uh meeting tonight. Um it is June 22nd. This is our uh uh regular meeting. Um this is the sunshine statement which is the statement of compliance with the sunshine law NJSA 104-10. This meeting is being held in accordance to the open public meetings act and
adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required by law. Specifically, the annual notice was emailed to the West Tribune and the Star Ledger on January 5th, 2026. The agenda and resolutions for this meeting are available at livingstonj.org. Certain portions of this meeting may be closed to the public for the purpose of
personnel and/or other matters as outlined in the sunshine law. Decisions made and or discussed in close session will be made known to the public at a later time. Notice that members of the governing board and township staff any use of electronic devices during this meeting shall be used solely for the purposes of township business and any communications are subject to the open
public records act. To the extent possible, this evening's township of Livingston Council meeting will be livereamed via Facebook at https www.fas.com/lstontownship facebook.com/lmsontownshipj. Questions or comments will also be accepted by emailing live commentsj.org
by 4 pm on the day of the meeting and shared with the township council before the meeting. Each speaker should follow the rules of order in Livingston code 2-15.3. Madame clerk, uh, roll call, please. >> Council member Reinhardt >> here. >> Anthony, >> here. >> Vieira,
>> present. >> Deputy Mayor Banani >> here. >> Mayor Klene >> here. Uh, please join me in a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. >> Ron Valentine, will you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? >> I allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America to theublic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> Uh Ess's County updates, is Eileen here? I do not see Eileen, so we will move
forward from there. Takes us to our proclamations. Oh, okay. No problem. Nothing for announcing. Okay. Uh we have three proclamations uh this evening. Um the first one is for our history bowl team. And for those of us who are paying
attention at home, you may have noticed that some of these people have been here before. Um and that is because they keep having so many outstanding achievements that we have to constantly recognize those achievements. And we are excited and happy to do that. So um I'm going to ask everyone to uh come down and we will
call them up and hand out some um some uh copies of our proclamation. Okay. So, I get to start with the junior varsity team which was ranked second in the nation. Kenneth Woo. >> Congratulations.
Okay. Aiden Saju. Saju. Congratulations. And uh Max Silverstein, man. Congratulations. You got it. One more. Okay. Oh, I need to read it. Sorry.
Let's continue. Hrien Zang. here. All right. So, let's move on to varsity a team that's ranked 14th in the nation. And I'm going to start with Arav Koshik. Great job, Arav. And the team, uh, this is an achievement.
Congratulations. Congratulations. Go. Oh, I can give it my give my away. Sorry. Uh, Jack Lou. All right. >> So, congratulations everyone. Ethan Lou not here. >> Quite a few of us.
>> Okay. Um, avoil barage. I am on a roll. >> Got one more shot. >> I got one more shot. Is Luke Zang.
>> Oh, luck. >> All right, we'll see. Uh, you you're a Luke, right? >> Yes. >> Andrew Zo for one. All right. The Theodore Zoo. HEY.
CONGRATULATIONS. THANKS. CONGRATULATIONS. And uh Rean Waggle. Nope. All right. >> Okay. And uh we have Hubert Jiang. Guess. Okay. Uh and then coach Miss Bin
Smith. >> And we also just want to specially recognize um we have Arv up here already. Uh but he also uh this is for you. >> Okay, good. Congratulations. Um, Arav
also was the uh national academic B championship uh champion for the uh varsity division. Okay. So I just come on up here. So when when we say and also just for example, so just again so you were number one in the nation. Yes. Which nation are we talking about here?
>> Uh just the United States. >> But the the whole United States or part of the United States? >> No, the whole United States from any of the states could have competed. >> And you're you came in first place. Yes. >> In the whole country. >> In the whole >> I believe so. Okay, I just want to say
okay I just want to emphasize this point. This is it's just incredible what our students achieve. Um and so so I Okay, I just want to emphasize that appropriately. Um it's it's incredible. All right. And also and the you know our
our our varsity junior team, our junior varsity team, excuse me, came in second in the country. Not not part of the country, right? The entire country. Right. I mean that's we were told. Okay. It's it's really incredible. So, that tells us that first of all, our varsity team came in 14th and 51st. And um Bren,
can you come on up here? Um can you just tell us like talk about um how many teams competed and sort of you know what, you know, it's one thing to say you're first in the country, but how many people are trying to win this thing? >> Over a hundred, right? >> Across both. >> Yeah. Across both divisions over 100 >> teams
>> with how many people on each team? >> Like around four, maybe five. Yeah. >> So, it's really it's really incredible. >> A lot of people. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. Good. So, did amazing, >> right? So, this is an these are this is an amazing accomplishment and you guys were up last year, even earlier this year, earlier this year.
>> Um, and but we really wanted to bring them back because this is these are new accolades and it just shines a light on the quality of the students that we have at our high school. Um, the quality of the people, the dedication they have uh year in year out and uh you know, we we're just impressed and proud of you
and just wanted again to shine the light where it deserves to be uh shined. So, uh why don't you guys why don't you guys come on over here? Let's get some photos. Does anyone have any comments? >> Uh, sure. So, first of all, I'd like to thank not just Miss Bren Smith for accompanying us, but also all of our teachers at LHS for continuously
supporting our academic journeys. A lot of the stuff that we got in competitions, I'm speaking for myself here, but I'm sure everyone else can agree. Not just the amazing history teachers at LHS, but across all of our classes. A lot of that stuff has helped us get points in competitions. And we just appreciate how they've also helped us like prepare, even if inadvertently.
