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A man used a hammer and chisel to chip at ice buildup in an old fridge, but hit the coolant line by mistake. Here's what happened next.

Patch Staff

|Updated Thu, Oct 31, 2024 at 4:54 pm ET

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Firefighters in Livingston rushed to the rescue of a local homeowner on Wednesday after a coolant line ruptured and leaked a dangerous refrigerant throughout the house, authorities said.

Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullin said he responded to a home on the 80-block of Irving Avenue around noon after the department received a report about a possible emergency.

A relative of the homeowner said he tried to get into the residence, but was driven back by a strange smell, preventing him from reaching his father-in-law, who was in the basement.

Mullin immediately entered the home in an attempt to find the resident. When the fire chief reached the top of the basement stairs in the kitchen, he heard coughing and groaning coming from below.

Mullin said that at this point, he realized that there was some type of chemical exposure to contend with – and that he’d need an air supply to continue the rescue. Returning to his vehicle, Mullin retrieved a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), taking a moment to radio an arriving engine crew and alter them that they’d need to do the same. Then he rushed back into the home and ran down the staircase, where he found a semi-conscious, elderly man lying on the ground.

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With time of the essence, Mullin grabbed the groaning homeowner from behind under his arms and made his way up the staircase. When they were at the top – getting a welcome assist from deputy chief Josh Lewis along the way – Mullin rushed the man out of the house, where medical aid was waiting.

Livingston firefighters immediately tended to the resident with oxygen until an EMS crew arrived and provided further treatment. In the meanwhile, firefighters aired out the home using fans and by opening windows and doors.

The homeowner, Mullin and Lewis were each transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

During a search of the residence, emergency responders found a cat – which was temporarily turned over to Livingston Animal Control. After a vet checkup, the cat was released to the custody of a family member.

The Nutley Hazmat team was originally asked to respond to this incident, but the request was cancelled after firefighters were able to safely enter the basement and determine the cause of the chemical exposure.

That cause? The homeowner used a hammer and chisel to break apart some ice buildup in a 1940s-era refrigerator struck the coolant line by accident – sending a leak of Anhydrous Ammonia spreading throughout the residence, authorities said.

The Livingston Fire Department cleared the scene around 2:45 p.m.

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LIVINGSTON, N.J. -- New Jersey is already starting to see wildfires -- far more north than the state had warned residents about.

Officials consider it unprecedented for the Essex County area, as this is considered one of the longest dry spells for the region on record.

The situation in Livingston

Plumes of black smoke and flames were just feet from Livingston's busy shopping centers along Route 10 on Saturday.

"The fire dangers are at very high or extreme, so these are kind of unprecedented fire dangers that we are experiencing now, which would be abnormal for this time of year," said Eric Weber, assistant division fire warden for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

And abnormal for the region as it has seen no measurable rain this month so far. On Saturday afternoon, officials got calls about smoke billowing from the wooded area behind Industrial Parkway in Livingston. Crews stayed overnight to put flames out that spread to at least 140 acres. At over 100 acres, it's considered a major wildfire.

Alex Roxas was working his assistant manager shift at Spirit Halloween on Saturday in front of Industrial Parkway. Within minutes, the store was fully evacuated.

"We still had customers driving up, trying to get into the store, getting out of their cars and walking up, so we had to basically shout across the parking lot, 'Hey guys, we're closed. We're not taking any customers.' Nobody on our staff has ever experienced anything like that before," Roxas said.

The ride home took twice as long after officials had to shut down parts of Route 10 and evacuate more businesses, which reopened on Sunday. The Twisted Tulip had to close hours early on Saturday.

"We wrapped up some food, closed up the shop, and locked up and we just drove out of there. So having to close up was a little bit of a difficult transition into the next day. The most important thing was getting out as fast as possible," bartender Shaam Beed said.

"We're feeling comfortable with this containment"

Street closures lasted into Sunday, as local fire departments worked to contain the flames with the help of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Charred trees were chopped down. Officials said Sunday night the wildfire is 90% contained.

