WC Report Oct 2003

West Caldwell Report

Your Official Community Newsletter

October 2003

(Published twice a year in October and April)


MAYOR
Joseph Tempesta, Jr.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Ned Rosenberg
COUNCIL MEMBERS
William E. Payne	Public Works
Richard C. Norgard	Finance & Welfare
Jane A. Cook	Legal & Personnel
Ned M. Rosenberg	Public Safety
Joseph A. Fischer	Recreation & Pools
Dominick J. Aiello	Water

Final property tax bills for 2003 were mailed out in September after the Township received certification from the Essex County Board of Taxation for the 2003 Tax Rate.

"The Municipal tax rate increase was reduced to two tax points by using $93,000 in additional revenues from property sales and reducing certain appropriations by $101,000 in the 2003 budget," stated Mayor Joseph Tempesta, Jr. "Our tax collection rate increased to 99.33% helping to stabilize our tax rate, even though the economy has been recovering very slowly."

"The additional two tax points will cost the average homeowner (assessed at $214,300) $3.57 a month for all municipal services including Police and Fire Protection, Recreation, Library and Health Services, Street Maintenance, Refuse and Recycling Collection and Sewer Treatment," added Mayor Tempesta.

"West Caldwell received numerous grants this year including $100,000 for improvements to a gymnasium facility, $43,616 for fire prevention training equipment and $15,000 for a developmental disabilities coordinator," stated Finance Chairman Richard Norgard.

"We applied to the State of New Jersey for $440,000 in Extraordinary Aid to help offset the municipal tax increase but unfortunately only $25,000 was funded by the Division of Local Government Services," added Councilman Norgard.

AUTOMATIC DEBIT PAYMENT FOR TAX AND WATER BILLS

The Township has developed a system to accept Automatic Debit Payments for tax and water bills from West Caldwell residents. This new program will allow residents to enroll with the Township and permit Automatic Debit transactions from a bill payer's designated savings or checking account whenever a tax or water payment is due. Enrollment may be for either or both tax and water payments.

At the time a water account is billed an advice copy of the water bill would be sent with a notification that the bank account was debited for the amount of your quarterly water bill. For tax payments a notice would be sent notifying that the account had been debited at the time the tax payment was due.

This Fall an application form will be available at our office and on our website with the program to start in 2004. The advantage of this program for our residents would be no more check writing, no problem with postal delivery or misplaced bills and no late charges.

Councilman Dominick Aiello, Water Committee Chairman, announced that Fall Hydrant Flushing has begun. Work began on Monday, September 29, on Mountain Avenue at the northern end of the Township and will conclude at the southern end of the Township at Beechtree Road. This will take approximately four weeks to complete and will be performed week nights between the hours of 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM. Flushing is necessary for proper maintenance of our water distribution system. It provides an opportunity to test the Township's fire hydrants and also removes accumulated sediment from water mains.

Please check to be sure water is running clear before starting any laundry during this time. Tune in to TV Channel 36 for updates and progress reports.

The Mayor and Township Council are happy to offer our senior citizens the opportunity to obtain a Senior Preferred Prescription Savings Card. This Plan is designed to provide savings from 10% to 50% on prescription drugs at many participating pharmacies. The plan, explained by Councilwoman Jane Cook, is available to West Caldwell residents who are at least 55 years of age and/or receive Social Security Disability Benefits, at a non-refundable membership fee of $20.00 for one year or $40.00 for three years.

The prescription Savings Card is a discount savings card and not a managed care or supplemental insurance program, and cannot be used in combination with other programs for the same prescription purchase.

Applications and additional information can be obtained in the Tax Collector's Office in the Municipal Building, or call 973-226-2304. Details will also be posted on the Township's website, www.westcaldwell.com.

The Police Department has brought on board Pavlos Vanikiotis, a new Patrolman. He replaces former Patrolman Scott Rappaport. In addition, three new civilian dispatchers, Joseph Martinez, Ben Bowman and Brandi McTighe have been hired.

