Council approves property sale to Livingston Board of Education
Ordinance 24-2026 passed on a unanimous vote, clearing the transfer of township property described as no longer needed for public purposes.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — second reading/public hearing and adoption, township attorney report — fourth round, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Council members called the deal years in the making and said it returns a building to the schools while easing pressure on the township.
A long-planned transfer finally crossed the line. The Council held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance 24-2026, authorizing the sale of township-owned property no longer needed for public purposes to the Livingston Board of Education. The Clerk read the ordinance title, the Council opened the hearing with a four-minute limit per speaker, and no public comments were recorded before the hearing closed. On roll call, every member voted yes.
Council members described the ordinance as the product of years of work between the township and the school district. One councilmember said the measure had been a long time coming and called it a win for Livingston because the school would get the building back and could use it as needed. Speakers pointed to multiple meetings over the last couple of years and said the final stretch moved quickly, crediting detailed legal work and coordination with the Board of Education’s attorneys.
Mayor Klein said the Council had pushed to make sure the transaction closed and said the building was moving back to the Livingston Board of Education because the district needed it. The mayor said regulatory hurdles had slowed the process, then described faster progress in the last two weeks, including conversations with Board leadership. With the ordinance now adopted, the transfer can move ahead as part of what township leaders said is a cooperative effort meant to help the schools and the township.
Township Attorney Report — Fourth Round Fair Housing Consent Order
Livingston has reached a key step in its next housing cycle. The township attorney reported that the township finalized a consent order with the Fire Housing Center as part of the fourth round fair housing process, choosing that route instead of waiting for a court hearing on how the township would proceed.
The attorney said the township had already submitted its plan and was at the point where the matter could either go to a hearing or move through a consent order. He said the consent order path was easier and better for the township. The agreement will now go to a judge for review and entry.
If the court enters the order, the township would receive fourth round immunity for a 10-year period, with a five-year midpoint review, according to the attorney’s update. Mayor Klein said the agreement reflects years of work by the people involved. The next step is judicial review, which will determine when those protections formally take effect.
Residents press township on car wash noise
Two residents told the Council that noise from Express Auto Spa continues to disrupt nearby homes and said earlier steps have not brought enough relief. The township attorney said more remedies are being considered, including possible limits on vacuum hours, a sound expert, and a site plan amendment for a fence.
Residents pressed for action on car wash noise, with possible vacuum-hour limits and sound remediation discussed.
Council introduces amended fire code fees
The Council introduced Ordinance 25-2026 on first reading to amend uniform fire code enforcement fees. The public hearing is set for July 28, when the measure will return for a second reading and possible adoption.
First reading would amend uniform fire code enforcement fees, with a public hearing set for July 28.
Council joins county development program cycle
Through the consent agenda, the Council approved Resolution 26-222 to include Livingston in the Essex County Urban County Community Development Program for 2027 through 2029. The measure passed as part of the routine resolutions block on a unanimous roll call vote.
Council approved Livingston's inclusion in the Essex County community development program for 2027–2029.
Council approves recycling tonnage grant resolution
The Council approved Resolution 26-221 on the consent agenda for a Chapter 159 recycling tonnage grant. No separate discussion was recorded before the full block of routine resolutions passed with all members voting yes.
Council approved a Chapter 159 recycling tonnage grant, bringing outside funding tied to recycling.
- Livingston Township Council. Two members of the public urged the Township to take stronger action regarding ongoing noise from Express Auto Spa car wash operations, describing continued impacts on residents and questioning why the site was approved near homes. The Township Attorney outlined steps taken and proposed next actions, including additional remediation measures, potential vacuum-hour limits, and hiring a sound expert.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Livingston Township had 16 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEOfficials review July 4 celebration and community response. The mayor and township manager reported strong attendance and positive feedback for the rescheduled July 4 event, and recognized staff and volunteers who helped adjust plans around weather. A representative of the Livingston Chinese Association also thanked the township and described the group’s sponsorship, volunteer work, and purchase of 388 commemorative medallions.
- GOVERNANCECouncil awards five vendor contracts. The council approved contracts for Fino Suns Inc., Rapid Pump Master Company LLC, Jessco Inc., Chemco Inc., and Firefighter LLC. One vote was taken separately because of a recusal, and the clerk noted a misprint on the agenda for the Rapid Pump Master item.
- GOVERNANCEAdjournment. The Council adjourned the meeting following a motion and vote.
- GOVERNANCERoll Call, Moment of Silence, and Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk called the roll, the Council observed a moment of silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The Mayor noted this was the first meeting since the passing of Marvin Goldstein of Northfield Pharmacy.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Meeting Minutes (June 22, 2026 Regular/Conference and Closed Session). Council approved the meeting minutes for the June 22, 2026 regular and conference meetings and the June 22 closed session minutes.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment on Agenda Items (Opening Public Comment Period). The Council opened a public comment period limited to agenda items with a four-minute time limit per speaker. No public comments were recorded before the Council closed the period.
- GOVERNANCEClose Public Comment Period (General). After public comments and responses, the Council closed the general public comment portion by motion and second.
- GOVERNANCEOpen Public Meetings Act (Sunshine) Statement and Meeting Access Information. The Mayor read the Sunshine Statement, describing compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice and posting details, potential for closed session, electronic device use, livestream information, and how the public could submit comments.
- GOVERNANCEEssex County Updates (None Present). The Mayor asked for Essex County updates, noted no Essex County representative was present, and moved the meeting forward.
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