One item at the meeting was the announcement of a unique ski facility, Blue Run, to be located on Eisenhower Parkway. Characterized as the first of its kind on the East Coast, the facility will feature European simulators for ski training, potentially attracting significant interest and visitors to the area. This development aligns with the introduction of a new ski team at Livingston High School, adding to the community’s recreational offerings.

Beth Litman, who provided the BID update, shared exciting news about ongoing business growth, with an anticipated 24 new businesses expected to open by the year’s end. Among these are Forever Young, Dairy Queen, and Mr. Tandoor. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Boardwalk Zeppy was scheduled. Litman also acknowledged the challenge of filling vacant properties due to parking issues and zoning complications, specifically mentioning the old Ilj Alone space and the Jerusalem West Restaurant site.

In addressing community engagement, the BID has been organizing events, such as a sticker book search during Youth Appreciation Week, which saw participation from 42 businesses. Plans for a restaurant celebration week and an art program featuring sculptures around town were also discussed, highlighting efforts to enhance community involvement and appreciation for local culture. An environmental mural project, involving local youth and professional artists, is currently in the planning stages.

The council discussed the need for increased transparency and visibility of local businesses. A proposal was made to create visual representations of businesses in town, with regular updates to educate and inform the community about available services. The suggestion included hosting town hall meetings with business owners to improve communication and understanding of the BID’s role and benefits. Concerns were raised about the visibility of BID promotions, with a desire for more community engagement and excitement around local shopping.

The meeting also addressed various redevelopment plans, including a resolution authorizing a redevelopment plan for specific properties on West Mount Pleasant Avenue. The council emphasized that this authorization was meant to initiate discussions on the future use of these properties, rather than a definitive redevelopment designation. Additionally, the handling of OPRA requests and the concerns raised by a resident about fees imposed on local newspapers sparked a conversation about the importance of transparency and community access to information.

Public comments included critiques of the municipal attorney’s handling of legal matters and the perceived lack of responsiveness from property owners regarding maintenance issues. The council expressed support for the attorney and acknowledged the challenges of engaging property owners in addressing these concerns.

In other updates, the council announced upcoming events, including a Halloween party, a Rotary food tasting event, and a voter registration deadline extension. The meeting concluded with a focus on the importance of police presence during the Jewish New Year holidays and the success of recent community events, despite weather challenges.