Hey, hey, hey. Hello everyone. Welcome. I'm just dialing through here. Give me one second. Okay. So, we are here uh for our regular meeting on May 11, 2026.
This is the Sunshine Statement. Um this is a statement of compliance with the Sunshine Law, NJSA 104-10. This meeting is being held in accordance with 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 Essics Tribune and the Star Ledger on January 5th, 2026. The agenda and resolutions for the meeting are available on www. livingstonj.org. Also on the table in the back if anyone wants an agenda, there's some uh some
copies over there. Certain portions of this meeting may be closed to the public for the purposes 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 to members of the governing body 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 meetings uh records act to the extent possible. This evening's township building council will be live streamed by Facebook at https www.f.com/lston
township and day. Comments will also be accepted by email comments at lej.org by 4 p.m. on the day of meeting and shared with the township council before the meeting. Each speaker should follow the rules of order in Livingston code 2-15.8. M clounc Minhard >> here. >> Anthony Vieira >> present. >> Deput mayor Rupami >> here. >> Mayor Klein.
>> Okay. If we can all rise for a moment of silence. >> Alan Carpus, will you lead us in the pledge of >> allegiance? Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation
is een present. Okay, she's the representative from the county. I think she's not here tonight. We'll move along. We have two proclamations uh this evening. Uh the first is for uh this is the May 2026 is older Americans month. Uh we have just had a lovely celebration
courtesy of Jen Walker and her staff and Karen working so hard to make a beautiful buffet table. Um and we want to um who's going to be accepting uh the plaque for um just them. >> Okay. Why don't we have you guys come up
then and um maybe you can speak as to why uh in Livingston uh recognizing older Americans um is is such an important part of uh what we do as a township. Oh, it's on. All right. Testing. All right.
You're right. All right. Hi, I'm Karen Judge. I'm the program supervisor for all the adult and senior programming here in Livingston. Um, so working with older adults is more than just a job. It's a privilege. Every person carries a lifetime of stories, wisdom, strength, and experiences that deserve to be
honored and respected through patience, compassion, and connection. We have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone's daily life. Whether it's offering support, sharing a laugh, or simply being present, caring for older adults reminds us of the importance of dignity,
kindness, and human connection. It works that not only impacts them, but it changes us for the better as well. >> Good evening, everyone. Can I say something really quick? Just really quick. Thank you. Thank you. Uh I'm Jen Walker. I'm the director of recreation and
senior services. And I I just want to say that while we do have the most amazing seniors in Livingston who we have a lot here tonight, I want to thank you for your dedication to us for coming to us. And I also want to spend some time talking about the staff that serve
you. Karen, Lori, who's my mother. It's hard to say Lori. and the rest of the staff at the uh senior center do an absolutely amazing job um offering programs, services, uh
anything that you need, calling you to check on you to see how you're doing. Um I couldn't be prouder to represent to have them represent us and the township and um serving you. So, >> thank you. I think everyone here understands that in Livingston, we really have an emphasis on senior
programming. We do not want people to feel that as they get older that they feel lonely, that they don't have social outreach. We know that one of the most important drivers for uh aging in a healthy way is having social connection, having things to do, staying busy, and
in Livingston, we want our seniors to be that way. And we also want to just emphasize that we don't want seniors aging out of Livingston and moving somewhere else. We want our seniors to stay here. So, um, thanks everyone for participating tonight. We really appreciate it coming from the whole council. This is something that, you
know, as a council, we have make a conscious decision to emphasize uh this programming and budgeting for it and we're going to keep doing that. Thank you. >> Mayor, just a just a quick shout out. Uh we have a birthday boy here who is part
of So Jen and Karine. We have uh somebody who is part of older American uh celebration here. David Deutsch his birthday here. Happy birthday David. You you've been amazing. Good. Uh we're going to move to our second uh
proclamation. Um the we have one copy of this. So, I'm going to um this this second is uh a recognition of Taiw uh Taiwanese American Heritage Week. Um so, first of all, thanks so much for everyone who's come out for this tonight. Um I want to um we're going to
read through the the proclamation just so people can understand uh what we're saying about how important it is to recognize uh this week. Uh and then um we'll come down and what someone can please speak on on your behalf and we'll present the plaque uh and and um and
then complete that. Um but let me uh let me hand this over to uh Ed if you want to read the first two and we'll just go two by two. Okay. You have you have right there. I got a copy right here. >> Why don't we just go two two? >> No problem. Thank you. >> Yep. Uh whereas America has been continually renewed and enriched by many different people who choose to come here
and become our fellow citizens and whereas each brought part of their own heritage which over time became part of our common heritage. And whereas generations of Asian-Americans have helped make America what it is today. And whereas there are more than 700,000
Taiwanese Americans in the United States with a significant Taiwanese American population in Essex County, New Jersey. And go ahead. Whereas Taiwanese Americans have made enormous contributions across all sectors of American society while promoting
democracy and freedom. And whereas Taiwanese Americans have succeeded as notable artists, noble laurette scientists, researchers, scholars, professors, human rights activists, and business leaders. And whereas Taiwanese
Americans are proud of their roots and heritage defined by a quest for freedom, democracy, and self-determination. And whereas the year of 2026 marks the 47th anniversary of the enactment into law of the 1979
Taiwan Relations Act, which together with the 1982 six asurances forms the cornerstone of US Taiwan relations. And >> whereas Taiwan has consistently demonstrated resilience and perseverance in the face of ever growing geopolitical
challenges. And whereas this week recognizes the long-standing friendship between the United States and Taiwan. And whereas during this special week, Taiwanese Americans celebrate the special commemorative occasion. And now, therefore, I, Mayor Sean Klein, do hereby proclaim May 10th through May 17,
2026 as Taiwanese American Heritage Week in the Township of Livingston, New Jersey, County of Essex. Okay. So, So we >> Okay. Good evening, you know, Mayor Klein and
the member of councils and my dear Taiwanese friends in Livingston. We are so happy to be here. My name is Melody Hang. I'm the president of Livingston Taiwanese Association. I'm so proud that Cai called Livingston
as home for 30 years. Since 1999, community across the United States have recognized the the week after Mother's Day as Taiwanese American Heritage Week. It's a time to honor the
history, culture, and contribution of Taiwanese Americans. Taiwanese Americans have long embraced the value of democracy, freedom, hard work, education, community services. And these are the values that deeply reflect the
spirit of the United States and here in Livingston as well. Here in our township, Taiwanese American families, students, professionals, volunteers continued to
contribute to the strength and richness of our community. Recognizing May 10th to May 17, 2026 as Taiwanese American Heritage Week is more than a proclamation. It is a meaningful
recognition of diversity, inclusion, and the people whose contribution help make Livingston a welcoming and also thriving community. We are deeply honored. Livingston Township join community
across the nation in recognizing Taiwanese American Heritage Week. And we warmly invite everyone to join us on May 17th Livingston's AAPI picnic um at the Oval and we as a Taiwanese as
a Livingston Taiwanese association we are going to host a cultural booth to share our culture and a performance program to with everyone and we love to have everyone in the community come and celebrate with us. Thank you.
>> Wonderful. I know that the uh the council and I'm sure a lot of people here will be out there on the 17th to celebrate with you. Absolutely. Um why don't we if everyone wants to come take a picture and uh I don't know if we you guys want to come down or you want to stand behind. I don't know how many people we have. Um
>> your husband's not here today. Come on. >> Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. Tell We will now we will now move on to the approval of meetings pending any corrections. Um
we have uh regular conference uh meeting minutes from April 27th, 2026 and close session minutes from April 27th of the same year. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I opposed.
