Caldwell Gets $150,000 To Buy Property Near University

CALDWELL, NJ — The Borough of Caldwell recently received a $150,000 grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.

According to Caldwell Borough Council President Christine Schmidt, the funds will be put towards the purchase of a property adjacent to Caldwell University.

The designation of the funds was unanimously passed by the borough council at their Tuesday meeting in resolution 11-238.

That resolution reads:

Whereas, the county of Essex (the "County") annually collects a tax dedicated for use for open space purposes; and Whereas, the County traditionally makes a portion of the open space funds available for municipal use; and Whereas, for 2020, the County has indicated that approximately $150,000 will be made available to the Borough of Caldwell (the "Borough") for an eligible open space project; and Whereas, the Borough wishes to pursue the acquisition of additional property within the borough to be used for open space purposes; and Whereas, the property designated as Block 56 Lot 19 on the tax maps of the Borough is currently unimproved and is adjacent to several environmentally important features including freshwater wetlands and a free running brook; Now Therefore be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Caldwell New Jersey that:

1. The Borough Administrator is hereby authorized and directed to complete and submit an application to the County of Essex for the use of such open space trust fund monies as the County shall make available for the purpose of acquiring the property designated as Block 56 Lot 19 on the tax maps of the Borough;

2. The Borough Administrator is hereby further authorized and directed to undertake such additional activities as are necessary to satisfy all of the requirements of the County regarding such applications, including without limitation the conduct of title searches boundary and topographical surveys and property appraisals.

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