to protecting residents' quiet enjoyment and will monitor implementation closely.

Councilman Anthony's Rundown:

Kiwanis Carnival — good weather, fun for all ages.
AAPI Picnic — third annual, growing tradition.
ShopRite Grand Reopening — May 18th.
LPS Art Exhibit — held at the high school gym this year (expanded from the community center last year); great turnout and impressive student artwork.
Fire Inspection Dinner — annual recognition of Livingston's volunteer fire department (1,200+ annual responses); gratitude expressed for their service and financial savings to the township.
Memorial Day Parade cancelled due to weather, but the indoor ceremony was well-received.
Saint Mary Armenian Church 100-year anniversary celebrated.

Upcoming Events

May 28 at 6pm: Essex County Commissioners meeting/presentation (honoring Jewish Heritage Month).
May 31 at 3pm: Portuguese flag raising at Township Hall.
June 2: Primary Election — early voting at Turtle Back Zoo; mail-in ballots accepted until 8pm.
June 7 at 9am–2pm: Electronics recycling at Community Center (also accepts batteries, bulbs, paper shredding).
June 7 at noon: Pride flag raising at Township Hall.
June 7: Chinese Wellness Day at RWJBarnabas Ambulatory Care Center.
June 8 at 7:30pm: Council meeting — municipal budget final adoption and public hearings on Ordinances 21-2026 and 22-2026.
June 15 at 7pm: The Adventures of Little Billy in Search of the Magic Tree stage play at Livingston Auditorium (600 seats); proceeds to Tamerlane Animal Sanctuary.

PART II: ANALYSIS

The Good

Jacob Glazer's scholarship win reflects well on Livingston's culture of youth civic engagement — he's not just observing government but actively shaping it through Skip the Stuff, Light the Way, and Environmental Commission proposals.
The Barry Farber presentation was genuinely uplifting — a hometown kid turned author-inventor-inspirational-speaker returning to see his work brought to life by the next generation of LHS students. The June 15th play is a feel-good event the whole community can get behind.
The council's unanimous, full-reading commitment to the Gun Violence Awareness proclamation — year after year — signals consistent values.
The PFAS water remediation is at 95% completion with favorable loan terms ($1M forgiveness, half interest-free), putting Livingston well ahead of most municipalities on this issue.
Project labor agreements on public construction (Ordinance 22-2026) is a forward-looking move that benefits local workers and students alike.
The council's swift and clear response to the Buddhist community's concerns — explicitly welcoming all faiths and offering to help find alternative locations — was appropriate and necessary.

The Bad

The Federated Church acquisition, while legally sound, created a painful outcome for a religious community that had negotiated a good-faith contract and was not given a meaningful opportunity to present its case before the sale was finalized. The optics of a municipality outbidding a religious buyer on a church property warrant ongoing scrutiny and transparent communication.
Express Auto Spa noise remediation has been ongoing for multiple meetings; while a framework has now been communicated to residents, the delay in resolving a quality-of-life issue for neighboring residents is notable.
The budget amendment process — driven by state-required changes and a late-closing PFAS loan — required a second public hearing, pushing final budget adoption to June 8th. This is a functional necessity but adds complexity.

PART III: LIVINGSTON-FIRST ASSESSMENT

Key Numbers

$8,275,000: Bond ordinance for various improvements (Ordinance 17-2026).
$3,000,000: Bond ordinance for sewer utility (Ordinance 18-2026).
$2,950,000: Bond ordinance for water utility — PFAS Phase C, likely 2027 construction (Ordinance 19-2026).
$1,000,000: PFAS loan forgiveness received on Phase A.
76: Veteran banners currently flying (period closed; reopens end of 2027).
95%: Water remediation completion.
90 minutes: One way for Millburn-area Buddhist congregants to drive to the nearest temple — illustrating the community need the AAB Temple would have served.
600: Seats at the Livingston Auditorium for the June 15th play.
7 million: Flat pens sold co-invented by Barry Farber.

Bottom Line

The May 28th meeting had something for everyone — young civic leaders, creative alumni, infrastructure investment, and a reminder that governance sometimes creates difficult tradeoffs. Jacob Glazer and Barry Farber both illustrated what makes Livingston special: people who engage, create, and give back. The bond ordinances represent significant but responsible infrastructure spending (with excellent PFAS loan terms). The Express Auto Spa situation is inching toward resolution after multiple meetings. And the Federated Church discussion was a genuine test of the council's stated values around welcome and diversity — the response was good, but the underlying outcome for the Buddhist community was painful. Residents are encouraged to attend the June 8th meeting for budget final adoption and to mark June 7th for electronics recycling and the pride flag raising.

This summary was generated from an audio transcription of the May 28th, 2026 Township Council meeting. All statements are direct quotes or close paraphrases of public meeting records.

May 11, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Livingston First — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:38:19 +0000

Meeting Overview

The May 11th, 2026 Livingston Township Council meeting focused on various proclamations, proposals, and discussions on township issues. The council recognized Older Americans Month and Taiwanese American Heritage Week, and discussed the municipal budget, tax rate increases, and potential development projects. Residents also expressed concerns about noise levels and parking issues related to cricket activities in Octor Park. The council addressed the car wash issue, issuing a notice of violation under the nuisance ordinance and deciding to take further legal action.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening & Announcements

Roll call: All council members were present.
Moment of silence: Observed at the beginning of the meeting.
Notable announcements: The meeting was live-streamed on Facebook, and comments could be emailed to comments@livingstonj.org by 4pm on the day of the meeting.

Proclamations & Presentations

Proclamation for Older Americans Month (May 2026): Presented by Corinne Judge, emphasizing the importance of honoring and respecting older adults.
Proclamation for Taiwanese American Heritage Week (May 10th-15th, 2026): Presented by Ed, recognizing the significance of the week.
Introduction of Taiwanese American Heritage Week: Melody Huang, President of the Livingston Taiwanese Association, introduced the week and its significance, inviting everyone to join the AAPI picnic on May 17th.

Minutes Approval

No specific minutes were approved during the meeting.

Ordinances

Ordinance 15-2026: Authorizing the purchase of a certain property known as block 1409, lot 10. Passed with a unanimous vote.
Ordinance 16-2026: Amending and supplementing Chapter 29 traffic and parking. Passed with a unanimous vote.
Ordinance 14-2026: Amending Chapter 146 food and beverages (allowing ice cream trucks in town). Passed with a unanimous vote.
Ordinance 17-2026: 8,275,000 bond ordinance for various improvements. Passed with a unanimous vote.
Ordinance 18-2026: 3 million bond ordinance for sewer utility. Passed with a unanimous vote.
Ordinance 19-2026: 2,950,000 bond ordinance for water utility system. Passed with a unanimous vote.

Budget Items

Municipal budget for 2026: Approved on April 6, 2026, by the Mayor and Township Council.
Resolution 26-172: To read the budget by title only. Adopted by a roll call vote.
Motion to open the public hearing on the municipal budget: Passed with an "aye" vote.
Decision to continue the public hearing on the municipal budget to the next meeting date: Made due to lack of time to respond to state comments.

Consent Agenda

Resolution 26-177: Authorizing a contract to Pumping Services, Inc.
Resolution 26-178: Green Acres Program Enabling Resolution.
Resolution 26-179: Authorizing the award of a contract to Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc.
Resolution 26-181: Estimated Tax Bills 2026.
Resolution 26-182: Awarding Professional Services Contract to McManaman, Scotland, Bowman for Tax Appeal Services.
Resolution 26-183: Authorizing 2026 Temporary Emergency Appropriations.
Resolution 26-184: Rejecting Bid for Concession Operations.

Public Comment

Jean Stoloff (18 North Drive): Commented on the rapid growth and development in Livingston, leading to increased tax revenue.
Gina: Expressed concern about tax rate increase, suggested reducing budget to live within means, mentioned historical context of Livingston's lower tax rate.
Barry: Agreed with Gina's sentiment, provided context on tax rate increase, and emphasized efforts to maintain low tax rate.
Ed: Added that the township only gets 17% of the property tax money and that the office pays back 100% of tax appeals after collecting 17 cents.
Tim Foley: Asked about the assistant manager position being funded for the full year.
Jean: Made a comment, but was cut off due to time constraints.
Tejesh Nare: Raised concerns about the impact of cricket activities on nearby residents, specifically noise and parking issues.
Rudy Aiello: Expressed concerns about the cricket field and its impact on nearby residents, particularly noise levels and the use of town property.
Mayor Klein: Acknowledged Rudy Aiello's concerns and offered to meet with him and the other residents to find a middle ground.
Laura Tamayo: Announced two events on behalf of Sasson Livingston.
Jared: Complimented the council for their efforts in addressing the car wash issue, highlighting the expertise of the township attorney and town manager.
Barry: Agreed with Jared, emphasizing the importance of having a lawyer on the team.
Michael Vieira: Gave a counsel report, mentioning several events and initiatives in the township.

Reports of Township Officials

Town Manager: No specific report mentioned.
CFO: No specific report mentioned.
Mayor: Thanked the seniors for their dedication and participation in township programs, acknowledged the hard work of the Senior Center staff in providing services and support to seniors.
Clerk: Noted the last day to register to vote for the June 2nd primaries.
Township Attorney: Addressed the car wash issue, stating that the township took the concerns seriously and communicated with the residents.

PART II: ANALYSIS

The Good

The council's recognition of Older Americans Month and Taiwanese American Heritage Week promotes diversity and inclusivity in the community.
The unanimous passage of ordinances 15-2026, 16-2026, 14-2026, 17-2026, 18-2026, and 19-2026 demonstrates the council's ability to work together on important issues.
The council's efforts to address the car wash issue and take further legal action show their commitment to resolving resident concerns.

The Bad

The lack of time to respond to state comments on the municipal budget may lead to delays or issues with the budget process.
The concerns about noise levels and parking issues related to cricket activities in Octor Park may require further discussion and resolution.
The car wash issue, including the notice of violation and potential further legal action, may be a ongoing concern for the council and residents.

PART III: LIVINGSTON-FIRST ASSESSMENT

Key Numbers

$8,275,000: Bond ordinance for various improvements (Ordinance 17-2026).
$3,000,000: Bond ordinance for sewer utility (Ordinance 18-2026).
$2,950,000: Bond ordinance for water utility system (Ordinance 19-2026).
17%: Percentage of property tax money that goes to the township.
$11,000,000: Amount of tax appeals over the last 7 years.
30%: Increase in health care insurance costs year over year.

Bottom Line

The May 11th, 2026 Livingston Township Council meeting addressed various issues, including proclamations, proposals, and discussions on township issues. While the council made progress on some issues, such as the unanimous passage of ordinances, other concerns, like the car wash issue and cricket activities in Octor Park, require further discussion and resolution. As the council continues to work on these issues, it is essential for residents to stay informed and engaged in the decision-making process to ensure that the township remains a great place to live, work, and visit.

This summary was generated from an audio transcription of the May 11th, 2026 Township Council meeting. All statements are direct quotes or close paraphrases of public meeting records.

April 27, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Livingston First — Fri, 01 May 2026 10:36:57 +0000

April 27, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Meeting Overview

The April 27th meeting was one of the warmest and most well-attended of the year — and not just because of the weather. The council chamber was packed to celebrate the Livingston Varsity Boys Ice Hockey team's historic McGinnis Cup championship and NJIHL Team of the Year honor, the first time the program has claimed the conference title in 13 years. On a more serious note, residents behind the Express Car Wash returned again — this being their eighth consecutive month of public comment on noise violations — while the council took significant steps toward preserving a piece of Livingston's founding history by purchasing the historic Federated Church property on Mount Pleasant Avenue.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening & Announcements

Roll Call

Council Member Meinhardt: Here
Council Member Anthony: Here
Council Member Vieira: Here (arrived later)
Deputy Mayor Bhattani: Here
Mayor Klein: Here

Moment of Silence — In memory of Assemblywoman Rosie Bukholvi's mother, who passed away the morning of the meeting.

Essex County Updates (Ilhan Fisher, County Representative):

Saturday, May 2nd — Household hazardous waste collection, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM at the DPW site on Bradford Lane
Saturday, May 16th — Electronics recycling event, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, same location

Presentations & Proclamations

Autism Awareness Month — April 2026

The council paused the agenda to accommodate attendees who came specifically for this proclamation, which drew one of the largest and most vocal audiences of the year.

Speakers:

Bob Giebreau, Chairman, Livingston Student Advisory Committee for Disabilities — Frame by Frame: "People with autism tell it like it is. I've been around this world for quite a few years and I find that a lot of people from the general population don't — there's so many games being played. People on the spectrum got something in their head and they're gonna let you know. To me it's very inspiring. I recommend it."
Pam Teper, parent of a 26-year-old with profound autism — Livingston resident for 20+ years: "Autism awareness month of April is a month, autism awareness day is a day. We do this every day, every night. Something I created not so long ago was a t-shirt that said 'Autism Awareness Every Day.' It's our life."
Deputy Mayor Bhattani — Praised the Board's earlier awareness event organized by Alicia DiIorio, and called for turning awareness into action.