Okay. Um we will uh move on now to the public hearing. So there was a little bit I want to just be prepare the public here. We originally um were going to start with the approval of the budget process. Uh but we got some late feedback from the state um and we have
to incorporate that feedback into uh into the budget. Um and so we're going to move forward with this. Uh Barry, am I saying this correctly? This is about right what I'm saying. Okay. Um so uh we we will say um I don't know if we want to uh start on our more formal comments.
Clerk, I think you're >> read the script. Start with the script. >> Uh, you want me to read read the uh resolution 26-172 to read uh the budget by title? >> Need a motion for that. >> Are we not? >> Make a motion.
>> Second. >> Council member Minhardt. >> Yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieira, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Baptani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klene, >> yes. Mayor, this is the time for the public hearing on the municipal budget for 2026
as approved on April 6, 2026 by the mayor and township council. The budget was advertised as required on April 21, 2026 together with notice of hearing for this time. Printed copies have been made available to the public during the past week.
>> Yeah, mayor. So, um, as as the council's aware, the public may not be uh under the law. New Jersey. We introduced our budget on time on April 6th. We are required to send it down to the state for review. Uh the state was made aware of our scheduled May 11th hearing date,
but unfortunately, I guess they're busy because we didn't get their comments and review questions back until late last week. So, we did not have enough time obviously to respond and sufficiently to get their approval. So, as a result, um because the hearing was noticed, uh the
council should hold the public hearing but not close it and adjourn it to be continued at the next meeting date. Um once we do resolve, uh the issues and comments with the state, we'll then be in a position to either adopt the budget as introduced or if the state comments
require any amendments, we would do so and if necessary would u provide additional notice if required by law. Uh, mayor, I have a resolution 26172 regarding the reading of the budget by title only and make a motion to move the
resolution for >> second. We we've we've adopted that resolution. >> That motion was done. It was out of order. >> So, I think you've opened the public hearing >> at the top of page two, >> right? >> Yes. >> We the public hearing is now open for the budget even though we'll be continuing on to the next meeting. >> Should be at the top page two.
>> It's open. >> You should be at the top of page two. I'm >> Mayor script. >> Let me let me Mayor >> top of page two on the >> mayor. So let let's so this council adopted resolution 26-172 so we could read the budget by title
that was approved by a roll call vote that that the clerk already conducted. We then opened the public hearing for the budget and Mr. Lewis uh acknowledged that the budget will be amended may potentially be amended or may not be amended. We we're still waiting for feedback from the state. So, we're
welcoming public comment tonight on the budget and the public comment will continue until we've resolved all our issues with the state. So, it'll be tonight and then continuing moving forward. >> Just so everyone understands the context of these conversations, there's a formality to when the budget comes out uh and there's actually a script that's performed, but we were very off script
so everyone was confused about this. >> So, but public comment is open and we welcome uh any uh public comment. Uh please step forward. >> I guess a motion to open the public motion. >> I got the motion. >> Okay. This is one line. Yeah. Come on.
>> I now make a motion to open the public hearing on the municipal budget for 2026. >> I second the motion. >> All in favor? >> I. >> And comments should be limited to the budget. >> How much time? Um Jiren. >> Four minutes. >> I assume four minutes.
>> Four minutes. Okay. Thank you. >> Uh Jean Stooff 18 North Drive. Um I realize that this is very late. Uh, I think I've had comments before, but I'd just like to remind you something both this year when you do your recap and in
the future that if you look around town, Livingston's changed a lot, but every time you see a house, you turn around the next day and it's being torn down and being rebuilt twice the size, which
means your tax revenue is twice the revenue. venue. So that I would like to think that the council could manage to live within its means and to not raise the tax rate. Uh it used to be that we
would have uh the board of the education department would say how much a house cost and how much you'd add in taxes. Never did it happen on the town budget, but that's become fairly routine now.
And I would like to hope that if there's any way that you can reduce the budget a little and certainly next year live within your means and not have us have an increase municipally because I think
that's really your job to do the best you can for the town. It's nice for you to have all the extra things that you do and we appreciate that, but we still should be living through our living our means. And I I'd like to bring something up that most of
you probably don't know because you weren't you're not old enough to have lived in Livingston that long. But the reason that we always had a lower tax rate was because during the depression, the wise people when people defaulted on
their taxes, they didn't sell the land. They kept it to develop park school sites. And for our municipals and for our school, we never had to buy land because we had it because of our our wise uh ancestors. So maybe you can take
a lesson from them and hopefully next year and even this year if you still can find any ways to reduce the budget so that it doesn't increase it would be very wonderful for the for the citizens of the town. Thank you.
>> Thank you Jean. I think that's a wonderful sentiment. I I would just say that there are fiscal realities that we have to struggle with. One of which is that um as as people a lot of people here will know is that the cost of health care insurance has gone up 30%
year-over-year and if if we're not accounting for that and you know we're going to lose all of our employees if we if we can't uh you know come up with funds to help uh cover that. So it's not you know there are always genuine struggles in trying to keep taxes down as much as we have. And I will say one of the things I'm really proud of, let
me just finish you, is that I think for every year that I've been on the council and and for everyone that's here except for one year, any tax increase has been below the rate of inflation, which means that in real dollars, the the uh town
government has gotten smaller. So, we have done what you're saying. Even if the number looks like it's gone up a little bit, it's not going up as high as inflation almost every year. And that means that actually we're spending less money. >> I don't know if anyone does an analysis
of the number of people you hire in the town. And I'm not suggesting that you let anyone go, but you do have people retiring. And certainly with computers now and with AI and with the way things are going, it's possible for you to look
very carefully at the way you do things and what the job assignments are of individual people. And when someone retires possibly instead of hiring somebody else, you can combine and there are a lot of ways that you know I I
understand it's not easy and certainly health care costs have gone up but it uh there are ways you can look for cheaper ways to have health care. uh an example. I don't understand why you have dental care because I I know as an individual I
always felt that the premiums you pay for dental care are not worth what you get in return. So sometimes you have to look at thing and you may have to negotiate with a union. I understand that. But I still say whenever a house is torn down, the the house that's put
up in its place is twice as big and gives you twice as much in taxes. So it should be possible for you to consider living within your means. Thank you, >> Barry. >> Yeah. And Gina, thank you for your
comments. Um I I think it's your point is is valid in the sense that we do every year see some increase in ratables. Uh but not every house in town is being torn down and replaced. So that may only be 5% of them in any given year. So while there is an increase,
it's not double the taxes. Um what I can say is uh in my eight years here um this will now be I think my ninth budget. Uh the mayor and council have been uh vigilant in trying to maintain and minimize the tax increase. Um certainly when we do our presentation at when we
get around to the budget hearing. Um I'm always proud to point out that we have the second lowest municipal tax rate uh of any of the towns in all of Essex County. Uh and we're getting closer and closer to being number one. So that's something we're very proud of. Um, I
