April 27, 2026 - Livingston Township Council Meeting

Meeting Overview

The April 27th meeting was one of the warmest and most well-attended of the year — and not just because of the weather. The council chamber was packed to celebrate the Livingston Varsity Boys Ice Hockey team's historic McGinnis Cup championship and NJIHL Team of the Year honor, the first time the program has claimed the conference title in 13 years. On a more serious note, residents behind the Express Car Wash returned again — this being their eighth consecutive month of public comment on noise violations — while the council took significant steps toward preserving a piece of Livingston's founding history by purchasing the historic Federated Church property on Mount Pleasant Avenue.

PART I: FACTUAL SUMMARY

Opening & Announcements

Roll Call

• Council Member Meinhardt: Here
• Council Member Anthony: Here
• Council Member Vieira: Here (arrived later)
• Deputy Mayor Bhattani: Here
• Mayor Klein: Here

Moment of Silence — In memory of Assemblywoman Rosie Bukholvi's mother, who passed away the morning of the meeting.

Essex County Updates (Ilhan Fisher, County Representative):

• Saturday, May 2nd — Household hazardous waste collection, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM at the DPW site on Bradford Lane
• Saturday, May 16th — Electronics recycling event, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, same location

Presentations & Proclamations

Autism Awareness Month — April 2026

The council paused the agenda to accommodate attendees who came specifically for this proclamation, which drew one of the largest and most vocal audiences of the year.

Speakers:

• Bob Giebreau, Chairman, Livingston Student Advisory Committee for Disabilities — Frame by Frame: "People with autism tell it like it is. I've been around this world for quite a few years and I find that a lot of people from the general population don't — there's so many games being played. People on the spectrum got something in their head and they're gonna let you know. To me it's very inspiring. I recommend it."
• Pam Teper, parent of a 26-year-old with profound autism — Livingston resident for 20+ years: "Autism awareness month of April is a month, autism awareness day is a day. We do this every day, every night. Something I created not so long ago was a t-shirt that said 'Autism Awareness Every Day.' It's our life."
• Deputy Mayor Bhattani — Praised the Board's earlier awareness event organized by Alicia DiIorio, and called for turning awareness into action.

Proclamation highlights: The Township recognized autism as a neurological variation contributing to the rich diversity of the human experience; affirmed neurodiversity as a strength; and proclaimed April 26 as Autism Acceptance Day in Livingston Township.

Notable: Township Manager Barry Lewis, whose adult son is profoundly autistic, thanked the council personally: "More so than just passing a proclamation, it's how much this mayor and council day in and day out support all the individuals with disabilities throughout the community. It means a lot to me personally."

Livingston Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Team — Championship Recognition

The council broke format to honor the hockey team first, knowing the room was full of players, coaches, and family. The citation recognized:

• McGinnis Cup Conference Champions — First time in 13 years
• NJIIHL Team of the Year — First time ever

Citation read by Mayor Klein: "The mayor and members of the Township Council are pleased to recognize the 2025–2026 Livingston Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Team. We thank them for the pride they bring to our community and their commitment to hard work and excellence."

Players recognized individually:

• Andrew Donny
• Jacob Stevens
• Isaac Horn
• Jayden Rogers
• Matthew Zox (Captain)
• Judah Lashon
• Noah Stevens
• Drew Kippness
• David Goll
• Chase Warrow
• Max Cohen
• Ben Diamond
• Ryan Corn
• Rise Bernstein
• David Orenzyp
• Josh Lloydnerstine
• Ryan
• Zach Gibner
• Tyler Safft
• Brody Titcomb

Coaches honored:

• Head Coach — recipient of NJIIHL Coach of the Year award (name inaudible in transcript)
• Assistant Coach Dave Miluch
• Assistant Coach Zachary Dorfman

Coach's remarks (via team captain Zach): "I just wanted to thank the board for having us here today. It's a big honor and a big accomplishment for my team. It was a great year, a great win for all of us."

Mr. Paul McGinnis — The namesake of the conference's trophy was in attendance and was introduced as "a legend" by the coach. The McGinnis Cup is named after Paul McGinnis, a lifelong New Jersey hockey figure. The coach noted the team finished 24 wins, called the conference one of the toughest in New Jersey, and said the championship was "really something special."

