(Fanwood, NJ) –At their monthly meeting Monday night, the Borough Council approved resolutions to hire a new assistant to Mayor Colleen Mahr, a special law enforcement officer for the new LaGrande School opening in September, and adopted an ordinance that lowers speed on several borough roads as well establishing traffic restrictions near schools during mornings and afternoons when school is in session.
The council approved a resolution to hire recent college graduate and Fanwood resident Russ-Emmanuel Starosa as the mayor’s assistant, a part-time position, replacing long-time assistant Patricia Hoynes, who is retiring effective September 1st.
The council approved a resolution to appoint Oliver Margetts as tax collector, replacing Anders Hasseler, as part of a shared services agreement with Scotch Plains Township. Borough Administrator Jesse Moehlman explained that Margetts recently passed the tax collector exam and is now certified to hold the position.
The council also approved a new shared services agreement with the Town of Westfield for use of the Westfield Conservation Center. Under the agreement, up to 250 Fanwood residents will be permitted to purchase permits and utilize the facility to dispose of certain recyclable materials and yard debris.
A shared services agreement was approved with the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education for a special law enforcement officer at the new LaGrande School, located at 330 South Avenue in Fanwood. The council approved a resolution appointing James Amorosi to serve as the special law enforcement officer at LaGrande School.
During a brief discussion it was announced that an ordinance would be introduced to adjust the hours of operation for the Forest Road Park tennis and pickleball courts from 8 am until dusk. The current hours begin at dawn. Several residents spoke at a recent council meeting about the noise impact on neighbors from picketball games at the park.
Another adopted ordinance lowers speed limits in the borough and establishes traffic pattern changes on school days Fanwood Police Capt. Dan Kranz highlighted some of the changes. These include:
No parking on of Hunter Avenue near School One on school days from 8-9 am and 2-3:30 pm;
For McGinn School drop-offs, left turns will be prohibited from Trenton Ave. onto Martine Ave. from 7:30-9 am;
No right turns will be permitted from 7-9 am from Terrill Road onto Paterson Road or Stewart Place on weekdays only.
Speed limits will be reduced on LaGrande Ave. to 25 mph; from 30 to 25 mph on Laurel Place; from 40 to 35 mph on Martine Ave. from King St. to Coriell Ave. with other parts of Martine Ave. reduced from 30 to 25 mph or 35 to 20 mph. Capt. Kranz said the center of town will now have a speed limit of 25 mph. Also, the section of Marine Ave. from North Ave. to Midway Ave. will be reduced from 35 to 30 mph.
Mayor Colleen Mahr, noting misinformation online concerning safety issues at the SoHo building, asked Construction Official Frank Spallone and Fire Official Tom Scalera to comment on the safety of the new South Avenue building.
Spallone, who issued a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO), said that “there is definitely no life safety issues” in the SoHo building. He said the building had been inspected numerous times by plumbing, fire, electrical, and building sub code officials. Spallone has been borough’s construction official since 2017 through a shared service agreement with the City of Rahway where he is employed. Scalera, who has been the fire official in Fanwood since 1996, said the fire lane is accessible and can issue violations when warranted.
At the start of the meeting, Laura Lang and members of the Green Team gave a brief presentation on their accomplishments including recycling non-traditional items such as Legos, shoes, jeans, crayons, stuffed animals and holiday lights.
During the public section of the meeting, resident Larry Cohen spoke of his concerns to the Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife’s participation at Fannywood Day.
Another resident commented on banning AI data centers in Fanwood. Mayor Mahr said the borough does not recognize AI data centers or computer server household facilities as a permitted use within Fanwood’s land use ordinance.
