Caldwell Borough Remembers Kay Slattery, Former Councilwoman and BOE Member – TAPinto.net

CALDWELL, NJ — The Dec. 1 meeting of the Borough Council began as Mayor John Kelley remembered Kay Slattery, a former Caldwell councilwoman, Board of Education and Zoning Board member.

Slattery passed away on Nov. 28. Mayor Kelley said, “We lost a wonderful, wonderful friend of Caldwell. She is going to be missed greatly. Kay was an extremely kind, happy and very friendly person who I will miss greatly.”  

The American flag on the Green has been lowered in honor of Slattery’s memory.

Council president Christine Schmidt commented that Slattery “was an inspiration and role model for me from the day I decided to run for council. Kay and Mike are really the epitome of community involvement.” 

Former Caldwell Mayor Susan Gartland said, “Kay has been a friend of mine for 54 years. I met her while I was dating my husband … Kay served on the Board of Education for 12 years and then we convinced her to run for council. She really loved everything about Caldwell.”

Coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Mark Guiliano gave a COVID-19 update. Guiliano reported that there were 28 residents with confirmed positive tests in Caldwell within the last two weeks (for the period ending Tuesday, Dec. 1), with 21 active cases as of Tuesday. This brings the total number of positive cases since the pandemic began to 208 for the borough. He reported that there has been a surge in admissions to area hospitals and there is now a divert protocol in place that redirects ambulances to hospital with available beds.

Guiliano stated that Essex County OEM has established five permanent testing sites that will also serve as vaccination sites, possibly as early as January. Caldwell residents will be directed to the Essex County Airport in Fairfield.  He also stated that chain drug stores such as CVS will also be involved in administering the vaccinations. Distribution plans for the vaccinations are currently being crafted.  Essex County liaison to Caldwell, Patricia Keenan confirmed that the sites will be opened on a rotating basis Monday-Saturday and can test up to 500 people daily.   Essex County airport will be open on Thursdays and reservations for testing may be made on the county’s website at www.EssexCovid.org.  

Caldwell librarian Robin Rockman presented an update on the library’s initiatives throughout the pandemic and discussed the Caldwell Public Library’s Foundation. Rockman stated the foundation was created 12 years ago and supplements the library for items that are not covered by the local tax assessment. Due to the pandemic, the foundation’s abilities to raise funds have been severely hampered, however in the past fundraisers such the annual wine tasting event held in May had been very successful.  

Rockman explained that the town “funds to their capability however there is always an ongoing need.”  She noted how after the flood during the summer of 2018 the children’s library needed new furniture, shelves, books, and carpeting and how the community came together and made substantial donations in order for the library to open again.  Rockman specifically thanked Mayor John Kelley and Council President Christine Schmidt for their donations and efforts during that time.

The foundation has provided enhancements such as technology, virtual programming, copy machines, Wi-Fi hot spots (that were shared with families who did not have access to the internet for remote learning), a new website with access to digital newspapers, additional copies of required reading for local students, Brainfuse, materials for Take & Makes, crafts, speakers and performers.  Goals now include assisting residents who are isolated, small businesses and job seekers.  Donations may be made on the library’s webpage.

Kelley thanked Rockman for “bringing new ideas and new tools to the library, we cannot thank you enough.”  Kelley encouraged residents to consider donating to the library and utilizing the offers of some employers that have matching programs for charitable contributions, as the foundation is a tax deductible 501C-3 organization.