Proclamation highlights: The Township recognized autism as a neurological variation contributing to the rich diversity of the human experience; affirmed neurodiversity as a strength; and proclaimed April 26 as Autism Acceptance Day in Livingston Township.

Notable: Township Manager Barry Lewis, whose adult son is profoundly autistic, thanked the council personally: "More so than just passing a proclamation, it's how much this mayor and council day in and day out support all the individuals with disabilities throughout the community. It means a lot to me personally."

Livingston Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Team — Championship Recognition

The council broke format to honor the hockey team first, knowing the room was full of players, coaches, and family. The citation recognized:

McGinnis Cup Conference Champions — First time in 13 years
NJIIHL Team of the Year — First time ever

Citation read by Mayor Klein: "The mayor and members of the Township Council are pleased to recognize the 2025–2026 Livingston Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Team. We thank them for the pride they bring to our community and their commitment to hard work and excellence."

Players recognized individually:

Andrew Donny
Jacob Stevens
Isaac Horn
Jayden Rogers
Matthew Zox (Captain)
Judah Lashon
Noah Stevens
Drew Kippness
David Goll
Chase Warrow
Max Cohen
Ben Diamond
Ryan Corn
Rise Bernstein
David Orenzyp
Josh Lloydnerstine
Ryan
Zach Gibner
Tyler Safft
Brody Titcomb

Coaches honored:

Head Coach — recipient of NJIIHL Coach of the Year award (name inaudible in transcript)
Assistant Coach Dave Miluch
Assistant Coach Zachary Dorfman

Coach's remarks (via team captain Zach): "I just wanted to thank the board for having us here today. It's a big honor and a big accomplishment for my team. It was a great year, a great win for all of us."

Mr. Paul McGinnis — The namesake of the conference's trophy was in attendance and was introduced as "a legend" by the coach. The McGinnis Cup is named after Paul McGinnis, a lifelong New Jersey hockey figure. The coach noted the team finished 24 wins, called the conference one of the toughest in New Jersey, and said the championship was "really something special."

A group photo was taken with council members on the stairs, the team, and the McGinnis Cup.

Ordinances & Resolutions

Ordinance 12-2026 — Cap Bank (Second Reading, Adopted 5-0)

Allows the township to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank — a standard annual measure giving the municipality flexibility to adjust line items within state-mandated caps. Township Attorney Barry Lewis clarified that the 3.5% cap applies to appropriations (spending), not the tax levy, which is subject to a separate 2% cap. The township is not exceeding the 2% tax levy cap. Any unused cap can be "banked" for future years.

Vote: Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Bhattani-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Klein-Yes

Ordinance 13-2026 — Cedar Street Redevelopment / West Mount Pleasant Overlay (Second Reading, Adopted 5-0)

Adopts the redevelopment plan for 576–586 West Mount Pleasant Avenue Overlay District. This had been introduced at the April 6th meeting.

Vote: Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Bhattani-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Klein-Yes

New Ordinances Introduced (for public hearing May 11)

Ordinance 14-2026 — Pulled from the agenda before reading; details not available.

Ordinance 15-2026 — Authorizing the purchase of the historic Federated Church property at the corner of South Livingston Avenue and Mount Pleasant Avenue (Block 1409, Lot 10). This was a major point of discussion.

Key remarks:

Councilman Anthony: "I'm more excited about this than even a former mayor, Ellie Cohen was... Purchasing the historic church and keeping it from the wrecking balls of another residential development coming in... There's a cemetery right in the backyard. The founders of Livingston are buried in that cemetery. I can't wait until we get our hands on being able to elevate that cemetery so people can actually go visit it and look at the history of Livingston."
Deputy Mayor Bhattani: "When I took the walk, there was an office in that old church that showed maps — the history of streets, how Livingston looked. It's one of the first addresses in our town. If you look back at our bicentennial book, you will find photographs where the roads were not paved dirt roads and this church had a tower. It's that historical."
Mayor Klein: "One of the things that 99% of the residents don't know it's back there. People live in Livingston for generations and don't know this is back there. I look forward to cutting the lawn and making sure a lot of people know about this."
Former Mayor Ellie Cohen credited for initiating the process approximately three years ago.

The property will be preserved as open space/public area. Township Manager Barry Lewis and Jared Cantor also credited.

Vote: Unanimous — Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Bhattani-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Klein-Yes

Ordinance 16-2026 — Amending and supplementing Chapter 29 (Traffic and Parking). Public hearing May 11.

Vote: Unanimous

Consent Agenda (Adopted 5-0)

All routine matters approved in a single motion:

Res. 26-160: Sale of surplus property
Res. 26-161: Award of contract — pumping services
Res. 26-162: Award of contract — Re-O Supply Inc.
Res. 26-163: Purchases under North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System
Res. 26-164: Award of contract — Granada Construction Corp.
Res. 26-165: Appointing new member to LCDI (Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion)
Res. 26-166: Approval of Change Order No. 1 — Utility Service Company Inc.
Res. 26-167: Approval of Change Order No. 1 — Scoffar Contracting Inc.
Res. 26-168: Designating area in need of rehabilitation — Block 3000, Lot 1.01 (156 East Cedar Street)
Res. 26-169: Establishing tree replacement performance bond account

Public Comment

Express Car Wash Noise — Eighth Month (Residents vs. Township / County)

Joyce Armando, 7 Greenwood Court (directly behind the car wash) led a group of approximately seven neighbors, some of whom also spoke.

Core complaint: The car wash was built with material deviations from the approved site plan:

Approved: 15 vacuum stations. Built: 17 vacuum stations (two extra closest to residential backyards)
Approved: No air hoses at vacuum stations. Built: 17 air hoses now operating
Noise measured at 61–65 decibels; the approved threshold was 38 decibels

Timeline of failures:

Essex County inspector found violations, issued fines (~$6,000 total), then resigned before filing his report
A follow-up county inspection was scheduled for 9:45 AM on a weekday — when the facility was nearly empty
Residents say the car wash has since reduced vacuum and air hose power just enough to avoid triggering a violation at the reduced operating levels — while still generating enough noise to be heard inside homes
County has refused to send an inspector on a weekend (peak hours) because of overtime costs

Resident statements:

Joyce Armando: "We have lived with Livingston Car Wash behind our homes for over 40 years and we never had a complaint — because there were never vacuum stations and never air hoses. This is what we hear all day long. The air hoses were not on the final approval. Nothing. I have a copy through an OPRA request. Zero air hoses existed in that final approval yet there are 17 operating. Why are you guys still allowing this?"

Anna Triggo, Local Real Estate Agent: "I personally visited the home and heard this noise both in the backyard and inside the home. I show homes in this area. When a buyer hears ongoing commercial noise, especially in a residential backyard, it immediately raises red flags. Commercial noise does influence the value of the property. You certainly wouldn't buy a home with a car wash in the back."

Carol Mcinnis, 6 Fellwood Drive (husband has dementia): "The old car wash we didn't hear any noise. We didn't have any problems. They were a good neighbor. Now the neighbor is not good, not pleasant. It's a miserable thing — the noise we get in our houses, outside our houses. It's not right."

John Huang, 18th house behind car wash: "We have two young kids. We cannot even enjoy opening the doors and outside of our backyard. That has been the case for the past couple months."

Kim Fan: "We were appealing by the good school system and the good neighborhood. We didn't expect to have such a noisy environment around us."

Michelle Florio, Buds Farrow Drive: "I've been following this debacle from the beginning. Hoping someone in a position to correct this untenable situation would step up and do the right thing. I don't live near the car wash, but I've been there. I've heard the ear-splitting cacophony. I could never tolerate this in my home. If you let it happen in one neighborhood, what's to stop you from allowing it in another? Next time it could be mine."

Resident (civil engineer, license in NY): "When a permit is issued, there's a parameter set up — 38 decibels. If 38 is listed, anything more than 38 is a violation. The car wash should do what they need to do to bring it under 38. If they don't, the township has to do what they have to do."

Council and staff responses:

Mayor Klein acknowledged the situation was "terrible" and that the council was "disappointed" with how the county enforcement had been handled
Township Attorney Jared Cantor noted the enforcement is legally complex — the township approved what was built, and the county is the enforcement agency, but the discrepancy between the site plan and what was actually built is "black and white" and should be addressed by the township independently
Councilman Anthony noted that residents should be able to enjoy their homes and questioned why the township hasn't taken direct action on the air hoses and extra vacuum stations
Council committed to inviting county health director Maya Harlow to a Saturday site visit during peak hours

Status: No enforcement action taken during this meeting. Attorney Cantor to research legal options re: air hoses not shown on the approved site plan.

Other Public Comment

Tim Foley, Livingston Resident (fourth generation) — Returned to object to the proposed elimination of the Assistant Township Manager position held by Adam Lerner: "This is being handled wrong. It should have gone to Barry first. Barry's the one who hires and fires everybody. The way this was done is inappropriate. Adam has been wonderful for this town. 95% of the time I'm here, you guys are praising him. So again, I think you're doing it the wrong way."

Reports of Township Officials

Township Manager Barry Lewis:

Thanked the council for the autism proclamation, noting his personal connection: "I have a profoundly autistic adult son. It means a lot to me personally."
Thanked council for supporting all department heads and their employees

Deputy Township Manager Rust Jones:

NICO (National Eagle Scout Initiative) scout completed four projects this week — built park benches for Clove Park and Mount Pleasant School. Ceremony to be scheduled.

Assistant Township Manager Adam Lerner: No update.

Township Attorney Jared Cantor: Requested adding two items to closed session — a personnel matter and the car wash issue under attorney-client privilege.

Council Comments

Councilman Meinhardt summarized the past two weeks' activities:

April 9: Hillside Elementary annual trap shoot (first time attending)
April 10: Social Justice Reading at LHS — "one powerful session where students came in and read what it means to them about social justice"
April 11: Little League Opening Day — Mayor pitched first ball
April 12: Change session at resident Ellie Burns's home — "brilliantly presented"
April 16: Documentary presentation at Temple B'nai Abraham on smartphone/cell phone use and its effects on children — co-attended with Councilman Anthony and Meinhardt
April 17: LensFest + ribbon cutting at Blue
April 18: 50th anniversary of Side Temple — attended with Mayor and Meinhardt
April 19: Intergenerational Prom — served dinner to seniors; "always a very beautiful event"
April 22: Livingston Celebrates Israel (est. 5,000 attendees) — organized by Enailisiewicz, Susi Lugashi, Shailamek and volunteers; followed by flag raising
April 23: Hillside Elementary Gala — attended with Councilman Anthony and Vieira
April 24: PSC and G Substation walk-through with Mayor and Council; followed by Arbor Day ceremony
Police Chief Gary Marshwitz awarded UNICO Citizen of the Year
LCDI honored five women (Claire Gau, Carmen Michael, Winning Takanna, Shoshan Maggie) — four attended in person

Upcoming events:

April 30: AARP Fraud Awareness speech, 12:00 PM
May 2: L.C.D.I. Spring Party
May 3: Journey for the Livingston Education Fund walk, 11:00 AM at the oval
May 4: Livingston Golf Outing
May 5: Sinko DiMio celebration
May 7: L.C.D.I. Talent Show, 7:00 PM at Community Center
May 9: Mother's Day

Personal note: Livingston lost longtime resident and business owner Freddie Slater (Nero's family). Condolences to wife Trudy and sons Adam and Evan.

PART II: ANALYSIS

The Good 🟢

Historic church preservation — a rare civic win. The unanimous vote to purchase the Federated Church property (Block 1409, Lot 10) on Mount Pleasant Avenue was met with rare, genuine enthusiasm from every council member. Multiple members independently used the phrase "home run." That's telling. The property contains a cemetery with the graves of the town's founding families — something 99% of residents don't know exists. Turning this into publicly accessible open space, rather than another residential development, is exactly the kind of win that justifies local government. Kudos to former Mayor Ellie Cohen for starting the process years ago, and to Barry Lewis and Jared Cantor for bringing it home.

Hockey championship — 13 years in the making. McGinnis Cup champions for the first time since 2013, and the first NJIIHL Team of the Year award in program history. Worth the wait, and good to see the full room, the team, and Mr. McGinnis himself in attendance. Captain Zach's remarks were brief and classy — exactly right for a moment like this.

Autism awareness — a personal moment. Township Manager Barry Lewis's personal thanks for the autism proclamation — noting his profoundly autistic adult son — was one of the more humanizing moments of any council meeting this year. It elevated what could have been a routine proclamation into something more meaningful. Pam Teper's point that "autism awareness every day" is the reality for families, not just April, was well-taken.

Busy, active council. Councilman Meinhardt's roundup of two weeks of events — social justice reading at LHS, documentary screenings, LensFest, an intergenerational prom, Livingston Celebrates Israel (5,000 attendees), LCDI awards, and more — reflects a council that is genuinely present in the community. This isn't a passive governing body.

