Caldwell Council Members May Pay to Water Garden

A perennial garden and other projects planned by a group of volunteers to beautify Caldwell’s downtown were debated for more than two hours in a packed council room Tuesday night. 

The Caldwell Council ultimately gave its blessing to Project Main Street’s Caldwell Beautification Day and approved plans for a garden — although who will pay for and handle the watering remains unclear.

Project Main Street President Christy Berg told the council her organization agreed to donate plants and install them with the condition that the borough would agree to do the watering. 

While Caldwell Mayor Ann Dassing said the town could not pay for the watering nor did it have the manpower, the council unanimously approved a resolution to move forward with the garden after a councilman suggested the governing body chip in for the cost.

Councilman Tom O’Donnell estimated watering would run about $1,200 for the season and proposed members of the council pay out of their own pockets. Some other council members and the mayor agreed to O’Donnell’s plan, but details have yet to be worked out.

The Caldwell Merchants Association (CMA) also offered to help pay, although the organization is not completely in line with Project Main Street's plans and there is a history of tension between the two groups.

CMA board member Amy Piazza asked if the event could be moved to a Sunday, since Saturday is a busy day for many merchants and the event could be disruptive to business.

Berg said the preference is to have the event on a Saturday because merchants want to be a part of the “sense of community.”

Historic Preservation Commission representatives questioned whether there should be a garden at the green at all. 

The commission’s view is that a garden is inappropriate for the site given its history, which includes serving as a meeting place for the Caldwell militia during the war of 1812.

“The site should be preserved and enhanced,” said Richard Basta, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission. “The garden didn’t reinforce the historic character of the site.”

Plans are in the works by the commission to restore the green to a parade ground. Their plans could mean that Project Main Street will need to relocate some or all of the plants.

Project Main Street’s second annual Caldwell Beautification Day is planned for Saturday, May 18.

The garden was designed pro bono by borough resident and landscape architect Sigrid Morgan.

In addition to the garden, Project Main Street volunteers will mulch trees, hang flower baskets, and clean sidewalks and alleys. The group will hold a Beautiful Window Contest and work with schools to have students paint spring murals on empty storefronts. 

"This is all about community," Berg said. "This is all about getting together and doing something nice that we can all feel good about."