know every year, um, even in the last, uh, five years, the eight years I've been here, I think our average tax increase has been less than 2% annually. Um, inflation over that same period of time, so that's what 8* 2 is 16. Inflation over that same 8-year period is in the aggregate almost 37%. So we're
we're running at less than half of inflation. Um, so as the mayor alluded to, not only does health insurance go up, everybody knows how much gas, lean, utilities, electric, u all those things. And so, uh, quite frankly, I think we're doing more than enough to not only live
within our means, we are constantly looking for ways to be more efficient to we, to your point, anytime we have an opportunity with a retirement or otherwise to see is this position necessary, can we consolidate, we do that. Um, again, we are only 17% of the
overall taxes. So, while people might get a, you know, feel like they got a big tax increase, I can assure you it's not because of us. Um, because we uh we do and the mayor and council and again the gentleman up here now and everyone who's been on the council in my eight years here, my arch marching orders from
day one are to hold the hold the line as much as you humanly can, but again without compromising services. I think that people have come to expect the outstanding police department we have, the work that the public works do. I drive through towns after snowstorms and every town is snow covered except until
I get to Livingston and that's what I think the residents have come to expect and they've come to deserve and we've been able to do that with less than a 2% increase a year. So, um I I certainly appreciate your concern and we are certainly sensitive to everyone's you know it's tough on everyone but we are
doing the best we can and I am very proud of the record we have. Thank you. >> I just I want to emphasize what Barry said because this is an important point. We talk about this a lot, but not everyone, you know, not everyone comes to every meeting. Um, when you pay a dollar in property tax, the township, us
and town government only gets about 17% of that money. The rest of it goes to schools and to the county. So, for 17 cents on your dollar, if you stop and look at all the services you get from the township, I think it's remarkable. Um so I you know >> mayor can I just add one thing to in
addition to the 17 cents that we only get when people uh apply for um tax tax re tax um tax appeals the this this office pays back 100% of the tax appeals after only collecting 17 cents out of
every dollar. We don't claw back from the county and we don't claw back from the board of education. So that makes our budget even that much more tight and has to be much more fiscally responsible because over the last Barry was the last you've said to me the other day over the last seven years you've been here it's
been over 11 million of tax appeals that have gone out from this office from Anne's office and we've only collected 17 cents out of those $11 million. So I just want to add that as well. >> Thank you. Any other speakers? All
right, Jean there is there is time >> wanted to add a comment to that. I recognize that you all try the best you can, but sometimes >> Jean, it's not it's not a debate. We there have to be time for other speakers to come up. We we can talk after. >> Good evening everybody. Tim Foley,
resident for 54 years. I just have one question about the budget. The assistant manager position is it is it funded for the full year. >> Staffing positions are funded >> for the full year. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Any other speakers? Seeing none, can a motion to close public? >> Oh, adjourning it for now. Fine. Thank you. Okay. >> So, you you could you could pass you could you could ask for that motion though to adjourn the public hearing. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make a motion to adjourn the
public. >> So, mayor, I I move the 2026 budget hearing be adjourned until May 26, 2026. >> I'll second that motion. >> Roll call. >> All in favor? >> Roll call. >> You want us to roll? >> Roll call. >> Okay. Can you call the roll, please, Carl?
>> Yes. Uh, Council Member Anthony? >> Yes. >> Reinhardt? >> Yes. >> Vieira? Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Banani. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Klein. >> Yes. We will now return to the more regular portion of the meeting. Um Okay. So, we're moving to uh public um public
comment on agenda agenda items only. >> Motion to make public comment on agenda items only. >> I'll second it. >> Okay. So, um all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. So, uh we're going to open up the uh microphone for public
comments. Four minutes on any agenda items. If you come to the microphone, please uh state your name for the record and whether you live in town. Hello again. Tim Foley back here. 54 year resident, fourth generation. Forgot to say that before. Uh, I do have want
to thank the council for uh hopefully passing this tonight for the the church at at Livingston Avenue and post uh Livingston Avenue and Mount Pleasant Avenue. Not sure if anybody knows there's a lot of history with my family
with that with that church. My great-grandparents, my grandparents belonged to that church. My mom and my father got married in that church. So you walk in there and you see Hoffman and small stuff, you know,
all over the place. That's my family. So I'm grateful. And if my mom's watching, she's definitely grateful that that the township is saving the church and and that piece of property to keep it the way it is. So again, thank you. And and
again, you still need to pass it, but I believe you guys are going to. So >> thank you. >> Thanks, Tim. We're really excited about that. And it's really neat to hear that your parents got married there. >> Yeah. And and Tim Well said, I think beyond as well, there's a lot of history
in that church. There's a live uh cemetery there. And if you see the tombstones there, Tim, you would you would know those names. You have Collins and you have forests. These are living legends of Livingston. So So we are we are very proud of saying it. So thank
you Tim for kind words. every street. >> All those names are in there. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Um Arlene Force Nukem and I do also have u family buried there. Uh my great great-grandfather is buried
there from he was in the Civil War. But um I want to ask you what what part of the buildings are you thinking of keeping or not keeping? Do you have um an idea of keeping them all or are
you going to >> Yeah, I I don't think it definitely. Um the I think the council envisions the potential to try and develop the the balance of the property. Um you know as as more of a neighborhood park. Uh the the particularly the red brick building
I think was built in the 60s. It doesn't have any particular historic significance to it. Um so and and having toured it, it's not in ideal condition. Um but but yes, most certainly the church and the cemetery are will stay in perpetuity. >> Okay. And the house that's on the
property, I understand, is a very old house from Livingston that was moved there. >> Yeah, that the house is is a different question. That's one that's under evaluation because um while the the core of the house was very old, it was subsequently added and modified and
there was additions on the side and in the back. So, in terms of its historic significance and um eligibility for designation on any of the national or state registries, um we're not aware of any particular. So that one that one's a I think the one open area. I think the
red burnt building is already um we're clear on and and the church and certainly the cemetery we're clear on them staying. So a lot of it's going to see how the rest of that can be, you know, properly developed. >> Okay. And would the DPW be taking care of the cemetery property? >> Yes. And and probably better than it's
been taken care of and cleaned up and nicely. I think it's something that um we were struck um I know myself and some of the council members who went on a tour to see all the names and you immediately recognized oh that's a school that's a street that's this and it was um you know the the fact that
it's so uh reflected the roots of the community and the founders of the community we feel I think I can speak for the mayor council um that it's important to really emphasize that and make it available and let the public be able to see that and and see the history of the community. >> Yeah. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments? Motion to close. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. We're going to move now to the passage of ordinances. Uh tonight there are two ordinances for second reading.
Um Madame Clerk, please read ordinance uh 152026 by title. >> Yes, mayor. Ordinance 15-2026 authorizing the purchase of that certain property known as block 1409 lot 10. >> Motion open public comment. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. The public hearing on ordinance number 15-2026 is now open. There's a 4mminut time limit per person. If you come to the microphone, please have your name uh please state your name and whether you live in town for the record.
Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. Um, can I have a motion uh to um motion >> to move? >> Motion to adopt.