Councilman Ned Rosenberg was especially pleased to announce that the Township of West Caldwell and the Borough of Caldwell have agreed to implement a joint police dispatch program beginning this Fall. West Caldwell will be offering this service at the newly renovated Police Headquarters, which was designed to accommodate such multi-jurisdiction services. West Caldwell has now added 3 new dispatchers to implement the program. Both Departments will benefit by being able to place more Police Officers on the road, as well as taking advantage of the latest technology such as mobile data terminals and computer aided dispatch, while still saving tax dollars for all residents of West Caldwell and Caldwell.

The Township of West Caldwell would like to thank Victor Joo whose company WMBC, a cable television broadcasting company headquartered on Clinton Road in West Caldwell, donated $7,000 to the Township. This money will be used to update and improve our TV-36 equipment in conjunction with a $75,000 Technology Grant. These funds will also be used to improve our public address system in the Council Meeting Room and will provide infrared devices for the hearing impaired as well as several other items of security, audio and video equipment for the Township and Public Library.

Councilman Bill Payne, Chairman of the Public Works Committee announced that the Township of West Caldwell has been awarded a $195,000 New Jersey Department of Transportation grant to resurface Ravine Avenue, Crossbrook Lane and a portion of Fairfield Avenue. Caldwell Borough has been awarded a grant for Ravine Avenue as well. Work will be coordinated through a single cooperative bid, and is now planned for the Spring of 2004. Preparation work will include a new pressure regulator for the West Caldwell Water Department, to be located underground in Ravine Avenue near Annin Road. This project will continue our infrastructure improvements and enhance our ability to provide proper water pressure throughout the community.

The Township has recently completed the next phase of our barrier-free intersection ramp project, with over $60,000 of improvements fully funded by a HUD Community Development Grant. Finance Committee Chairman Richard Norgard announced the awarding of a $95,000 HUD Grant for improving our bus shelters on Bloomfield Avenue and Kirkpatrick Lane. The Bloomfield Avenue Shelter will be relocated and will include barrier-free access for the handicapped and senior citizens. This work will coordinate with our plans for streetscape improvements on Bloomfield Avenue, which are supported by a $250,000 Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant.

The Library's expansion and renovation project is reaching its conclusion. Finishing touches are progressing in the Adult area to complement the newly completed Children's, Young Adults and Media areas.

In addition to READ IT!, the monthly adult book discussion group, the Library is offering POOH'S CORNER, a children's literature discussion group for adults. Books to be discussed include Among the Hidden which was on October 2, Pictures of Hollis Woods on November 6, and Bridge to Terabithia on December 4, all at 7:30 PM at the Library. For more information about either book discussion group, please call the Library at 973-226-5441.

The West Caldwell Library Staff appreciates the support and patience of its patrons during the construction project, and invites every resident to come in and see the wonderful new Library.

Following the completion of the Summer Reading Program, "Read & Grow", the youth services staff has begun its Fall programming. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and parents have enjoyed story time programs for little ones, the youth services staff welcomes older children to the Library by offering after-school programs for school aged children, including seasonal one-day programs for young adults in grades 6-8.

The Children's Department is now fully accessible to patrons and boasts colorful new tables and chairs, new shelves with whimsical bookcase toppers, a cozy window bench, a new staff desk and four new computers. Picture books, easy readers, novels, juvenile non-fiction, audio books, videos and magazines are all available for check out.

The Performing Arts Committee would like to thank all of the volunteers and sponsors who made the 2003 concerts our most successful season yet! This year's sponsors included ShopRite, Kings, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Panera Bread, Valley National Bank, Comcast, Commerce Bank, Jack's Supermarket.

Leaf bags are once again available at the Municipal Building Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, plus 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM Monday evenings. They are also available at the Library on Saturdays from October 11 through November 15 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Township is providing 10 free bags to each residential household, and 20 to seniors. FREE BAGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. Additional bags are 25 cents each. Residents are reminded that leaves and yard debris cannot be disposed of in catch basins or in streams running through their property.

