Longtime West Caldwell Councilman Resigns Tuesday

The West Caldwell Council’s senior ranking member stepped down Tuesday after more than a decade of service.

Councilman Dominick Aiello vacated his seat on the council with a year of his term remaining yesterday in front of more than 80 family members, friends, and current and former local, county and state legislators. 

After four-consecutive terms, Aiello said it was time for a new crop of residents to lead.

“It’s been a long, long time,” said Aiello. “It was my time to step down and allow for some new people to govern. I enjoyed everyday I spent on the council — not that everyday was easy.”

Those in attendance included Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11), Essex County Freeholder Leonard Luciano, former West Caldwell mayor Rob Reiher and former councilman Richard Norgard, and Caldwell Council President Richard Hauser.

“I had the pleasure of serving with you,” said Reiher, “and I know your dedication and your interest in West Caldwell.”

Reiher also advised Aiello that although he is stepping down, “There is life after politics.” 

“I think I was here when they swore you in, and I figured I better come back to make sure they were swearing you out,” joked Frelinghuysen.

In addition to applause and congenial comments, Aiello was bestowed with proclamations from the West Caldwell and also from Trenton for his years of service. 

Mayor Joseph Tempesta Jr., who has known Aiello more than 40 years, said Aiello has had his own style but he always did what he thought was in the best interest of the community.

"Whenever you operate in the fashion, in my opinion, that's all that matters," said Tempesta. 

Aiello said his greatest accomplishment during his long tenure on the board was fiscal responsibility and consistency of services. It was not easy for the council, he reflected, considering an economic recession he described as the “worst economic crisis in the county’s history,” and the large-scale natural disasters of Tropical Storm Irene, the 2011 October snowstorm and Super Storm Sandy.  

“Our town is still in very good fiscal shape and quality of services that we deliver to our residents is still maintained,” Aiello said.

Norgard, who served on the West Caldwell Council for more than a decade himself, said Aiello’s commitment will leave an indelible mark on the community.

“Certainly, Dominick, you left [the community] a lot better than you found it, and that was all because of you,” said Norgard.