North Caldwell Considers Eliminating Volunteer Board of Health

While North Caldwell Mayor Joseph Alessi said he appreciates the dedication and expertise of the Board of Health, he questioned the volunteers if their time might not be better served in another capacity at Tuesday night's council meeting.

Alessi said the borough's Health Officer Peter Tabbot performs many of their functions.

"I want to put everything on the table and discuss," he said.

In a shared services agreement, Tabbot serves as the Health Officer for Fairfield and West Caldwell as well. North Caldwell Borough Attorney David Paris, who previously served as the attorney for Fairfield, explained how in this town the council serves as the Board of Health.

"It runs fine," Paris said. The Fairfield Council, serving as the Board of Health, meets quarterly in a public meeting to review a report from Tabbot on restaurant inspections, animal control, rabies prevention, and other health issues.

Board of Health Secretary and long-time member Thomas Ploch agreed with Alessi that his time might be better utilized elsewhere. "Peter Tabbot is doing a tremendous job," he said.

Ploch added the Board has cut their meetings down from monthly to quarterly due to their reduced role. "Even with meeting quarterly, there is not much to report," he noted.

While other Board members agreed with Ploch, Betty Gakos, a school nurse in West Caldwell and Board of Health member, wanted to know who would serve as the watchdog for Tabbot.

"We need to educate the public more," she said, noting Tabbot did not attend their meeting during the public outbreak of the H1N1 virus. While Gakos believes Tabbot is doing a good job, she said the Board of Health needs to be "asking questions, keeping him on his toes."

Paris explained in the current arrangement Tabbot is not required to attend Board of Health meetings. However, if the Council takes on this role, his presence would be required. 

Councilman Cynthia Santomauro suggested the volunteer Board should be retained on an "ad hoc" basis due to their medical expertise. 

The council plans to decide next steps and draft a resolution for the next council meeting on June 21.

Adopted Budget

With no public comment, the $8.3 million 2011 municipal budget was unanimously approved. As adopted at the , the total amount to be raised by taxes for support of the municipal budget amounts to $5.7 million.

Property Maintenance 

Borough Administrator Mel Levine submitted photos of three abandoned properties where the grass is currently over three feet high. "The neighborhood is suffering and this is becoming a health hazard," he said.

Levine explained based on the borough's property maintenance ordinance, he has gone through the proper channels of placing certified notices on the properties.

"We can't keep putting this off. We need to hire somebody to cut the grass for the sake of the neighbors," he added. Levine said the town can then put a lien on the property and will eventually recoup the expense.

Santomauro commented the property maintenance ordinance is a bit "onerous" and she offered as Committee Chairperson of ordinances to review what other towns are doing and try to revise the ordinance for the next meeting.

Paris pointed out a resolution was on the agenda for property maintenance abatement which would serve to take care of the current problem.

Other Council Business

• Borough Engineer Frank Zichelli reported he has secured a set of bars and brownstone bricks from the original Essex County Jail Annex from K. Hovnanian, who is developing the site for adult 55+ housing. Zichelli would like to use the acquired materials to construct a monument at Magnusson Field that will memorialize the location and history of the jail. Zichelli sketched a schematic of the memorial and requested permission from the council to secure cost estimates from masons. The council suggested Zichelli work with Chief Financial Officer Richard Mondelli to determine funding. 
• The town pool will open full time on June 25. Senior citizens who are not members will receive free admission every Wednesday.
• Work on the Bloomfield and Elm Avenue corridor is continuing.  Zichelli recommended the proposal from Professional Planner Joseph Burgis be revised for parking requirements and hours of operation. Alessi hopes the rezoned area will attract additional restaurants and funds for the town through the sale of a liquor license. 
• After a by property tax assessor George Librizzi on May 10, the council introduced an ordinance authorizing a special emergency appropriation for adjustments to the revaluation of property. "This is necessary due to the change in the economy in order to bring these properties more in line with the market," Santomauro said.