North Caldwell 2012 Budget to Increase Municipal Tax Levy by 1.98%

The North Caldwell Borough Council unanimously adopted an $8.5 million 2012 municipal budget Tuesday night.

The amount to be raised by taxes is $5,845,133.34, 1.98%, or $113,264, more than 2011.

The average assessed home of $687,770 will see an annual increase of $123.44 in their municipal tax levy. School and county tax levies are not final at this time.

The assessed valuations for the borough dropped from $1,580,750,300 in 2011 to an estimated $1,535,465,200 for 2012, a decrease of more than $45 million.

The estimated 2012 municipal tax rate is $0.381 per $100 of assessed value. The actual tax rate for 2011 was $0.363.

The adopted budget is within the state mandated 2% cap to the tax levy.

North Caldwell Mayor Joseph Alessi said the borough is “looking to spend as little as we can.”

The  by a vote of 4-0 last month, with Councilmen John Chiaia and Frank Astorino absent from the meeting. 

Other Council News

• Councilman Chiaia, chair of the Public Works/Utilities Committee, said 49 building permits were issued in March for more than $2 million in constructions projects. The borough collected more than $20,000 in fees for these permits, twice as much as the same period in 2011.

• The North Caldwell Police Department has also been busier than usual for this time of year, according to Council President Jim Campbell, chair of the Public Safety Committee. The councilman reported the NCPD responded to 951 calls in March, up from 683 last March.

• Recreation Committee Chair Councilwoman Patty Fost said the borough has hired a manager for the North Caldwell Municipal Pool. Gregory Karol will be paid $6,800 for the 2012 season.

• The borough adopted an ordinance amending property maintenance code to regulate the use of outdoor portable storage containers, commonly known as PODS. Legal and Ordinance Committee Chair Councilwoman Cynthia Santamauro said the ordinance requires residents to obtain a permit in order to place a storage unit on their property. The ordinance also limits how long a unit can remain on the property, she said.

• The North Caldwell Fire Department will hold its annual pancake breakfast on Sunday, June 3, from 8 a.m. to noon., at the firehouse. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children. Proceeds from this year’s pancake breakfast will be donated to , a fund established for a wounded soldier who grew up in North Caldwell.

• The North Caldwell Tar Heels fifth- and sixth-grade boys basketball team was honored by the borough.