Women’s Night at Fanwood Council

The Fanwood Borough Council and Mayor Colleen Mahr paid tribute to local women doing good in the community during the March Council meeting on Monday, March 20, 2023, celebrating Women’s History Month.

The meeting was launched with Girl Scouts from local troops leading the Pledge of Allegiance, then reciting portions of Girl Scout history under the guidance of Julie Murphy, volunteer with the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Girl Scouts Service Team.

Girl Scouts with the Council

Councilwoman Gina Berry presented a proclamation acknowledging Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day to School Board members Amy Winkler and Amy Boroff.

Councilwoman Trisha Walsh presented a proclamation to Joan Skubish, president of the College Club of Fanwood & Scotch Plains, a non-profit celebrating its 90^th year of awarding college scholarships to high school and college women. Skubish told the Council the College Club has awarded over $750,000 in scholarships during its 90-year history.

Councilman Jeff Banks announced at the meeting that this year’s Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall will be Oshanda Erb, a Fanwood resident and Air Force veteran who is extremely active in veterans’ programs in Fanwood and Scotch Plains. Her appointment was approved unanimously by the Memorial Day Committee.

Councilman Banks also presented a proclamation celebrating Read Across America, a nationwide reading program championed by the Fanwood Memorial Library, currently operating out of the historic train station while the new library is built. The proclamation was received by Library Trustee President Ann Minski, Trustees Phillip Yap and Jane Frost-Guzzo and Library Director Dan Weiss.

Councilwoman Kathy Mitchell solicited volunteers for the Green Team, which is reforming after a hiatus during COVID. The Green Team facilitates the Borough’s ongoing effort to win Sustainable Jersey certification through a series of educational and environmental projects.

Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker announced that the Fanwood 5K race will take place again this year on an October date to be announced. Volunteers will be needed.

The Council passed resolutions to repair two footbridges and walking paths in the Fanwood Nature Center, repair the roof and paint the Carriage House and to purchase banners for the library construction site showing what the new building will look like when completed.