More Than 87% West Caldwell Residents Could be Fully Vaccinated Within 2 Weeks – TAPinto.net

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — It is expected within two to three weeks that 7,000 of the 8,000 adults in West Caldwell will have been fully vaccinated. 

Mayor Joseph Tempesta provided an update during Tuesday’s council meeting on the number of residents who have received their COVID-19 vaccinations. Tempesta said that most of the residents have received their inoculations through the county’s program, and the mayor said that “we are forever grateful to (Essex County).”

Agenda items included a resolution authorizing Antonelli Kantor PC for review of land use matters regarding the borough of Caldwell.  As discussed during the last council meeting, a resolution was approved that awarded Antonelli Kantor PC to provide bid specifications for a technology tower which has the potential to bring significant revenue to the township.

Introduced on first reading were two ordinances appropriating funds for capital improvements.  Ordinance 1835 would appropriate $685,000 and authorize the issuance of a bond in the amount of $650,750 for multiple milling and paving of various roads, the acquisition of police body cameras and engineering expenses related to the conceptual designs to divert sewer flow to the Two Bridges Sewer Authority. 

Ordinance 1836 would appropriate $668,000 and bond the same amount for providing various water main replacements for the water utility within the township.  The ordinances will be subject to second reading on May 18. Tempesta requested that Nikole Baltycki, business administrator/Chief Financial Officer provide a list of streets that would be subject to milling and paving be made available to inform the residents during the public hearing in May.

Committee reports included an update on Parks and Recreation from Councilman Joseph Cecere who commented that “it is an absolute pleasure driving by the fields seeing all the children taking advantage of our recreation programs.”  He reported that the lights are on at night on the Essex Valley School field and residents are engaged in activities, and he had visited the Little League who were playing on Grover Cleveland Middle School’s fields this past Saturday.

Councilman Stephen Wolsky reported that the Environmental Commission, led by Chairman James Haas conducted a park clean up at Wrench Park.  Wolsky stated “this was the best clean up at the park that we had so far. There were just a ton of people were, and Chairman Haas once again had done a yeoman’s job.” Wolsky noted that newly appointed environmental commission member, Julianna Grosso, a member of the school board, Mayor Tempesta, members of the town council and members of the James Caldwell High School Key Club participated in the event. Special thanks were given to local landscapers who donated their materials and manpower to the event.

Councilman Michael Docteroff confirmed that early bird membership is still available until April 30 to join the town pools and a free guest pass will be provided for those who sign up by that time.  He also reported that there will be an electronic recycling day on June 12 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the municipal building’s parking lot.

Police Chief Dennis Capriglione thanked the Fairfield Police Department for transferring 911 calls to the department during the last two weeks as the West Caldwell police upgraded their 911 system and state radio system.

Councilwoman Kathy Canale reported that Smull Avenue will be paved during the week and both Lougheed Avenue and Evergreen Road are scheduled to be paved after the milling is completed.  Canale welcomed Steven Ferrara Jr. to the Department of Public Works who was approved on the council’s agenda.

A discussion ensued about the governing body returning to live meetings. The consensus was that the live meetings would resume in June. Tempesta stated, however, as far as procedure goes, he believed that it was prohibited to have residents call in for questions and comments during a live meeting versus the virtual meetings that have been ongoing since the pandemic began. 

Tempesta requested township attorney Paul Jemas to confirm with the state of New Jersey what will be allowable moving forward in order to conduct the business of the township live.  Councilman Stanley Hladik questioned if the meetings can be viewed live in real time, albeit without the opportunity for viewers to call in. Hladik questioned if they would be able to offer the residents an opportunity to email questions to the clerk prior to the meetings so that responses may be provided during the meetings. Town clerk Mary Donovan will seek a confirmation to proper protocols for future meetings.

The next council meeting will be May 18.