Council introduces water and sewer fee ordinances
Two utility ordinances now head to public hearings on August 11, 2026, setting up the next council vote on Livingston water and sewer charges.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — council introduces water and sewer fee, resolution 26-239 — authorizing execution of, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The council’s latest utility action was procedural but important: two fee ordinances are now on the calendar, with both public hearings set for August 11, 2026.
Utility bills are back on the council’s agenda. The Livingston Township Council introduced Ordinance 27-2026 on water meter use charges and Ordinance 28-2026 on sewer fees and charges, starting the formal process for possible changes in two basic township services.
The action at this stage was an introduction, not a final adoption. That matters because residents will get another chance to weigh in before the ordinances can take effect. The council scheduled public hearings for both measures on August 11, 2026, when the ordinances are expected to return for fuller discussion and a final vote.
The source material did not include the proposed rate schedules or spell out how charges might change for customers. What it did make clear is the timeline: two ordinances are now moving together, and the next key date is August 11. Fire residents who watch household costs closely, that hearing will be the point when the council’s utility fee plans come into sharper focus.
Resolution 26-239 — Authorizing Execution of Settlement Agreement (Health Resources New Jersey LLC)
One consent-agenda vote quietly approved a settlement agreement. As part of a block approval, the Livingston Township Council adopted Resolution 26-239, authorizing execution of a settlement agreement with Health Resources New Jersey LLC.
The resolution was read by the Clerk before the consent agenda motion and roll call vote. Beyond the title of the resolution and the name of the company, the meeting record did not provide much more.
The source did not describe the dispute behind the settlement, list any financial terms, or explain what claims were being resolved. That leaves the public record here fairly narrow: the council authorized the agreement, but the meeting itself offered little detail about what the settlement covers or what comes next.
Public comment passes with little input
Both public comment periods produced almost no discussion. No one spoke on agenda items, and one resident briefly greeted the council during general comment without raising any request or concern.
Public participation can shape council decisions, and this meeting moved forward without resident objections or requests.
Council highlights events across Livingston calendar
During council comments, Kenia Buccino recapped recent events and pointed residents to a busy August calendar. He cited a child care office ribbon cutting, Junior Police Academy graduation, a 100th birthday celebration, an Arts Council exhibit, concerts, India Fest, a school-supply event, and a Kiwanis golf outing.
Council announced upcoming concerts, a school-supply event, India Fest, and a Kiwanis golf outing.
Barry Lewis gives brief project update
Barry Lewis said Livingston is making significant progress on two major capital projects: the new Livingston Department of Public Works garage and the new pool. He did not give timelines or costs, but said more detailed news should come soon.
Manager reported progress on the new DPW garage and new pool, with details still forthcoming.
Police swear in five transferring officers
The police chief swore in five transferring officers and used the ceremony to outline department work across staffing, technology, training, operations, and crime statistics. The mayor and council praised the department and noted the scale of recent police hiring.
Police staffing and operations affect emergency response, enforcement, and public safety across town.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Livingston Township had 36 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCETownship Attorney Report — Monmouth Court Transfer Closing. Township Attorney Jared reported that an ordinance approving the Monmouth Court transfer had passed and announced the closing was completed, with title transferred to the Board of Education.
- GOVERNANCECouncil advances utility and equipment contract actions. Council approved a set of consent-agenda contract actions, including awards to multiple vendors, a final change order for Coppola Services, and rejection of a bid for water and sewer parts. The measures cover utility-related work, equipment, and purchasing needs.
- GOVERNANCEConsent Agenda Approval (Resolutions 26-229 through 26-239). Council approved the consent agenda as a block, including Resolutions 26-229 through 26-239, after confirming no items were removed for separate discussion.
- GOVERNANCEResolution 26-240 — Closed Session (Legal Updates; Contract Negotiations; Attorney-Client Privilege Matters). Council adopted Resolution 26-240 to enter closed session to discuss legal updates and multiple contract negotiation/attorney-client privilege matters, including Federated Church, Livingston Mall, DPW contract negotiations, and Passaic Avenue Partners.
- GOVERNANCEOrdinance 25-2026 (Second Reading) — Uniform Fire Code Enforcement Amended Fees. Council held the second reading and public hearing for Ordinance 25-2026 regarding amended fees for Uniform Fire Code enforcement. With no public comment, Council adopted the ordinance by roll call vote.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Meeting Minutes (July 13, 2026 Conference Meeting and Closed Session Minutes). Council approved the minutes of the July 13, 2026 conference meeting and the July 13, 2026 closed session minutes, with a motion and second and no opposition stated.
- GOVERNANCEMoment of Silence, Acknowledgement of Passing, and Pledge of Allegiance. The Mayor asked attendees to rise for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, and acknowledged the passing of Jude Spatola, described as a long-time crossing guard in town.
- GOVERNANCECall to Order, Sunshine Statement, and Roll Call. The Mayor opened the July 28, 2026 regular meeting, read the Sunshine Statement regarding Open Public Meetings Act compliance and livestream/public comment procedures, and the Clerk called the roll. One councilmember was absent; the remaining members were present.
- GOVERNANCEOfficials report no additional updates. Several township officials said they had no additional updates, and the scheduled Essex County update was called without a report being delivered.
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No resident comments recorded this week.