Curbside leaf collection began in September and will continue until December 31. Leaves should be placed in the special 30-gallon paper bags and put out with your trash collection on your first garbage pickup of the week.

Councilman Dominick Aiello announced construction of a new 12-inch water transmission main in Westville Avenue and Orton Road is complete. This work included not only the 12-inch main but also new interconnections with water mains in adjoining streets and the removal from service of the old 6-inch cast iron water main.

Councilman Payne announced that this year the Township will be resurfacing Orton Road, Holiday Drive, Sanderson Avenue and the Municipal Building Parking Lot.

In addition to the resurfacing of Orton Road, there will be the addition of "speed tables", an experimental traffic calming device.

The West Caldwell annual Tree Lighting, sponsored by Mayor Tempesta and the Township Council, will take place Sunday, December 7 at 4:30 PM at the Gazebo in Crane Park. Santa and his buddies will be visiting with help from the West Caldwell Fire Department. After the ceremony join in the refreshments and carols at the West Caldwell Presbyterian Church on Fairfield Avenue.

Recreation is seeking a Holiday Tree for use at the West Caldwell Civic Center. Residents interested in donating a tree may call us at 973-226-3621.

The West Caldwell Health Department will hold its flu and pneumonia clinic on October 29 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The vaccinations will be offered at the West Caldwell Fire Department, 5 Fairfield Avenue. The shots are free to residents with Medicare Part B. The cost to all others will be $20.00 for either vaccination. Some restrictions apply. Please call the Health Department at 973-226-2303 for more details. Additional flu and pneumonia clinics will be held at the North Caldwell Firehouse, Gould Avenue, on October 15 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and at the Fairfield Community Center, 376 Hollywood Avenue, on October 22 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. These clinics are available to West Caldwell residents.

West Caldwell along with ShopRite of West Caldwell, will again host the West Essex Family Health Day. This year's event will be held October 18 at James Caldwell High School, Westville Avenue. Residents of the entire West Essex area are invited to take advantage of the many free health services, as well as discounted blood chemistry screenings! Please call 973-226-2303 or visit ShopRite for more details.

Councilman Joseph Fischer, Chairman of the Recreation Committee announced that the re-surfacing and color coating of the four tennis courts at Memorial Park is now complete. Residents are encouraged to come out and play some tennis this Fall season.

Looking to play hoops? The Adult Open Basketball Program is held Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM at James Caldwell High School. Join in the exercise.

Another opportunity to shape up is the Adult Open Volleyball Program commencing October 20. This is held Mondays at Washington School gym from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

An array of upcoming youth programs will be announced through the school system, TV-36, the West Caldwell website and The Progress. Some of the programs include Youth Basketball, Girls Twirling, Wrestling and Indoor Soccer. Registration will be in November for these programs which are scheduled for December through March of 2004.

West Caldwell will celebrate its' 100^th birthday in 2004 and a number of activities are on tap to bring residents into the Centennial spirit, according to Councilman Bill Payne, Centennial Committee Chairman. Some of them include a Centennial Ball in February, a Centennial Celebration in June, a Memorial Day Parade float, a time capsule and a Toyota Highlander raffle.

In addition, a town historical calendar will be mailed to all residents, as well as a refrigerator magnet listing important emergency phone numbers. A number of other centennial items will also be available for sale to the public including a history book of the Township. This book will chronicle the History of West Caldwell back to its incorporation in 1904 and before.

If anyone has old pictures or personal anecdotes they would like to share with the committee, we would like to review them for possible inclusion in the book. Pictures would be returned immediately after scanning. We are particularly interested in old buildings (e.g. the old firehouse on Bloomfield Avenue), past functions (e.g. the Hunt Circus in town), or any other material that would make the Centennial History Book more interesting or informative for its readers.

If you have anything you would like to share, please contact Councilman Bill Payne at 973-228-3581 (enyapb@earthlink.net) or Ron Day at 973-228-2289 (rgday@comcast.net).