West Caldwell ‘Diligent’ With Social Distancing, Masks: Mayor

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — West Caldwell is being “diligent” with social distancing and wearing face masks, but the township needs to keep up its efforts, Mayor Joe Tempesta said in a recent coronavirus update.

Tempesta issued an advisory on Friday that included an update on local case and death totals from COVID-19. He also gave an update on several recreation programs that are gradually restarting with social distancing.

According to Tempesta:

“Please be advised the West Caldwell Health Department has informed us as of today, Friday August 14, we currently have one confirmed case of COVID-19 in West Caldwell’s general population. This individual is home quarantined. Since the beginning of the pandemic we have had a total of 125 cases, and we have had six citizens pass away in our general population. Thankfully we have had 118 cases closed whereby those citizens are recovered and are no longer quarantined. We are also thankful the community is being diligent in social distancing and the wearing of masks particularly when you can’t social distance. We encourage all of you to continue this practice for the foreseeable future. In our two skilled nursing facilities combined we have had no additional COVID cases since last week and in Crane’s Mill we have one current case in the skilled nursing and sub-acute division. In the Hackensack Meridian Health WC Care Center, remains 1 current case of COVID-19. Tragically though since the beginning of the pandemic we have had 44 deaths in those facilities.”

“I ask that you continue to join me in thanking all our first responders and teachers,” Tempesta wrote. “I also thank you for continuing to patronize our restaurants and retail stores.”

Additional updates included:

RECREATION PROGRAMS – “Regarding some of our recreation programs coming up this fall, although subject to change, we are planning to have the following recreation activities: soccer, cross country and field hockey. We are working to develop a volleyball program outdoors, and if allowed by the state we may have flag football. Our Dr. STEM program will be conducted at our Civic Center, limited to 10 students at a time (socially distanced). The Caldwell’s Athletic Association Jr. Chiefs football and soccer programs are planning to start soon. And finally, we will continue with our gazebo concerts for the next several weeks on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. in Crane Park through at least September 3, and our pools will remain open on weekends through September. If you have any questions about these programs you may call the Recreation Department at 973-226-3621.”

STORM DEBRIS – “Please be advised if you have storm debris you may still put it out at the curb and the Department of Public Works will pick up this debris for one more week. This pick up is only for storm related debris. If possible, kindly put the debris in 4-foot bundles.”

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