Update on COVID-19 – June 1, 2020: Remote Council Meeting Information

A Message from Mayor Mahr

On Friday we announced that our daily COVID-19 emails will move to a twice-weekly schedule. Below you will find a summary of Governor Murphy’s announcements today regarding re-opening. We also want to remind residents that tonight’s June 1 Council Meeting will be held via video conference.

Earlier today, the state reported another 509 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 160,918. Union County currently has a total of 15,858 confirmed cases. According to the Westfield Regional Health Department, Fanwood’s number remains the same at 92 cases.

Westfield has also noticed, for the month of May, more young adults test positive.  We understand it might be harder for residents to social distance as the weather gets warmer and more things being to open up. We continue to urge everyone to keep practicing social distancing, continue wearing face masks in public, and follow the CDC’s guidelines for proper hygiene and care especially now that we are beginning to open back up for summer.

Finally, we have all watched in horror and pain as our country reels from the tragic, senseless death of George Floyd. I know it can feel like we are living through a crisis within a crisis, but we must acknowledge a very real pain that lives within African American communities throughout this country. Fanwood is a member of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Committee along with Scotch Plains, SPF Board of Education, and SPF Ministerium. We’ve put out a statement that you can read here. We stand in solidarity alongside the peaceful demonstrations occurring around the world and I assure you we will have much more to say soon.

And as ever, whether during the pandemic or another time of need, we are here to help. If you need assistance with food insecurity, illness, or unemployment issues, please reach out at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

Tonight’s Mayor and Council Meetings will be held via video and telephone conference

Tonight’s meeting will include the June 1 Agenda Meeting of Mayor and Council scheduled for 7 p.m. A Special Meeting will precede the Agenda Meeting. Mayor Colleen Mahr and members of the Council will hold the Special Meeting and Agenda Meeting via video conference.

To participate and/or listen to the meetings please call 1-872-240-3412. When prompted to enter an access code, please enter 201-378-181. Public Access and Participation may be achieved through the following website: gotomeet.me/FanwoodNJ/monthly-meetings or Facebook at facebook.com/fanwoodnewjersey/.

Questions may be submitted by electronic mail to gotomeeting@fanwoodnj.org. You can view the agenda for the Special Meeting here and for the Regular Meeting here. Both will be broadcast on local access television within 24 hours of their conclusion.

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 that we’re ready to start Stage 2 of restart and recovery and he laid out the following dates for various re-openings. The following businesses can re-open with strict adherence to New Jersey Department of Health Guidance:

Effective June 15:

• Outdoor dining at restaurants can begin
• Non-essential in-person retail can begin

Effective June 22:

• Salons and barbershops can open

In the period to follow:

• Gyms and health clubs can open

Schools Open to Essential Workers

Fanwood PD Retirement

This seems like the right time to post a photo of two Fanwood police officers who are true professionals. Lt. Frank Marrero, left, retired Friday after 28 years of service. He’s seen here saying goodbye to officer Dan Kranz,  a cop since 2012.

In addition to being a model of what a community-aware police officer should be, Frank is a decent human being. He will be missed. Both Frank and Dan are assets to our community. We wish Lt. Marrero a long and healthy retirement and extend our deepest thanks for all he has done for our community.

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.