>> Motion to adopt. Yep. >> Second. >> Okay. Do any council members have any comments on ordinance 15-2026? >> I do. I do. So, I'm I'm I'm very delighted that we're going to uh purchase this historic church. Um I have
uh been in it. Um I think there's a lot of history there. Um when you walk through the cemetery, you will find the founders of Livingston um at that site. Um I know that um we have a new chairman of the historic um preservation in
Livingston and uh I've already contacted and talked to him. I I think that'll be a great place to uh to to get um some history and get written up and over there and everything. But I also want to thank the um the caretakers of the church who who were great with us. They have a lot of history over there too. So
I think we we as a the town council and the town can also learn a lot from um from them as we purchase uh this church. And and the good thing is we've kept this out of the developers hands. There will not be a three-story building on that site. There will possibly be
something maybe the arts council, a park, something that the town can use it. There will not be a a uh an apartment building or anything else. And uh I'm proud to have been part of um the the committee that that looked into the church. So um mayor, I will be voting
definitely yes on this. >> Yep. Mayor, if I can uh couple of thoughts. So about 2 years ago when I visited this uh the property there was a ton of history and the caretaker really walked me through opened the books and
there are some maps and literature that I I could see uh a ton of history. One of the tallest towers in Livingston if you open up the green book that we had by Centennial Book one of the tallest towers the first one in Livingston was that uh church. So as as most of the
speakers who came here as well as all of us on the days uh we recognize the history. It's amazing to keep it like it uh like the way it is. Um I want to give a shout out to former mayor Ellie Cohen. She has spoken to me and I think to to
many of us on the day that how she sees as as a as a beautiful potential for uh a performing arts center. Of course, on uh any and all of these proposals, as as Barry said, we'll be we'll be going through the review and how we how we go
about it, including the the brand new chairman of the of the historic Society. Uh but I think it is an it is an amazing thing and I absolutely will be voting yes as well. Thank you, mayor. >> Great. I think a lot of it has been mentioned already, but I want to thank uh Barry
Lewis uh for meeting with Ellie Cohen and myself in 2024. As soon as she saw it went uh was becoming available, she got right in here, met with Barry and I and actually wrote a letter uh to the Tribune, the editor, saying, "We got to get that church." Um, so everything
that's transpired since then, um, including all the work Barry's done and all the work our attorney Jared Caner and everyone has done to make this actually a reality and keep it out of a developer's hands. I got to compliment them all. Um, and everyone, you know, I'm the liazison to the open space
committee. Everything that all the input they've given us as well. So, we took a tour of it and it takes a little time, but this is a very uh fulfilling night and I'm glad uh we have this in our inventory. >> I'll just uh if you don't mind, I'll just add on to everybody what I was said
as well, but I also just want to give a shout out to the town manager Barry Lewis and uh attorney Jar Caner for all the hard work that they did getting this contract. I know it took a while to get there. So, thank you both for getting this to this day. This is actually a great win for the town of Livingston. Um and I'm proud of my fellow councilman.
This is what we do. not only think about what happens every day, but this is something for 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 years and for the next generations that come to Livingston, they'll be able to know how Livingston started and who the founders were. So, I just want to I'll be proudly voting yes as well.
>> And I would just uh echo what everyone said. I'll just say that I remember when I came on to the council 12 years ago um and I remember thinking I remember vividly thinking to myself that that that church, that property was the most important property in the town. And even even back then there were not a lot of
parishioners at the church. It was really in in you know not in heavy use. It was kind of thinning out over time. And uh it you know it was underused. And I remember thinking to myself that this is such a wonderful valuable property for the town that I hope at some point
the town's going to be able to to uh to own it and preserve it uh and make it uh open it wide for public use. And 12 years later, you know, it's almost like this is my, you know, my last uh my last harrah on the council. Um, it's a nice capstone to be able to do to be part of doing this for the town. I think it's
wonderful. So, I'm I'm certainly excited about it as well. >> Mayor, if I could only because she was such a champion of it, the mayor and I only I think received an email from Ellie Cohen who uh said thank you all for placing the purchase of Federated Church. She said, "Unfortunately, will not be able to be at the meeting when it
is voted on. This will be away, but I will be cheering from afar." Uh, said it was wonderful. And then her moral was after a zillion years, never give up hope. never stop being a royal nuisance to champion something so important and lastly be fortunate enough to have a governing body and township
administration to move it forward. So, uh, cheers from Ellie. She has not been in >> and Barry, that's why she came to the first reading. She knew she knew she wouldn't be the second reading. She was here uh at the last meeting. >> Great. Um, Madame Clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhartt,
>> proudly. Yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieiraa, >> absolutely. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Baptani, >> yes. Mayor Klein. >> Yes. Okay. Madame Clerk, please read ordinance number 16, 20226. >> Ordinance 16-2026 amending and supplementing chapter 29,
traffic and parking. >> I'll make a motion to open the public hearing. Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> I. >> Any opposed? The public hearing on ordinance 16206 is now open. There is a 4m minute time limit per person. If you
come to the microphone, please can we have your name and whether you live in town? Motion to close public hearing. >> Second. >> So move. Um is uh any oppos? Everyone's in favor. >> Yes. >> Anyone anyone opposed?
>> Okay. Um >> motion motion ordinance. >> Second. >> Any council members have comments on the ordinance? >> Okay. I'll make a quick comment. Um just you know this was uh in we you know we had some concern about people that live
near old road about whether there was enough space for um uh for for emergency vehicles to get through and and you know thankfully uh you know this is the importance of having um our residents talking to us and being in contact and an example I think a good example of us
being responsive um you know this has been a problem for a while and thankfully uh someone you know turned us on to it uh we're going to make the parking there uh one side of the road and we'll make sure that there's space for for emergency vehicles to get by. Um so Madame Clerk, please call the role.
>> Council member Minhardt, >> yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieira, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Baptani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klein, >> yes. There are four ordin ordinances for introduction this evening. Madam clerk, can you please read ordinance 14-2026? >> Yes. Yes, Mayor. Ordinance 14-2026
amending chapter 146, food and beverages. I'll make a motion to approve the ordinance second for introduction. >> Is there any discussion? >> Everyone here will be happy to know this is about allowing ice cream trucks to come into town.
>> Um, we'll see if it passes. Madame Clerk, uh, please call the role on it. >> Council member Minhartt, >> do it depends on what flavor you want for ice cream or no. Yes. Yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieira, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Ruptani,
>> yes. Mayor Klein. >> Yes. Okay. >> And Mayor, the the final public hearing will be on Tuesday, May 26, our next meeting. >> Thank you, Carolyn. Uh, please read Ordinance 17, 20226 by title. >> Ordinance 17-2026 8,275,000
bond ordinance for various improvements. >> Uh, can I move it move it on first reading? >> Second. >> Second. >> Uh, any uh anyone opposed? Okay. Is there any discussion? Maybe a quick uh review by Barry if you
can uh just give us the introduction of uh what's involved in here. >> The 17 2026 >> 2026 that's a bond ordinance uh to effectuate all the items that were in the uh capital budget. Um
they include uh vehicles for DPW equipment for DPW um host of other uh computers, IT equipment, uh all the the long-term needs that we have for all the various departments other than the water and sewer utility which are separate uh
selfquidating utilities and have their own ordinances coming up. >> Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhardt, >> yes. >> Anthony, yes. >> Viera, >> yes. Deputy Mayor Baptani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Klein. >> Yes. Uh 6 uh 18-2026, please.
>> Ordinance 18-2026, 3 million bond ordinance for sewer utility. >> I'll make a motion to approve the ordinance for introduction. Second. >> Is there any discussion? Please call the role. >> Council member Minhardt, >> yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Verier, >> yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Pat Batani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klene, >> yes. >> Ordinance, >> yeah, please. 19. Ordinance 19-2026 2,950,000 >> bond ordinance for the water utility system. >> Move it on first reading. >> Second.