The Bad 🔴

The car wash is still broken — and the council knows it. Eight months of public comment. Confirmed violations. Fines issued. The inspector who found the violations quit before filing his report. County won't send someone on a weekend because of overtime costs. The operator has adjusted power just enough to skate under the threshold while residents still hear noise inside their homes. The air hoses — which were never on the approved site plan — are still running.

This is not a complicated case on the facts. The site plan said 15 stations, no air hoses. What was built is different. That's the township's starting point, and Councilman Anthony was right to call it "black and white." But eight months and counting, and residents still have no resolution, no timeline, and no clear path to enforcement. Summer is coming — windows open, yards used, noise travels farther. The clock is still ticking.

The Adam Lerner situation. Fourth consecutive meeting with a public speaker pushing back on the proposed elimination of this position. Tim Foley's point — that 95% of the time the council is praising Lerner's work, including the Zoom modernization and the technology in this very room — has not been answered with any public counterargument. It keeps getting deferred to closed session. At some point the council needs to either explain the decision publicly or reverse it. Living in that ambiguity is unfair to everyone involved.

This summary was generated from an audio transcription of the April 27, 2026 Township Council meeting. All statements are direct quotes or close paraphrases of public meeting records.

April 6, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Livingston First — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:30:03 +0000

April 6, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Meeting Overview

The April 6, 2026 Township Council meeting was a quieter session by Livingston standards, but several significant items moved forward. The council introduced the 2026 municipal budget on time for the first time in recent memory, advanced a Cedar Street redevelopment plan over a 4-0 vote (Mayor Klein recused due to a conflict), and continued to grapple with an ongoing car wash noise violation that has now accumulated multiple fines with no resolution in sight. On a brighter note, the meeting opened with tributes to Parkinson's Awareness Month and Arbor Day, and featured some well-deserved shoutouts to a hometown success story.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening & Announcements

Roll Call

Council Member Meinhardt: Here
Council Member Anthony: Here
Council Member Vieira: Present
Deputy Mayor Bhattani: Here
Mayor Klein: Here

Proclamations & Presentations

Parkinson's Awareness Month

A full room of advocates took over the council dais for this proclamation. Presenters included:

Variani Kapoor, Township Resident & Parkinson's Foundation Representative
Kathy Hinton, Parkinson's Foundation Ambassador & Livingston Senior Center Support Group Facilitator
Carolyn Chen, LHS Senior & Co-President, LHS Parkinson's Disease Awareness Club
Karen Malkin, Person with Parkinson's, Michael J. Fox Advocate & PMD Alliance Ambassador
Kieran Mulgund, Livingston Resident & Parkinson's Foundation Ambassador

Key statistics from the proclamation:

~1 million people affected in the U.S.; estimated to rise to 1.2 million by 2030
90,000 new diagnoses per year
13th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Economic burden of at least $52 billion annually
Fastest growing neurodegenerative disease

A symposium is being planned for April 18th at Crane's Mill in West Caldwell.

The Council proclaimed April 2026 as Parkinson's Awareness Month.

Arbor Day 2026

Mayor Klein read the annual Arbor Day proclamation, noting the holiday's roots in Nebraska in 1872 when Jay Sterling Morton proposed a national tree-planting day. The township will hold its annual ceremony on April 24th at 2:00 PM near the gazebo, where another cherry tree will be planted.

Minutes Approval

Council approved the regular and conference meeting minutes from March 16, 2026.

Ordinances

Ordinance 12-2026 — Cap Bank (First Reading, Passed 5-0)

This is a standard annual ordinance allowing the township to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank — giving the municipality flexibility to adjust budget line items within state-mandated caps. The public hearing will be held at the next regular meeting on April 27th.

Vote: Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Deputy Mayor Bhattani-Yes, Mayor Klein-Yes

Ordinance 13-2026 — Cedar Street Redevelopment (Passed 4-0)

Mayor Klein recused himself from this ordinance due to a conflict of interest. Deputy Mayor Bhattani took the chair for this item. The ordinance adopts the redevelopment plan for 576-586 West Mount Pleasant Avenue Overlay District. The public hearing is scheduled for April 27th at 7:30 PM.

Vote: Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Deputy Mayor Bhattani-Yes. Mayor Klein — Recused.

Budget Items

Resolution 26-155a — 2026 Municipal Budget Introduction

The council introduced the 2026 municipal budget by title. The CFO noted this is the first time in recent memory the budget has been introduced on time — a point of pride after years of effort. The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 11th.

Vote: Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Deputy Mayor Bhattani-Yes, Mayor Klein-Yes

Resolution 26-155b — 2026 Municipal Open Space Tax Rate

Establishing the 2026 open space tax rate. Approved 5-0.

Consent Agenda

All matters listed below were approved in a single motion (5-0) and are considered routine and non-controversial:

Resolution 26-147: Appointing member to township committees
Resolution 26-148: Authorizing purchases under the North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System
Resolution 26-149: Authorizing purchases under the State of New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Program
Resolution 26-150: Award of contract to Stanziel Construction LLC
Resolution 26-151: Award of contract to RIVAC's Contracting Corp.
Resolution 26-152: Rejecting proposals (no details provided in minutes)
Resolution 26-153: Designating 156 East Cedar Street as an area in need of rehabilitation
Resolution 26-154: Authorizing preparation of a redevelopment plan for 156 East Cedar Street
Resolution 26-156: Appointing zoning board alternate (retroactive to January 27, 2026)
Resolution 26-157: Authorizing execution of funding agreement with Cedar Street Livingston LLC for redevelopment activities on Block 3000, Lot 1.01

Public Comment

Car Wash Noise Violation — Third Update

Joyce Armando, 7 Greenwood Court returned for a third time regarding the Express Car Wash noise issue behind her property. The situation has escalated:

Essex County conducted another sound test on March 20th
Results confirmed the car wash is still over the 65-decibel residential limit
The car wash was issued a $3,000 fine for this violation plus an additional $3,000 fine tied to the original uncorrected violation
The car wash had already installed an enclosure around the turbine motors in an attempt to mitigate — the operation is still out of compliance despite this mitigation
Ms. Armando noted: "This proves this is not a temporary issue. The current setup simply does not meet the required limits."

She pressed the council on two questions: (1) Will the township now shut down the vacuum and air hose operations? and (2) If a shutdown is ordered and the operation continues anyway, what specific enforcement will the township take?

Township Attorney Jared Cantor clarified that the county is the enforcing agency for the sound limits, and that the township's options for enforcement are limited to civil or municipal court action. Mayor Klein committed to getting the county report, consulting with the attorney, and determining the fastest enforcement path.

Councilman Anthony noted that daily fines are accumulating — meaning the $3,000 figure grows with each day of non-compliance. Mayor Klein added: "So let's not hold it up on our part. Let's do whatever we have to do."

Township Position Discussion

Tim Foley, Livingston Resident (fourth generation) spoke about ongoing concern regarding the proposed elimination of Assistant Township Manager Adam Lerner's position:

"You have changed your mind because Adam is a big asset to this township. He's done a lot of things for us. And again, the way it was done was inappropriate."
"90% of the time that I'm here, I'm hearing you guys praise him on whatever job he did. I just disagree with it. And that's all I gotta say."

No formal action was taken. This issue appears to still be under discussion in conference session.

Reports of Township Officials

Township Manager Barry Lewis — Nothing formally reported, but indicated the council will be receiving updated proposals and cost estimates for open space improvements across the Orchard Hill and LaCarrie/Strom properties, following up on the public engagement process.

Assistant Township Manager Adam Lerner — Announced upcoming summer celebration items:

LPD will be hanging new 250th anniversary flags around town
June: Arts Festival
July: Concert Series
August: Movie Nights
Residents should keep Wednesdays open in the summer

Township Clerk Carolyn Mazzucco — Reminder that the April 16th special election is the runoff for the Mikey Sherrill Congressional vacancy. Urged all residents to vote. Two candidates (one Democrat, one Republican) are on the ballot.

CFO Ann Cucci — Thanked the council and Finance Committee for getting the budget introduced on time. Noted that due to prudent multi-year financial planning, Livingston is in much better shape than many surrounding townships.

Mayor Klein — Gave a special hats off to Nikki James, a Livingston High School graduate starring in Daredevil: Born Again. Mayor noted she is a Tony-winning Broadway actress who also performed in Les Misérables and The Book of Mormon. "We can all be very proud of her."

PART II: ANALYSIS

The Good 🟢

Budget introduced on time. CFO Ann Cucci was right to call this out. Introducing budgets on schedule — rather than playing catch-up — reflects years of disciplined financial management. This doesn't usually make headlines, but it matters. Livingston is reportedly in better fiscal shape than many neighboring municipalities, and this didn't happen by accident.

Nikki James hometown shoutout. A Tony-winning Broadway actress from Livingston starring in a major Marvel series is exactly the kind of story that doesn't get told enough. Good on Mayor Klein for recognizing it.

LPD quick response. Councilman Meinhardt shared two separate incidents over the past week — one at ShopRite, one at Nero's — where LPD officers responded quickly to elderly residents who had fallen. Not glamorous, but exactly the kind of community presence that matters.

Parkinson's advocacy from within the community. The most striking part of the Parkinson's proclamation was how many Livingston residents were involved — including a high school student who founded the LHS Parkinson's Disease Awareness Club. The symposium on April 18th at Crane's Mill is a concrete outcome.

Open space improvements advancing. Township Manager Lewis indicated updated cost estimates for the Orchard Hill and LaCarrie/Strom properties are close to ready. Following through on the public engagement process is the right way to handle this.

The Bad 🔴

The car wash saga continues. Third public comment session. Second confirmed violation. Fines piling up. Still no resolution. The turbine enclosure fix didn't work. The council is now being asked to figure out what enforcement tools it actually has. Better late than never, but this has been ongoing for months and summer — when the outdoor noise carries farther and more residents are outside — is approaching. The clock is ticking.

The Adam Lerner situation. A resident publicly pushing back on a personnel move — citing the council's own praise of the person being cut — is never comfortable. The issue is being discussed in closed session, which is appropriate, but the fact that it keeps surfacing in public comment suggests the council may want to communicate more clearly on this one way or the other.

This summary was generated from an audio transcription of the April 6, 2026 Township Council meeting. All statements are direct quotes or close paraphrases of public meeting records.

March 16, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Livingston First — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 11:36:08 +0000

March 16, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Meeting Overview

The March 16, 2026 Township Council meeting was substantively busier than it appeared at first glance. While the human trafficking awareness proclamation and the Livingston High School chess team's historic fourth consecutive state championship dominated the opening presentations, the council also passed eight ordinances and approved 15 resolutions on the consent agenda—including affordable housing updates, a tree preservation ordinance, and a new township newsletter.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening & Announcements

Roll Call

Council Member Meinhardt: Here
Council Member Anthony: Here
Council Member Vieira: Present
Deputy Mayor Bhattani: Here
Mayor Klein: Here

Moment of Silence
The council held a moment of silence.

Girl Scout Cookies
Mayor Klein acknowledged Liz Nardo for providing Girl Scout cookies: "Very important to keep the council well fed."

Essex County Updates

Eileen Fishman represented Essex County and announced the Cherry Blossom Festival running April 4-19, 2026:

April 4: Cherry Blossom bike race
April 12: Cherry Blossom 10K run (mayors participating)
April 18: One-mile fun run and family day at Prudential Concert Grove
April 19: Bloom Fest, 11 AM - 5 PM

Presentations

Human Trafficking Awareness Proclamation

Merle from the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking presented on awareness efforts ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Key Details:

FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium (June 11 - July 19, 2026)
8 matches including the final on July 19
Fan Fest at Liberty State Park, plus events at Jersey Shore
Large sporting events known to increase demand for sex trafficking
Also associated with labor trafficking in construction, hospitality, retail

Proclamation Highlights:

Human trafficking is among the world's fastest growing criminal enterprises
27.6 million people subject to trafficking globally
Cases reported in every U.S. state and territory
Victims can be any age, gender, citizenship status
Township committing to raise awareness, promote opposition, support survivors

Resources:

SaferNJ.org (Coalition website)
Phone numbers and contacts at airports (Mayor noted extensive signage on recent Chicago trip)

Councilman Meinhardt read through key sections of the proclamation. A photo was taken for media purposes.

Livingston High School Chess Team — Fourth Straight State Championship

Mr. Beckley (coach) presented the team, which achieved an unprecedented fourth consecutive New Jersey State Championship.

Team Members Recognized:

Captains: Aston Roberts, Lev Koganov, Claire Chang

Varsity: Teddy Bernstein, Lucas Young, Mehul Muthukumar, Arthur Kumar, Sophia Bejnari

JV Team (2nd place): Vivienne Sharda, Leo Zhao, Emma (last name not captured), Aaron Kostanovich, Vihon Choudhury, Aaron Shang, Ethan Merkis, Nate Chan, Max Bershad, Anurv Yenugu, Elias Chen, Kian Shetty

Absent: Henry Tang, Dennis Koganov, Ben Merkis, Rishi Jain, Anil Gupta

Coach's Remarks:
"A few years ago when they were freshmen, we made a plea to the superintendent... I said we could be state champions. I walked out of that meeting and I thought I overstated it. I clearly understated it."