A group photo was taken with council members on the stairs, the team, and the McGinnis Cup.

Ordinances & Resolutions

Ordinance 12-2026 — Cap Bank (Second Reading, Adopted 5-0)

Allows the township to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank — a standard annual measure giving the municipality flexibility to adjust line items within state-mandated caps. Township Attorney Barry Lewis clarified that the 3.5% cap applies to appropriations (spending), not the tax levy, which is subject to a separate 2% cap. The township is not exceeding the 2% tax levy cap. Any unused cap can be "banked" for future years.

Vote: Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Bhattani-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Klein-Yes

Ordinance 13-2026 — Cedar Street Redevelopment / West Mount Pleasant Overlay (Second Reading, Adopted 5-0)

Adopts the redevelopment plan for 576–586 West Mount Pleasant Avenue Overlay District. This had been introduced at the April 6th meeting.

Vote: Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Bhattani-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Klein-Yes

New Ordinances Introduced (for public hearing May 11)

Ordinance 14-2026 — Pulled from the agenda before reading; details not available.

Ordinance 15-2026 — Authorizing the purchase of the historic Federated Church property at the corner of South Livingston Avenue and Mount Pleasant Avenue (Block 1409, Lot 10). This was a major point of discussion.

Key remarks:

• Councilman Anthony: "I'm more excited about this than even a former mayor, Ellie Cohen was... Purchasing the historic church and keeping it from the wrecking balls of another residential development coming in... There's a cemetery right in the backyard. The founders of Livingston are buried in that cemetery. I can't wait until we get our hands on being able to elevate that cemetery so people can actually go visit it and look at the history of Livingston."
• Deputy Mayor Bhattani: "When I took the walk, there was an office in that old church that showed maps — the history of streets, how Livingston looked. It's one of the first addresses in our town. If you look back at our bicentennial book, you will find photographs where the roads were not paved dirt roads and this church had a tower. It's that historical."
• Mayor Klein: "One of the things that 99% of the residents don't know it's back there. People live in Livingston for generations and don't know this is back there. I look forward to cutting the lawn and making sure a lot of people know about this."
• Former Mayor Ellie Cohen credited for initiating the process approximately three years ago.

The property will be preserved as open space/public area. Township Manager Barry Lewis and Jared Cantor also credited.

Vote: Unanimous — Meinhardt-Yes, Anthony-Yes, Bhattani-Yes, Vieira-Yes, Klein-Yes

Ordinance 16-2026 — Amending and supplementing Chapter 29 (Traffic and Parking). Public hearing May 11.

Vote: Unanimous

Consent Agenda (Adopted 5-0)

All routine matters approved in a single motion:

• Res. 26-160: Sale of surplus property
• Res. 26-161: Award of contract — pumping services
• Res. 26-162: Award of contract — Re-O Supply Inc.
• Res. 26-163: Purchases under North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System
• Res. 26-164: Award of contract — Granada Construction Corp.
• Res. 26-165: Appointing new member to LCDI (Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion)
• Res. 26-166: Approval of Change Order No. 1 — Utility Service Company Inc.
• Res. 26-167: Approval of Change Order No. 1 — Scoffar Contracting Inc.
• Res. 26-168: Designating area in need of rehabilitation — Block 3000, Lot 1.01 (156 East Cedar Street)
• Res. 26-169: Establishing tree replacement performance bond account

Public Comment

Express Car Wash Noise — Eighth Month (Residents vs. Township / County)

Joyce Armando, 7 Greenwood Court (directly behind the car wash) led a group of approximately seven neighbors, some of whom also spoke.

Core complaint: The car wash was built with material deviations from the approved site plan:

• Approved: 15 vacuum stations. Built: 17 vacuum stations (two extra closest to residential backyards)
• Approved: No air hoses at vacuum stations. Built: 17 air hoses now operating
• Noise measured at 61–65 decibels; the approved threshold was 38 decibels

Timeline of failures:

• Essex County inspector found violations, issued fines (~$6,000 total), then resigned before filing his report
• A follow-up county inspection was scheduled for 9:45 AM on a weekday — when the facility was nearly empty
• Residents say the car wash has since reduced vacuum and air hose power just enough to avoid triggering a violation at the reduced operating levels — while still generating enough noise to be heard inside homes
• County has refused to send an inspector on a weekend (peak hours) because of overtime costs

Resident statements:

Joyce Armando: "We have lived with Livingston Car Wash behind our homes for over 40 years and we never had a complaint — because there were never vacuum stations and never air hoses. This is what we hear all day long. The air hoses were not on the final approval. Nothing. I have a copy through an OPRA request. Zero air hoses existed in that final approval yet there are 17 operating. Why are you guys still allowing this?"

