A Message from Mayor Mahr

Earlier today, the state reported another 1,117 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 158,844. Union County currently has a total of 15,610 confirmed cases. As of this publication, our number of cases remains at 92.

As we move into the next phase and attempt to piece together a “new normal”, it is time to move from daily e-blasts to biweekly e-blasts that we will begin next week.

If there is important information to share on ANY subject we will publish a special e-blast, as we have in the past.  But for now, this will be our last daily e-blast.

You should always keep in mind that we post information to our website and Facebook on an ongoing basis; there is no reason for us to lose touch.

I want to remind you once more that the last day for property taxes to be paid without penalty is Monday, June 1.  See below for ways to pay over the weekend and on Monday.

And of course, for those of you in need of assistance, we are not going anywhere.  If you need our help with food insecurity, illness, or unemployment issues, please reach out at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

Property Tax Payments Due Monday, June 1

We have reached the extent of Governor Murphy’s executive order, which extended the normal May 1 property tax payment grace period to June 1.

To avoid penalty, please submit your tax payment no later than Monday, June 1. Interest dating back to May 1 will be applied to payments received later than June 1.
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

Wear Orange: We Can End Gun Violence

On January 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton, a high school student from the south side of Chicago, marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later, Hadiya was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. Soon after this tragedy, Hadiya’s childhood friends decided to commemorate her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others, a tradition that has continued to this day.

This year, we will wear orange from home to keep our families and others safe. Together, we will honor the more than 100 Americans shot and killed every day and the hundreds more wounded. From Hadiya’s friends on the south side of Chicago to community organizers in Queens, to students around the country, we will come together virtually to wear orange and demand a change. In 2020, the 6th National Gun Violence Awareness Day will fall on June 5, the first Friday of the month. That will kick off Wear Orange Weekend on June 5-7, which will feature virtual events across the nation.

The Road Back Update

Today, Governor Murphy announced the following dates for various reopenings as part of the state’s broader Road Back plan, with further guidance to follow for each:

  • June 12: Guidance on the resumption of attendance in Houses of Worship
  • June 15: Childcare facilities can reopen
  • June 22: Organized youth sports, outdoor and no-contact, can resume
  • July 6: Day camps can reopen

Horse-racing will resume as early as next weekend. However, in-person attendance of horse racing is still prohibited.

Finally, Governor Murphy also announced that New Jersey will see a $100 million short-term rental assistance program for low and moderate-income residents through the federal CARES Act. Further guidance and information on this will follow from the state soon.

Schools Open to Essential Workers

The Goddard School, Lightbridge Academy, and The Wonder Years are all open now and offering child care for essential workers in the community. For information, please call or visit their websites below!

The Goddard School

Lightbridge Academy

The Wonder Years

Summer Recreation Online Programming

While the status of the Day Camp at La Grande Park remains uncertain, Fanwood Recreation is in the process of adding online camps to its summer offerings.

The first online camp it announced, World of Wizardry, is almost sold out, so if you have a Harry Potter fan between ages 8–13 who is interested in signing up, don’t delay!

For updates on programming and to sign up for World of Wizardry or other online programs, go to https://link.edgepilot.com/s/e547beee/J0Db_6Y9A02AzGpEdiUsGQ?u=http://www.fanwoodrecreation.org/.

From the Fanwood Memorial Library

We hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend. The Library is still closed to the public, but we are working hard to bring you online options and activities you can do at home.

Due dates are extended to June 30th, so please ignore any emails about overdue items and continue to keep your books at home. We won’t charge late fees while we are closed.

Love independent or foreign films?

Watch independent films, documentaries, foreign films, and classic TV shows like Roy Rogers and Flash Gordon on IndieFlix.

Stream IndieFlix through your RBdigital app. Register on our website if you don’t have the app. Need help? Contact library@fanwoodlibrary.org.

Missing Storytime at the Library?

We miss you too. Check out our brand new feature: Storytime with Dan and Natchez! Library Director, Dan Weiss, reads some of his favorite stories alongside his family’s lovable dog Nachez. Visit our website to start listening.

Friendly Reminder

We will not charge overdue fees for items due during the time that we are closed. Borrowed items should be kept at home until we reopen.
Access our online resources with your Fanwood Library Card. Your PIN number is probably the last 4 digits of your phone number.

If your library card is expired, please email us at library@fanwoodlibrary.org to renew it. Also, email us if your PIN isn’t working or if you are a Fanwood resident and need a temporary library card.

NJEDA Announces $50 million in grants open to affected businesses

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced a $50 million expansion of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. The expanded program will provide grants up to $10,000 to qualified businesses and relaxes eligibility criteria to include a broader variety of businesses as well as home-based businesses and sole proprietorships.

The NJEDA estimates the grant application will go live around June 8. CIANJ is joining with other business organizations on June 5 at 1 p.m. to host a virtual event with Tim Sullivan, CEO of the NJEDA, to help members learn more about Phase 2.

To learn more about the grant program, please click here.

COVID Drive-Thru Screening is now Open to all Union County Residents

Testing is free of charge to county residents and no symptoms are required to participate.

Please call (908) 214-7107 if you wish to secure an appointment at the Kean University drive-thru the testing site.

Testing notwithstanding, it is important that we all continue to practice accepted social distancing methods including wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and staying six feet apart from one another.  This is for your protection as well as the entire community so please be respectful of others and do your part to keep us all safe!