Caldwell Borough Council awards $2.19 million civic center contract; adopts EV-charging fees and salary ordinance

The Caldwell Borough Council voted to award a $2.19 million contract for the Caldwell Civic Center project and adopted two ordinances on May 19, 2026.

During the meeting at Saint Aloysius Church Gymnasium, the council corrected a clerical error in Resolution 5-147 (the RFP date was amended to April 28, 2026) before taking the separate vote to award the contract to H&S Construction, Inc., of Elizabeth, N.J. Councilman Brown moved to approve the amended resolution and Councilwoman Hunkele seconded; the roll-call vote was 6 in favor, 1 opposed (Councilman Jurgensen voted no).

Why it matters: the contract represents the largest discrete construction award on the evening’s agenda and follows public questions about bid variances and funding for related municipal building projects.

Borough Administrator Alex Palumbo had earlier noted that the award for the Old Library building repair and reuse was on the agenda and that other capital work — including generator testing and CO clearance at 80 Bloomfield Ave — is proceeding. Citizens raised procurement and funding questions during the public-comment period; construction and procurement items were otherwise handled through the consent agenda.

Public concern and official response Johnathan Sagalow of Chestnut Street raised a procedural concern about an incorrect RFP date in Resolution 5-147; Borough Attorney Craig Bossong called the problem a “clerical error that can be corrected without holding up the vote.” Later in public comment, Sagalow questioned a roughly 40 percent swing between bids for the civic-center work and asked whether all bidders were qualified. Bossong said the borough reviews “the lowest responsible bids to determine the qualifications” of bidders.

Other votes and consent items The council handled a multi-item consent agenda that included a resolution authorizing the purchase of a new garbage truck for the Department of Public Works (not to exceed $272,323.22), a non-fair-and-open contract for rain-garden installation with Robert W. Wogisch Landscape Contractor, Inc. for up to $37,600, and a professional service contract with One Water Consulting, LLC to evaluate an effluent filter at the wastewater treatment plant (not to exceed $28,800). The full consent agenda was approved, with Resolution 5-147 pulled for separate consideration and approved as noted above.

Votes at a glance Ordinance 1496-26 (municipal EV-charging station fee schedule): adopted, unanimous vote. Ordinance 1497-26 (salaries and compensation for 2026): adopted, unanimous vote. Resolution 5-147 (award Caldwell Civic Center contract to H&S Construction): adopted, 6–1 (Jurgensen opposed). Consent-agenda highlights: garbage truck purchase (≤$272,323.22); rain-garden installation ($37,600); One Water Consulting contract for effluent filter evaluation (≤$28,800); appointment of a probationary firefighter and internship hires.

What’s next The council’s action authorizes the borough to proceed with the civic-center contract as awarded. Several capital projects referenced by the borough administrator — including generator testing at 80 Bloomfield Ave and road work on Ella Road and Florence Place — will proceed as staff completes pre-construction steps and bid processes.