The Alternative Press

LIVINGSTON, NJ - During Monday night’s town council meeting, many volunteers were rewarded for their efforts for recent initiatives.

“It was a really great weekend in town," Mayor Stephen Santola said. "We had Stuff the Bus, a 5K Run for Health and Wellness and the Fire Department’s Open House.”

In National Food Day’s and C.H.O.W.’s efforts to team together and stuff a school bus with food items for local residents in need, Stacey Rubinstein and Sister Barbara of St. Philomena’s Parish received honorable plaques from Santola and Deputy Mayor, Rudy Fernandez. In addition, all volunteers involved with Stuff the Bus, received certificates.

In honor of Red Ribbon Week, Debbie Lindner of the Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee received an award for her work on the town’s sector of the National campaign.

“Red Ribbon Week starts Oct. 20 and ends the 27th," Lindner said. "Its purpose is to teach the community the importance of drug and alcohol prevention.”

She said all teachers and students will receive a ribbon and red bracelet to be worn and programs will be provided in all Livingston schools throughout the week.

The third batch of awards were given out to all volunteers who made the 9/11 Ceremony of Remembrance and Memorial Garden possible on behalf of Santola and the ceremony coordinator, Bunnie Ratner.

During the public opinion portion of the meeting, Livingston Police Officer, Derek Wyatt, voiced his concern about the town using the Police Shooting Range as a backup location for leaves to be stored in the upcoming weeks, due to the lease ending with PSE&G.

“This is unnecessary and avoidable,” Wyatt said, suggesting that an alternate storage solution be found.

Township Manager, Michele Meade and Santola reassured the officers in attendance that if damage is done to the range, it will be repaired.

Many town residents suggested different storing locations, but Meade explained that she and Santola have looked into many other options and “have very few alternatives.”

Town Council candidate and police officer Chuck Granata voiced his disappointment on the issue.

“If this was on the council’s radar seven months ago, why hasn’t there been a plan of action?" Granata asked the members.

There has been $350,000 worth of work done to the range, due to donations and hard work, Granata said.

In other news, councilmembers discussed committees’ requests to put large signs around township property to inform residents about upcoming events.

“We have the electric board and that’s where announcements should go,” Santola said. “Part of the environment is visual pollution. There’s got to be some policy laid down where we can ask our own committees to follow.”

Santola added that committees aren’t wrong for asking for permission to put signs up because they are “everywhere around town,” but it is a policy issue that needs to be dealt with in the near future.