Today Governor Phil Murphy announced 2,492 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 for a new total of 6,876 across the state. In Union County, the state announced we are now at 432 positive cases.

The Borough of Fanwood would like to make our residents aware of one new case that has been reported by the Westfield Regional Health Department. A 79-year-old female resident tested positive and is currently hospitalized. Mayor Mahr speaks for our entire community in keeping her and all those in Fanwood who are struggling with COVID-19 in our hearts and prayers.

Finally, if any Fanwood resident requires or knows of any resident in distress or in need of supplies, please do not hesitate to contact me at mayor@fanwoodnj.org so we can get them that help.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

Union County Drive-Up Testing Site Email Address

The Union County Board of Freeholders is also announcing a new email handle for persons who have a VALID prescription for COVID-19 testing. Please email COVID19TEST@UCNJ.ORG with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Date of birth
  • Photo of your script

Then, you may directly go to the new Union County Drive-Through Testing Center for COVID-19 at Kean University. The Testing Center is open Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm. Please note that people with existing appointments will be seen first.

Murphy signs Executive Order on childcare attendance

Governor Phil Murphy today issued a new executive order requiring child care centers to close by April 1st UNLESS they are solely serving children of essential workers.

Those childcare centers serving essential workers must also certify with the state by this Friday, March 27.

A Message from SPF Public Schools

Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District will continue to direct At-Home Learning until at least April 20, 2020. However, the school will close At-Home Instruction for their regularly scheduled spring break, beginning Monday, April 5, through Friday, April 10. At-Home Instruction will resume Monday, April 13.

To read the rest of the message from Superintendent Joan Mast, which includes additional information on At-Home Learning, please click here.

NJ Gov expands disability services and access

Last night, the state legislature passed and Governor Murphy signed S-2304, a bill that extends temporary disability and family leave benefits to workers who need to take time off of work to recover from COVID-19 or to care for family members suffering from the disease. It will also expand earned sick leave benefits to cover mandatory or recommended quarantines.

To learn more about it, click here or if you’d like to read the bill in its’ entirety, please click here.

NJEDA Announces new Small Business Support

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board today approved a suite of new programs designed to support businesses and workers facing economic hardship due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

The package of initiatives includes a grant program for small businesses, a zero-interest loan program for mid-size companies, support for private-sector lenders and Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), funding for entrepreneurs, and a variety of resources providing technical support and marketplace information.

Taken together, they will provide more than $75 million of state and private financial support, with the opportunity to grow to more than $100 million if additional philanthropic, State, and federal resources become available. The initiatives will support between 3,000 and 5,000 small and midsize enterprises and are meant to complement recently announced federal economic recovery initiatives. More information about the programs will be available here.

To read the full statement, please click here.

Important Update for Fanwood Businesses

The Borough has been in constant communications with the Fanwood business community.  The new COVID-19 Business Resources page on the Fanwood web site is kept up-to-date with relevant legislation, Executive Orders, and federal and state assistance programs with important links such as The State of NJ COVID 19 information hub, The State of NJ jobs portal, the NJEDA business portal, and more. Borough Business liaison, Liz Jeffery held a Fanwood business conference call on Wednesday, March 25th to allow for collaboration and support during these challenging times.

Some of the items discussed included continued support for our restaurants and food providers, and all businesses that have been permitted to stay open. Executive Order No. 110 signed today requires childcare centers in NJ to certify by Friday, March 27, that they will solely serve as emergency childcare centers for essential workers. If not certified then the center must close by April 1, 2020.

The childcare facilities are currently making decisions as to their specific facility. The federal stimulus bill announcement includes significant funding support for small businesses. The Chelsea is operating well and entertaining their seniors during this restricted visitation period. They have adequate supplies for the most part but could use some N95 masks.