West Caldwell Seeks Volunteers for Pool Citizens Group

Township is creating committee to advise on future of two pools.

The Township of West Caldwell seeks residents interested in participating in a Citizens Group which will advise on the future of the township's two pools.  Councilman Joe Cecere said at Tuesday night's council meeting that five residents are needed to volunteer on the committee. The group will meet regularly over the next few years to help inform decisions and plan how to best utilize Westville and Cedar Street pools.  Anyone interested in participating on the committee, should contact town hall at 973-226-2300. The township's governing body has been discussing for some time how to make the most of the two pools and their properties. Membership to West Caldwell pools is open to town residents as well as residents of Caldwell and Roseland.

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

POLL: Do You Agree With Ban on "Swimmies" at Cedar Street Pool?

Majority of West Caldwell Council okay with new pool rule.

The majority of the West Caldwell Council said it agreed with a new pool rule banning "swimmies" at Cedar Street Pool at Tuesday night's meeting. The new rule prohibiting flotation devices was implemented this season by the pool manager citing safety concerns. While swimmies have never been allowed at the township's other pool facility, Westville Pool, they have been permitted at Cedar Street's shallow children's pool until this year. "We polled experts," said Councilman Dominick Aiello, Chairperson for the Pool Utility. "If a lot of people are in the pool, the swimmies can come off or deflate.  With so many people in the pool, it becomes difficult for lifeguards to see a child in danger," Aiello explained. "If the child can't swim, the …

•  14 Comments
• Photos (1)

Updated: Westville Pool to Open Thursday and Friday

National Weather Service has issued heat advisory for Northeast New Jersey. Temperatures expected to reach high 90s Wednesday and Thursday.

Updated Wednesday, June 20 at 1:20 p.m. At 1:15 p.m., it's in the low 90s and climbing in the Caldwells, where temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s Wednesday and Thursday. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon Wednesday to 8 p.m. Thursday for Northeast New Jersey and surrounding areas. According to an advisory issued by the North Caldwell Police Department, “Residents are advised to hydrate, stay cool, avoid exertion, and check on others.” To help residents cool off, the West Caldwell Recreation Department will open Westville Pool from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and again on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to director Gabe DiMasi.  The National Weather Service advises rescheduling strenuous …

•  17 Comments
• Photos (1)

Teresa Akersten

11:24 am on Friday, June 22, 2012

Do you agree with the ban on "swimmies" at Cedar Street Pool this season? Take the Patch Poll here: http://caldwells.patch.com/articles/do-you-agree-with-ban-on-swimmies-at-cedar-street-pool   more ›

LAST CHANCE: Early-Bird Pool Registration

Sign up early or pay more for badges.

Haven't picked up your badges for West Caldwell town pools? What are you waiting for? Friday, May 11 is the last chance for early-bird registration for the 2012 season. If you sign up after Friday, rates will increase across the board from individual to family memberships. To download a pool application, visit the West Caldwell website. Pools open on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

• Photos (1)

Pizzeria Awarded Contract for Pool Snack Bars

Bagelwich owner's last-minute appeal does not stop council.

In a decision reminiscent of American Idol, the pool snack bars are "Going to Hollywood"! The West Caldwell Council listened to Bagelwich Bagel & Deli owner Frank Oldewurtel state his case for why his establishment should be the 2012 snack bar operator at both the Cedar Street and Westville pools Tuesday night. But in the end, the council voted unanimously to award the contract to Fairfield-based Hollywood Pizzeria. Council President Stan Hladik said he appreciated Oldewurtel's appeal and did not have a problem tabling the resolution for awarding the snack bar contract until the next meeting on May 15.  However, with both pools scheduled to open on May 26 for Memorial Day weekend, the council thought giving the selected vendor only 11 days…

•  4 Comments
• Photos (2)

And the Pool Snack Bar Contract Will Go to...

West Caldwell Council to vote on vendor at Tuesday meeting.

The West Caldwell Council will vote to award the 2012 pool concessions to Hollywood Pizzeria at Tuesday night's council meeting, according to the agenda.  The vote comes after the council decided to go out for a second round of bidding to find a vendor for the two pools operated by the township, Westville and Cedar Street. During the first round of bidding, the only eligible vendor was Bagelwich Bagels and Deli which has been awarded the contract in previous years. The council expressed concerns over the Bagelwich's past performance and sought alternatives. Hollywood Pizzeria, located at 376 Fairfield Road, could put an Italian twist on the snack bar menu which generally consists of burgers, hot dogs and fries. Patch asked readers last …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Ron Albanese

8:22 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Ya know, just looking at the snack bar pix takes me back to buying a few Swedish fish on the left side, and sometimes splurging for a square slice of pizza on the right during calendar summers '78-'82. Those were my big pool years, and Westville was my main one ... the fish were something like three for a nickel, and somehow tasted better - was it the chlorine on my hands (ha ha)? But anyone who …   more ›

Visions for Vacancies

Who Would Be Your Dream Snack Bar Operator?

Caldwell-West Caldwell town pool concessions still up for grabs.

Visions for Vacancies generally focuses on empty buildings and storefronts and lets you, the reader, share your ideas for a buyer/tenant for the empty space.  This time, we turn our attention to two tiny kitchens in West Caldwell that need a vendor from Memorial through Labor Day weekends—the Westville and Cedar Street pool concession stands.  Unhappy with the results of the initial round of bidding, the township council recently decided to go out for a second round of bids. The goal is to seek an alternative to Bagelwich Bagels & Deli—one of two bidders and the only bidder to satisfy the bid requirements. Some council members expressed dissatisfaction with Bagelwich's past performance at the pools and hope another viable vendor steps up …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

West Caldwell Introduces $18.7 Million Municipal Budget

Council approves fees for 2012 pool season.

West Caldwell Mayor Joseph Tempesta introduced what he called a "fairly austere" 2012 municipal budget at Tuesday night's council meeting. While the budget needs to be fine-tuned, Council President Stan Hladik, Chairperson of the Finance Committee, said the $18.7 million budget represents about a 1.83% increase over last year's budget.  Hladik said the average home in West Caldwell has an assessed value of $432,000 which translates into a monthly municipal tax increase of a little bit more than $3.  "Our goal is to drive the numbers closer to zero. However, some costs are out of our control," Hladik said. While the council continues to work on the budget, details will be posted in the local community newspaper on Thursday, May 3. The …

• Photos (4)