>> Is there any discussion? >> Okay. I would just say this is a great time to reiterate that um and make sure I have this statistic right that 95% of our water inflow is now pass free because of all the um the tremendous progress that we're making as as we're
moving forward here. Um I and I want to congratulate um this is this is money to fund the the last bits of of of improvements to our water system. Um I want to congratulate all the staff on the great work they've done to finish up the water improvements. We and you know I always when I talk to people in other towns, we are light years ahead of other
towns. Um I think it's something again that we can be really proud of. Um Madame Clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhart, >> yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Banani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klene, >> yes. And mayor, I just wanted to make sure I emphasize that all three of these
bond ordinances will have their final public hearing on Tuesday, May 26, our next meeting. >> Thank you for that emphasis. >> We now move to the 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 normal sequence on the agenda as part of the general orders. >> Mayor, can I request to pull 174 and 175
for discussion, please? >> Okay. >> Mayor, I think we're pulling 26-180 as well. >> Pulling for discussion. >> That's off the agenda. >> No, we're pulling No, it's off the agenda. Off the agenda. It's off the agenda. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um for uh let me see. Um, madam,
let's uh vote on the um on the remaining resolutions. Can I have a motion to approve uh all the remaining? >> I'll move. >> Please read them. >> The remaining res. >> Please repeat all the remaining. Thank you. >> Resolution 26-175 designating Atlas 6.
>> Oh, right. You're right. 1741 175. I'm sorry. Excuse me. Uh resolution 26-176 authorizing the award of a contract to Micro Strategies, Inc. Resolution 26-177, authorizing a contract to Pumping Services, Inc. Resolution 26-178,
Greenacres 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 and resolution 26-184 rejecting bid for concession operations.
>> Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the resolutions remaining on the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhardt, >> yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. Vieira. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Rupani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Klene, >> yes. Um, madame clerk, please read
resolution 174. >> Resolution 26-1 to74. I bank form and sale PAS treatment phase C. >> Any comments? >> Yes. Thank you, mayor. Uh, so a couple of quick comments. I think this is really where the PAS treatment and how
we increase the water quality and how we were intentional and deliberate about improving our water quality and not only that this phase C and I would love to hear more on the uh the actual definition of phase C and what's
involved but this is really to address going forward uh EPA New Jersey EPA is one of the strictest in the nation and when we say 95% of the water is clean that means we are at the highest level when it comes to the national water
quality. Um when we say next set of EPA standards that's where phase C comes in. So Mary if you don't mind just describing it first and then we can talk further. >> Yeah. So, um, as as the the mayor and deputy mayor have alluded to and and
many in the public are aware, um, PAS is a chemical that has been discovered in water sources all over the country. Um, a huge amount of credit goes to Na Nathan Kurikov, our utility engineer, who saw this coming, who knew and
monitors the regulatory environment and knew he was telling me six, seven years ago, they're going to lower the threshold. They're going to make this and that's why uh with with his recommendation and certainly the foresight of the mayor and council, we got ahead of this and we designed, you know, we tested all our wells. We were
fortunate that, you know, a decent percentage of them were not contaminated, but of those that were, uh, we very aggressively pursued the remediation projects uh, to address that water even before, including wells that were not yet in in in non-compliance.
Um, the phase A we focused on the largest producing wells to ensure that we got the most water, you know, fixed and treated as quickly as possible. Phase B was the next ones and phase C is actually the wells that are not currently in violation, but we know they're going to be because they're
going to lower the threshold. So that we are way well ahead of it. And with this and when we talk about uh remediation, it's not just bring it down to the non-detect level. It's I mean bring it down below the threshold. It's bring it down to non detector zero. Um so it it's
a great credit uh I think to um Ann's been very involved with our I bank council um on the CFO on the financing end of it again Nathan Kurikoff our utility engineer our consulting engineers from M McDonald and certainly with the support and the foresight of the mayor and council we are in I think
far better shape than probably any community that I'm aware of. Thank you, Barry. And what one of the other call outs is we have a number of uh new unit new buildings and new facilities that treats the PAS out of our water. U one
at the near the northland park that's one of the newer newer buildings. The issue or the idea is really to stay ahead stay ahead of the newer stringent standards. Uh the water remains the same. It's the standards that keep on getting lowered that is better for us as
residents. the water is become becoming cleaner. Uh the idea is how do you stay ahead of it and make sure the treatment continues to happen and that's phase C is what we are talking about. So thank you mayor. >> Thank you. I so I just also want to emphasize something that this has been
tens of millions of dollars this whole process over many years and um very expensive obviously for all of us. Um, but I want to thank uh our attorney Jared Caner who's gotten us involved with a couple of lawsuits uh that have really helped us to recoup millions of dollars. Um, so uh thank you for that
Jared to help uh the financial burden there. Um, can I have a motion uh to approve uh 174? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Um, okay. And uh, Madam Clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhardt, >> yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieira, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Bani,
>> yes. >> Mayor Klein, >> yes. Clerk, can you please read resolution 175 on the consent agenda? >> Resolution 26-175 designating Atlas 6 Peach Tree urban renewal as redeveloper and authorizing execution of redevelopment agreement for
two Peach Tree Hill Road. >> Any comments from my council member? >> Thank you, mayor. So, the reason I I requested to pull this is to really get the uh description behind the title. So, I spoke to Barry earlier. if you can describe it and what's involved in here.
It's actually essentially one of the uh properties which will need to go through its redevelopment plan. >> Correct. And um for those those you know residents who've been around a while, this particular property is where the old AIG building was directly across um
from uh well it's by Kushner Academy and across from Newark Academy. Um that building was like many office buildings vacant. uh the corporate tenant had moved out, the office market was dwindling. Uh it was a site that we had concerns that we were going to get more
housing. Um and then Mayor Minehart and I I think took a first meeting with a company uh Atlas Capital uh very significant company out of New York, done a lot of work in California as well. And uh I think we were both so impressed by they came in not with a
threat of we're going to build apartments, but with what can we do for you? What would work for you? And very proud to say that we were able to uh have a redevelopment plan adopted by the mayor and council that has zero residential use. So it it's going to create great revenues and ratable values
with zero school kids and no no imposition on our other services. Um the these steps are now formally designating Atlas V1 Peach Tree Urban Renewal. That's the entity they form for this particular project. Um and then the
developers agreement and um they uh the redevelopment plan has some flexibility in there, but it's all uh either industrial, warehousing, office, uh commercial, but no residential whatsoever. So I think it was real real win for the town. >> Yeah. And that's the key, right? no new
no new residential and continuing the zoning the way it is. So, so thank you Barry. >> If you don't mind, I was going to add on to what Barry said because we'd had that meeting and um this is one of the few developers who actually came to us and didn't want to build housing and so um they came to us asked us what is it that
we want and what would you like to see here? So, we are very happy that uh that their sale went through that they made this purchase and we look forward to welcoming them over the years to come with something that will not be housing. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhart, >> yes.
