The West Caldwel Council unanimously approved the following ordinances at this week's conference meeting.

• An ordinance authorizing the purchase of safety and other equipment for the West Caldwell Police and Fire Departments. This equipment includes portable radios, messenger board/radar monitor, breathing appartus bottles, emergency alert pagers, fire department turn-out gear, audio/visual training equipment and multi-gas detector and tools. The total cost for the equipment amounts to $72,000 to be raised by municipal bonds.

• Another bond ordinance in the amount of $700,000 was approved to be used for improvements at the police headquarters, the fire department and the municipal building. These renovations include installing a new backup generator at the police department, replacing the roof on the original portion of the fire department headquarters, and replacing the roof and some air conditioning units at the muncipal building. 

• The final ordinance increases the strength of the volunteer fire department, from a maximum of 60 to 70 members. "This is tremendous," Mayor Joseph Tempesta said, noting further that in a time when many organizations are having difficulty fielding volunteers, the fire department is experiencing growth. The West Caldwell Fire Department will be commemorating the organization's 100th anniversary and the opening of their renovated building at a public celebration on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 3 to 9 p.m.