"Everything is going according to plan, so we're feeling comfortable with this containment," Weber said. "There are unburned pockets of fuel inside our fire perimeter. There's still gonna be smoke and flames for today and a few days going forward because of the drought and dryness conditions we're experiencing."

The smell of smoke is still strong throughout the area and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service says it might not be fully contained until there's a measurable rainfall. Officials have reported no injuries or damage to any nearby buildings.

Several roads are reopened and evacuations are no longer in effect as crews continue to battle a wildfire in Essex County, officials said Sunday morning.

The fire has been burning near Route 10 and Eisenhower Parkway in Livingston Township since Saturday, officials with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.

As of 10 a.m. on Sunday, the fire is 140 acres and 60% contained, up slightly in size from Saturday night. The fire is expected to grow to 190 acres before full containment.

At 8 p.m. Sunday, the blaze was 90% contained, and no structures were threatened, the forest fire service said in an update. Smoke will remain in the area until a significant rainfall.

It’s still too early to tell the cause of the blaze.

Crews from all 22 towns in Essex County, and the state Forest Fire Service, responded to the fire.

“This is the one, in my 38 years on the department, this is probably the biggest fire where we called in the most amount of resources,” Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullin said earlier Sunday. Large forest fires like this are unusual in Livingston, where firefighters usually deal with structure fires.

Forest fire risks remain extreme in North and Central Jersey and very high in South Jersey on Sunday, state officials said.

Winds are lighter compared to Saturday, the National Weather Service said, but low relative humidity values and very dry vegetation “will support the spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control,” the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.

Stage 3 fire restrictions remain in place, which bar all fires unless in an elevated stove using propane, gas or electricity only.

There have been no injuries to firefighters or residents, officials said.

The fire is in a marshy area that’s been dried out by the long period without rain, Mullin said. There could be smoke “for sometime” until the next rainfall, he said.

Eisenhower Parkway was expected to reopen around 12 p.m. Sunday, and Route 10 has already reopened. The remaining road closures are industrial roads, and shouldn’t impact the Monday morning commute, Mullin said.

Residents should continue taking precautions until the fire risk passes, he advised.

“Refrain from personal use of any kind of fireworks or any flame-producing device, cigarettes that could cause a fire, which could be catastrophic,” Mullin said.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated Sunday night Oct. 27 with information from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

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Katie Kausch may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch.

How much housing does Livingston have to create over the next decade? Here are the numbers – and some background on the controversy.

Patch Staff

LIVINGSTON, NJ — State officials have released the affordable housing quotas that New Jersey towns and cities will have to meet over the next 10 years, including Livingston.

A law passed last year gave the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) the authority to determine how many affordable housing units every municipality must create and maintain.

Last week, the DCA released its highly anticipated list for 2025-2035. The calculations include numbers for “present need” (existing housing units deemed substandard/deficient and in need of repair), and “prospective need” (the number of new units that will be needed based on population trends).

Here are the totals for Livingston:

Municipalities have to come up with a plan to meet their quotas and get it approved by state officials by next summer – unless they plan to challenge the numbers. Read More: New Affordable Housing Mandate Released By NJ (See Your Town's Share)

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Some towns have already gotten a jump on the process, with one New Jersey mayor declaring that a recent settlement isn’t perfect, but “doesn’t bleed out forever and doesn’t cost us lawyers.” Read More: South Brunswick Reaches Settlement, Will Build 1,500 Affordable Housing Units

CONFLICT BREWS IN NEW JERSEY

Towns and cities don’t have to create the housing themselves, but must ensure that the threshold is met – often by requiring affordable housing units as part of local real estate development projects.

This has caused some bad blood between the state and some municipalities, including Millburn, which has joined a lawsuit with several other New Jersey towns seeking to overturn the law. The town is on the hook for 555 prospective units, as per the DCA’s numbers.

The mayor of another town involved in the lawsuit, Montvale – which will need to add 348 affordable units over the next decade – said that the quota opens the door to massive development in the borough.