Mayor's Remarks:
"No one's been four times in a row, though... Fourth year in a row you guys state champs? Incredible. It makes everyone in this building, makes everyone in this town incredibly proud."

The team received a citation from the township. Individual plaques were presented to senior captains Aston Roberts and Lev Koganov.

Minutes Approval

The council approved meeting minutes from March 5, 2026.

Council Member Anthony: Yes
Council Member Vieira: Abstain
Council Member Meinhart: Abstain
Deputy Mayor Bhattani: Yes
Mayor Klein: Yes

Ordinances (Final Reading — All Passed 5-0)

Ordinance 4-2026: Amending Chapter 29, Traffic and Parking Stop Signs

Passed 5-0

Ordinance 5-2026: Amending Chapter 306, Trees

Deputy Mayor Vieira explained the ordinance: Resident Rob Koons brought attention to the issue of mature trees being cut down during construction and not replanted. The ordinance updates old code to require replacement planting or fees. The town currently has money in its tree fund and will plant trees in the right-of-way for residents who request them.

Passed 5-0

Ordinance 6-2026: Authorizing discharge of mortgage for 78 Hillside Terrace

Passed 5-0

Ordinance 7-2026: Amending Chapter 170, Land Use, Article 15, Development Fees

Passed 5-0

Ordinance 8-2026: Amending Chapter 170, Land Use, Article 14, Affordable Housing Regulations

Planner Mark Liner explained: Part of the settlement with Fairshire Housing Corporation, implementing fourth-round statutory regulations (required by DCA). No additional units required.

Passed 5-0

Ordinance 9-2026: Repealing and replacing Chapter 170-105, R-6 Senior Citizen Housing District

Passed 5-0

Ordinance 10-2026: Authorizing township to enter into a rights-of-way agreement

Passed 5-0

Ordinance 11-2026: Authorizing dissolution of the swimming pool utility

Mayor clarified: This is an accounting adjustment only—the pool itself is not closing.

Passed 5-0

Consent Agenda (15 Resolutions — All Passed 5-0)

26-131: 2025 Budget Appropriation Transfers
26-132: Transfer of 2025 Budget Appropriation Reserves
26-133: Jurisdictional agreement with NJ Department of Transportation
26-134: Annual budget for Livingston Community Partnership Corporation (public hearing April 27th)
26-135: Award of contract to RIVAX Contracting Corp.
26-136: Award of contract to Xerox Corporation
26-137: Combination of general improvement bonds (not to exceed $12.4 million) for NJ I Bank
26-138: Award of contract to Stanziel Construction LLC
26-139: Developer's agreement with Spectrum 360 LLC (630 West Mount Pleasant Avenue)
26-140: 2026 temporary emergency appropriations
26-141: Endorsing amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan
26-142: Adopting affirmative marketing plan
26-143: Execution of settlement agreement with Passaic Avenue Partners LLC
26-144: Adopting housing rehabilitation program operating manual
26-145: Adopting affordable housing trust fund spending plan

Special Recognition on Resolution 26-141: Deputy Mayor Vieira gave shoutouts to attorney Jared Cantor, planner Mark Lizer, Topology, and Township Manager Barry Lewis for their work on the affordable housing plan, achieving a zero obligation for the fourth round.

Public Comment

Liz Levy, Wait Until 8th: Spoke about the parent-led group encouraging families to delay smartphone usage until at least 8th grade. The group has grown to 386 kids covered by the pledge across all seven schools. 140,000 families nationwide have signed. The group is creating a community of like-minded parents to reduce social pressure.

PSE&G Road Conditions: A resident raised concerns about poor road patching after PSE&G work and blacktop debris left on lawns. Township Engineer Jeanette Harderby already reached out to PSE&G, and crews are cleaning it up.

Council Reports

Senior Center: Great food, local vendors at recent senior social team event
Cycle for Survival: Charity that started in Livingston, growing nationally (Councilman Vieira and Mayor Klein participated)
Young Men's Service League: Councilman Vieira and Mayor Klein presented on civic duty to ~20 young people
Livingston High School Art Show: Kudos to HS arts group and Arts Council of Livingston
Arts Council: Open mic event coming up

New Township Newsletter

Deputy Mayor Vieira announced that resident requests for a township newsletter (from the Division 2020 survey) are being addressed. Communications Director Mike Izzo has launched the email newsletter. Residents can sign up at livingstonnj.org/notifyme.

Closing

Next council meeting: April 6, 2026
No further action planned (except possibly closed session)
Council moved to conference meeting for remaining items

PART II: ANALYSIS

The Good 🟢

Chess Dynasty
Four consecutive state championships is historic. The mayor's observation that "no one's been four times in a row" captures how rare this is. This isn't just sustained excellence—it's a program that put Livingston on the map regionally. The coach's story about the superintendent's skepticism makes it even better. This community should celebrate this loudly.

Proactive World Cup Preparation
The human trafficking proclamation is smart, forward-thinking governance. With 8 World Cup matches at MetLife (including the final), plus Fan Fest at Liberty State Park, Essex County will see significant influx. The council's formal recognition raises awareness and connects residents to resources. This is what proactive government looks like.

Tree Ordinance Upgrade
Kudos to resident Rob Koons for bringing this issue forward and to the council for responding with an updated ordinance. The key change: fees will now be set dynamically by resolution rather than being stuck at outdated low rates that made it cheaper for builders to pay than replant. The town has tree fund money ready to plant—residents should take advantage.

Affordable Housing Win
Achieving "zero obligation" for the fourth round is a significant accomplishment. This means Livingston successfully negotiated its affordable housing requirements. Deputy Mayor Vieira's recognition of the team (attorney, planner, township manager) was well-deserved—this was years of work.

New Newsletter
The Division 2020 survey identified resident demand for a regular township communication. Mike Izzo delivered in about a week. This is exactly how resident engagement should work: survey → response → action.

The Bad 🔴

Incomplete Roll Call Votes
The transcript doesn't always capture who made motions or seconds. While all final votes were 5-0, it's hard to track individual council member engagement without full records.

PSE&G Issue
While the town is addressing it, the fact that PSE&G's patching job was poor enough to require cleanup is frustrating. Residents shouldn't have to deal with debris from utility work.

The Chaotic 🌀

Multiple Ordinances at Once
Eight ordinances in one meeting is a heavy load. While they all passed, residents trying to follow along would have had a difficult time. The council did provide brief explanations for key items, which helped.

PART III: LIVINGSTON-FIRST ASSESSMENT

Key Numbers This Meeting

Item	Status	Notes
Chess Championships	4th consecutive	Historic achievement
World Cup Matches	8 at MetLife	June 11 - July 19
Ordinances Passed	8	Traffic, trees, housing, ROW, pool
Resolutions Passed	15	Budget, contracts, housing
Affordable Housing	Zero obligation	Fourth round achieved
Wait Until 8th	386 kids	Growing rapidly

Scoring (1-5 🐾)

Issue	Score	Notes
Community Recognition	🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾	Chess dynasty; proactive proclamation
Legislative Output	🐾🐾🐾🐾	8 ordinances + 15 resolutions = busy night
Resident Engagement	🐾🐾🐾🐾	Wait Until 8th; newsletter delivered
Transparency	🐾🐾🐾🐾	Good explanations; roll call votes captured
Public Safety	🐾🐾🐾🐾	World Cup preparation appropriate

Bottom Line

Substantive meeting hiding behind ceremonial presentations.

The chess team and human trafficking proclamation were the headline items, but this was actually one of the more substantive meetings this year. Eight ordinances—including tree preservation reform and affordable housing updates—plus 15 consent resolutions shows the council doing real work.

The affordable housing achievement (zero obligation for fourth round) is a big deal. The tree ordinance fix addresses a real quality-of-life issue. The new newsletter responds to resident feedback.

This is what governance looks like: big items that don't always make headlines but shape the community. Livingston should be proud of its chess team—and its council.

Next meeting: April 6, 2026

Meeting transcript analyzed from March 16, 2026 Livingston Township Council meeting.

Perspective: True neutral with focus on community achievement and resident impact.

March 5, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Livingston First — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 02:38:52 +0000

March 5, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Meeting Overview

The March 5, 2026 Township Council meeting was notably lighter than recent meetings — no final ordinance readings, no major budget items, and no controversial resolutions. The highlight was a presentation from the Vision 2020 Committee on their comprehensive survey results, covering everything from road quality to environmental priorities. Here's what residents need to know.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening

Moment of Silence
The council held a moment of silence for two community members who passed away since the last meeting:

Lt. Brian Rabbit, a longtime officer with the Livingston Police Department, was laid to rest several weeks ago
Tjho Chandi, age 41, passed away and leaves behind his wife and two young daughters

Roll Call

Council Member Minhardt: Absent
Council Member Vieira: Absent
Deputy Mayor Baptani: Present
Council Member Anthony: Present
Mayor Klein: Present

Snow Removal Recognition
Mayor Klein thanked Essex County and the township's Department of Public Works for their coordination during the recent significant snowstorm. The mayor noted that with limited places to put the snow, the county "really did a good job" and the roads look "pretty darn good."

Presentations

Girl Scout Troop 2015 — Shady Tree Proposal

Nine girls from Collins Elementary School presented a proposal to plant trees around The Oval to provide shade for summer walkers and sports events.

Key Points:

Girls researched benefits of trees for the environment and community
Fundraising plan targets local businesses: RWJ Barnabas, hospitals, and plastics companies in town
Goal is to make The Oval more comfortable during summer months

Council Response:
Deputy Mayor Baptani introduced the girls, praising them for driving the project themselves — "This is our project. We're going to not only think about it, visualize it, put it on a piece of paper, and present it."

Mayor Klein noted the timing was fortuitous — the council had just been discussing the tree fund and how to incentivize developers to plant trees rather than remove them. "We're all on the same page here."

The council pledged to take a photo with the girls — Mayor Klein also reminded them they'd appear on the Facebook live stream.

Livingston Troop 12 — 100th Anniversary

Deputy Mayor Baptani and Mayor Klein recognized Troop 12 for its 100th anniversary, noting they attended a "hugely packed" celebration with alumni from decades past.

Key Points:

Troop founded in 1926 — 100 years of scouting in Livingston
Alumni of all ages attended the celebration
The troop received a commemorative plaque from the township
Several current scouts spoke, including Senior Patrol Leader Paravelli, who described the troop's community service work

Mayor Klein acknowledged the legacy of Bill Brady, a beloved figure in the troop who was honored with a newly named award.

Tom Cooney — "History Earned" Book

Tom Cooney presented his comprehensive history of the Livingston Fire Department, weighing in at 5 pounds, 2 ounces.

Key Points:

Book covers the 1600s through present times
7 years of research, heavily during COVID when libraries and historical societies were closed
Cooney digitized materials and used online resources extensively
The book ties the fire department's history to broader township history — "the same last names" from early 1900s firemen are still around today
Second printing planned due to demand
Available for purchase via Venmo, credit card, or check

Mayor Klein called it "genuine scholarship" and noted he was "blown away" when he read it. He particularly appreciated being included in the book, even with a COVID mask on.

Vision 2020 Committee Presentation

The Vision 2020 Committee, led by Andy (last name not provided), presented results from 11 surveys conducted since September 2024.

Methodology Notes:

Surveys distributed through town website, social media, and West Essex Tribune
Not statistically significant — most received less than 1% response rate
Results are "directional" only
Weighted scales used for comparison purposes
AI used to help analyze comments

General Survey Results

Top Areas Needing Improvement:

Shopping/Zoning/Planning
Roads

Best Aspects of Town:

Schools
Community
Safety

Worst Aspects of Town:

Infrastructure/Roads
Overdevelopment/Housing Density
School Crowding

Infrastructure Survey

Road quality rated 2.4 out of 5 stars
75% of respondents felt a town forum about land use and zoning would help

Civility Survey

88% feel welcome in town
85% feel various groups/communities are working to meet needs
Town Council rated 6.55/10; volunteers rated 7.87/10
62% feel they can express beliefs and be treated with respect (5.9/10 weighted)
Lowest civility: Online community forums and driving
30% of respondents serve on a town committee
Top reasons for not serving: "Not aware of opportunities" or "Don't know who to contact"

Parks & Recreation

116 comments on pool/complex ideas (sports, fitness, recreation, new pool, community arts center)
More than half unaware of community center enhancements
75% agree parks/fields are well-maintained and accessible
Split 50/50 on programming for all ages

Environmental Commission

Just over half didn't know the committee exists
60% neutral or unaware of committee's mission

Top Environmental Priorities (from Environmental Commission):

Drinking water quality
Increase/utilize open space
Reduce negative environmental impacts from development

Public Safety

All public safety organizations scored above 7/10 on trust and decision-making
More than 90% say Livingston is safe (rated 78/100)
Property crime, traffic offenses, and violent crime should be police focus
LFD and First Aid Squad got high marks; need for more volunteers noted

Business Development

50% of residents shop in town at least once a week (besides groceries)
63% say supporting local businesses is "important" or "extremely important"
Selection prevents local shopping
Business Improvement District (BID) has "neutral impact" per 69% of business owners

Boxcar Service

Survey showed interest in commuter bus service to NYC
18% commute to NYC 5 days/week; another significant chunk 3-4 days/week
Committee sent results to Boxcar; no feedback received

Communications

Top news sources: West Essex Tribune (15%), Eltown Lowdown Facebook group (14%), Town social media (11%)
87% used town website in last year
Website usability rated 7.12/10
50% say town posts "too little"; 46% say "right amount"
Town communication clarity rated 6.45/10

Top Issues Residents Want Explained (color-coded chart):

Mall, pool, water remediation, development, sidewalk/road repairs, property taxes — all showed wide range of understanding levels
86% want regular town news; 63% want email format

Council Reaction:

Mayor Klein noted communications director Mike Isizo has been on the job about 6 months, and the survey went out "right after he started" — expressing confidence numbers will improve.