Uh but they've been a huge help throughout our journeys through this competition and helped us get this far and place this high. >> All right. Wonderful. Uh so why don't we get some photos? Um I'll put this down. >> We good. What's
>> this? >> All right. Thanks everybody. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, sir. I'll just Okay. So, uh the next presentation, um our town clerk Caroline just told me that uh this is a presentation uh on the uh NJIF
uh safety award. I guess that was awarded the town. Can you does someone want to can you speak to that at all? Can you explain what that was for? >> I think I'm going to defer to Deputy Manager Russ Jones on that. Okay. Um, as you know, may know in the past when we were in another GIF, we used to
if we met certain criteria or exceeded certain criteria for the GIF, um, there were certain safety awards, an A and a B award. Um, now that we're in the NJIF GIF, this is our, well, this is our second year. So, based on our experience
last year, um, we should I don't know all the criteria, but they notified us that we qualified for their safety award this year. I thought Eric was going to be here tonight, but he may have had a conflict. So, he's the uh administer of the GIF.
So, >> yeah. And just to add to that, I think what it's reflective of and the safety is largely workplace safety. So, it's a credit to I think all the department heads, all the workers, uh ensuring that they do things properly, they follow the proper procedures, use the right safety equipment and which leads to fewer
accidents and fewer claims and that's why we got the award. So there is one other thing. We do have our own safety committee meeting that meets every other month and discusses issues to review the claims and things like that and they're pretty active. So we have to thank them
for their assistance over the year. >> Okay. So it's good to hear that uh everything in town is very safe. Uh I'm sure we can all sleep better at night knowing that. So glad we're getting that award. Um let's move on then to uh something that's also very safe.
fireworks. All right. So, the um we're going to uh bring up uh our uh committee for the Fourth of July uh fireworks um which I know uh we even have a couple of uh council members on. Uh Kaitton is uh on the on the committee for a long time,
right? How how many years? >> About 10. >> 10 years. Wow. Long time. >> Eight years for Michael. Good. So, we have on this council very good representation on one of this town's favorite events. Uh we thank these are some uh stalwart gentlemen coming up to present on this well-known town regulars who are involved with this committee for
a long time and do such a wonderful job. So we're going to hand the microphone over to you and please let everybody know what we can expect this July 4th. >> Guys want to stand over over here. >> All right. I'd like to thank everybody for coming for allowing us to stay come uh say a few words. This year is 250th
anniversary of course of the country. So, we're going to have a really an outstanding Fourth of July celebration. It starts at 9:00 in the morning with a car show. And it's a little bit different this year that we're doing with the car show is because last year everything was done on paper. This year
everything is done digitally. So, those who want to register could register early. They could Ron, why don't you come up here? And uh they register uh there's a barcode that they could register on. when they get there, all the cars will be digital digitally uh
registered. Anybody when we start voting, everything is going to be done on the uh on their on their phones. So, that's going to be a great event. After we do the great event, of course, you know, we have good activities that are going on all day. The big uh main stage at the night, we have the new power
soul, which is uh they do Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars. So, it's going to be great activity. And of course, there's great activities that are starting from 9:00 in the morning all the way until almost 11 o'clock at night because the
fireworks start at about 9:05. This year, like we did last year, it's going to be a great event because the fireworks are going to have music and it's all going to be, you know, patriotic music while the fireworks are being done. But just for just to let you know, because the fireworks and the
activities for the whole day are quite expensive. So a couple years ago we used to have uh lawn signs and what we did is we changed the lawn signs last two years ago to a digital truck. So a truck comes and all the people that have advertised
you know rather than on a lawn sign is now on a digital truck. It was very successful and we made a lot of money on that with all the supporters. So last year what we did is we had two trucks and again it was very very successful and we charged $300 to be on the truck
itself and it's on three different sizes and it roams around all day long to uh all the events. Well this year we're doing it again with two trucks but I maybe it's 2026 and people are a little bit tight. So, we're looking for some more vendors and hopefully the town
council members as we have a couple right now who are advertising on the digital truck. So, hopefully everybody should participate. Along with the digital truck, we figured being it's a 250th anniversary, we came out with another idea and this would be a
challenge coin. And the challenge coin is um it's $20 and it's two sides. The one side has the picture of the I guess the um the town Koopa, whatever you call it. And the
other side, of course, has the 250th anniversary. We're selling those in a couple of locations in the town. Uh we're also selling them at the recck department. They will be available on 4th of July and we ordered over a thousand of them and we're down to about
maybe 200 250 left. It's a oneshot deal. So, if anybody really wants to purchase them, they're not going to be around very long. I know a couple of town council people have already purchased them, but I do have a few here. If you'd like to purchase anything more at this time. There we go. We got one. Anybody
else? $20. Going once. We got one over here. We got one over there. We got one over there. >> Town council pays. >> We have So, $20. So, I have nine of them here. So, hopefully we can get rid of all nine of them. So, that's going to be the activities for the Fourth of July,
and we hope everybody comes out early. We should we anticipate having over 10,000 people there during the day. So, please come out and support Fourth of July. My time is up. >> Perfect. Excellent. >> And here's our committee.
>> Yeah. If you want the people at home to hear what to hear your melodious voice. >> Yeah. Here. >> I I got for Edward. >> Here. I got for Ed here. >> I bought the first one. >> The first one.
>> There you go. This for me. >> Edund for me. You want me to let >> I'm >> Steve? You wanted to uh make some comments, please? >> Yeah. Go ahead. Okay. Well, I'm the chairman of the car show
and back in 1991, someone said to me, "Steve, you like cars?" I said, "Yeah." I said, "I don't know. How about a baby carriage race around the old?" I said, "Nah." So, I started a car show back in 1992.
