Will Liquor Licenses Lure Restaurants to N. Caldwell?

In a meeting that lasted less than a half-hour Tuesday night, North Caldwell's governing body considered the financial benefits and the potential to lure more establishments to the borough if liquor licenses were offered to restaurants.

While Green Brook Country Club holds the borough's only liquor license, members of the governing body examined the possibility of offering one to Sophia's, the borough's only restaurant at 711 Main St., and the potential to re-zone parts of the municipality to accommodate restaurants.

"We could possibly get $100,000 for something like this," Council President Joseph Alessi said. "The price is determined by demand, and if we only have one, I think it's a great idea."

Among the areas of the borough that will be considered for re-zoning will be the Fells Common strip on Bloomfield Avenue.

"I think it would be nice for residents of North Caldwell to be able to have a glass of wine at a restaurant in town without having to bring their own," Councilwoman Cynthia Santomauro said.

According to Frank Zichelli, the borough's engineer, the idea will be examined at the next planning board meeting on Monday night.

Zichelli also said the borough has received bids for the Maywood Court repaving project, which will be funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

"It is my recommendation that we proceed in accordance with the DOT requirements," Zichelli said. "The process is we send the bids to the state along with documentation and the state would give us the go-ahead. I'd like to get this street paved before school starts."

Zichelli estimated the project will take one to two weeks to complete and will include drainage work and slight curb repair.

Zichelli also recommended completing the grant application for paving East Greenbrook Road and Evergreen Drive. The state DOT limits the amount of grant applications to two per year and requests municipalities to prioritize the projects, Zichelli said.

He recommended making East Greenbrook Road the first priority since it was part of the application but was denied last year. The state DOT typically only awards one grant, Zichelli said. The application deadline is Aug. 13.

In the brief public conference meeting before adjourning to private session, Mayor Mel Levine also appointed Joshua Raymond to the zoning board to complete the term of Brian McCabe.