Anna Triggo, Local Real Estate Agent: "I personally visited the home and heard this noise both in the backyard and inside the home. I show homes in this area. When a buyer hears ongoing commercial noise, especially in a residential backyard, it immediately raises red flags. Commercial noise does influence the value of the property. You certainly wouldn't buy a home with a car wash in the back."

Carol Mcinnis, 6 Fellwood Drive (husband has dementia): "The old car wash we didn't hear any noise. We didn't have any problems. They were a good neighbor. Now the neighbor is not good, not pleasant. It's a miserable thing — the noise we get in our houses, outside our houses. It's not right."

John Huang, 18th house behind car wash: "We have two young kids. We cannot even enjoy opening the doors and outside of our backyard. That has been the case for the past couple months."

Kim Fan: "We were appealing by the good school system and the good neighborhood. We didn't expect to have such a noisy environment around us."

Michelle Florio, Buds Farrow Drive: "I've been following this debacle from the beginning. Hoping someone in a position to correct this untenable situation would step up and do the right thing. I don't live near the car wash, but I've been there. I've heard the ear-splitting cacophony. I could never tolerate this in my home. If you let it happen in one neighborhood, what's to stop you from allowing it in another? Next time it could be mine."

Resident (civil engineer, license in NY): "When a permit is issued, there's a parameter set up — 38 decibels. If 38 is listed, anything more than 38 is a violation. The car wash should do what they need to do to bring it under 38. If they don't, the township has to do what they have to do."

Council and staff responses:

• Mayor Klein acknowledged the situation was "terrible" and that the council was "disappointed" with how the county enforcement had been handled
• Township Attorney Jared Cantor noted the enforcement is legally complex — the township approved what was built, and the county is the enforcement agency, but the discrepancy between the site plan and what was actually built is "black and white" and should be addressed by the township independently
• Councilman Anthony noted that residents should be able to enjoy their homes and questioned why the township hasn't taken direct action on the air hoses and extra vacuum stations
• Council committed to inviting county health director Maya Harlow to a Saturday site visit during peak hours

Status: No enforcement action taken during this meeting. Attorney Cantor to research legal options re: air hoses not shown on the approved site plan.

Other Public Comment

Tim Foley, Livingston Resident (fourth generation) — Returned to object to the proposed elimination of the Assistant Township Manager position held by Adam Lerner: "This is being handled wrong. It should have gone to Barry first. Barry's the one who hires and fires everybody. The way this was done is inappropriate. Adam has been wonderful for this town. 95% of the time I'm here, you guys are praising him. So again, I think you're doing it the wrong way."

Reports of Township Officials

Township Manager Barry Lewis:

• Thanked the council for the autism proclamation, noting his personal connection: "I have a profoundly autistic adult son. It means a lot to me personally."
• Thanked council for supporting all department heads and their employees

Deputy Township Manager Rust Jones:

• NICO (National Eagle Scout Initiative) scout completed four projects this week — built park benches for Clove Park and Mount Pleasant School. Ceremony to be scheduled.

Assistant Township Manager Adam Lerner: No update.

Township Attorney Jared Cantor: Requested adding two items to closed session — a personnel matter and the car wash issue under attorney-client privilege.

