The potential installation of climate-controlled AEDs in Livingston’s public areas took center stage during the public comment segment. A resident, Pretty Ma, advocated for the placement of tamper-resistant AEDs in outdoor parks and recreational areas, citing the Aliviver Foundation’s mission to enhance public safety. Ma expressed concern about the lack of accessible AEDs in outdoor settings, such as the Oval, a venue for community events, and the town’s busy soccer and baseball fields. She underscored the importance of having AEDs that are sheltered from extreme weather conditions, emphasizing that these devices could save lives.

Ma highlighted the cost of each all-weather AED unit at approximately $2,500, stressing the need for tamper-resistant features to ensure the devices are only accessible following a 911 call. Her proposal resonated with council members, who acknowledged prior discussions about AED installations at sports fields and recognized the merit in expanding their accessibility. Ma’s personal story about the Aliviver Foundation’s founder, who suffered a heart attack in a public park, underscored the urgency of her proposal. She stated, “This is something that anyone can use,” emphasizing that AEDs are designed for use by bystanders without medical training, thus potentially saving lives during critical emergencies.

In addition to AEDs, the meeting addressed traffic safety issues raised by residents. One resident, Michelle, described the traffic near the high school as “a bit of a disaster,” pointing out the increase in reckless driving and near-accidents due to more students obtaining driver’s licenses. She proposed adjusting parking regulations during morning drop-off hours to enhance safety. Council members referenced previous successful traffic management efforts at local elementary schools and suggested a focused discussion with traffic experts to resolve the high school traffic issues.

Another resident, Tim Foley, voiced concerns about dangerous traffic speeds at the intersection of Hillside and Route 10, highlighting the need for a traffic study and potential restrictions such as no left turns or non-resident limitations. The council acknowledged the Livingston Police Department’s ongoing efforts in monitoring traffic and expressed gratitude for their work, recognizing traffic safety as a growing community concern.

Beyond safety issues, the meeting celebrated the success of the Livingston Chinese Culture Day, which featured 50 vendor booths and drew over 2,000 attendees. The event, held at the Fitness and Wellness Center, was the largest to date and included a donation of proceeds to local organizations. The Livingston Fire Department and First Aid Squad each received $2,000, while the Police Department and Public Library received $1,000 each. Representatives from these organizations expressed gratitude, noting the importance of community support for their services.

The meeting also included discussions on the expansion and resurfacing of the library parking lot, aimed at alleviating congestion in the oval area. The council approved a contract for the project, recognizing its potential benefits for library patrons and residents. Additionally, the acquisition of more license plate readers for the police department was approved.

Fair share housing compliance was another key topic, with a scheduled compliance hearing on April 21st. The council submitted 36 exhibits to demonstrate compliance, with the redevelopment plan for Livingston Mall as the only outstanding item. The court’s allowance for the submission of a final judgment of repose was noted, completing the third round of compliance for the township.

Community events were also highlighted, including an intergenerational prom, an Easter egg hunt, and the “Pick It Up Livingston” event, where volunteers cleaned up litter. The need for donations to a local food pantry running low on supplies was emphasized, encouraging residents to contribute.