W. Caldwell Establishes Parking Agreement with ECC

West Caldwell's  town council approved last week a request from Essex County College to allocate eight spaces in the recreation department's parking lot on Fairfield Avenue for use by faculty of the college's West Essex campus.

Councilman Richard Otterbein, chairman of the public safety committee, recommended the approval after reviewing information gathered by the police department and Jock Watkins, the town's acting administrator and clerk. 

Of the 32 total parking spaces in the lot, college faculty will be permitted to use four on each side in the lot's middle section. 

"Not down by recreation, not up toward the old town hall, but in the middle," Mayor Joseph Tempesta said.

The agreement is expected to take effect this upcoming fall semester. Tempesta pointed out that the college has allowed the town to use its parking facilities for events like the gazebo summer concerts.

"They're a very good neighbor of ours," Tempesta said.

The mayor said the police will closely monitor the parking lot to ensure only the college's faculty members are using the eight spaces.

"This is strictly faculty parking, strictly when school is in session and strictly during the day," Tempesta said.

All vehicles must be distinguished with appropriate decals and registered with the police department.

"This is not student parking," Tempesta said.

Police Chief Michael Bramhall will draft a letter to the college, outlining the governing body's expectations for use of the spaces. 

The town has the right to rescind the agreement after one year if any conflicts arise.

"We take it one year at a time," Tempesta said, "and we review it after the semester in case there are any problems."