Uh, the first show we had just 20 cars and then from those 20 this year, we expect 175. The show features a variety of antiques, collector cars, customs, foreign cars, specialty vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles are also in. We also have a
variety of automotive vendors. So, I only allow in people that have automotive stuff, t-shirts, toys, etc. Spectators come from Livingston. They walk through the show. This year, as you know, we're going QR. So, all the cars are going to have a QR code on the
windshield. You'll be able to vote with your phone. Um, we give away uh the top 20 voted trophies and I have the mayor of Livingston go around through the show and pick out his favorite car. Hello, Sean. >> Hi, Steve.
>> Start studying now because we get some really nice cars. And the one that Shawn picks doesn't have to be the best, sharpest, most expensive. if it's something that he likes and it's always a surprise. We also give away a long distance award which I've been doing for the past uh 20 years and uh we have one
fellow from Straoudsburg comes every year I think just to get a trophy and we always give it to him. He's great. That's the guy with the yellow swag with the key that goes around. >> He calls it the love bug. So anyway, we also get hundreds of Livingston residents walk through the town uh to the to the car show. We don't charge.
It's a great day. We're going to have a food truck in there and I'm going to see everybody here at that show. I'm going to memorize all of your faces. And if you have a car, like this gentleman over here said, I'm bringing my GTO. He didn't come last year, but he apologized. So, thank you all. I look
forward to seeing you on July 4th. >> Steve, thanks for all your work on this every year. It's always like a prime event. >> Thank you. >> And I think it right. Isn't it the largest car show now in New Jersey on July 4th? >> July 4th. >> I remember. Yeah. July 4th. Yeah. >> Mayor, you've taken it over. >> Yeah. Mayor, may I just uh congratulate
the entire um uh Fourth of July committee, you know, but you guys put smile you guys and and women put smiles on on thousands of people's faces, you know, for the the fireworks itself bring about 15 to 20,000 people uh
>> 20,000 people. I remember that. So, but uh you put smiles, but you know what? You guys have done such a remarkable job and uh thank you. And I also want to thank all the sponsors too because this is not a this is not cheap. Uh and we do have sponsors and I believe this this program right here will be going into
the West Essex Tribune um uh th this coming Thursday with showing everything or the following Thursday. Yeah. So you'll have the brochure uh with everything going on. But uh just uh congratulations again and uh job well done and um we're we're expecting uh a
lot. This year's trophy, we put on the 250th logo on every single trophy. >> So, we've ordered uh we're going to be giving out about over 200 trophies, including the participants. All going to have that logo. So, it should be really nice. >> Scott, go ahead. >> We're going to first of all, I want to
thank for their support because without the support, this would not happen and it's been a great relationship. I know uh Mike Vieira and Kaitton have been our liaison over the last few years and I think everybody on town council has
worked with us continuously. So the more things that we're supportive of the bigger the bigger it grows. We did make some changes in position of a few of the things this year based on working with the police department. We're we're setting it up that way. All I can tell
you is come to July 4th. If you have young children, there's a, by the way, the Kowanas organization runs a great swim carnival. Um, we do our opening ceremony at 10:00 at the pool. And then everything is in the afternoon mostly for children with great things. And we
have amusements and um musical performances and um and over 20 food trucks this year. And uh we have a beer and wine garden kicks in around three. And then at night of this group, the um
New Powerhouse, we got to see them at a showcase earlier uh last year. They were so spectacular. I said, "This is great for the main stage and it's going to be a a really good evening." And and and then the fireworks. By the way, I always
wanted to have synchronized music and it's just like Macy's. same technology just not as big but we're getting bigger every year. So um just come and we'll make us all happy and we'll make you happy too. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
>> Really appreciate it. Um one of the things uh that is easy to love about this town is is that there is a real underlying tone of patriotism that runs through this town. Um people in Livingston love America. Um, even if people aren't all on the same page from
a political point of view, that's not what this date is about. July 4th is and and and and there's a real love of country in this uh from you know, whatever you're bringing whatever point of view you're bringing in, people love this country and appreciate the values that we have and uh it's just you guys are an extension of that and it's just
great to have you all the hard work that you guys do. >> So, mayor, hang on. Hang on for a couple of minutes. So, mayor, I would like to have a couple more couple words and I echo I echo what the mayor says. One minute, Scott. Um,
>> I would like to literally uh extend my my thanks to the entire committee also all the services that the town provides. So, you guys, I just want to give everybody a a scale a context. You you not only work with the town
council and the town manager's office, you work with the LPD, you work with the fire, you work with the first aid squad and every single agency DPW does a tremendous amount of job. So this is one of the biggest events in fact one of the
biggest event of our township and celebrating 250th year anniversary is something remarkable. Uh you mentioned about uh fireworks with music 100% looking forward to it. It was about 18 18 minutes or so last year. I'm sure
it's going to be more. Uh the coins is actually supporting the entire activity. So not only this is a memorabilia that somebody everybody should have one. We when we said 1,000 coins I think Michael and I were saying 1,000 you will run out
of it very quickly. And I think you should you should think about you know making sure everybody gets it. But this it's really amazing thing to get it. Um the entire committee at the back of this deserves a whole lot of congratulations. A great job. Very well done. I think
it's coming back to the baseball. It's back again this year I hear. So that's outstanding. It used to be for years baseball game we had we had now baseball cricket and I know we are missing >> cricket. >> There you go. So uh so I am personally
proud of before being a councilman and liaison uh being an active member of the volunteering committee and how I know how much work it is. So once again thank you. Thank you. >> Yeah. So I would like to call out Joe Gil of course from the recreation team and also Yarin who is who has helped out
on your electronic stuff. So thank you. Great job and congratulations again. >> See you on July 4th. >> Oh yeah. Why don't we uh why don't we get a photo with everybody just as uh Yeah, I think I'm Yeah, >> I think you'll sell a thousand of those
coins on 4th of July. >> You'll you'll sell out a thousand easy on 4th of July. >> Just just an idea. 300 left out of a thousand. Just one more thing. >> Just one more thing. Okay. Um Lori Anthony is going to help us out
tremendously a day of fourth fourth of July with bringing in the vendors, bringing in the cars, putting them in the right positions. And since this year we're going to do the whole thing ourselves because we had help last year with the Corvette Club, we're going to be doing it ourselves along with this
fella's uh group of the horsen uh club. But Lor's girls, which are the daughters and also the mothers are going to help us out. There's over 25 of them that are going to help us out that morning. So, we do appreciate that and I just wanted to make sure we mentioned that.
