TOWNSHIP OF LIVINGSTON

Livingston - A Tradition of Pride

In 1666, thirteen minor chiefs of the Lenni Lenape tribe sold a 40,000 acre tract of land to a group of Puritans led by Robert Treat. They founded the city of Milford, which is known today as Newark. In 1669, another tract of land was bought for 130 English pounds sterling and became the "Horseneck Tract". It was named because its shape resembled that of a horse’s neck.  This tract encompassed the present day townships of Livingston, Roseland, Caldwell, West Orange, Fairfield and several other West Essex communities.By 1702, rapidly crowding conditions in Newark caused people to move westward and establish farms.

Most of these early settlers followed one of three major paths to this area: the Colonial Road (present day Route 10), an extension of the Minnisink Path (now Northfield Road) and the road to Swinefield (Eagle Rock Avenue). Some pioneers settled in a hollow between the second Watchung mountain and the promontory known as Riker Hill. Here they established a settlement known as Canoe Brook.During the Revolutionary War the small village of Canoe Brook remained virtually isolated from further expansion and  communication , due in part to problems earlier in the century between the landowners and the Board of Proprietors under King Charles II. These Proprietors had used their influence on the provincial legislature to nullify all deeds and land bought from the Indians, thus claiming it for themselves. Not more than one hundred people lived in Canoe Brook before the American Revolution, but afterwards, with a greater feeling of pride and adventure, more people began to venture into the wilderness.In 1790 the population began to rise. During the next fifteen years, seven hamlets were formed in the area. In 1812, residents from all of these hamlets banded together and petitioned the state legislature to form a new township. On February 5, 1813, a charter was granted by the legislature and the township of
Livingston was formed , taking its name from the governor of New Jersey between 1776 and 1790, William Livingston.The period from 1820-1870 saw the township begin to change from a farming community to one that included some small industries. By 1850 most residents were involved in either dairy farming or the leather trade. Shoemaking was a popular occupation. The rural community was quite self sufficient. In 1907 the townspeople asked for a new school, and a club was formed which began the first library. The small police and fire departments grew as well. In 1929 the West Essex Tribune, a weekly newspaper, was founded to report the community news.After World War II, Livingston began its most rapid change. The population was growing rapidly and there were needs for upgraded schools, improved roads and storm sewers, better police and fire protection to name a few. In 1957 the
council-manager form of government which exists to this day was put into effect. This meant that a full time manager would be appointed to apply the principles of sound business management to the municipality. It also called for an elected township council that would be responsible for the policy and legislation of the
municipality.  By 1965 there were twelve schools in town and plans for the Livingston Mall were underway.The once sleepy little farming township of Livingston had emerged to become one of the most affluent communities in New Jersey. Homes were constructed where farms and wood lots once set. Modern township buildings , kept in a brick colonial style, were built. Now known nationally for its outstanding schools, Livingston High School was awarded the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education in 1998.

As you drive into our town along South Livingston Avenue , passing the old Force homestead, a registered historic landmark, you come upon Memorial Park and the oval. Livingston High School sits at the back, the public library and recreation department along Robert Harp Drive. Across the street are the
township hall and police department. Monuments honoring the heroes of all wars serve as a reminder of the great sacrifices made for our freedom, with our flag waving proudly above them. You can sense that you in a very special place, one where its greatest asset is its townspeople and their united feeling of pride!

GOVERNMENT: Mayor: Steve Santola.
973-992-7253Deputy Mayor: Lee
Peyser, 973-994-2969

Council Members: Charles August, Arlene Johnson, Dr. Gary Schneiderman, and Lee Peyser


Township Council- Regular Meetings:
Generally 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at
8:00 pm at Township Hall (open to public).

Conference Meetings:
Generally every Monday at 7:30 pm at Township
Hall (open to public)

Listening Post:
Generally 2nd Monday of each month from 7:30-
8:00 pm at Township Hall

(These are informal meetings with Council open to
residents- call that day to verify that meeting is
scheduled).

Livingston business improvement district: Website Attorney: Sharon (Shari)
Weiner, 973 530-2059

Assistant Attorney: Bill Williams,
973 994-2467

Clerk: Glenn R. Turtletaub, 973
535-7966

Comptroller: Susan Strande, 973
535-7980

Construction Official: Richard
O'Keefe, 973 535-7957

Consumer Affairs Director: Bernidine
Jacobs, 973 535-7976

Engineer: Robert J. Schaefer, 973
535-7950

Finance Director/Treasurer: Russell
A. Jones Jr., 973 535-7973

Health Officer: Louis E. Anello, 973
535-7961

Library Director: Barbara Jean Sikora,
973 992-4600

Manager: Michele Meade, 973
535-7973

Assistant Manager: Russell A. Jones,
973 535-7973

Planning /Building Director: Joseph
J. Roberts, 973 535-7954

Plumbing Inspector: Mark Hiler, 973
535-7953

Public Defender: Michael Berliner,
973 535-7970

Parks Director: Ronni B. Zuckerman,
973 535-7925

Senior Citizen Services Coordinator: Kay
Whitman, 973 535-7975

Tax Assessor: Lidia Dumytsch, 973
535-7979

Tax Collector: Kathleen Emmert, 973
535-7983

Water Superintendent: Edward
Chedister, 973 535-7951

Water Pollution Control Facility Superintendent: Paul
Tremper , 973 535-7945

Welfare and Human Services Director: Lauren
Glassman, 973 535-7963

Youth Services Coordinator: Joyce
Mazzarella & Andrea Ubaldi, 973 535-7992

Planning Board Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday each
month at Township Hall

Public Conference :7:30 pm

Regular Meeting: 8:00 pm

Chairperson: Peter Klein

Planning and Land Use Administrator: Jackie
Hollis, 973
535- 7954

Zoning Board Meets every 3rd Thursday each month
7:30 pm Township Hall

Police Department: 333 S Livingston
Avenue, 973 992-3000

Emergency 9-1-1

Police Chief: Michael Erb, 973 992-3000

First Aid Squad: 62 S Livingston
Avenue, 973 992-2373,
Website

Emergency: 9-1-1 Non Emergency: 973 992-2373
Fire Department: 62 S Livingston
Avenue
To Report a Fire 9-1-1

Fire Chief: Chris
Mullin, 973 992-2373
Post Offices:
Main Office: 49 W Mt. Pleasant Avenue,
Livingston, NJ 07039, 973 992-0669
South Livingston Station: 25 W
Northfield Road, Livingston, NJ 07039, 973 992-0869


EDUCATION: Livingston Public Schools

Livingston Board of Education,
11 Foxcroft Drive

Superintendent: Dr. Brad Draeger 973-535-8000
Assistant Superintendents for Curriculum: Dr. Susan Paynter and Patrick Keenoy
 973 535-8009

Board meets Monday Evenings at Board Office
Board Members: President: Bonnie Granatir, Members: Charles Granata, Chris Jung, 
Sheri Goldberg, Antonio Calcado, and Bonnie
Kolodin-Granatir

SCHOOL REPORTS