Caldwell Mayor Garrett Jones Updates Residents on Provost Square and New Borough Hall

CALDWELL, NJ -- Mayor Garrett Jones updated the public about the changes at Provost Square and the new borough hall during Tuesday’s Caldwell Borough Council meeting.

Purchase of the site of the new borough hall located at 80 Bloomfield Ave. became official on Wednesday, May 22.

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The demolition of the former borough hall has begun and will become a temporary parking lot. Jones confirmed that the administration was on task for the demolition of the parking deck, shooting range and parking garage.

It was confirmed that the Caldwell Public Library building will remain, with credit given to Councilman Rick Alonso for stopping the demolition of the building. Jones reported that despite the former council’s decision not to demolish the building, former Mayor John Kelley and former business administrator Tom Banker had ordered the demolition to proceed.

Jones reported that there were multiple upgrades to the Green. Developer Ted Mecca has donated labor and materials including a sprinkler system, plantings and a retaining wall that has now expanded the open green space by 12-13 feet at its deepest area. Sod has been placed which is temporarily protected by fencing. The first phase of the renovation has been completed, and future phases will include a pavilion and leveling the area to make all the area usable.

Councilman Darrin Daniolowicz confirmed that during the recent Caldwell Beautification Day, volunteers planted flowers in the new planters, mulched and pulled weeds from the area on the Green. Thanks were given to all the volunteers and members of the Department of Public Works who assisted in the project.

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Councilman Ken Jurgenson reported that the Rent Control board has made recommendations to revise the existing ordinance regarding rent increases. Noting that approximately half of the borough’s 9,000 residents reside in rentals, it was appropriate to review the current ordinance to confirm that the increases are still reasonable as the ordinance has not been reviewed in seven years.

The allowable rent increase will remain at 2.75% annually. However, a recommendation was to limit the increase to 1.75% annually for senior citizens. Additionally, any increases for parking or pets or other fees imposed by the landlords must also not exceed the allowable increases for the rent.

An ordinance was introduced on first reading and approved unanimously to exempt persons with disabilities from any and all construction permit surcharge fees for any construction, reconstruction, alteration, or improvement which promotes accessibility to the person’s own living unit. The ordinance also specifies exempting a veteran who has a service-connected disability from fees. Councilman Daniolowicz had raised the issue during the last council meeting. The ordinance will be introduced for a second and final reading during the next council meeting.

The council went into executive session during the meeting and upon returning to public session confirmed that health benefits for five employees who had been hired between Jan. 1, 1995, and Dec. 31, 1999, will continue to receive health benefits upon their retirement and completion of minimally 25 years of service. Once the former employee reaches the age of 65 and is Medicare eligible, the borough will only be responsible for the cost of the Medicare B supplement payment.

The next borough council meeting is June 4.

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