A Message from Mayor Mahr
Earlier today, the state reported another 1,827 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 133,635. Union County currently has a total of 13,781 confirmed cases and as of publication. The Westfield Regional Board of Health has confirmed that Fanwood has 84 positive cases and 11 fatalities, including an 84-year-old male who did not live in a long-term care facility. Please keep him and his loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.
During Mental Health Awareness Month please remember to be kind to yourself and those around you. All of our lives have been upended and anxiety of the unknown can wear on us all. Check-in on your friends and neighbors and be sure to seek help if you need it, and offer help if you can.
One way you can help is to support the YWCA PALS program to address hunger. For more on the program and how you can help please see the item below.
We also are featuring “Invisible Hands” which does the very important work of delivering groceries throughout Union County, they have helped thousands of folks so far and with your help, will continue the good work.
Finally, there is important information contained in this newsletter regarding the deadlines for election applications – both voter registration and vote-by-mail. The information is below accompanied by links to each form.
If you are having trouble accessing relief services, or you’re experiencing other emergency needs, I urge you to reach out to me directly at mayor@fanwoodnj.org. We are here to help.
– Mayor Colleen Mahr
DO YOU KNOW A FANWOOD HERO?
Has someone in your life gone above and beyond to serve others during this crisis? Please continue to email me (mayor@fanwoodnj.org) with photos and stories about our front line heroes. We want to publicly acknowledge their sacrifice and dedication.
Important information for Second Quarter 2020 Tax Payments
In line with Governor Murphy’s executive order, the Borough of Fanwood has extended the normal May 1st property tax payment grace period to June 1st. This action supersedes the action the Borough Council took last month to reduce the interest rate applied to late payments.
Since Borough Hall is currently closed to the public, payments should be submitted as follows:
- Regular Mail mail to tax collector 75 N Martine Avenue, Fanwood NJ 07023
- Online on our homepage click on the sidebar for tax/utility payments; you will be directed to a site to make an online payment using credit card or e-check (additional charges are applied when paying online see information listed on payment site)
- Drop-off there is a mail slot located on the wall outside of the front entrance to borough hall labeled tax and sewer payments drop payment inbox it will go into a secure payment box inside of the building.
Property Owners should take note of the additional fees that are charged on credit card payments. These charges are not imposed by the Borough of Fanwood but by the entity that will process the payment. This site has been set up as a convenience. The upcharges are as follows:
- $1.05 to send an e-check
- $3.95 for Visa Debit
- 2.95% upcharge for credit card payments
Long-Term Care Reporting Tool
The state also provided a critical update on long-term care facilities. We’ve seen 509 facilities with positive cases, for a total of 22,602 who are in long-term care. We’d like to remind everyone of the Long-term Care Reporting tool provided by the state, should you wish to keep track.
Election Deadlines
Due to COVID-19, Borough Hall remains closed to the public until further notice. The following election deadlines are approaching:
- May 13, 2020: Party Affiliation Deadline
- June 16, 2020: Voter Registration Deadline
You may also choose to vote by mail. The deadline to apply for Vote by Mail for the Election is seven days prior to the election date (July 7, 2020). You may also apply in person at the Union County Clerk’s Office until the day before the election at 3:00 pm.
All forms may be dropped off at Brough Hall by deadline dates or mailed directly to the Union County Clerk, Two Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207.
Any questions regarding elections, please go to www.unioncountyvotes.com or call the County Clerk at (908) 477-5787. All Applications are available below.
Voter Registration Form (English)
Voter Registration Form (Spanish)
Vote-by-Mail Application (English)
Vote-by-Mail Application (Spanish)
Downtown Fanwood’s Enchantments would like to remind shoppers that Mother’s day is Sunday, May 10. The gift store offers online shopping and pick up without entering the building. Visit Enchantments online at www.enchantmentsnj.com to place an order.
The store’s pick-up schedule this week is from Tuesday to Friday: 4 pm to 6:30 pm and Saturday: 1 pm to 6:30 pm.
School Board Meetings to Continue
School Board Meetings will be live-streamed through the end of the school year on May 12 & 28, June 11 and 25, at 8 p.m.
The link for the live stream will be available at spfk12.org on the day of the meeting, or at https://www.spfk12.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1. Scroll to the middle of the homepage and click on the link.
There are 2 public comment portions of the agenda. Since these comments can’t be made in person, the phone number to call in and make a comment is (908) 913-0709, and callers will be able to speak to the Board.
Additionally, BOE agendas and recordings of all meetings can be found on our website at spfk12.org, under the BOE tab at the top. For further information call School Administration at 908-232-6161.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Many thanks to Assemblywoman Linda Carter and Director of Constituent Services Geoff Smith for their tireless work in helping those Fanwood residents who are having trouble moving through the system.
Many Fanwoodians have already benefited from their help, so if you are having difficulty with the PUA system, please reach out for help at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.
For those of you who have successfully registered, instructions found here https://myunemployment.nj.gov/
In order to prevent claim issues, it is essential that PUA filers follow the instructions closely. An improper claiming of benefits can cause payments to be held and require the claimant to speak to an agent.
Volunteers Needed for Invisible Hands
Invisible Hands is a group that offers free delivery of groceries and other essentials to the elderly and immunocompromised. The group is recruiting new volunteers in Union County, as their many requests have outstripped their current staffing.
If you are currently in good health, please consider helping Invisible Hands do this good work. And if you are not comfortable volunteering, Invisible Hands also needs donations to keep the organization running.
Here is a link to their website with more information: https://invisiblehandsdeliver.org/. Or if you have specific questions please reach out directly to Amanda Marcotullio at amand@marcotullio.net.