“Montvale's obligation is 348 units, which means if we were to follow and allow to build at 20 percent inclusionary affordable housing, we will have to build 1,740 units,” Mike Ghassali wrote last week, bashing the DCA’s numbers.

“The state has handed us housing requirements that defy reality and will force local governments to stretch their resources to the breaking point, all while diverting attention from other critical community needs,” Ghassali insisted.

Other towns that have signed on for the lawsuit include Denville, Florham Park, Hillsdale, Mannington, Montville, Old Tappan, Totowa, Allendale, Westwood, Hanover, Wyckoff, Wharton, Mendham, Oradell, Closter, West Amwell, Township of Washington, Norwood, and Parsippany-Troy Hills.

Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (NJ-13) said the current method of calculating affordable housing quotas is a "logistical nightmare."

"There isn’t enough land in New Jersey to meet these development goals," the state lawmaker argued. "The state's electrical and water infrastructure cannot afford to absorb additional development. Our roads and bridges are in constant disrepair, and public transportation is insufficient or nearly non-existent in most of the state. The high-density development proposed will cause irreparable and irreversible harm to the environment."

On the flip side of the coin, some elected officials have supported the law, arguing that it’s time for “ultra-wealthy communities” to create their “fair share” of affordable housing. Read More: NJ Advocates Defend State's Affordable Housing Rules Amid Lawsuit

“This is a statewide issue that is driving up costs for everyone living in our state, not just in the suburbs or cities but across the board,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said last month.

“Most New Jerseyans understand the need for more housing because most New Jerseyans want to reduce costs, prevent homelessness and raise our standard of living,” Baraka said. “But we can’t do this by fighting each other. When we waste time fighting amongst ourselves, housing continues to go unbuilt and we all lose.”

Newark – the state’s largest city – has 4,630 affordable housing units that need to be rehabbed, the highest total in New Jersey. See Related: ‘Affordable’ Isn’t Affordable: Newark’s Plan To Create More Housing

Some advocates, including the Fair Share Housing Center, called the legal effort to derail the new law a “smokescreen,” and said it will likely be thrown out of court.

“This lawsuit is nothing new — it’s supported by many of the same ultra-wealthy communities who have fought affordable housing for decades, every step of the way,” the nonprofit charged.

According to a statement from the group, the methodology is fair: Towns that have more jobs, fewer environmental constraints, more proximity to transportation corridors and less existing affordability have larger obligations. Meanwhile, towns that have fewer jobs, more environmental constraints, less proximity to transportation and more affordability have lower obligations.

And letting real estate developers run rampant in the suburbs is far from the only way to meet a quota, the nonprofit says:

“New Jersey law gives towns a wide variety of tools to create affordable housing in the way they prefer. Municipalities can choose from a range of options — including 100% affordable housing, mixed income housing, preservation of existing affordable homes that otherwise would no longer be affordable, and accessory dwelling units that a property owner can place on their property. The recently-enacted law and associated bills give towns additional tools like new bonuses, financing options, and credits to meet their obligation.”

Currently, the state needs to rehab 65,410 affordable homes or apartments to meet its housing needs. Looking ahead, an additional 84,698 units will need to be built across New Jersey over the next decade, officials say.

These numbers still fall short of what the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates is needed for extremely low-income households, which is 214,475 rental homes.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY

When Gov. Phil Murphy signed the new law last year, he gave some background about what led to its creation. He wrote:

“Affordable housing has been a central public policy challenge in New Jersey for nearly half a century. Forty-nine years ago, in a case brought by two local branches of the NAACP, the New Jersey Supreme Court held in a landmark ruling that every municipality must ‘make realistically possible an appropriate variety and choice of housing.’ The court went on to say that towns cannot stand in the way of opportunities for low- and moderate-income housing. This principle became known as the Mount Laurel doctrine. To this day, it is studied by law students and lawyers all across the nation.”

There have also been negative impacts from the Mount Laurel doctrine, some pundits point out.