>> Thank you. Um, yeah, the group that my wife and daughter, it's a mother daughter group, National Charity League. Just a shout out to them because they are helping out. This all came up because we were just talking. I wanted to give you guys a shout out because without the Corvette club, you're taking on more of a laboring order this year
and I heard from my wife that everything is going fantastic. So, you're doing it better, right? I mean, so bigger and better. So, >> night since January, >> he hasn't slept since January. So, that's it. Uh, >> just a couple more weeks.
>> Thank you. >> Good. >> You don't have a sign. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Am I getting in there? >> I know. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Yeah. Yeah. I'll
see you Thursday. Thank you. Okay. >> All right. We're going to move now to the approval of meetings pending. Any corrections? >> Uh we have the regular and conference uh meeting minutes from June 8th, 2026 and close session minutes from June 8th as well. Can I have a motion to approve so
moved? >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Okay. We're going to move to public comment on the agenda. >> Motion to open the meeting of public comments on agenda items only. You're you're uh you're stepping on the the mayor's toes there when you're going that fast. I have a script to
>> I'll second it. >> Um all in favor? >> I >> opposed. All right. At this time, the meeting is now open for agenda item uh comments on agenda items only. There's a 4mm time limit per person. Um anyone who wants to come to the phone, please uh
state your uh your name and whether you live in town. >> Seeing none. Motion to close. Second. >> Okay. Uh all in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. We're moving now to passages of ordinances. Uh I in the agenda. Uh tonight there is one
ordinance for second reading. Um madame clerk, please read ordinance 23-2026 by title. >> Yes, mayor. Ordinance 23-2026, chapter 29, parking prohibited certain times at the dead end of Shadelon Drive. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Can I have a
motion to open the public hearing? >> I'll make a motion to open public hearing. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. The public hearing on ordinance 23-2026 is now open. 4m minute time limit per person. If you come to the microphone, please make as short as state your name and whether you live in
town for the record. >> Motion to close the public hearing. Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. >> I'll move it. >> Second. >> Okay. Do any council members have any comments on 23-2026? Okay, madam clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhartt,
>> yes. >> Anthony, yes. Vieira, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Baptani, yes. >> Mayor Klein, >> yes. We now move to ordinances for introduction. There is one ordinance for introduction this evening. Madame Clerk, can you please read ordinance number 24-2026 by title?
>> Ordinance 24-2026 authorizing the sale of property no longer needed for public purposes to the board of education, the Monmouth Court building. Can I have a motion for ordinance 24-26 for introduction and date for second reading of public hearing? >> Moved on first reading.
>> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Kylin, please call the role. >> Council member Minhartt, >> yes. >> Anthony, yes. >> Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Banani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klein, >> yes. >> And the uh hearing on this mayor will be Monday, July 13th.
>> Thank you. Uh that brings us to our consent agenda. All matters listed with an asterisk are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the council and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the governing body so requests in which case the item
will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda as part of the general orders. Um okay. Do any members of the council wish to have any items removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion? Okay. Madame Clerk, please read all the
resolutions on the agenda by title and resolution number. >> Resolution 26-208, renewal of alcoholic beverage control licenses for the 2026 2027 license term. Resolution 26-209
chapter 159 New Jersey uh HOA sustaining public health infrastructure resolution 26-210 chapter 159 Clean Communities Grant 2026. Resolution 26-211,
Chapter 159, Force Home Project 2024 to 2062. Resolution 26-212, Chapter 159, Force Home Project 2021 to 2086. Resolution 26-213, authorizing the award of a contract to
Reliable New York City LLC. Resolution 26-214, authorizing the award of a contract to Jessco, Inc. Resolution 26-215 authorizing the award of a contract to to Chimang Supply Inc. Resolution 26-216
authorizing the award of a contract to Civic Plus LLC. And resolution 26-27 authorizing the award of a contract to French and Plla Associates. >> Motion to approve the resolutions. >> Second. >> Madam Clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhart,
>> yes. >> Anthony, yes. >> Vieiera, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Banani, >> yes. Mayor Klene. >> Yes. We now move to public portion uh public comment on uh any subject. Can I have a motion to open the public portion on any subject? >> Motion to move the meeting on open uh portion on any subject.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Okay. The meeting is now open on any subject for a threeminut time limit. Residents may come to the microphone. Please state your name and whether you live in town for the record. My name is Jerei
and um I'm not from the town um as yet, but I'd respectfully um ask you to um hear my comments this evening. For generations, the people of the Federated Church of Livingston prayed in a
particular place. They celebrated weddings there. They mourned their dead there. They gathered in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Through decades of worship, that building became more than real estate. It became a sacred place. When the
congregation discerned that its own chapter was drawing to a close, it faced a difficult question. What should become of that sacred place? Its answer was not demolition. It was not abandonment. It was not commercial development. Its answer was another
congregation. A Buddhist community approached the church and asked whether it might purchase the property and continue its use as a place of worship. Negotiations followed. Agreements were drafted. Inspections were completed.
