Caldwell – West Caldwell – North Caldwell

Important phone numbers:
Caldwell Borough Hall – (973) 226-6100
West Caldwell Borough Hall – (973) 226-2300
North Caldwell Borough Hall – (973) 228-6410



What is it about the Caldwells?

From the moment you step foot in any one of these three interconnecting towns, you will quickly notice the small-town feel and down-home appeal of these Essex County boroughs.

But, as anyone who lives here will tell you, don’t be fooled by the laid back atmosphere. These three towns are sophisticated and modern, with everything from two oversized libraries, three town pools, numerous modern and oversized parks and two top notch school districts.

Lush farm lands once ruled the Caldwells, and if you live here you will quickly discover that you can easily grow a wide variety of plants and vegetables in the rich soil.

The Caldwells were settled initially by Dutch pioneers, who made their way from Bergen County to the area in the 18th century.

With the arrival of the famous ‘big street’, or Bloomfield Avenue, the Caldwells became easily accessible for both Garden State residents as well as city dwellers.

As a matter of fact, the Caldwells became a well known hot spot for vacationers, and was known for a time as ‘the Denver of the East’.

Perhaps the most famous native of the Caldwells, hailing from Caldwell proper, is the late President Grover Cleveland, who was our 22cd and 24th United States President.


Local Government
Caldwell is a borough, located about sixteen miles outside of New York. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,584.
Caldwell was incorporated as a borough on February 10, 1892, from portions of Caldwell Township (now Fairfield Township)

Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, and the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, was born in Caldwell on March 18, 1837. His father, Rev. Richard Cleveland, was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The Grover Cleveland birthplace — the church's former rectory — is now a museum and is open to the public.

Though today the Caldwell area is considered to be a suburb of both Newark and New York City, the area originally developed as its own individual, self-contained town and economy rather than as urban sprawl from a larger city. When it was formed, a few miles of woods separated downtown Caldwell from Newark or any of its developing suburbs.

Caldwell is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.

The Mayor of Caldwell is Ann Dassing. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Richard Hauser, councilmen Peter Murray, Tom O'Donnell, John Coyle, Frank Rodgers and John Kelley.

[Caldwell and West Caldwell share a great deal of services, including the Recreation Department and the school system. The Board of Recreation Commissioners of the Boroughs of Caldwell and West Caldwell was established in 1947.
West Caldwell/Caldwell Public Schools
STATEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
"In a world endlessly shaped and reshaped by the revolution and evolution of peoples and ideologies, the one goal which remains eternally steadfast is the acquisition and application of knowledge. We affirm our responsibility to do everything in our power to enable each student to reach this educational goal.
We acknowledge the fact that each student has needs and purposes which are his or hers alone, that these needs and purposes relate to his or her living experiences, and that this contemporary relationship can be demonstrated, explained, and strengthened through our help.
It lies neither within our ability nor our desire to substitute for or supplant the guidance and love of the student's family. We do gladly accept the opportunity, within the bounds of this school system, to help all students experience the power, richness, and beauty of this world. We desire to help all students develop an understanding of, and respect for, the integrity, opinions, and ambitions of others."

WEST CALDWELL/CALDWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Students are assigned to an elementary school (grades K-5) based on the location of their residence. Estimated total enrollment: 2,300
Jefferson Elementary School - Prospect Street, West Caldwell
Lincoln Elementary School - Crane Avenue, Caldwell
Washington Elementary School - Central Avenue, West Caldwell
Wilson Elementary School - Orton Road, West Caldwell
Grover Cleveland Middle School (grades 6-8) - Academy Road, Caldwell
James Caldwell High School (grades 9-12) - Westville Avenue, West Caldwell
The Board of Education website is http://www.cwcboe.org.

West Caldwell
Many services are shared between Caldwell and West Caldwell. The elected offcials, however, remain separate.
According to their website, “West Caldwell is a family-oriented suburban municipality of neighbors and friends that provides recreational and educational activities for residents of all ages. Located in western Essex County, West Caldwell consists of 3,382 acres or 5.28 square miles. The population according to the 2000 census is 11,233.”
“Our municipal building is open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Monday through Friday and 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday evenings. As always, we invite inquiries on any subject at any time. Stop in or contact us by phone or e-mail. “
Township of West Caldwell
30 Clinton Road
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
Tel. 973-226-2300
Fax: 973-226-2396
however, remain separate.

Mayor & Council (2009)
West Caldwell has a Mayor-Council form of government with the Mayor elected for a four year term, and the six Council members elected for 3 year terms. There are six standing committees of the Township Council and each Council member chairs one of the committees. While the Mayor and Council members serve part-time, they pride themselves that they, and all Township officials, are responsive to the needs of the residents. Questions or comments for any of them should be directed to the Municipal building at 226-2300.
Mayor
Joseph Tempesta, Jr.
Council President Joseph P. Cecere

Council:Dominick J. Aiello, Richard Otterbein, Stan Hladik, Tom O'Hern and Stephen Wolsky.





North Caldwell has a school system separate from Caldwell and West Caldwell, with a regionalized high school that includes students from North Caldwell, Fairfield, and Essex Fells. Their elementary school, Grandview, is currently only for North Caldwell residents, as is theier middle school, Gould.

Mayor Mel Levine writes in the North Caldwell website:
In 1701, North Caldwell was part of a large tract of land which was purchased by a group of colonists from the Sagamore Indians. The tract was known as “Horseneck” and remained so until 1798 when it was officially named Caldwell Township. North Caldwell continued as part of the Township for 100 years.
Since the beginning in the early part of the eighteenth century, North Caldwell has served as a fine example of the charm and simple pleasures of suburban life. The Borough of North Caldwell enjoyed a reputation for a healthy climate and was called the “ Denver of the East” and attracted many people during the summer. The Borough of North Caldwell was incorporated in 1898.
North Caldwell is a haven that I like to call the “green jewel” of Essex County with beautiful homes on its hilly, wooded roads. Other than modest commercial activity on the northern and southern ends of town and two townhouse locations, the Borough’s land use is dominated by single family homes. Our residents demonstrate their commitment and love of the community through involvement with organizations like the North Caldwell Historical Society, Senior Citizens Organization, coaching sports teams through our Recreation Department, or the North Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department as well as membership on various boards and committees.
I am proud of our community and its residents and am more proud to be its’ Mayor. The Borough of North Caldwell is a wonderful community in which to live and raise a family.
It is my hope that this website will provide you with helpful and important information about the Borough of North Caldwell.
Once again, I welcome you to the Borough of North Caldwell’s website.
BOROUGH OF NORTH CALDWELL
Municipal Building, 141 Gould Avenue
North Caldwell , NJ 07006-4213 (973) 228-6410 x100

Form of Government: Mayor-Council
Regular Meetings: Fourth Tuesday of the month; Municipal Building, 8:00 p.m.
Mayor & Council
Mayor Joseph Alessi,
Council members:

James Campbell,
John Chiaia,
Cynthia Santomauro,

Susan Volkert,                                                                            

Frank Astorino,

  Arthur Rees,