Community activists have complained that real estate developers have been able to use the doctrine to file "Builders Remedy" lawsuits in order to build large, multi-family developments that may be in conflict with municipalities' master plans – setting up conflicts between local leaders and angry residents.

The New Jersey Legislature later adopted the Fair Housing Act in 1984 and created the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) — a bipartisan agency of members representing different interest groups — in order to prevent courts from becoming the forum for resolving these land use issues.

“For decades, all three branches of government have wrestled with how to apply the principles of Mount Laurel in practice,” Murphy wrote last year. “At times, our state Legislature has tried to address this issue. At other times, the process for determining affordable housing obligations was left to an executive branch agency. But more recently, over the last 10 years, this process has mainly played out in the courts, through litigation.”

The time for that is over, Murphy said.

With the signing of last year’s bill, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is now running the numbers. Towns will have the freedom to come up with plans to meet those quotas. Municipalities can earn bonus credits for constructing affordable housing where it is needed most, such as transit hubs, or for providing housing for vulnerable populations like senior citizens.

The new process replaces the role previously played by the COAH, which has been “defunct” for over a decade and was formally abolished under the bill, the governor’s office said.

The law also bans regional contribution agreements — in which towns pay neighboring municipalities to bolster their affordable housing stock instead.

DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez said the new law gives New Jersey a unique opportunity to develop “missing middle” housing: options like townhouses, duplexes and other types of multi-family units.

These types of housing can “bridge the gap” between single-family homes and large apartment complexes, offering the diverse housing choices that New Jersey families need, Suárez said.

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Celebrating Halloween this year in Livingston? Learn about two local holiday events – and brush up on some useful safety tips.

Patch Staff

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Celebrating Halloween this year in Livingston? Learn about two local holiday events – and brush up on some useful safety tips – with the below information, courtesy of Livingston Township.

HAUNTED WALK

Livingston’s 14th Annual Haunted Walk offers residents an opportunity to “take a twisted walk through the woods where the dead have risen to life!” All are invited to this year’s Haunted Walk, which will be held on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, at the Livingston Senior/Community Center (LSCC), 204 Hillside Avenue. There is an admission fee of $5 per person (cash only), and the event times are:

All children under 10 years old must be with a parent at all times. Sneakers are recommended and all attendees should bring a flashlight.

Volunteers Needed

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The Recreation & Senior Services Department is seeking volunteers (7th grade & up) who may be looking for community service hours for the Haunted Walk. If you have a scary costume and would like to be an actor in our haunted trail, please contact Joe Gill at [email protected].

Volunteers must be able to attend the walk-through and training, date TBA, and also be able to volunteer the nights of Fright Night.

Those with questions should call 973-535-7925, option 0, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email [email protected].

TRUNK OR TREAT

Livingston’s Recreation & Senior Services Department invites residents to join them for a fun family event on Thursday, October 31, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Eastman Building parking lot, 290 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston. Parking is available in the parking lot and parking garage.

Trunk or Treat offers a safe way for kids to “Trick-or-Treat.” Youngsters can walk from vehicle to vehicle in the parking lot of the Eastman Building collecting treats while showing off their costumes. Registration for Trunk or Treat is not required.

Trunk or Treat celebrations include a Halloween costume contest, family photo booth, and candy guessing contest. The costume contest will feature 6 different categories, and there will be 2 winners in each category; winners will receive a special prize. Food trucks from Turano’s and Mister Softee will be on site for the duration of the event.

Decorated Vehicle Contest

Pre-registration is required to enter a decorated vehicle. Interested residents, businesses, or organizations should email Program Supervisor Joe Gill at [email protected]. The deadline to register a vehicle is Friday, October 25. Limited parking spaces are available, and there will be a prize for the best-decorated car.

Any vehicles participating in Trunk or Treat and the decorated vehicle contest are asked to provide their own treats (pre-packaged only), and be prepared for a large crowd.

Questions can be answered by calling 973-535-7925, option 0 or emailing [email protected].