Deposits were paid. Significant expenditures were made. For months, both communities worked toward a simple outcome. That a place devoted to worship would remain a place devoted to worship. that a sacred inheritance would not be
extinguished but passed on. As a Buddhist monk raised in the congregational church, I find this an especially beautiful vision. A Christian congregation chose to pass stewardship of its sacred space to a Buddhist congregation.
Different faiths, different traditions, but a shared commitment to reverence, community, and service. And that is why this matter concerns something large in their real estate transaction. The role of the church and the role of the state are different. The
church exists to cultivate reverence. Governments exist to protect the liberty in which reverence may flourish. The church discerns what it believes is sacred. Government protects the freedom of religious communities to make those
decisions for themselves. That distinction matters. Because what is happening here is not simply the transfer of property from one owner to another. A church sought to pass a place of worship into the hands of another worshshiping community.
Instead, the property is being acquired for secular civic purposes. One vision saw a sacred trust to be continued. The other saw a civic asset to be acquired. Governments like churches and individuals are capable of making
mistakes. The measure of a community is not whether it makes mistakes. The measure of a community is whether it has the wisdom and humility to recognize them. One of the great strengths of our nation is that we remain free to recognize our
mistakes, to reconsider, and to choose a better path. That freedom is part of the inheritance handed down to us by those who founded this nation and by William Livingston for whom this town is named. Mayor, >> yeah, I need you to please finish your comments. >> My hope is simply that this community
will reflect carefully on what will be lost, on what might be possible and on the importance of protecting places where reverence can continue to flourish because what is at stake was never merely a building. It is the stewardship of a sacred place.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hello everyone. Uh my name is Fen. I'm not a resident of Livingston. I'm a volunteer with the EAB Buddhist Temple. I'm here to present our vision for the
federated church and to request a thoughtful policy evaluation regarding its future for our temple. This property is far more than real estate. It's a secret sanctuary seasoned by years of prayer.
Out of profound respect for the original congregation's heritage, we have established a seven-point plan to own its sacred nature and serve Livingston. First, church maintenance. We will fully fund repairs to the inside and outside
of the church building, ensuring it remains a dignified holy sanctuary for prayer, reflection, and spiritual care, especially for our seniors. Second, cemetery protection. We will respectively care for the historical
cemetery, straighten leading stones, clean the markers, repair the fences, and keep the lawns beautiful. Third, community space. When safe, we will open this beautiful space for township charity events, senior
activities, and multicultural gatherings to bring our diverse community closer together. Fourth, pastor's houseare. We will perform all necessary maintenance on the existing residence to protect its structure and preserve its deep
historical value. Fifth, parking lot improvements. We will step by step upgrade the parking surface, fixy issues, and add crucial safety features to all visitors. Six, beautiful gardens. We will
cultivate the grounds into a peaceful natural garden for local residents to relax. Seventh, full financial responsibility. The temple will cover every single dollar for these upgrades. This project
will cost Livingston taxpayers absolutely nothing. We truly believe the township's goal for historical preservation and commun comm community service can beautifully achieved through our stewardship.
This transition is a sacred trust. The original congregation's desire to hand over this property to our temple is a profound act of interfaith trust, ensuring that a house of prayer remains
a house of prayer. Therefore, we respectfully ask the township to reconsider the necessity of a public buyout. Please eval evaluate if your public goals can be met through our management allowing this original
transaction to go forward. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Good evening, mayor, deputy mayor, and members of the town council. My name is Jodie Walker. I don't live in Livingston, but I do live in West
Orange, so I live very close by. I'm here tonight to speak in strong support of the American Association of Buddhist Education or AAB and their desire to move to Livingston.
This organization is not just a place of worship. It is a vital pillar of care, culture, and education for our entire community. And I speak from personal experience.
My family knows the depth of ABB's impact firsthand. My mother, Dr. Elaine Marie Walker, was a proud, long-standing member of the association. She was also a dedicated educator who served as the chair of her
department at Satan Hall University. When my mother was stricken with glyobblasto, a fatal form of brain cancer, AAB did not hesitate to step in. They became our family's bedrock. During my mother's final days in hospice care,
AAB provided aroundthe-clock support to my mother. They made sure she was never alone, surrounded by peace and dignity. When she passed and the funeral home came to collect her body, the members of AAB stayed right by the side of my
sister and me. They guided us through our darkest hours and they ultimately officiated over my mother's funeral. The compassion, love, and selflessness they showed my family is what they offer to the wider public every single day and
why when they asked me to come, I said I had to come and speak to you all. Livingston would be incredibly fortunate to welcome them. Having a Buddhist temple here is vital for educational and cultural purposes. It opens doors for
neighbors to learn, connect, and understand one another. AB Aabbe enriches lives, supports families in crisis, and brings immense value to the community. I wholeheartedly support their desire to move to Livingston, and
I urge the council to do the same. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Good evening, mayor, council members, township manager, fellow residents. Um, my name is Annie Dong. I reside in Mawa, New Jersey, but I have frequented
Livingston often, especially as my close close friend just completed her chemotherapy at the Cooper Barnabas uh medical center. I am speaking tonight on behalf of Jenny Alvarez, a longtime Livingston resident of over 30 years who unfortunately could
not be here due to travel. Jenny has witnessed firsthand the vital role this institution, AAB, plays in our community. We are here tonight to strongly support the preservation of this historic holy church and its sacred legacy. Beyond its architectural value,
this landmark has long served as a cornerstone for worship, reflection, and diverse community engagement. It provides essential spiritual support, family activities, and elderly care assistance that deeply benefit community residents. We respectfully urge the
township council to explore all available preservation strategies before any irreversible decisions are made. Specifically, we've encouraged the exploration of public private partnerships that could enable the AAB temple, a qualified 501c3