>> Anthony, yes. >> Vieiera, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Buptani, >> yes. >> And Mayor Klein, >> yes. I just want to take a minute to recognize uh former mayor Buddy August, who has uh >> graced us with his August presence. >> Mayor, I'm sorry. There was never a
motion for that resolution. >> There was never a motion or a second for that resolution. You need a motion. >> I'll make a motion. I'll second. >> Call the RO, please. So, we have to go back and call it again. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Council member Minhardt, yes. >> I'm so excited to say hello to you, buddy. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieira,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Baptani, >> yes. >> And Mayor Klein, >> yes. >> Okay, we'll now move to the public portion on any subject. >> Motion to open the uh meeting for the public portion on any subject. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Okay. Meeting is now open on
the subject with uh of any subject three minute time limit. If you come to the microphone, please state your name for the record and whether you live in town. >> Hi, my name is Rudy Ayolo. I live on Northridge Road. I've been here for 39 years. Uh I think most of you recognize my name from all the emails I've been
sending you regarding this cricket field. Uh we're trying to understand that there's like 35 homes that border that catch basin and how did this happen without any regard for the US people that live there. I mean, I'm almost 74 years old. I had hope to live the rest
of my life in peace and quiet and we just cannot use our yards anymore. How this is fair that they play cricket all night Friday all day Saturday and Sunday and who's paying the money for these bleaches that were put in batting cages the concrete work that was done. I'm just trying to understand the process
because I got into an argument with one of them and he said it's our field the sense critic gave it to us who since when someone else have a right to give away town property and what about the 35 homeowners that live there we have nothing to say about this we just have to tolerate it.
So I I'd like some input from you folks to say h how did this happen because if this can happen behind our homes I I purposely bought this home because there was nobody behind me. My brother moved in the same day around the corner. He wanted neighbors. I didn't. So now I have this and the batting cages. It's
every night at 4:00. It doesn't stop. Uh this just isn't fair. The other 35 hormones. So I'd like to know how how did this happen and how how do we prevent this? I I just don't understand. We we must have some rights living here all these years. >> So I just you know we've been in contact
by email many times over and we've agreed to sit and meet and we have to we're still in the process of setting up a date for that. That's true. You've been very kind in responding to the emails. I appreciate that. >> Well, listen, you're not your your complaints are important to us. All right. And uh we need to figure out, you know, how we can uh come to a, you know,
a a reasonable middle ground here. Um >> well, I don't to be honest, I don't see it as a middle ground. Like I I think I explained this to someone anyway that if you go to ANA Parkway now and they put up those nice apartments, if somebody moves in there now, you can't complain about the noise from the field because the field was there before the apartment
was. When I bought this house, there was nothing behind us. It was a soccer field for a long time. >> Excuse me, Mr. Excuse me, Mr. No. So, I was the scheduler for the travel soccer club for many years. Um, that field has been used. My son is now 28 years old.
He still has a scrape on his knee from when he was in second grade on that soccer field. So, that soccer field has been in use since it lasts the last 20 years. >> Soccer field is not nearly as noisy as >> No, I'm not saying that. I'm not. So, I invite you to my home on a Saturday. >> Excuse me. Excuse me. Can I just make sure
>> all I was saying is that the field was there. >> Yes. >> When you purchased it, it wasn't that the field came >> but it wasn't used for for for you just said you just said how did you said how was it what came down my own son and purchased him when he was in little league. People went down and had picnics. No one ever complained about
that. That makes this is a different story. This crack of the bat all day and all night. >> I'm not I'm saying mayor Klein I know has asked to set up a meeting which we look forward to. I just wanted to make the record that it's been a field for 25 years. That's all I'm saying. >> Yes. But not where leagues were held.
People went down and played there. That this is not the same thing. >> We We are not uh we hear what you're saying. We you know, we're not disregarding it. We're going to meet and talk and figure out what's possible. >> Okay. Any other comments? Yep.
>> Hi. Good evening. Oh, this is to be Good evening, Mayor uh Gla, council members. Um we are first of all we want to say um happy mother's day for all the mothers in Livingstone and also we represent
Sason Livingstone and my name is Laura Tamayo. Hi I'm Nani. How are you? And and uh we're coming to announce two events. Um the first one is the first event is a fundraising event to fund our September
festival. It's a wine tasting that we're doing at the Asado Portuguese Steakhouse. Um, I don't know my directions, but it's here. And, uh, it will be on May 28th and it's at 7 p.m. And, uh, you know, tickets like the wine
tasting and dinner is included with the ticket. Um, if you want to find out more information, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook and Sasson Livingston. It's S A Zo N Livingston. And uh all information is there. Um if
you uh for info how to purchase a ticket, if you have any questions, everything is there. Your turn. Thank you so much. And and this is a very important fundraising event because it's going to help us to the organization of
our Hispanic Heritage Festival that is coming on September 20. And so we're so excited about this fundraising event. Thank you so much. And the second one is um we're I'm so proud to um let
everybody in town know about Saon Kids Latin dance camp. We're gonna have this camp as a son um with the township of Livingstone partnered together and we organized this um dance camp that is
going to run from July 7 to July July 30th and it's going to be every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 6:00 p.m. a sessions grade 2 to 6. And the kids are going to be able to learn um Latin rhythms, salsa, merge, kumbia, and the
most important, they're going to be able to present in the festival um here in September 20. So, we're very excited to do that. >> Thank you. Listen, >> thank you so much. I think um the whole council would agree that you know first of all Saison has been such a you know
work of love by you guys to you know to bring it to the township and it's been a wonderful event each year and uh and thank you for bringing it to the township and all the work that you're doing to to you know to create a fun and exciting event for for everyone else in that you know gets to share with you. >> Thank you so much. And last thing uh to
for the SEO kids dance camp um all info is on the community pass on the township. That's awesome. So everybody can register through the community pass. Yes. >> Thank you so so much. >> Just a quick shout out uh Saturday mornings senior center. You rock. You
you make it all amazing. Zumba classes and the music and everything. On one side we have chess and bagel. One side you do a lot of this work. So >> thank you. Thank you. I'm so excited because I'm teaching also this program and we started last year and it was amazing. The kids were so excited. The
parents were so excited. and they're asking for more. So, it's coming back this summer. >> The the deputy mayor told me he really works up a sweat in those classes. So, >> thank you so much. >> All right. Good. >> Hi, this is TJ Nar. I'm resident of
Northridge or 30 North Livingston and uh you know we're neighbors Rudy and myself. Um, no. Uh, you know, I've moved here like eight years ago and, uh, you know, I've seen Rudy and others like actually use backyards quite a bit,
right? Uh, and I've seen them the last two, three years, they're not doing that, right? Uh, but I never paid attention to that until, you know, all my neighbors started coming and talk to me, talking to me about the problem with uh, cricket, right? But first of all, I love cricket. I've been part of it, big
part of it. in the last four years I've played and I think one of you also handed over the championship to us. So it's a dream for me right it it and I'm definitely enjoying it but I think I want to just uh explain what's going on around right which not just like other
neighbors also have like they thought it was me who's like inviting all the people because there I have my friends to come park and and only recently did they did I tell them that no I don't invite everybody to park here. So I think what what happened what's happening here is like um since adding
the batting cages right I think that's what is probably causing all this problems right I love that that was my dream to have a batting cage right behind my door and I enjoyed it but what is happening is I think uh what used to be like more weekend fun now like you
have like people coming at different times during the weekdays not just like after work but you you would see somebody coming like during the day and then just like cracking and and that's like 10 ft away from your backyard and that hard ball hitting the surface where
it's so close versus far away it's a difference even if you close the windows and doors is still the noises coming right so that's what I gather from my neighbors right and all the other things like with this parking noise and all that is is is the output of that
secondary output of it so I think I was here last time too like asking for full ground for the cricket like Octner Park somewhere. If that happens, you know, we can really play full ground. Plus, also if you know if you can put batting cages somewhere like near Octner Field, I think that will probably solve, you
know, the problem for everyone. I guess it'll be a win-win for everybody, right? Uh so just just my two cents on that. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I think the context is very important, right? I mean, how it started, how it how it really happened for you and what it is ex actually its
meaning. I think as the mayor said there is a meeting said so we should go over all of the conversations and ideas uh I know Barry and I talked about some ideas how do we go about sort of uh controlling it and stuff like that there is proforma out there there is a we are
not trying to solution here I think let's have a meeting as the mayor said uh have a conversation throughout and we have been responding to to Rudy Rudy's emails as well so it's important that we have a dialogue sit down and go through and put our heads together No, definitely because see even I have
friends in the community right community they're doing a lot by posting messages by asking people not to park there and all this stuff right but it's not everybody's following that right and then I'm mostly traveling I don't even notice and then people already parking
by there and then my neighbors right know they just text me saying that guys people are parking here I'm sure they might have reached out to you as well like complaining about things that are happening around >> that is definitely one of the topics Yeah, >> that is definitely one of the topics where we talked about you know having
>> because only so much we can do as a community and that it's open to public. >> Thank you. Good. >> Any other speakers? Okay, seeing uh no other speakers, I have a motion to close public portion. >> Motion to close. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> Okay. I opposed. Okay. We are now at reports of township officials and professionals. Uh Barry Um, just a couple brief ones. Um, one, uh, belated happy Mother's Day to all
the mothers out there from yesterday. So, hope everybody enjoyed it. Um, two, I want to, and I'm sure some of the council members may mention as well, was honored tonight to, uh, participate in this ceremony honoring William Brady. Um, a very dedicated volunteer both for
veterans organizations and scouts. And there's now a nice plaque over uh, on the oval over in Memorial Park. Uh, and it was it was um inspiring to hear all the kind words from all so many people. Um, and that's I think that's all I've got. Thank you.