Deputy Mayor Baptani highlighted:

E-bike ordinance (passed) as proactive safety measure
Road safety/Vision Zero being studied
Sidewalks on both sides of Route 10 approved (4-year timeline)
Safe Routes to School program bringing sidewalks to Northfield, Hillside, and Heritage

Council members emphasized the survey results will guide committee recommendations, with next meeting March 19th focusing on communications and public safety.

Ordinances Introduced (First Reading)

Ordinance	Description	Public Hearing
6-2026	Discharge of mortgage (78 Hillside Terrace)	March 16, 2026
7-2026	Amending Chapter 170 — Development Fees	March 16, 2026
8-2026	Amending Chapter 170 — Affordable Housing	March 16, 2026
9-2026	Replacing Senior Citizen Housing District (R-6)	March 16, 2026
10-2026	Rights-of-Way Agreement	March 16, 2026
11-2026	Dissolving Swimming Pool Utility	March 16, 2026

Note on Ordinance 11-2026: Town Manager Barry Lewis clarified this is "purely an accounting mechanism" to dissolve a statutory self-liquidating utility and roll pool operations into the current fund budget. The pool will remain open and operating — this is not about closing the pool.

Consent Agenda (Resolutions)

Resolution	Description
26-121	Appointment to township committee
26-122	Contract — Land Conservancy of NJ
26-123	Emergency contract — Cecere Mechanical LLC
26-124	Contract — Eagle Point Gun (T.J. Morrison)
26-125	Contract — Jessco Inc.
26-127	HCHY donations
26-128	Environmental Commission donations
26-129	Safe and Secure Grant

Public Comment

Tim Foley (resident, 50 years in town, fourth generation):
Mr. Foley spoke about "Adam" (Assistant Township Manager Adam Lerner), noting that at the last meeting "close to a dozen people" came to praise his work. He asked if there was an outcome that could be discussed.

Mayor Klein responded that personnel matters are discussed in closed session and cannot be addressed publicly.

Foley continued, expressing concern about the position being eliminated: "Losing Adam, I think, is wrong... especially because there are some people that really do need to retire and that could be saving his job."

He urged the council to "really think about it" and offered that "couple people that complained about Adam... should be really looked at" for going to the council instead of speaking with the town manager first.

Township Officials Reports

Town Manager Barry Lewis:

Praised DPW for "another outstanding job" on snow removal — "Livingston is always among the best"
Noted PFAS water remediation: Phase A is 80% complete, addresses 80% of contaminated water production capacity, expected completion summer 2026
Acknowledged water quality was a survey concern: "we are light years ahead of many other towns"
Complimented the speed and quality of water system work

CFO:

Announced public budget presentation scheduled for March 23rd at 4 PM — all department heads will present their requests
Noted PAS First loan forgiveness coming in June
Suggested budget communication improvements: "maybe even an email blast" per survey feedback

Assistant Township Manager Adam Lerner:

Not present — on vacation. Mayor announced: "Congratulations" on his engagement!

Township Clerk, Township Attorney:

No reports

Council Comments (Deputy Mayor Bhutani)

Recent Events Attended:

Troop 12 100th Anniversary (March 12) — "exemplary organization"
Muslim community Ramadan events — "beautiful ceremonies"
Brian Rabbit memorial
Read Across America
Doris Cox 100th birthday celebration

Upcoming Events:

March 7: Harlem Wizards vs. Livingston Allstars fundraiser
March 7: Taiwanese celebration at Hanover Manor
March 15: Cycle for Survival (Equinox, Summit)
March 15: Young Men's Service League presentation

Mayor reminded everyone daylight savings begins March 8th — "Spring forward."

Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:17 PM

PART II: ANALYSIS

The Good 🟢

Girl Scouts Leading Change

This was genuinely heartwarming. Fourth and fifth graders researching, planning, and presenting a proposal to improve their community. This is exactly what local government should encourage. The council's receptive response — "we're all on the same page" — suggests this project has momentum. Expect movement on tree planting by summer.

Troop 12's Century of Service

100 years is remarkable for any organization. The diversity of alumni at the celebration — "people of every age" — speaks to the troop's enduring legacy in Livingston. The township's recognition was appropriate. This is community building at its finest.

Vision 2020 Data is Directional (But Not Much Else)

The committee presented comprehensive survey data, but let's be honest: under 1% response rate means this is not scientific. Still, trends are informative. The council should be credited for continuing this quadrennial exercise — but residents should take individual numbers with significant skepticism.

Crime Stats Are Real

Mayor Klein noted house break-ins and car thefts are down 75-80% over two years, crediting technology upgrades and increased patrols. This isn't coincidental — the council funded these initiatives. Public safety continues to be Livingston's strength. Residents clearly notice: safety was a top-3 "best aspect" of town.

Sidewalks Are Coming

Route 10 will have sidewalks on both sides — not just one. Plus extension to East Hanover. This is a significant walkability win that took council advocacy to secure. Four years is a long timeline, but the scope is right.

The Bad 🔴

Communications Crisis

The survey says 50% of residents think the town posts "too little." That's alarming. New communications director Mike Isizo (6 months in) may help, but the survey was conducted right after he started — so we're not seeing his impact yet.

The CFO's suggestion to do an "email blast" is low-hanging fruit that should have been picked years ago. The committee noted residents want information in email format — the town has the data, now it needs to act on it.

Personnel Uncertainty

Tim Foley's public comment about "Adam" reveals tension. He mentioned "close to a dozen people" spoke in support at the last meeting, and asked about "outcome." The mayor's deflection — "personnel matters... cannot be addressed publicly" — suggests something is brewing behind closed doors.

This isn't the first time assistant township manager Adam Lerner has faced scrutiny. Residents clearly value him. If the council is considering changes, they'd be wise to consider the political cost of eliminating a visible, apparently popular administrator.

No Final Actions

This meeting had no final ordinance readings, no controversial resolutions, no budget items. It was largely ceremonial. That's not inherently bad — but residents who tuned in expecting decisions were disappointed. The March 16th meeting will be the substantive one.

Boxcar Went Nowhere

The committee sent survey results to Boxcar about commuter bus service. "We didn't hear back from them at all." This is concerning. The town facilitated meetings, residents provided data, and the company ghosted them. Either Boxcar isn't interested or their internal process is broken. Either way, residents who want NYC commuter options got nothing.

The Chaotic 🌀

Online Forum Civility Crisis

The survey found lowest civility in "online community forums." This is not unique to Livingston — but it's a problem. The Eltown Lowdown Facebook group (14% use it) apparently has significant toxicity. This isn't a government problem per se, but it affects civic engagement. People who might serve on committees stay away because of hostile online environments.

Survey Fatigue?

11 surveys since September 2024 is a lot. Even the committee acknowledged low response rates. At what point does this become noise rather than signal? The March 19th meeting will prioritize recommendations — let's see if they can distill signal from noise.

Pool Utility Dissolution = Confusion

Ordinance 11-2026 to "dissolve" the swimming pool utility caused enough confusion that the town manager felt compelled to clarify: "This is not to be interpreted as closing the pool."

That's a communication failure. When an ordinance title makes the town manager feel the need to publicly reassure residents that the pool isn't closing, someone messed up the framing. Good intentions aside, this created unnecessary anxiety.

PART III: LIVINGSTON-FIRST ASSESSMENT

Key Numbers This Meeting

Item	Cost	Notes
Girl Scout Trees	TBD	Fundraising phase
PFAS Remediation	Part of $12.4M loan	80% complete, summer 2026
Boxcar Service	Unknown	No response from company
Pool Utility Restructure	$0	Accounting change only

Scoring (1-5 🐾)

Issue	Score	Notes
Transparency	🐾🐾🐾	Survey data good; but 50% feel under-informed
Infrastructure	🐾🐾🐾🐾	Sidewalks coming; roads still rated 2.4/5
Safety	🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾	Crime down 75-80%; residents notice
Communications	🐾🐾	50% say "too little" posted
Resident Voice	🐾🐾🐾	Girl Scouts yes; Boxcar no response
Fiscal Prudence	🐾🐾🐾	No new spending; but emergency planning questions

Bottom Line

Informational, not transformational.

This meeting was about receiving information rather than making decisions. The Vision 2020 presentation was valuable but not actionable in itself — recommendations come March 19th.

The Girl Scout presentation was the highlight: young people engaged, proposing real improvements, receiving genuine council support. This is what civic engagement should look like.

The Adam situation bears watching. If the council is considering eliminating his position, they're picking a fight with a significant portion of the resident population who showed up to praise him publicly.

Livingston-first means: Are we communicating effectively? Are we planning ahead? Are we listening to residents?

On communication: concerning — 50% feel uninformed.
On planning: mixed — sidewalks yes, roads still struggling.
On listening: mostly yes — except Boxcar and whatever is happening with Adam.

Wait and see. The March 16th and 23rd meetings will reveal more.

Meeting transcript analyzed from March 5, 2026 Livingston Township Council meeting.

Perspective: True neutral with focus on fiscal responsibility and resident impact.

Livingston's Affordable Housing Victory: How One NJ Town Beat Back 681 Units

Livingston First — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:44:30 +0000

Livingston's Affordable Housing Victory: How One NJ Town Beat Back 681 Units

An under-the-radar legal win that could reshape how suburbs approach development

TL;DR: Livingston defeated developer challenges proposing 681 units, reduced obligation from 461 to 94 units, and banked 109.5 credits for 2035 — satisfying the Fourth Round without any new construction. Here's the deep dive.

The Backdrop: Mount Laurel and NJ's Affordable Housing Saga

New Jersey has long been the battleground for affordable housing. Since the landmark Mount Laurel decisions in the 1970s, towns have been required to provide their "fair share" of affordable housing.

But "fair share" has been contested for decades. Towns, developers, and the Fair Share Housing Center have battled in court over numbers, methodologies, and what constitutes "available land."

The Fourth Round (2025-2035) was supposed to bring resolution. In October 2024, the state released preliminary numbers:

Livingston's initial obligation: 461 units (prospective need)
Present need: 0 units

Here's where it gets interesting.

The Attack: Developers Propose 681 Additional Units

When Livingston's planners reviewed the numbers, they didn't just accept them — they challenged them. The township's professional planners at Topology (the same firm thanked in the Jan 27 council meeting) conducted a detailed analysis.

But developers pushed back harder.

Four separate developer challenges were filed, proposing 681 additional multi-family units across four sites. This wasn't small-ball — this was a coordinated effort to force denser development.

The challenges went through the New Jersey Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program — a mediation process created by 2024 state legislation to avoid lengthy court battles.

How Livingston Won

Victory #1: Two Sites Rejected

The court agreed with Livingston that two of the proposed sites were unlikely to redevelop and therefore unsuitable for affordable housing. The developers' argument that these sites could handle more density fell flat.

Victory #2: Third Site Settled

A third objection proposed 35 multi-family units. Livingston negotiated a settlement that preserved the property's existing single-family residential use — no additional density.

Victory #3: Developer Withdrew

The fourth developer withdrew their challenge entirely after realizing any "need" could be satisfied through Livingston's surplus credits — and that no additional housing would be awarded anyway.

The Key Strategy: Vacant Land Adjustment (VLA)

Livingston's secret weapon was the Vacant Land Adjustment (VLA) — a provision in the new state law that allows towns to argue they lack available, developable land.

Topology completed a detailed review of all remaining land in Livingston and concluded:

Realistic Development Potential (RDP): Only 13 units

This tiny RDP number became the foundation for Livingston's argument. If there's no land to build, there's no obligation.

The Numbers Game

Here's how it works:

Step 1: Initial obligation

State initial: 461 units

Step 2: Mediation settlement

After settlement: 430 units (reduced from 461 through negotiation)

Step 3: Apply credits

Starting point: 430 units (after mediation)
Minus VLA/RDP: -13 units
Minus Third Round surplus: -93 units
= 324 remaining units

The 324 is remaining units (not credits) after applying the VLA and surplus credits.