nonprofit, religious, cultural, and educational organization to acquire and provide long-term stewardship of this property. Advancing this approach ensures that this treasured landmark continues to serve Livingston while honoring our shared commitment to
historic preservation. We respectfully ask the township to work collaboratively with community stakeholders to find a solution that protects this legacy for generations to come. Protecting this site is an investment in our township's identity,
history, and future. Thank you for your time, your thoughtful consideration, and your service to our community. Thanks. >> Thank you. Hey guys, how are you? Tim Foley, 55 year resident, fourth generation. Um, unfortunately, two weeks ago I wasn't
able to make u the meeting because of uh the storm that we had over the weekend and I work for PSNG like you guys know. Uh but I did send a comment in uh prior to four o'clock and it was sent you you all advised me that you guys were
notified about it. My question is why aren't those comments public for everybody to hear a resident concern about something and and fixed and unfortunately it wasn't fixed what I
requested uh the handicap the the temporary handicap parking spots for the pool for the weekends before the summer starts. They should have been un unvealed because they were had plastic on them and people
were trying to park there that had handicap uh handicap plates. They're used for regular parking spots during the school year. It makes all sense. But those two weekends prior to school ending, they should have been taken care of. And that's all my comment was cuz a
resident called me because she she knows what I'm not sure if what I'm I'm allowed to say, but they know what what's going on with me and with the town council. So, and she knows I come to the count council all the time. So, I just just curious why the questions
aren't in in for the public to hear the ones that are that come before four o'clock. >> John, do you want to talk to speak to that? So uh the public comments are circulated to the council and I think uh there was discussion in conference at
least on your email. So it was definitely circulated and read. Uh the idea is the publics have comments is so the council has the information. Uh there was a time where we were inundated with comments at the last minute. Uh the clerk would then have to print them all out and read them all. Um and it wasn't
we're here to conduct our business and the regular business meeting. Um this is you know obviously your opportunity to talk on any subject but you know we're here to have a business meeting. Um but your comments are certainly uh distributed and read by by the council and they are operable if anybody is curious as to what comments were taken
and it's up to the council members any that they'd want to address in public or not. >> Okay. But and again, like I said, the following weekend, I drove by the pool and and this the handicap spots for weren't uh >> okay, >> I got pictures and I sent sent the
council more the new pictures after the Summerfest. That's when I passed them again and they were still there. They were torn down for Sunday, but again, because I notified the council via text. So, I just think we should rethink that.
I'm not sure how many I guess at a time there was probably during COVID when people couldn't get here there was probably inated with those that I understand but why >> I think there was some benefits during co I think beyond co people were using it to circulate a mass email we had
times where the same email was sent by 30 40 50 people um and then we had to debate whether or not we had to read that same email 30 40 times when there was an issue it was easier to to do that but certainly those emails come in they are circulated to council, they are considered and I think that's the
importance is that you're heard by the council because the council did all receive and read your email. >> But don't you think the public should know about other comments from coming from resident? I mean that this is why we need Zoom back. you know that's you know you guys had Zoom and you had
public comments through Zoom and again it's the transparency that the public is is is upset about and uh this is one thing we really should think about bringing Zoom back >> but your comments have nothing to do with this governing body's transparency
they're fully transparent on everything they do their means or televis but the problem is they don't follow up with anything >> well that's different than transparency >> all We did respond. You're saying we don't follow up. I I would say that we we were all in touch with you about that issue, weren't we? I mean, I I know that
uh that that this body was in touch with you, you know, after you sent those in and we addressed it right away at the next meeting when you brought it up when we found out. >> Well, when I when I saw you at at the Summerfest, that's when we talked about it. And but then when I left when I left you guys at at at
that event, I drove by and the signs signs were still covered up. >> We were trying to work with the board event at that time, right? I think that the the issue was to be, you know, to be specific about it was the board of ed was was not was usually the one that was taking those down and putting them up as
I understood it, but because the school was still in session, they had left them up and yeah, I mean, I guess they could have been taken down on the weekend. >> They should have been taken down for the for the weekend. >> It's a fair point, sir. >> So, >> yeah. >> All right. Unfortunately, my time is up. I wanted to make one more comment, but I'll save it for next time.
Hi, good evening everyone. Uh my name is Abby. I'm not a resident of Livingston. I'm resident of Hoboken. I'm here to speak uh in support of the uh AAB uh
purchase of the property. Uh I first walk into the the temple in 1999. Actually I'm a friend of uh Professor Maria. Yeah. uh her daughter just left. Yeah. So um
when I was a graduate at that time I was a graduate student at Rogus. So the monk simply invited me to sit down and meditate with him. That simple act of kindness began a relationship of 25 years of actually it's more than 25
years now. Many of the elderly members of the temple were immigrants which had left behind left behind their hometowns, their relatives and much of their support system. The temple gave them
companionship, friendship and dignity. Some of these people have since passed away. I personally witnessed the monks and the nuns spending long hours at the bedside of dining members. In Buddhist tradition, helping someone
through the final stage of life is deeply important and the temple fulfilled that responsibility with extraordinary compassion. I also know a woman uh who used to attend the temple
as a teenager with her mom but then life brought her to the west coast and then a few years ago when she got married she choose to come back and hold the wedding ceremony at a simple in her word it felt
like home. Over the past 25 years, I have seen this temple provide comfort and relief to people in distress, people facing illness, divorce, grief, loneliness and the end of life itself. So I believe
the temple can become the same kind of resource for the Livingston community. It plans to offer meditation and mindfulness programs that open to everyone regardless of religious background.
