Livingston Township Council approves school walking-route grant application
A proposed trail and bridge could give families a more direct walk to Collins Elementary School, with grant funding potentially covering the full cost.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — fy2027 safe routes to school grant, township reports bennington neighborhood meeting and, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Many families less than a mile and a half from Collins Elementary School still drive because they lack a direct, safe walking route.
The shortest way to school may run through the woods. The Livingston Township Council unanimously approved Resolution 26-288, authorizing the Township Manager to apply for a fiscal year 2027 Safe Routes to School grant. The proposal centers on a walking connection to Collins Elementary School, where the deputy mayor said families who live less than a mile and a half away often drive because existing walking routes take them out of their way.
The deputy mayor described a route using existing dirt paths near a brook, with a new pedestrian bridge linking the paths. The Township Manager said a township-owned right-of-way could help make the connection without sending walkers into traffic. He described a second possible benefit: access to an existing pedestrian bridge across the brook, which could connect more neighborhoods and offer a walking route toward shopping areas.
The Township Manager said the federally funded program, administered through the state transportation department, offers grants ranging from 350,000 to 1 million dollars. Livingston Township generally seeks full funding, including design and engineering help, so the local cost could be minimal if the application succeeds. He said transportation agency representatives considered the concept competitive. The Township will submit the application; the council’s vote authorizes that step, not construction or a grant award.
Township reports Bennington neighborhood meeting and outreach
The Livingston Township Council heard the Township Manager report on a neighborhood planning meeting and continued coordination with a nearby church and school. The mayor thanked participants and invited residents who could not attend to get in touch. He said the Township would prepare a map, determine a preferred route and share the plan with residents.
In their reports to the Livingston Township Council, the deputy mayor and mayor covered community events and recognitions, including a football achievement, a Hall of Fame event, Oktoberfest, a Halloween party and a food drive. The deputy mayor also listed upcoming dates, including a Veterans Day event at Livingston Town Hall. Separately, the Township Manager reported the start of a public works facility project and tree planting scheduled to continue through December.
The route discussion remains at the planning stage. The mayor said residents shared their views at the outdoor meeting, but the Township has not settled on the best path. Residents who missed the meeting can still contact the Township before it communicates a plan.
Resident asks council to investigate persistent hum
A resident told the Livingston Township Council that a low humming noise has been audible in homes and outdoors east of a traffic circle, especially at night. The mayor said the Township would contact utility representatives, while the deputy mayor suggested asking police patrols to listen overnight.
Residents reporting the sound may get help identifying its source before deciding what can be done.
Township Clerk outlines Election Day voting options
The Livingston Township Council heard the Township Clerk remind residents that Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. She said voters can check their sample ballots or njvote.nj.gov for polling locations, vote early through Sunday, or use a mail-in ballot.
Checking a sample ballot can spare voters a trip to the wrong polling place on Tuesday.
Brave Sprout creator demonstrates speaking practice app
The Livingston Township Council heard a presentation on Brave Sprout, a web application designed to help children with selective mutism practice speaking to cartoon characters. Its creator said his sister’s experience inspired the project and described a progression from speaking to characters toward everyday conversations.
The presentation gave families a concrete example of a tool intended to support children who struggle to speak outside familiar settings.
Council recognizes metastatic breast cancer awareness day
The Livingston Township Council recognized October 13, 2026, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day following a presentation on the Light MBC campaign. One presenter described living with stage four breast cancer for 11 years and called for more research and public understanding.
The proclamation brings attention to research needs and the difference between early-stage and metastatic breast cancer.
- Livingston Township Council. During general public comment (3-minute limit), a resident described a continuous low humming noise affecting homes east of the Route 10 circle and reported multiple neighbors experiencing it. The resident requested Township assistance and follow-up with JCP&L/PSE&G, raised health concerns, and asked about possible police observation at night to help identify the source.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Livingston Township had 11 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment period on agenda items (opened and closed; no substantive comments recorded). The Council opened a public comment period limited to agenda items with a four-minute time limit. No substantive public comments were recorded in the transcript, and the Council closed the agenda-item public comment period.
- GOVERNANCEEssex County updates (none present). The Mayor noted there was no Essex County representative present and proceeded to the next agenda section.
- GOVERNANCEMonontlair VP LLC — 518 West Mount Pleasant Avenue (Block 100, Lot 19): full-service veterinary center with grooming; use variance, signage variances, and site plan waiver discussion. The Board heard a use variance application to establish a veterinary clinic with grooming (no boarding) in the former Blinds To Go space at the Staples center. The applicant sought two façade signs with illumination and a height variance. Professionals testified on operations, waste protocols, and planning criteria, and the Board approved with conditions, including no overnight boarding and biohazard compliance.
- GOVERNANCEWhite Oak Drive LLC — 42 Cobblewood Road / White Oak Drive (Block 13062, Lot 42): new single-family house; front setback and habitable floor area ratio variances. Counsel presented an application to demolish existing improvements and construct a new single-family home on a 9,375-square-foot lot, requiring front yard setback and habitable floor area ratio variances. The architect and planner testified the proposal met the established setback line and improved a deficient side yard. The Board approved unanimously.
- GOVERNANCERomesh Kandanda — 28 Tiffany Drive (Block 2006, Lot 28): new single-family residence; habitable floor area ratio variance. The applicant returned after a prior hearing with significant plan reductions, eliminating all variances except a habitable floor area ratio variance. The architect testified the plan was reduced by about 1,000 square feet while maintaining a similar elevation. The Board approved unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEAdam & Abigail Grownik — 1129 Oakwood Avenue (Block 2902, Lot 11): second-story addition and deck; pre-existing setbacks and floor area ratio variance. The applicants sought approval for a second-story addition over the existing footprint and a deck, with several setbacks described as pre-existing nonconformities and a requested increase in habitable floor area ratio. The applicants cited an undersized lot and need for space. The Board approved unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEUTK Patel / Purisha Sri N. — 27 Cornell Drive (Block 7500, Lot 27): front setback, rear deck setback, and habitable floor area ratio variances. The Board heard a revised proposal for additions at 27 Cornell Drive with reduced variances since the prior hearing. The architect and planner testified to reductions in size and improved setbacks. The Board approved the application by unanimous vote.
- GOVERNANCEBarry JD Manif — 2 Tuon Drive (Block 703, Lot 16): front/rear first-floor addition; rear setback variance. The applicants sought approval for modest first-floor additions on a corner-lot ranch, requiring a rear yard setback variance due to lot depth constraints. The architect testified to the site’s buildable area limitations and minimal impervious increase. The Board approved unanimously.
- GOVERNANCETodd Fina Strand — 52 Lexington Drive (Block 4603, Lot 1152): first-floor rear addition; existing front and side setback variances. The applicants requested approval for a 102-square-foot one-story family room addition toward the rear yard, with existing nonconforming front and side setbacks noted. The architect testified no front-yard modification was proposed and the addition stayed within existing constraints. The Board approved unanimously.
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