Step 4: Calculate total obligation

The state also requires a "realistic redevelopment opportunity" equal to 25% of remaining units:

RDP (from VLA): 13 units
Redevelopment (25% × 324): 81 units
Total Obligation: 94 units

The Surplus: After satisfying 94 units, Livingston banked:

78.5 Fourth Round surplus credits
31 remaining Third Round surplus credits
~109.5 total credits for the Fifth Round (2035+)

What This Means for Residents

Immediate Impact

No new affordable housing mandates for the Fourth Round (2025-2035)
No additional density on the four challenged sites
Property values remain unaffected by forced high-density development

Long-Term Implications

Surplus credits can be applied to the Fifth Round (2035+)
Precedent set for other affluent suburbs to challenge developer claims
Strategic playbook now available for other towns

The People Behind the Win

From the Jan 27 council meeting, these individuals were thanked:

Jared Caner — Township Attorney
Topology — Professional planners
Deputy Mayor Ketan K. Bhuptani — Highlighted the victory
Barry Lewis — Fair Share Housing Center (collaborative, not adversarial)

This was a team effort combining legal strategy, professional planning, and political navigation.

The Bigger Picture: NJ's Affordable Housing Wars

This victory fits into a larger context:

27 towns sued to block the new affordable housing law in 2024-2025
The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice in October 2025
Most towns used the mediation process rather than litigation
The new law streamlined the process but towns still have leverage

Livingston's approach — detailed land analysis, strategic negotiation, leveraging surplus credits — could be a model for other suburbs.

Questions Answered

1. What developments already satisfy the obligation?

The plan relies on three sources:

Third Round surplus credits: 124 credits carried over from prior affordable housing work (93 applied, 31 remaining)
Existing approved developments: Projects already in the pipeline
Bonus credits: For qualifying project types

Key insight: Livingston achieved zero "present need" by focusing on senior/special-needs housing in the Third Round — they "banked" credits by building for specific demographics.

Specific Projects (from the Plan):

Cedar Street Commons: Renewed 30-year affordability restrictions on 33 existing age-restricted units + 100 new age-restricted units (~133 credits + bonus)
Brightview Assisted Living: Former West Essex YMCA site; produces zero school-aged children, minimal traffic (significant credits)
Third Round Surplus: Credits banked from prior round (93 applied to Fourth Round)
Other Fourth Round Projects: Various projects in Table 21 of the Plan (additional credits)

Note on PILOTs: Livingston uses PILOTs (Payment In Lieu of Taxes):

45 South Livingston Avenue - Approved April 2025
- 45 Partners Urban Renewal
- Ordinance passed April 7, 2025
321 South Livingston Avenue (Brightview Senior Living) - Former West Essex YMCA site
- Ordinance 10-2024: Authorized purchase and sale agreement
- Ordinance 11-2024: Long-term tax exemption (PILOT) application
- Council tabled the financial agreement during negotiation
- This IS part of the Fourth Round plan
Esplanade (530-550 West Mount Pleasant Avenue)
- Multi-family development in the pipeline
- May include PILOT

Why this matters: Unlike Jersey City (where affordable units require $240K+ per unit in direct municipal subsidies), Livingston's PILOTs shift the tax burden rather than requiring direct cash subsidies. The township combines PILOTs with bonus credits (senior/special-needs) to maximize credits while minimizing true "cost" to taxpayers.

2. What happens to the four challenged sites?

Two sites: Court agreed they're "unlikely to redevelop" — stays as-is
Third site: Settlement preserved single-family residential use — no density added
Fourth site: Developer withdrew — no additional housing awarded

3. How does this affect property taxes?

The key question: Did taxpayers actually save money, or did the township simply avoid costs?

PILOTs in Livingston: The township uses PILOTs for some projects, but structures them differently than direct subsidies:

Brightview (321 South Livingston): PILOT approved via Ordinances 10-2024 and 11-2024
Jersey City comparison (context): $240K+ per unit in direct subsidies via PILOTs
Livingston's approach: Long-term tax exemptions shift burden; developer pays something vs. nothing

The avoided costs argument:

Even with PILOTs, there are cost avoidances:

Cost Category	NJ Average	Potential Impact
School costs	~$25,000/year per student	100 units = 30-50 kids = $750K-$1.25M annually
Municipal services	Variable	Roads, water, sewer, emergency services
Infrastructure	Variable	Per-unit capital costs

For Livingston specifically:

Senior/age-restricted units: Produce zero school-aged children
Special needs housing: Zero school impact
Adaptive reuse projects: Minimal new infrastructure

The township's strategy explicitly targeted housing types that minimize community impact while maximizing credit generation.

4. What's the timeline?

Answered. The Fourth Round runs 2025-2035. The township announced in June 2025 that they've already satisfied the obligation — meaning the projects are either built or already approved. No new affordable housing decisions need to be made until 2035+ (Fifth Round).

5. Does this protect against builder's remedy lawsuits?

Yes. This is a critical benefit. Livingston already faced a builder's remedy lawsuit from Squiretown Properties — they tried for years to build residential apartments with affordable units.

Once the Fourth Round Plan receives compliance certification from the NJ Superior Court through the Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program, it provides immunity from builder's remedy lawsuits through 2035.

That's the key goal: certified compliance = developers cannot sue to override local zoning.

6. What's the tax impact from PILOTs?

PILOT Revenue Breakdown (Standard Property Tax):

Schools: 52.7%
Municipality: 29.6%
County: 17.6%

With PILOTs:

Schools get zero (main criticism)
County gets ~5% typically
Municipality gets negotiated percentage (something vs. nothing)

Proposed Change: NJ Senate passed S-1403 (Jan 2025) requiring towns to share PILOT revenue with school districts. If enacted, this would significantly change PILOT economics.

For Livingston: The 45 South Livingston and 321 South Livingston PILOTs generate some revenue for the township, but the school district receives nothing — unless the pending legislation passes.

The Hidden Catch: Why the Victory May Be Short-Lived

There's a critical detail buried in the new state rules that could come back to haunt Livingston.

The Senior Housing Trap

Livingston's strategy during the Third Round was clever: they focused on senior housing and 55+ communities, which allowed them to achieve zero "present need" (the rehabilitation share). This is why their initial obligation looked so favorable.

But here's the problem: the new rules impose hard caps on senior housing.

The Numbers: It's Not Just 324

Under NJ's Fourth Round rules (P.L. 2024, Chapter 2), there's a critical distinction:

"Adjusted Prospective Need" (324 credits): The number after applying VLA and Third Round surplus credits.

"Total Obligation" (94 units): The actual number to satisfy, calculated as:

RDP (13) + 25% of remaining units (81) = 94 units

Rule	Percentage	What It Means
Max Age-Restricted	25% of 94	Cap on senior/55+ housing (~23 units)
Min Rental Units	25% of 94	Must be rental affordable housing (~23 units)
Min Family Housing	50% of 94	Must be for families with children (~47 units)

Note: These caps apply to the 94-unit obligation, not the 324 remaining units.

How Bonus Credits Work

Bonus credits are multipliers that let towns count fewer units while satisfying more of their obligation.

Bonus Type	Credit Multiplier	Cap (of 94 units)
Transit-oriented (within 0.5mi of train/bus)	1.5x	23.5 credits
Senior/Age-restricted	1.5x	14 credits (15% cap)
Very Low-Income (below 30% AMI)	2.0x	No specific cap
Non-Profit Partnership	1.5x	No specific cap

Key rules:

Bonus credits capped at 25% of obligation (23.5 credits of 94 units)
One bonus per unit — can't stack multiple bonuses on same unit
Age-restricted bonus limited to 15% (~14 credits)

Why This Matters for Livingston

For the Fourth Round (current):

Actual obligation: 94 units (not 324)
Satisfied through: Third Round surplus credits + existing approved projects + bonus credits

For the Fifth Round (2035+):

Fresh obligation calculation based on 2035 demographics
The 25% age-restricted cap resets
The 25% bonus credit cap resets
BUT: Senior housing strategy already used — harder to repeat

Key constraints on 94-unit obligation:

Senior Housing Ceiling: ~23 units (25%) can be age-restricted
Family Housing Mandate: ~47 units (50%) must be family housing
Rental Minimum: ~23 units (25%) must be rentals
Bonus Limits: ~23.5 credits max — can't stack multiple bonuses

The Coming Conflict

Livingston's victory relied on three pillars:

Vacant Land Adjustment (VLA) — claimed, can't use again
Senior/special-needs housing — capped at 25% of next obligation
Third Round surplus credits — most have been applied

For the Fifth Round (2035+):

The VLA is gone — can't claim "no vacant land" twice
Senior housing is capped — ~25% of whatever the new obligation is
Surplus credits mostly used — only ~31 remaining from Third Round
Family housing is mandatory — state explicitly requires 50% family units

The township has banked ~109.5 credits for Fifth Round, but a new obligation could easily exceed that if:

Population growth continues
More land becomes "developable"
The state revises its methodology

Critical Question for Residents

The township satisfied the Fourth Round obligation (94 units) using:

Third Round surplus credits (93 applied)
Existing approved developments
Bonus credits

What's banked for Fifth Round:

78.5 Fourth Round surplus credits
31 remaining Third Round surplus credits
Total: ~109.5 credits

But what happens in 2035?

If Livingston faces a new obligation of, say, 150-200 credits (plausible if demographics shift or methodology changes):

109.5 banked credits would cover ~55-73% of the obligation
The remaining 45-90 credits would need new construction
With only 25% allowable as age-restricted, they'd need significant family housing

Key questions residents should ask:

What happens to the "existing approved developments" after their 30-year restrictions expire?
What is the township's plan for the Fifth Round (2035)?
How much senior housing capacity remains after this round?
Are there any transit-oriented development opportunities that could generate bonus credits?
What's the projection for Livingston's Fifth Round obligation?

The Irony

Livingston's success at beating back 681 developer units and reducing their obligation to 324 may create a false sense of security. The real challenge may not be this round — it could be the next one.

This isn't fearmongering — it's looking at the math. And the math shows Livingston used most of their tricks in this round.

Assessment

This was a significant political and legal victory for Livingston — but it's not the kind of thing that makes headlines. No ribbon-cutting, no grand announcements. Just a quietly effective defense of suburban character.

Whether you view this as smart governance or obstruction depends on your perspective on housing density, property rights, and regional responsibility.

But the mechanics of how Livingston won are worth understanding — because other towns are watching.

Article draft for review. Not posted.
Sources: Livingston Township Council meetings (Jan 27, Feb 9, 2026), Patch.com, NJ Courts documents, Better Blocks NJ

February 9, 2026 - Council Meeting

Livingston First — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:41:39 +0000

Livingston Township Council Meeting Newsletter

February 9, 2026 Meeting Summary

Meeting Overview

The February 9, 2026 Township Council meeting covered significant ground: three ordinances adopted, two introduced, and 18 resolutions approved. Here's what Livingston residents need to know.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening

Police Department Officer Promotions
Three new officers were sworn in:

Officer Sean Croker (Badge #296) - Former Marine Corps machine gunner, Morris County Police Academy Class 104
Officer Benjamin Surratt (Badge #297) - First in academic class, Academic Achievement Award
Officer Matthew Peck (Badge #298) - Rowan University graduate, Marketing degree

Crime Statistics Trend
The Chief presented encouraging crime data:

Burglaries: 74 (2023) → 39 (2024) → 18 (2025)
Car thefts: 35 (2023) → 23 (2024) → 11 (2025)
Motor vehicle pursuits: 55 (2023) → 16 (2024) → 6 (2025)

Ordinances Adopted (Final Reading)

Ordinance	Description	Vote
01-2026	Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters	Unanimous
02-2026	Street Openings - Chapter 274 Amendments	Unanimous
03-2026	Verizon Rights-of-Way Use Agreement	Unanimous

Key Details:

Ordinance 01-2026 (E-Bikes/E-Scooters)
Creates comprehensive regulations for electric bicycles and scooters:

Classifies devices: Low-speed electric bicycles (≤20 mph), Low-speed scooters (≤19 mph), Motorized electric bicycles (21-28 mph)
Speed limits: 20 mph max on roadways
Helmet required for all riders
Age restrictions: Under 15 cannot operate electric bikes
No sidewalk riding - must dismount and walk
No riding after dark without proper lighting
Single file only when riding in groups
Fines: $100 first offense, $250 second, $500+ for adults; parents liable for minors
Commercial delivery restrictions (no blocking sidewalks)

Thanked resident Tara Hedeman for bringing the issue to council's attention.

Ordinance 02-2026 (Street Openings)
Major amendments to street opening regulations:

Extended moratorium: No street opening within 2 years of resurfacing (increased from 1 year)
Application fee: $75 non-refundable
Increased permit fees: $1,500 for streets resurfaced within 1 year; tiered based on street age
Mandatory compaction testing with certified laboratory
Required notification to adjacent property owners 3 days before construction
December-March winter moratorium on excavation work
7-day deadline for permanent pavement restoration
2-year warranty on all repairs

Response to PSE&G work complaints in Chestnut Hill neighborhood.