Such program can benefit uh stressful uh stressed teenagers, isolated seniors, caregivers and everyone who seeking a little peace and support. To me, this temple is not only a
religious institution. is a place that has quietly helped the people for decades. I believe it would become a compassionate and valuable member of the living center community as well. >> So thank you.
>> Thank you for your comments. >> Yeah. >> Good evening everybody. Town council I'm Gerilyn Cobri, 53 Cornell Drive, resident of Livingston for 39 years. I'm here tonight to seek advice. When my husband and I purchased our home, there
was a forest behind my house and that property was zoned residential. Somehow it became commercial and the hardwood forest was raised. Now there are parking lots for St. Barnabas and the Spring Hills assisted living facility building abuting my home instead of the beautiful forest. During discussions for the
planning of the assisted living facility, it was decided that trees and bamboo would be planted to help screen. A fence was supposed to be erected, but never was. The bamboo was supposed to be placed in an area close to the building, but the landscape company for the developer planted the clumps of bamboo
in the wrong location directly behind my home. For multiple years, it barely grew. Then suddenly, it began taking off. In the past four to five years, it has spread significant sign significantly, including into my backyard. I called for help and was directed to speak with Brian McShane.
After some period of time, he came to have a look. I think I was told that a notice was sent to Spring Hills. Nothing ever came of it. I continued to contact Mr. McShane requesting his help. In the past years, I've left well over a dozen phone messages. He has rudely ignored
me. I finally gave up on him. So this April, I spoke with another person in the department, Marty C. I also spoke with the town manager, Barry Lewis. I communicated to them my frustration dealing with Mr. McShane and how he has ignored my calls and pleased for help over the years. After a few weeks, I was
told that a notice was sent to Spring Hills giving them 90 days to remediate the problem. I'm hoping there will be some progress. Now, I truly believe in revenge and to punish me for my complaints about him, Mr. McShane has sent a notice addressed
to me and my deceased husband incl indicating that I'm in violation of the town's maintenance ordinance. He gave me a list including my sidewalk and told me I have 30 days to have a new sidewalk installed and all else on his list dealt
with or face a $2,000 per day penalty. I immediately sent him an email copied both Marty and Barry with a list of questions and concerns. and once again he has not responded and is ignoring me. I followed up with numerous emails, nothing back from anyone. Aside from a
30-day time period being unreasonable to replace a sidewalk, it is in much better condition than many others in my immediate neighborhood. Just some minor cracks showing some low plant growth, as do many other sidewalks. It's not dangerous at all, as some others are. No
one else has received notices. I honestly don't agree that my sidewalk needs to be replaced. After all the stress, anxiety, and frustration I've had dealing with this and being ignored by Mr. McShane for years, how terribly unfair is this of him? I truly don't
know how to proceed requesting advice from the committee or the town's politicians. I really prefer not to have to seek legal advice. I'm not happy to have to be here speaking of this tonight for this reason, but I don't know where else to turn. >> Okay. Thank you. Um Barry, do you have
uh any any >> Yeah. Um I am aware I I did get involved which ultimately did lead to the uh notice to u Spring Hill with the 90-day abatement period. I did see a recent email. I reached out to Mr. Chair Lonzio. We're looking into why you got
property notice violations and certainly um that is not anything that we would approve of any kind of retribution or revenge. So we're we are aware of it and looking into it. >> Okay. Okay. >> It it is definitely a revenge. >> The timing seemed a little >> Yes. >> Coincidental.
>> Absolutely. >> Where are Where are we in the 90-day period from Spring House? Do do we do we know the date of the 90 days notice that Spring Hill received? >> I noticed I originally contacted um Marty uh April 24th and I think around
the second the third week in May um I I had to contact Mr. Lewis uh a couple of times in order to get Marty to respond because he kind of was not responding either. But um I think the notice is
sent around the third week of May. >> Okay. So they're they're still within the 90. I guess what I'm asking is the we're still in the 90-day period. >> We're still in the 90day period, but you know, I shouldn't have I mean if I I want to be in compliance with any
ordinances, honestly. I took a walk around my neighborhood and my sidewalk is nowhere near in as poor condition as some of the other ones are. So >> I I know where your sidewalk is. Your sidewalk is not in good condition. >> No, but al so >> if there are other places Well, I will
say if there are other spots that are not in good condition also. >> You're in John Weinstein's old house. >> But but your your sidewalk's in rough condition. I will say I I I do I do go by that area a lot. It's not the area around the sidewalk that the grass and stuff is. >> I have videos and pictures of other sidewalks in the loop around.
>> I'm not saying that there may not be other places that need attention. >> Okay. But if I'm going to get if I'm going to get a notice and I'm going to have to re replace my I don't want to get anybody else in trouble, any of my neighbors, but I'm just saying I've been singled out. I've 100% >> I can't speak to that. I'm just saying I I often notice that your sidewalk's not
in great shape. I to be totally honest. >> But it's just it's really minor cracks and some low clover growing in there. And I can I can get rid of the I can get rid of the the plant life. I I don't like to use pesticides and whatever, but uh you know I I can uh not pesticides.
