Stronger Stewardship for North Caldwell’s Future

Steve Weinstein, September 2022

Josh, Art, and I talk a lot about smart spending and advocacy in our campaign. We believe that good stewardship for North Caldwell requires more than fiscal responsibility. It requires leaders with the foresight to identify and seize opportunities and the willingness to go the extra mile to secure benefits for the Borough.

Our campaign has heard from many residents concerned about the lack of attention being paid to growing infrastructure needs who wonder why North Caldwell hasn’t enjoyed the same improvements as other towns. North Caldwell leaders must do a better job advocating for the Borough and its residents.

Once elected to North Caldwell Borough Council, I will focus on:

• Ensuring that North Caldwell negotiates with property developers more effectively to secure larger benefits for the Borough. Cedar Grove and Verona have each received benefits such as turf fields as a part of large-scale development. Our neighboring towns have been savvier in securing concessions and utilizing creative financing to realize municipal improvements. North Caldwell deserves the same level of financial expertise and negotiating skill.

• Capitalizing on financing opportunities as they arise, especially during periods of low interest rates. Our Borough must focus on our long-range plans and priorities so we are prepared when economic opportunities present themselves. Prioritizing the Borough’s needs will allow for a more effective cost/benefit analysis as we move forward.

• Seeking out all federal, state, and county funding opportunities to benefit and improve North Caldwell, especially in connection with infrastructure, drainage, and public domain improvements.

• Prioritizing the best uses for taxpayer dollars and avoiding inefficient band-aid spending. As a North Caldwell resident, I am as committed as you are to spending money the right way.

Our team is excited to partner with the other members of the Council and to think broadly about the Borough’s future. Our campaign is about more than fiscal responsibility. It is about innovation, smart spending, and creativity. It’s about prioritizing, planning, and acting in the very best interests of North Caldwell.