Ordinance 03-2026 (Verizon Agreement)

20-year agreement for Verizon to install small cell equipment on utility poles
Location: 53 Berkeley Place
Annual fee: $270 per site
One-time fees: $500 for up to 5 sites, $100 per additional site

Ordinances Introduced (First Reading)

Ordinance	Description	Public Hearing
04-2026	Stop Signs - Additional Intersections	Feb 24, 2026
05-2026	Trees - Performance Guarantee Increases	Feb 24, 2026

Stop Sign Intersections Added:

Alpine Way and Marberne Terrace
Belvedere Drive and Shadowlawn Drive
Brentwood Drive and Martin Road
Fellswood Drive and Greenwood Court

Tree Ordinance (05-2026):

Increases performance bond amounts for tree replacement
Addresses issue where builders forfeit bonds instead of planting trees
Goal: Make bonds "sufficient to incentivize and facilitate actual replacement"

Resolutions Approved

Consent Agenda (18 resolutions):

Key items approved:

26-102: NJDOT Route 10 Eisenhower and CR 508 Intersections improvements - Council insisted on sidewalks BOTH sides of Route 10
26-103: Municipal Public Defender appointment - Sabrina G. Ruggiero
26-104: Green Acres supplemental funding request - $2,465,000 for open space
26-105: Jesco Inc. - DPW compact track loader - $137,735.14 (includes trade-in)
26-106: Power Place Inc. - 4 snow plows - $105,949.54
26-107: Associated Appraisal Group - Change Order +$14,000
26-108: Rio Supply - Water meter software - $43,153.55
26-109: Pumping Services - Wastewater pumps - $500,000
26-110: Morris County Cooperative purchasing renewal
26-111: Affordable Housing Counsel - Change Order +$4,146.86
26-112: R & D Trucking - Sludge removal - $43/1,000 gallons
26-113: EMERGENCY Cecere Mechanical - Town Hall boiler replacement - $535,600
26-114: Suburban Consulting Engineers - Little League Fields +$8,355
26-115: NJIB Water Bank loan - $12.4M for PFAS well remediation (Phase A)
26-116: GovPilot software renewal - $75,801
26-117: Area in Need of Rehabilitation - Block 3000, Lot 1.01 (21.3 acres)
26-118: Remington & Vernick Engineers - Pool evaluation study - $29,200

Notable Discussion:

GovPilot (26-116): $75,801 renewal sparked debate. Council acknowledged "implementation hiccups" after SDL acquisition. Vote 4-1 (Vinehart opposed).

Emergency Boiler (26-113): Town Hall boilers require immediate replacement. $535,600 emergency contract approved.

Pool Study (26-118): Engineering evaluation of pool options authorized - signals potential major decision coming on pool future.

Closed Session Topics

Livingston Mall - Attorney-client privilege
Legal Fees - Antonelli Kantor Rivera invoices ($79,146.86 total)

PART II: ANALYSIS

The Good 🟢

Crime Trends Are Real
Burglaries down 76% in two years. This isn't statistical trickery - these are dramatic improvements. Kudos to PD and council for supporting the tech investments that enabled this.

Tree Ordinance Fixes a Loophole
Builders were exploiting a weakness: forfeiting bonds (cost of tree) rather than planting. The new ordinance addresses this. This is resident-driven governance at its best - resident Rob Kunz identified the issue, council fixed it.

Sidewalks on Route 10
Council negotiated sidewalks on BOTH sides of Route 10 (not just one), plus extension to East Hanover. This is a big win for walkability and future development. 4-year timeline isn't quick, but the scope is right.

E-Bike Safety First
Proactive regulation before problems escalate. Helmet requirements, age limits, sidewalk bans - these are sensible. Thank Tara Hedeman for pushing this forward.

The Bad 🔴

GovPilot 4-1 Vote
A $75,800 contract passing 4-1 with admitted implementation problems is concerning. The product (SDL) was acquired and residents/staff were forced onto new platform. No exit strategy. This is vendor lock-in, not governance.

No Tax Transparency
Every item has a cost. Green Acres grant requires local match. Pool study leads to pool renovation. Emergency boiler is unbudgeted. Yet nowhere does the council explicitly connect decisions to tax impact. What does this meeting cost taxpayers?

PSE&G Non-Answer
Residents complained about bill increases. Utility rep blamed capacity auctions. Council accepted this without pushing for solutions like budget billing or assistance programs. Fixed-income residents got sympathy but no advocacy.

The Chaotic 🌀

Emergency Boiler = Planning Failure
Town Hall boilers failing in February is an emergency that wasn't anticipated. $535,600 unbudgeted expense. Was there no preventive maintenance schedule?

Pool Study Signals Big Spending Coming
$29,200 for engineering evaluation means the council is seriously considering pool modifications. This will be a major fiscal decision - likely tens of hundreds of thousands. Residents should engage early.

18 Resolutions in Consent
Most passed without discussion. Good for efficiency, but concerning for accountability. Only GovPilot was pulled for debate.

PART III: LIVINGSTON-FIRST ASSESSMENT

Key Numbers This Meeting

Item	Cost	Impact
Emergency Boiler	$535,600	Unbudgeted
GovPilot	$75,801	Software
Pool Study	$29,200	Future decision
Track Loader	$137,735	Equipment
Snow Plows	$105,949	Equipment
Water Infrastructure	$12.4M	State funding (loan)

Scoring (1-5 🐾)

Issue	Score	Notes
Transparency	🐾🐾	No cost/tax connection
Infrastructure	🐾🐾🐾🐾	Sidewalks, roads, tech
Safety	🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾	Crime down, new officers
Tree/Environment	🐾🐾🐾🐾	Ordinance fix
Fiscal Prudence	🐾🐾	Emergency expenses
Resident Voice	🐾🐾🐾	Issues heard (partial)

Bottom Line

Functional but not proactive.

This council responds to issues raised by residents (trees, e-bikes) and delivers on public safety. But they're reactive rather than anticipatory - the emergency boiler is Exhibit A.

The GovPilot vote should trouble anyone who cares about government transparency. A 4-1 split with acknowledged problems isn't confidence.

Livingston-first means: Are we spending wisely? Are we planning ahead? Are we advocating for residents against utilities?

On those questions: acceptable, but room for improvement.

Analysis based on February 9, 2026 meeting agenda and transcripts.
Perspective: True neutral with focus on fiscal responsibility and resident impact.

January 27, 2026 - Council Meeting

Livingston First — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:41:29 +0000

Livingston Township Council Meeting Newsletter

January 27, 2026 Meeting Summary

Meeting Overview

The Livingston Township Council meeting on January 27, 2026 was held at the Community Center for the first time. The evening honored multiple national champions, celebrated community diversity, and addressed infrastructure regulations. Here's what residents need to know.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening

Moment of silence for Governor Richard Cody (former NJ Governor, died Feb 15) and Ira Coleman (longtime resident, Coleman's Tuxedos)
Meeting held at Community Center - first time in that venue
DPW and Andy Muns thanked for setting up the room

Proclamations & Presentations

Academic Bowl Champions - Livingston High School won the 2025 NAQT National Championship, defeating 336 teams from the US and Guatemala. Team: Robert Wang (now at Columbia), Arav Caoic (senior), Kevin Zang (Yale), Ben Lasco (senior), advisors Bren Smith & Guy Rabner.
History Bowl Champions - LHS won the 2025 National History Bowl, defeating 96 teams. Team: Robert Wang, Arav Caoic, Ethan Lou, Jack Lou.
Muslim Heritage Month - Proclamation for January. Ramadan starts Feb 17. New Muslim Community Center introduced. MSA students presented community service: 300+ bags food drive, 150 winter accessory kits.
League of Women Voters - Youth letters to mayor (ages 8-18). Special election Feb 5 for Mikey Cheryl vacancy noted.

Ordinances Introduced (Public Hearing: February 9, 2026)

Ordinance	Description	Vote
01-2026	Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters - helmet requirements, 20mph limit, no sidewalk riding, age restrictions	Unanimous
02-2026	Street Openings - Chapter 274 amendments, extended moratorium, increased fees	Unanimous
03-2026	Verizon Rights-of-Way Use Agreement - 20-year agreement	Unanimous

Key Details:

Ordinance 01-2026 (E-Bikes/E-Scooters)

Classifies devices: Low-speed electric bicycles (≤20 mph), Low-speed scooters (≤19 mph), Motorized electric bicycles (21-28 mph)
Helmet required for all riders
Age restrictions: Under 15 cannot operate electric bikes
No sidewalk riding - must dismount and walk
Fines: $100 first offense, $250 second, $500+ for adults; parents liable for minors

Note: State passed similar legislation; Livingston had been working on this before state mandate.

Ordinance 02-2026 (Street Openings)
Major amendments in response to PSE&G complaints in Chestnut Hill:

Extended moratorium: No street opening within 2 years of resurfacing (increased from 1 year)
Application fee: $75 non-refundable
Permit fees: $1,500 for streets resurfaced within 1 year; tiered based on street age
Compaction testing required with certified laboratory
Notification: Adjacent property owners must be notified 3 days before construction
Winter moratorium: December 1 - March 15 no excavation
7-day deadline for permanent pavement restoration
2-year warranty on all repairs

Ordinance 03-2026 (Verizon Agreement)

20-year agreement for small cell equipment on utility poles
Location: 53 Berkeley Place
Annual fee: $270 per site
One-time fees: $500 for up to 5 sites, $100 per additional site

Resolutions Approved

Consent Agenda (14 resolutions):

Key items approved:

26-083: Affordable Housing Mediation Agreement - defeats 4 developer challenges, avoids 600 additional units
26-084: Local Recreational Improvement Grant - preschool library at Community Center - $80,000 + $20,000 match
26-085: Official Publications for 2026
26-086: Pedestrian Signage - Winchester Road & West Northfield Road
26-087: Rio Supply - Water meters - $36,643
26-088: Morton Salt - Road salt - $300,000 max ($63.80/ton)
26-089: Union County Cooperative purchasing
26-090: National Fuel Oil - Diesel - $200,000 max
26-091: SJ Fuel South - Gasoline - $165,000 max
26-092: NV5 Pedestrian Bridge Change Order - +$21,600 (new total $69,800)
26-093: Gold Type Business Machines - E-tickets - $19,000
26-094: Cecere Mechanical - Emergency boiler rental - $91,100
26-095: Alcoholic beverages at public events
26-096: Budget transfer - $151,000
26-097: NJ Intergovernmental Insurance Fund commissioners
26-098: 2026 Temporary Emergency Appropriations - $7,095,491.65
26-099: Fairview Insurance - Risk manager

Pulled for Discussion:

26-083 (Affordable Housing): Deputy Mayor Ketan K. Bhuptani highlighted victory - defeated 4 challenges totaling 600+ units. Thanks to Jared Caner, Topology, Barry Lewis.

26-086 (Pedestrian Signage): Mayor thanked Michelle Lemieux for bringing safety concern to council.

26-092 (Pedestrian Bridge): Town Hall pedestrian bridge behind council chambers. NV5 change order for redesign - will use fiber-reinforced materials instead of wood to prevent rusting.

Public Comment

Norin (resident): Requested traffic signage at Bernett Street & East Harrison Street intersection due to speeding concerns and children playing in area

Council Reports

DPW: Thanked for excellent snow removal during recent storm
Community Center: Cell service now working (lower level upgrade)
Veterans Banners: Info on township website; reopens Feb 2-13 for new orders
Recycling: Pushed back one day due to holiday
Upcoming Events: Telugu Sanskriti event (Jan 31), Chinese Association event (Jan 31), Black History Month banner raising (Feb 1), LCDI Saison fundraiser (Feb 7), Yom Ha'atzmaut (April 22)

PART II: ANALYSIS

Affordable Housing Victory - But At What Cost?

The council's biggest win was defeating four developer challenges that would have added 600+ units to Livingston. This is objectively good - avoiding unwanted development protects neighborhood character and prevents strain on schools. Kudos to the legal team.

But let's look closer: this mediation keeps existing credit mechanisms in place. The township retains a "91-unit surplus." Meanwhile, developers like the ones behind 290 West Mount Pleasant Avenue (Eastman Developers) are negotiating to remove their properties from RDP calculations. These are the same properties that could have generated affordable housing. When developers successfully argue their land shouldn't count toward housing obligations, who picks up the slack? Likely future development or existing residents through other means.

Street Opening Ordinance - Taxpayers Should Watch

The new street opening regulations (Ordinance 02-2026) were prompted by PSE&G's poor work in Chestnut Hill. The extended 2-year moratorium and increased fees are reasonable protections. But here's what worries us: utility companies can still apply for exemptions. And who pays for the additional enforcement, compaction testing, and inspections? Ultimately, these costs filter down to residents through utility rates or township taxes.

The ordinance requires a 2-year warranty on repairs - that's good. But we're entering a period where aging infrastructure (see: the pedestrian bridge) needs significant investment. The NV5 change order for the bridge is already +$21,600. How many more infrastructure surprises are lurking?

Verizon Agreement - Who's Getting What?

The 20-year Verizon agreement grants cellular infrastructure access for what amounts to $270/year per site. This seems light - municipal infrastructure being used to generate revenue for a Fortune 50 company. Meanwhile, residents deal with spotty coverage in some areas. Is this agreement ensuring adequate service for Livingston, or just giving away public right-of-way?