>> Uh, just a report that our composting to has been delivered. There's still some setup going on and a little bit of training, but it'll be publicized once everything's up and running. >> Uh, just a another quick update. summer nights at the Ovals starting in June uh
with the arts. Uh that's in a collaboration with the Arts Council of Livingston. Uh Wednesday, June 3rd is the Chalkwalk. Wednesday, June 10th is the Eastern Cultural Entertainment. Uh the 17th is Livingston Makers Fest and
June 24th is the Living Livingston Symphony Orchestra. Uh it's an exciting month month for June. Uh we enjoy our partnership uh with the arts council. July will be concerts and then August will be movies.
>> Thank you, Adam. Uh township clerk Carolyn Mazuko. >> Uh Tuesday night, tomorrow night is the last day to register to vote for the June 2nd primary. So the clerk's office will be open until 9:00 p.m. If you need assistance, we will have somebody there.
So, um, this is your last chance to vote for the June 2nd primary >> to register. >> Our CFO Coochie. >> Nothing for me. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you. Um, and Township attorney Jar Caner.
>> Thank you, mayor. Um, I have some pretty extensive comment tonight. Um, I thought that the residents who were here last week who expressed their displeasure with the car wash would be here. Um, I see they're not here and I think it has to do with the work that this township did since our last meeting and the
communication that we've had with those residents. Um, so much of what I'm going to say tonight, the residents who came out are aware of uh through communications from myself and the township and and the council members who were involved. Um, so
we we we took this very seriously. Um, and there were a lot of issues raised and I just want the public to understand because I know it's been out in social media as well. Um, the first issue that the residents had was that the car wash was not conforming to the site plan and it should be shut down on that basis
alone. Um, I reviewed the uh application to the planning board along with the site plan and specifically there were concerns that the air hoses were not part of the plan. Um, I don't believe that to be true. I believe the air hoses were part of the plan. Um, I have here,
um, one thing that was submitted to the planning board, which is a vacu, uh, diagram. It was part of the planning board's record. Um, and on each diagram, and I don't know if anybody's been to the car wash, but each one of the containers has a vacuum hose and an air
hose. And when you look at the schematic, the schematic specifically talks about an air compressor. And when you get to the last page, it talks about a nozzle and a hose that will be attached to each of the air compressors. Um, so it was submitted as a standalone to the planning board as to what they
were installing. In addition, I the two separate pages of the site plan um basically um take this diagram and put it in. And in those references, there is the air compressor, the hose, and the nozzle. So I don't I I did not believe
the township could shut them down based on a non-conforming to the site plan. Um, so then we we were involved with the noise violation and I really want to commend uh Mr. Lewis, Mr. Lerner, and certainly Councilman Vieira and Councilman Reinhardt who worked very
hard um to make sure that there was a an accurate noise reading at the car wash. Um so based on the efforts of of again Mr. Lewis, Mr. Learner, Councilman Var, Councilman Minhardt, uh the county did come out and the county did take readings uh on the 2nd and they found
them to be in violation. They found them to be above the um the state allow decel level. Uh the county issued a violation. Uh it's a $1,000 penalty and as part of their violation, they're demanding that the car wash come into compliance. So
that's the county's remedy. Um, and unfortunately or fortunately, the township does not is not able does not have jurisdiction over the noise. In order to have jurisdiction over the noise, we'd have to be an authorized enforcement agency, uh, which would have required us to have a specific ordinance
passed and a specific professional. Um, so the county will be largely handling the enforcement of the noise. However, the township did take action under our own nuisance ordinance. Uh our nuisance ordinance provides that anything condition act which is or may become
injurous or hazard to public health is hereby declared to be and is defined as a nuisance. Um and we did some case law research and certainly this car wash is a nuisance. It's an it's an people's quiet enjoyment or their homes are at risk. Um so we sent a notice of
violation to the car wash uh demanding uh a plan within 5 days, a corrective action plan. Um it's not the township's certainly their intent to you know take a business out then invest in substantial money into the township. However, they can't create an ongoing nuisance. Um I was hopeful when they
received the letter. I sent it um to their planning board attorney. I don't know if you would represent them in this matter. We also sent it certified in regular mail to the addresses on file. It's a franchise. Um we we they should have received our notice of violation. Uh we were hoping to have a dialogue
with them uh potentially of limiting or removing the air hoses, maybe limiting the vacuums. Um but to date, we have not heard a response uh from the car wash. Um their 5 days has expired, which is what we gave them. This council will be going to close session tonight to
discuss further legal action. Um but again, I think you know uh this council and you know all the all the council members were aware and they were in constant contact with me. This became a major issue. Um, and they really had the concerns of the residents at heart. Um, and the township will be continuing to take legal action. Like I said, I'll be
going into close tonight to discuss, but we did issue them a notice of violation under the nuisance ordinance and the county issued them a violation under the state noise statute. Um, and those two violations are yet to be cured. >> Jared, thank you very much for this. And
Barry also, you guys have both been intimately involved with this. know one of the advantages first of all we have an excellent township attorney who does such great work on this stuff but we also our town manager is also an attorney um and you really get a lot of expertise from a lot of angles and I think I mean this is one example where
the township benefits from their expertise but there are so many over the years where uh where we get advice from more than one person uh you know that we really can listen to mayor it's just funny you say that because I will compliment Mr. Lewis because he is a lawyer so when I call Mr. Lewis to you
go over the plan with him. He goes, "Well, did you look at this case?" I'm like, "Yeah, we did." So, he had done the same research we did when it came to issuing a nuisance violation. So, I I just wanted to say I agree with you. And it it's always an asset having Mr. Lewis on the team. >> That ring that rings true to all of us up here, that's for sure. Um, we're
going to go to uh Michael Vieier will give our council report tonight. >> Yeah, I think the last couple weeks has been contagious with the large report. So, I have a couple uh pages, but uh first I just want to um hope that our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers had a great and
enjoyable Mother's Day yesterday. So, um again, um you know, uh all of us actually attended uh a Mother's Day celebration uh from Jen Walker and Karen Judge and everything and it was really beautiful. So, um in no particular order, uh the friendship circle actually
had a reception honoring uh several individuals. So we do want to congratulate all those who got honored and also uh the friendship circle for just an amazing job. Uh it's great. Um AARP actually hosted a cyber fraud workshop which uh was well attended. A
few council members uh actually attended uh that. Um tomorrow which is May 12th. So May 12th through May 17th is the Kuanas Carnival on Northfield Avenue. Let's hope that mother nature cooperates this year. Sometimes she loves Kuanas,
sometimes she doesn't like Kuanas. But uh tomorrow the carnival uh starts. Um last week um want to thank the Livingston Police Department uh for their um ice cream with a cop event. Uh another well attended event. There were
so many children present. Uh uh they have it every year. It's just a wonderful event. It gets the kids going. And I'm glad they didn't give frisbes out this year, which hurt them if you hit a person, but they gave uh uh blow up balls out. So, if you got hit with the ball, it didn't hurt. Um so, the
July 4th committee uh will be selling challenge coins for $20. Um it's a a color coin. Uh challenge coins seem to be very popular nowadays. Um so, I'm sure you'll be seeing something in the newspaper online. Uh where >> if you get hit by one of those, it does hurt.