Uh >> so Barry, can you follow up on the on the 90-day periods of Spring Hills because I sidewalk is one thing, but I think we have we definitely have jurisdiction over um >> bamboo >> over bamboo, which is not even obviously we have a bamboo regulation in town. That's number one. This bamboo was obviously planted
because I was here during those meetings and you know >> bamboo was >> No, no, we have a photograph of >> That's fine. I just want to make sure because you know we do have the jurisdiction over Spring Hills. So that's why I asked you where where we were in this 90-day period so we can
make sure that we follow up, make sure they do what they're supposed to do. If not, they get the fines as well. So I just wanted to make sure that that's where I was Like I said, I want to be in compliance, but you know, 30 days is not a reasonable amount of time to give me for one thing, and you know, I don't
want to be singled out. >> Yeah, that makes sense. >> Understood. >> Thank you for coming. Thank you for coming. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> And I I love the idea of this this >> Okay, your time's up temple. Sir, you you've already been given the
opportunity to speak. We only have one. It's >> Yeah, I want to There's no There's You've had your time. I'm sorry. We can't allow a second. Uh second. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Seeing no other speakers, can I have a motion to close public portion on your subject? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I mayor. Mayor, may I make make a comment? >> Some something bothered me u two meetings ago. um you know what I know of the Buddhist um members is and the religion is it's it's a very peaceful
religion and you know what you know really you know what having the Buddhist a Buddhist temple in town would really be a a benefit to this town a a very diverse town however you know two meetings ago I I heard that we purchased
the church because we did not want the Buddhist temple or Buddhist people in our community and that is simply not the truth. Okay. The truth is that as soon as the sign went up for the purchase of that church in July of 2024, a call and
email was made by Barry Lewis to consider purchasing the the church for $3.3 million. Okay, that's wasn't the purchase price because it came down. But right from day one, this this council was on board and talking to the church
about its purchase. had nothing to do about trying to keep one group out of town. This is, you know, and I'm only speaking for myself. I'm not speaking for my other council members at all. But you know what what we say in Livingston is this is one of the most diverse communities that we have. We have many nationalities, cultures, religions.
Okay? We're not going to try and keep a specific group out of town and purchase a church because we don't want a specific group. We wanted to purchase the church because we had ideas for it. And currently, right now, Livingston is um uh the contract purchaser for that
church. We've already paid for it. It It's pretty much a done deal. Um however, I I hope that that you do, if you want Livingston, find another place in Livingston, but the church is not for sale any longer. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh we'll move on to reports of township officials. Uh, Township Manager Barry Lewis. >> Um, thank you, Mayor. Um, just a couple quick ones. Uh, last week we did have um our employee appreciation event. Um, so
I I just again want to recognize and thank the the entire staff and and certainly thank the uh the council. U your presence is noticed by by the employees and they appreciate it. More importantly, I think they appreciate how supportive you've been of everything that we do. Um, and I think that was the
only thing I had for tonight. Thank you. Russ. >> Uh, no reports for tonight, mayor. Thank you. Thank you, Adam. >> No reports at this time. >> Okay. And, uh, Carolyn, >> nothing for me tonight, mayor. Thank you. >> Is not here. Uh, Jared, >> nothing tonight, mayor. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh, we'll go to, uh, Councilman Anthony for our comments. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, okay. So, the last time we met was June 8th for a town council meeting. Since then, on June 9th, we celebrated Dr. Fischer's 100th birthday. So again, happy birthday.
That's quite a milestone. I know a bunch of us uh went to that and uh just amazing um great resume uh everything he did uh for our country uh I think MIT like really some the doctor I mean tremendous uh life and uh hopefully
another hundred years for Dr. Fischer. Um the LCDI had a couple of events since the last time we were all together. some uh great great uh celebrations to be part of. The Women's Veterans Day was on June 12th and the Junth uh flag raising
was on June 19th. Uh thanks to everyone on that committee. Um we also had since the last time we had Summerfest was June 14th with the food trucks. Um and um just a great time had by all there. Uh
Sanskriti had their yoga day on June 19th. Um we also had uh the U cancer center uh Cooper Ben Barnabas uh was today actually opened up. Uh they had a little delay but um that's um a great
addition to the town. Uh we also had oh on June 13th we had uh the Knicks watch party attended by literally thousands I think uh were at the Oval uh gazebo area and uh terrific job by uh Jen and Karen
and Andy. Great job. Uh I was getting nervous people were complaining at 8:45 we can't see the screen because it was light and I go hold on all you don't want to see the first quarter with the Knicks anyway. So we that right right Stacy and then all of a sudden the blue and orange started to
appear on the screen just in time as the game started and that was that was a blast. Um so great job by everyone who uh who put that together. Um let's see we have coming up we have of course the
July 4th which uh was the presentation today. Will this be in the tribune and uh article will be this week. Yeah. Flyer next week. >> Next week. Okay. Just uh chalk full of you know the car show. We heard about the food trucks, live music, fireworks,
family fun, just the whole day is packed and great job uh by our committee. Um they um they just work tirelessly. Uh as my wife could say, they um they're just around the clock. Um so we look forward to the 4th of July and the 250th uh
birthday party. And uh happy 4th everyone. Thank you, Councilman Anthony. Adam, do you want to just I want to go back to you talk about the sc the movie screenings on the speaking of screens on do you want to just talk about what's coming up next for that? >> So, next week uh we have the orchestra is actually going to be at the school.
Um it'll be at the middle school and then all of July we have concerts every Wednesday night and then in August we have movies every Wednesday night. >> The movies are in August, right? Okay. Thank you. No problem. >> Uh and I just want to also just say um there is a composting program in town now. So, if anyone is interested in
composting, um, please go on. You'll see information on the town website. Uh, we already have the first 25 composters to sign up. There's a waiting list of compost in town, which is wonderful. When we get the next 25 al together, there's going to be an expansion of that program. So, if you're interested in composting, please uh find information
on on the uh town website and we'll get you on the waiting list and hopefully you'll be off the waiting list very soon. Uh, that concludes our meeting for tonight. We are adjourning. Um, everyone have a uh enjoy the summer and uh we'll see you in a couple weeks. Next meeting is on July 13th. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second.
>> Okay. All in favor? >> I