Council Comments

Councilman Meinhardt summarized the past two weeks' activities:

• April 9: Hillside Elementary annual trap shoot (first time attending)
• April 10: Social Justice Reading at LHS — "one powerful session where students came in and read what it means to them about social justice"
• April 11: Little League Opening Day — Mayor pitched first ball
• April 12: Change session at resident Ellie Burns's home — "brilliantly presented"
• April 16: Documentary presentation at Temple B'nai Abraham on smartphone/cell phone use and its effects on children — co-attended with Councilman Anthony and Meinhardt
• April 17: LensFest + ribbon cutting at Blue
• April 18: 50th anniversary of Side Temple — attended with Mayor and Meinhardt
• April 19: Intergenerational Prom — served dinner to seniors; "always a very beautiful event"
• April 22: Livingston Celebrates Israel (est. 5,000 attendees) — organized by Enailisiewicz, Susi Lugashi, Shailamek and volunteers; followed by flag raising
• April 23: Hillside Elementary Gala — attended with Councilman Anthony and Vieira
• April 24: PSC and G Substation walk-through with Mayor and Council; followed by Arbor Day ceremony
• Police Chief Gary Marshwitz awarded UNICO Citizen of the Year
• LCDI honored five women (Claire Gau, Carmen Michael, Winning Takanna, Shoshan Maggie) — four attended in person

Upcoming events:

• April 30: AARP Fraud Awareness speech, 12:00 PM
• May 2: L.C.D.I. Spring Party
• May 3: Journey for the Livingston Education Fund walk, 11:00 AM at the oval
• May 4: Livingston Golf Outing
• May 5: Sinko DiMio celebration
• May 7: L.C.D.I. Talent Show, 7:00 PM at Community Center
• May 9: Mother's Day

Personal note: Livingston lost longtime resident and business owner Freddie Slater (Nero's family). Condolences to wife Trudy and sons Adam and Evan.

PART II: ANALYSIS

The Good 🟢

Historic church preservation — a rare civic win. The unanimous vote to purchase the Federated Church property (Block 1409, Lot 10) on Mount Pleasant Avenue was met with rare, genuine enthusiasm from every council member. Multiple members independently used the phrase "home run." That's telling. The property contains a cemetery with the graves of the town's founding families — something 99% of residents don't know exists. Turning this into publicly accessible open space, rather than another residential development, is exactly the kind of win that justifies local government. Kudos to former Mayor Ellie Cohen for starting the process years ago, and to Barry Lewis and Jared Cantor for bringing it home.

Hockey championship — 13 years in the making. McGinnis Cup champions for the first time since 2013, and the first NJIIHL Team of the Year award in program history. Worth the wait, and good to see the full room, the team, and Mr. McGinnis himself in attendance. Captain Zach's remarks were brief and classy — exactly right for a moment like this.

Autism awareness — a personal moment. Township Manager Barry Lewis's personal thanks for the autism proclamation — noting his profoundly autistic adult son — was one of the more humanizing moments of any council meeting this year. It elevated what could have been a routine proclamation into something more meaningful. Pam Teper's point that "autism awareness every day" is the reality for families, not just April, was well-taken.

Busy, active council. Councilman Meinhardt's roundup of two weeks of events — social justice reading at LHS, documentary screenings, LensFest, an intergenerational prom, Livingston Celebrates Israel (5,000 attendees), LCDI awards, and more — reflects a council that is genuinely present in the community. This isn't a passive governing body.

The Bad 🔴

The car wash is still broken — and the council knows it. Eight months of public comment. Confirmed violations. Fines issued. The inspector who found the violations quit before filing his report. County won't send someone on a weekend because of overtime costs. The operator has adjusted power just enough to skate under the threshold while residents still hear noise inside their homes. The air hoses — which were never on the approved site plan — are still running.

This is not a complicated case on the facts. The site plan said 15 stations, no air hoses. What was built is different. That's the township's starting point, and Councilman Anthony was right to call it "black and white." But eight months and counting, and residents still have no resolution, no timeline, and no clear path to enforcement. Summer is coming — windows open, yards used, noise travels farther. The clock is still ticking.

The Adam Lerner situation. Fourth consecutive meeting with a public speaker pushing back on the proposed elimination of this position. Tim Foley's point — that 95% of the time the council is praising Lerner's work, including the Zoom modernization and the technology in this very room — has not been answered with any public counterargument. It keeps getting deferred to closed session. At some point the council needs to either explain the decision publicly or reverse it. Living in that ambiguity is unfair to everyone involved.

This summary was generated from an audio transcription of the April 27, 2026 Township Council meeting. All statements are direct quotes or close paraphrases of public meeting records.