SAFETY TIPS

Halloween is a fun holiday to celebrate, especially for children. It’s filled with celebrations, trick-or-treating, costume contests, and spooky events. Everyone wants to have fun when celebrating Halloween, but it is just as important to make sure you are staying safe. Below are some tips from the Livingston Health Department to ensure a safe Halloween for all.

Halloween Candy and Treats

Inspect Candy: Make sure to check all children’s Halloween candy and treats before they eat them. Discard any treats with wrappers that have holes in them, are not factory/properly wrapped, have misspelled writing on them, or are discolored or suspicious looking. When in doubt, throw it out. Create a rule: no eating when trick-or-treating. Give children a snack or a small meal before they go trick-or-treating so they are not hungry.

Avoid Homemade Treats and Choking Hazards: Do not consume any homemade treats unless the person who made them is well known to you. If you have young children, discard any choking hazards such as gum, hard candy, or small toys.

Candy is not for Pets: Most candy is poisonous to pets. Keep candy and treats away from pets, and tell children not to give their candy to pets. You can buy special pet-friendly treats that your child can give to your pet for Halloween instead.

Lock it Up: Children can easily mistake medications, household cleaners, and other household products as candy or juice due to their similar appearance. Keep any medications and any other household products locked up and out of reach of children. Explain to children these items are not candy. If children ingest anything that may be poisonous or concerning, contact the Poison Control Center immediately for instructions at 1-800-222-1222.

Children with Food Allergies: Be sure to read all food labels carefully if your child has any allergies, and carry an epinephrine auto injector when celebrating if one is prescribed. Discard any candy or treats that your child is or may be allergic to. Consider contacting close friends and neighbors ahead of time and providing them with small toys or treats that your child is not allergic to that they can give your child when he or she goes trick-or-treating. You may also want to have some additional safe/non-allergenic treats on hand to give your child.

Safe Trick-or-Treating

Be Seen: Make yourself and your trick-or-treaters visible, especially when it gets dark. Wear reflectors and bright clothing/costumes, and carry flashlights or glow sticks with you.

However, never let children put glow sticks in their mouths. Glow sticks can break if a child chews on them, resulting in the child experiencing skin irritation and sickness.

Stay with a Group: Trick-or-treat as a group, and make sure young children are accompanied by a trusted adult(s) at all times.

Watch for Cars: Walk on sidewalks when possible or close to the curb if there is no sidewalk. Cross the street at intersections and watch for cars. Don’t run when trick-or-treating to avoid falling. Avoid distractions such as looking at your phone when walking.

Drive Safely: Watch for trick-or-treaters when driving and be prepared to stop. Drive more slowly when there are pedestrians around, and avoid any driving distractions.

Costume Safety

Makeup: If you or your child are wearing nontoxic makeup as part of a costume, test a little bit on the skin first to make sure there is no allergic reaction. Wearing makeup is a good alternative to wearing a mask, since some masks may make it difficult for children to see clearly. Remove all makeup afterwards following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Wear well-fitted costumes: Be sure your child’s costume and shoes fit properly to prevent them from falling.

Don’t wear decorative contact lenses: Contact lenses should only be worn under the care of an eye healthcare professional. Most decorative contact lenses are not approved by the FDA and are often sold around Halloween. Wearing decorative contact lenses that change the color or appearance of your eyes for Halloween may cause eye injuries, irritation, and/or an eye infection.

Say Boo to Flu, Covid, and Other Viruses Too!

Protect Against Viruses: Covid-19, the flu, and other viruses are still circulating during Halloween. Protect yourself and your children who are eligible by getting an annual flu vaccine and staying up to date with recommended Covid vaccine doses. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov to see if you and your children are up to date with Covid vaccine recommendations.

Anyone who is feeling ill should not participate in any Halloween celebrations. Remember to wash your hands frequently throughout the day or celebration and be sure to wash them before consuming any candy or treats.

The Livingston Health Department wishes everyone a happy and safe Halloween.

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