North Caldwell Mulls Possible Projects At Mountain Avenue Field

NORTH CALDWELL, NJ — In a community like North Caldwell, news can travel fast. And the latest update about the borough’s recreational facilities at Mountain Avenue Field is no exception, officials say.

The North Caldwell mayor and borough council released the following message to the community last weekend:

“We understand in a community like North Caldwell, any news travels fast. You, or your neighbors, may have received communications about the possibility of the borough partnering with Essex County to improve North Caldwell’s recreational facilities at Mountain Avenue Field. While the immediacy of communication in our current age can be fantastic, many times the message conveyed may be inadvertently or deliberately slanted. With that in mind, we write to alert you that the improvement of Mountain Avenue Field is under consideration by the borough council.”

The message continued:

“To move forward productively, a select – but in no way secret – meeting was held last night that included representatives from the North Caldwell Recreation Foundation, West Essex Cowboys, North Caldwell Football Club, West Essex Lacrosse, North Caldwell Knights Baseball & Softball Association, Adult Women’s Softball, Adult Men’s and Women’s Soccer, and the North Caldwell Recreation Department.”

According to the mayor and council, the 7.5-acre Mountain Avenue Field parcel is subject to New Jersey Green Acres restrictions that limit any current or future use of the property to recreational or conservation activities.

Statements that this property is “developable” or “unencumbered” are inaccurate, borough officials said.

The mayor and council said that serious considerations have been given – and will continue to be given – towards concerns such as:

• Field Control
• Event Scheduling
• Traffic
• Public Safety
• Drainage
• Maintenance Obligations

“The final details of any potential arrangement have not been decided, but it should come as no surprise that the borough is seriously considering the possibility of partnering with Essex County to secure a multi-million-dollar investment into our community without imposing a tax impact upon our residents,” officials said.

“As has always been our intention, we invite the public to participate in our open public meeting related to the improvement of Mountain Avenue Field on January 28,” the message concluded. “We encourage you to bring an open mind and consideration for your friends and neighbors.”

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