(Fanwood, NJ) – Mayor Colleen Mahr administered the oath of office to Fanwood’s newest Police Officer, Eric Cartagena, at Monday’s agenda meeting.

Lt. Dan Kranz, Officer in Charge of the Fanwood Police Dept., said a police officer in 2025 needs to be an “enforcer, you have to be an EMT, you have to be a social worker, and sometimes you have to just be a friend.”

Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker reads a resolution appointing Eric Cartagena as a probationary police officer as Mayor Colleen Mahr looks on.

Lt. Dan Kranz makes a few comments about Eric Cartagena prior to his swearing in as a Fanwood Police Officer as Mayor Colleen Mahr and Eric’s fiancé Grey look on.

“The ranks of Fanwood PD are gaining somebody that can be all those things,” Lt. Kranz said.

Lt. Kranz said Officer Cartagena was previously employed with the Elizabeth Police Department. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Kean University and is a 2022 graduate of John Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains, where he was the class valedictorian and received the Academic Achievement Award for receiving the top scores in his class.

Mayor Colleen Mahr administers the oath of office to Eric Cartagena as Fanwood’s newest police officer as his fiancé Grey holds the Bible.

“He is very easy to talk to and I think he will fit in seamlessly with the officers. And when he goes to your house or your business in Fanwood, I think he has the empathy and the communication to really fit in and help solve those problems,” Lt. Kranz said.

Mayor Colleen Mahr and Officer Eric Cartagena.

Officer Cartagena is the third police officer hired by Fanwood this year following the Passing of Officer Carlos Gonzalez, Jr. from Lymphoma earlier this year and two retirements within the police department.

Officer Eric Cartagena with Lt. Dan Kranz and Fanwood Police Officers.

Sally Drewes of Watson Road presented Mayor Colleen Mahr and Council members with two framed copies of a 150-year-old post card depicting the Fanwood Historic Train Station from her late husband Howard Drewes’ collection.

Sally Drewes talks about the importance of a post card depicting the Fanwood Historic Train Station from 150 years ago, framed copies of which she presented to Mayor Mahr and council members.

Mayor Colleen Mahr and Council President Patricia Walsh hold up framed post cards of the Fanwood Train Station from 150 years ago.

She said the photograph was taken by Darrel Thorne, a well-known photographer from Plainfield, who has captured many iconic images of Union County from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Mayor Mahr presented a proclamation in recognition of Marilyn Klingbeil’s 104th Birthday to her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Klezer.

Mayor Colleen Mahr presents a proclamation in recognition of Marilyn Klingbeil’s 104th Birthday to her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Klezer.

The council approved a resolution in support of the Immigration Trust Act before the New Jersey State Legislature.

Mayor Mahr invited the community to attend the Borough’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11th at noon in front of the Fanwood Memorial Library.

Mayor Mahr said the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Nutrition Club food drive held Saturday for the Wellness Fridge at Borough Hall was very successful.

Council President Patricia Walsh said the Fanwood Presbyterian Church Scouting for Food Program received, “an enormous amount of food” donations. She added that on October 29 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church there was a big increase in the number of people who came to receive food packages.

Councilwoman Katherine Mitchell said IHM will be holding a special food collection for senior citizens who are food insecure.

Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker encouraged SNAP eligible families who have not received benefits during the federal government shutdown to call Stage House in Scotch Plains to see if they are offering free meals similar to what the Somerset Stage House is offering.