Emergency Spending Continues

The $7.1 million in temporary emergency appropriations is notable. That's a lot of taxpayer money being spent before a formal budget is even adopted. The emergency boiler rental ($91,100) was necessary, but it's part of a pattern: this meeting also included a $535,600 boiler REPLACEMENT. Are our municipal buildings aging faster than anticipated? This bears watching come budget season.

What's Missing

No discussion of:

School capacity impacts from any development
Tax revenue implications of the affordable housing agreements
Long-term capital planning for infrastructure
Developer contribution agreements for road/school improvements

The Takeaway

This council does a good job defending against unwanted development. But the real test is what happens when WANTS come - when developers offer to pay for improvements in exchange for approvals. Residents should demand transparency on how these deals affect their taxes and schools.

This newsletter is prepared for informational purposes and represents independent analysis.

January 12, 2026 - Council Meeting

Livingston First — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:35:02 +0000

Livingston Township Council Meeting Newsletter

January 12, 2026 Meeting Summary

Meeting Overview

The Livingston Township Council meeting held on January 12, 2026, began with a moment of silence in honor of former Governor Richard Cody's passing. The mayor and council members recognized the Livingston Lancer girls soccer team's first-ever NJ Group Four State champions title and swore in new council members, Mayor Shawn R. Klein and Deputy Mayor Ketan K. Bhuptani. The meeting covered various topics including proclamations, presentations, ordinances, resolutions, and public comments.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening

Moment of silence for Governor Richard Cody (former NJ Governor)
Girls Soccer State Championship recognized
New council members sworn in (Mayor Shawn R. Klein, Deputy Mayor Ketan K. Bhuptani)

Proclamations & Presentations

Girls Soccer State Champions - Livingston LHS won first-ever NJ Group Four State title. Won SEC Conference American Division and North One Group Four Sectional. Team recognized with certificates.
National Charity League - Student Dista presented on holiday basket drive: $3,000 raised, 100+ families supported in Newark and Clifton.

Ordinances Introduced (Public Hearing: January 27, 2026)

Ordinance	Description	Vote
01-2026	Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters - helmet requirements, 20mph limit, no sidewalk riding, age restrictions	Unanimous

Key Details:

Ordinance 01-2026 (E-Bikes/E-Scooters)

Classifies devices: Low-speed electric bicycles (≤20 mph), Low-speed scooters (≤19 mph), Motorized electric bicycles (21-28 mph)
Helmet required for all riders
Age restrictions: Under 15 cannot operate electric bikes
No sidewalk riding - must dismount and walk
Fines: $100 first offense, $250 second, $500+ for adults; parents liable for minors

Resolutions Approved

Consent Agenda (22 resolutions):

Key items:

26-060: Affordable Housing Counsel (Antonelli Kantor Rivera) - $50,000
26-061: Tax Appeal Counsel (Antonelli Kantor Rivera) - $110,000
26-062: Special Counsel I-Bank (McManimon) - $50,000
26-063: Redevelopment Counsel (McManimon) - $75,000
26-064: Bond Counsel (Gibbons) - $30,000
26-065: Auditor (Samuel Klein) - $114,500
26-066: Planning Services (Topology NJ) - $90,000
26-067: Affordable Housing Admin Agent (Acuity) - $25,000
26-068: Governor's Council on Alcohol/Drug Abuse grant
26-069: Alcohol license transfer (Blu Liv)
26-070: Rio Supply (water meters) - $42,352
26-071: Fairview Insurance - Risk manager
26-072-074: Cooperative purchasing (Morris County, ESCNJ, State)
26-075: Edmunds GovTech - $43,000
26-076: PrimePoint payroll - $76,600
26-077-078: Competitive contracting (EV charging, maintenance)
26-079: Social Entrepreneurship Certificate (Young Minds Big Ideas)
26-080: NJ Insurance Fund commissioners
26-081: Budget transfer - $336,400

Pulled for Discussion:

26-060 & 26-066 (Affordable Housing & Planning): Council highlighted victory in Fourth Round - zero additional units required. Renewed contracts with Antonelli Kantor Rivera and Topology NJ.
26-079 (Social Entrepreneurship): Young Minds Big Ideas - students Ruhan and Jack presented. First in NJ - certificate for student entrepreneurs.

Public Comment

Jean Stooff - Complaint about demonstration ordinance; questioned town's handling of protests. Council said current code adequate.
Joyce Armando - Car wash noise violation issue at Express Auto Spa. Essex County issued violation. Complained about township inaction, alleged conflict of interest with former Mayor Edward Meinhardt. Township manager Barry Lewis explained enforcement limitations.
Anthony Armando - Also spoke on car wash issue. Questioned how car wash got approved with 17 vacuum stations when only 15 approved.

Council Reports

DPW: Bus shelter on East Mt. Pleasant hit by car - being replaced
CFO: $2.9M interest income in 2025
Events: MLK Day (Jan 20), Township Reorganization meeting praised
PSEG: Chestnut Hill streets in "atrocious condition" after gas line work - council pushing for repair plan

PART II: ANALYSIS

E-Bike Ordinance: Good Start, But Questions Remain

The introduction of Ordinance 01-2026 regulating electric bicycles and scooters represents a proactive safety measure, and it's worth noting the council explicitly chose to lead rather than react after seeing neighboring towns experience fatalities. However, several questions remain unanswered: Will the township actually enforce these rules, or will this become another ordinance that sits on the books? The fine structure ($100-$500) seems reasonable, but enforcement requires police resources that may not exist. Parents should note: they are now financially liable for their children's e-bike violations.

The Car Wash Controversy: A Transparency Failure

The most troubling issue at this meeting was the Express Auto Spa situation. Residents have been complaining about noise from the car wash since September 2024—four months—and only now, after Essex County issued a violation, is the township taking action. The key questions:

How did 17 vacuum stations get installed when only 15 were approved?
Why did it take a county violation to prompt township action?
The Planning Board approved this—what's their oversight role?

Council Member Alfred M. Anthony asked the critical question: "How did this get by the planning board and building department?" The answer matters because residents are living with the consequences. Barry Lewis acknowledged the township lacks a noise ordinance with decibel limits, meaning they're reliant on county enforcement—which apparently wasn't happening for months.

Conflict of interest allegation: Resident Joyce Armando raised that former Mayor Edward Meinhardt allegedly has a personal friendship with the car wash owner. While Meinhardt denied this ("met twice on Zoom"), the perception matters. When residents perceive conflicts, trust erodes—even if technically no violation occurred.

Professional Services: Who's Watching the Checkbook?

The consent agenda included $606,000+ in professional service contracts:

$110,000 for Tax Appeal Counsel
$90,000 for Planning Services
$114,500 for Auditor
$76,600 for Payroll software

These contracts were approved with minimal discussion. While the Fourth Round affordable housing victory is legitimate (congratulations are due to the legal team), residents should ask: What specific deliverables are we getting for $606,000 annually? Are these fees competitive? The council praised the lawyers extensively but the public has no performance metrics.

PSEG: Another Utility, Another Mess

Deputy Mayor Ketan K. Bhuptani noted that Chestnut Hill streets are in "atrocious condition" after PSEG gas line work. This follows a familiar pattern: utilities tear up roads, do poor repairs, then disappear until spring when asphalt plants reopen. The council is "pressing" PSEG—but residents are living with damaged roads now. This is a recurring issue with no permanent solution in sight.

Interest Income: One Bright Spot

CFO reported $2.9 million in interest income for 2025. With rates declining, this number may decrease in 2026. Residents should watch whether this revenue shift gets offset by increased taxes or service cuts.

What Didn't Get Discussed

Notably absent from this meeting:

Any discussion of school population/capacity issues
Development projects beyond the routine approvals
Infrastructure maintenance backlog (beyond PSEG streets)
Tax rate implications of any of these contracts

January 6, 2026 - Township Council Reorganization Meeting

Livingston First — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:34:46 +0000

Livingston Township Council Meeting Newsletter

January 6, 2026 - Reorganization Meeting Summary

Meeting Overview

The annual reorganization meeting for 2026 was held on January 6, 2026. This meeting marks the beginning of a new year for the Livingston Township Council, where new leadership is sworn in and key positions are reappointed. The meeting, led by Council Member Michael M. Vieira, began with an invocation by Rabbi Edwards and a moment of silence for the town's residents who passed away in 2025. The meeting also featured a presentation by the Township Manager, Barry Lewis, which highlighted the town's achievements and challenges in 2025.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Swearing-In Ceremony

Mayor: Mayor Shawn R. Klein sworn in for 2026 (third term)
Deputy Mayor: Ketan K. Bhuptani sworn in - FIRST Indian-American, South Asian, Asian-American deputy mayor in Livingston history
Oath administered by Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones

Recognition & Tributes

Outgoing Mayor Edward Meinhardt honored - served as mayor in 2025, received ceremonial gavel, green bananas (for "planning for the future"), donation to JNF charity
Outgoing Deputy Mayor Shawn R. Klein - transitioned to Mayor role
Recognitions: Rabbi Edwards (invocation), Fal Panda (benediction)

Council Members Present

Mayor Shawn R. Klein
Deputy Mayor Ketan K. Bhuptani
Council Members: Council Member Alfred M. Anthony, Council Member Edward Meinhardt, Council Member Michael M. Vieira

Key Appointments

Township Manager: Barry Lewis
Township Clerk: Carolyn Mazzucco
Various board appointments listed in agenda

Resolutions Approved (Consent Agenda)

All routine reorganizational resolutions approved unanimously:

Professional service contracts (attorneys, auditors, planners)
Cooperative purchasing agreements
Committee liaisons

Town Manager Report Highlights

Affordable Housing: Fourth Round resolved - zero additional units required, carrying credits to Fifth Round (2035)
PFAS Water Remediation: Phase 1 complete, Phase 2 expected 2026 - "ahead of virtually every community in the state"
Class Action Settlement: Anticipating $6 million recouped for PFAS costs
Financial Position: Fund balance at record high, credit rating upgraded to AA1 (one step from AAA)
Livingston Mall: Continuing redevelopment process, community input gathered
Open Space: Implementing improvements on acquired parcels (Stumman, Lukari, Orchard Hill)
DPW Facility & Pools: Committed to moving forward in 2026
YMCA: New facility groundbreaking held, late 2026 opening anticipated

Council Comments

Councilman Anthony: Thanked volunteers, noted Bottle King project brought $2.5M more than initial proposal, criticized "special interests, nor developers, nor worst of all politics"

Council Member Michael M. Vieira: Celebrated 8 years on council, mentioned potential performing arts center at historic Federated Church property, recognized Livingston Arts Council work at Lucari Horse Farm

Deputy Mayor Bhuptani: Highlighted financial subcommittee work, redevelopment negotiations resulting in $12M more than original proposal, e-bike/scooter safety ordinance coming, safe routes to schools initiative

Mayor Klein: Emphasized fiscal discipline (tax increases below inflation), 80% reduction in some crime classes, affordable housing victory (681 units deflected), mall redevelopment process, 250th anniversary of US celebration planned

Outgoing Mayor Minhardt: Highlights: Fourth Round with zero additional multifamily, credit rating upgrade to AA1, mall community input process, PFAS progress, YMCA construction, coordination with Board of Education

PART II: ANALYSIS

Historic Milestone: Diversity in Leadership

Ketan K. Bhuptani's swearing-in as the first Indian-American, South Asian, and Asian-American deputy mayor represents a significant milestone for Livingston. In his speech, Bhuptani emphasized that "representation is not about spotlight - it's about lifting others. It's about widening the table, not guarding it." This is notable for a town that has increasingly diverse demographics.

Financial Strength - But What About Taxes?

The town manager and mayors repeatedly emphasized record financial position:

Credit rating upgraded to AA1
Fund balance at "record high"
$2.9M interest income in 2025
Tax rate "second lowest in Essex County"

However, the claim that "tax increases have been lower than inflation" deserves scrutiny. The municipal tax is only one component of a resident's total tax bill. School taxes and county taxes are separate - and those have been rising. Residents should compare total tax burden, not just the municipal piece.

Affordable Housing Victory: What Does It Mean?

The council celebrated deflecting 681 units that developers attempted to add. That's a legitimate win for residents concerned about overdevelopment. However:

The town still has obligations for the Fifth Round (2035)
"Zero additional units" came with carrying credits - future councils will need to manage this
Some residents may have mixed feelings about "victory" language around affordable housing

The Mall Question

Multiple references to the Livingston Mall redevelopment process suggest movement, but no concrete timeline. "We are working on" and "hopefully" were common phrases. Residents wanting specifics on what will actually happen at the mall may need to wait longer for answers.

PFAS Progress - A Real Win

The town's PFAS remediation progress appears genuine - being "ahead of virtually every community in the state" is a meaningful achievement. The $6 million class action recovery is also concrete good news for ratepayers.

What's Missing

No discussion of:

School capacity or enrollment pressures
Specific infrastructure needs beyond general references
Developer contribution agreements details
Long-term debt outlook