>> Yeah, th those definitely do hurt. But um somewhere online or uh in the paper it'll tell you where you can purchase the uh the challenge coin celebrating Livingston's uh uh how we celebrate our 250th anniversary of this country. So um
since our last um council meeting um the Harrison Public School as well as Kushner Academy um hosted uh their fifth graders hosted the Treps program. um great initiatives for uh little kids beginning to uh learn how to start their own business and make a little bit of
money. Um we all want to thank up here we want to thank Bob Gabro and the Livingston um advisory committee for disabilities which we know is the LACD. Um last couple weeks they've held several events such as the shine a light on autism um they held a spring party um
that was very well attended and a talent show. So want to thank everybody who is involved in the LACD. It's just uh and thank you for everything that you do. Um let me see. We are beginning to uh a as uh Russ had mentioned a uh composting
program. I guess uh more information will be on the Livingston website. Um the council attended um a journey for the living event uh which was uh an annual walk. Uh we want to thank the shower family um for continuing this
walk and uh I guess it's to remember the Holocaust. So uh want to thank them. I I think every single year all five of us always attend. So thank them. Sanskriti held their holy event uh at the gazebo last weekend. Um
as uh councilman or as mayor uh Klein said that uh uh board of education uh president um Pearl Kempka. Yeah. you know, you don't want to stand in her way when it's um a box of uh colored chalk. Uh she does definitely like to pour that
on everybody's head, but you know, it's it's a wonderful cultural event. Uh it's welcoming springtime and we just want to thank Sans Screedy for um bringing that event to us year after year. It's it's wonderful. Um want to congratulate the Omega Speech Club um and debate club uh
for hosting a um last weekend. It was their awards ceremony. Um, another wonderful event. Um, last Monday was the annual golf outing and we want to congratulate Don Schwarz who was honored at that golf outing. Um, again, I can't say enough about Jen Walker, Cringe
Judge, and their entire staff of the senior services for a great Mother's Day um, uh, lunchon and uh, musical program. Um, congratulations uh, to Failoff's uh, pizzeria. Uh, today we had a ribbon
cutting there. Um it's on um um uh west uh west Mount Pleasant Avenue. Um another great event. So another ribbon cutting. >> Some upcoming events um League of Women Voters uh will be holding uh tomorrow night a candidates forum. Um so that'll
be held on May 12th. Um the AAPI picnic is Sunday, May 17th. Um and it's sponsored by the LCDI LCDI um gazebo and that will be at the gazebo. Um Shopright will be having their regrand opening on
Monday, May 18th at 1 p.m. Uh the Memorial Day parade is Monday, May 26, starting at 9:30 with a ceremony and the parade will begin at uh 10:00 a.m. We hope Mother Nature um loves Livingston this year. Um, primary election day is
June 2nd and all of us want to thank Carolyn and her entire staff for a job which we know will be tiring. So, uh, thank you Carolyn. And, um, finally, as as Barry had mentioned, right before tonight's um, uh, council meeting, we
held a plaque ceremony uh, with the veterans um, honoring Bill Brady. Bill was very uh um active in the veterans and boy scout troop 12 I believe it was and um his widow was there and everybody gave a couple speeches and uh over at
the um the war memorial is a plaque to Bill. So uh that's all I have. Mayor, >> thank you. That's it. That's all you got? >> That's it. I told you it was contagious the last couple meetings. >> So I want to um I want to just uh give a couple mayoral hats offs and then just uh talk about one other thing that I had
gone to over the last couple weeks. Um, first of all, our lacrosse, our high school lacrosse team, uh, became county champs for the first time, and this is the first time in 13 years that a private school did not win the county tournament. So, a huge hats off to our
lacrosse team. We're going to get them in to celebrate with them. It's a big deal. Uh, and then also, >> mayor, excuse me one second. Our town attorney son is a member is a member of that team as well. >> That's right. He is. And it was an unbelievable run and the games were so exciting and the boys played so hard. I'm really proud of all of them.
Awesome. So, we're going to get to celebrate that achievement. We'll bring them in. Uh and then also, um our history bowl team, uh which we've actually honored even a few months ago, uh has gone on to do even more incredible stuff. So, they um came in the entire nation, the top the the uh
varsity team came in 14th in the country. The JV team came in second in the country. And and this is incredible. Arav Koshik who is on the varsity team finished first individually in the entire
country. I mean it just you cannot believe the heights that our kids rise to on the fields in the classrooms. We just Livingston just crushes and it's just so exciting. It makes it it certainly make as a former Lancer it makes me very proud and I'm sure it does everybody else in this room >> and Mayor we we honored them as well.
>> Yes. And we're going to bring them in again because this is a whole new round of incredible achievements and we're going to bring them back in. and and Mayor Arav is one of my star pole workers. >> Excellent. So, there you go. Our >> star pole work excels all over the place. No, no surprise. Um uh Mr. Caner,
we're going to go back in for uh to continue open and also close. Can you just talk about what we'll be discussing in close session? >> Yeah, I may defer. So, we'll be discussing the car wash litigation. I don't have the property addresses. We'll be discussing uh an update on we'll be discussing Livingston Mall and then I I
don't know the other what's what's um the property on um on Livingston Avenue. >> North Livingston Avenue. I think it was >> North Living without saying the owner's name. I don't know how to describe it. >> Yeah. Yeah. We I think we listed as North Livingston Avenue potential redevelopment.
>> Yeah. North Livingston Avenue potential redevelopment. >> And if I could also add Cedar Street Commons. Uh, and I believe they're all under attorney client privilege and contract negotiation. Yeah. >> Exceptions. >> All right. >> Just just one more thing. Congratulations uh to Russ Jones, who became a grandfather again for the third
time. So, he's got Barry up by one as well. Congratulations, Russ. Go get him. >> Congratulations. All right, everyone. Listen, thank you so much for coming out. We are continuing open session next door. The door is open. Anyone's welcome to come in. Thank you.