A Message from Mayor Mahr
Earlier today, the state reported another 495 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 166,164. Union County currently has a total of 16,351 confirmed cases. As of today, the Westfield Regional Health Department has confirmed an additional case in Fanwood over the past week, bringing our town-wide total to 96.
This week Governor Murphy lifted the stay-at-home order but urged residents to continue wearing a mask and practicing social distancing in public. Check out The Road Back below for more details. With Father’s Day coming up next weekend I hope you will check out our local retailers for gift ideas for Dad!
June is Pride Month, and while we celebrate the LGBT community for their many contributions to the fabric of society, it is hard not to see a parallel between that movement and the social justice movement newly sparked by the George Floyd killing. My hope is that the current social justice movement will experience a similar tipping point as moved this nation to same-sex marriage; one that will move us towards true equality and justice for all.
The July 7 primary vote is coming up and this election will be different than in the past. Please see below for information and direction as to registering and voting in July.
Just as important as your vote is your completing the census form. If you have not yet submitted your census response, please do so right away. We must have a full census count to ensure that sufficient government funding and representation is allocated to Fanwood.
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
Union County Plant Shop & Swap
Attract pollinators, birds, and other wildlife to your yard by planting native vegetation and eradicating invasive plants in your yard. Bring invasive plants from your yard to this event, and you will be given a native replacement FOR FREE to plant in its place! Maximum 3 native plants per household. The event will be held on Thursday, June 25th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Scout Camping Area of the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, NJ.
Toadshade Wildflower Farm will be on site with native plants to purchase even if you do not have an invasive plant to swap. This is a COVID-Safe event so please place your invasive plants in your vehicle’s trunk or back seat so staff can easily remove them and load your new native plants to ensure a contactless exchange. Participants must wear masks.
Gardeners are encouraged to read Union County’s Plant This Not That Brochure to learn more about native plants.
The Road Back Update
The Governor has announced that New Jersey will be entering Stage 2 of the economic reopening plan. Pursuant to Executive Order 150, on June 15 restaurants and bars will be able to reopen for outdoor dining only, and also non-essential retail will open at half capacity.
- The retailers and outdoor restaurant operations will be following social distancing guidelines and all health and safety protocols set forth by the New Jersey Department of Health and other regulatory entities.
- Fanwood will be expanding our café permit criteria to permit an expansion of typical areas of outdoor dining. Fanwood shops will also be permitted to offer an outdoor presence in storefront sidewalk areas.
- On June 15 childcare facilities will no longer be restricted to essential workers and will be permitted to welcome all clients.
We look forward to the salons, barbers, and other personal service providers being able to open on June 22. We welcome this Stage 2 reopening in Fanwood and I hope you will comfortable and enjoy our wonderful restaurants and shops under the new safety guidelines.
Please remember to always have a mask and follow the guidelines provided by the health department.
SPF Scouts hold Food Drive Thru 6/13
Due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Cub Scouts packs and Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scout) troops will be conducting an SPF Scouting for Food Drive “Thru” on Saturday, June 13 from 9 am – 1 pm at Fanwood Presbyterian.
For Graduating Seniors!
June 15 Council Meeting to be Remote
The June 15 Mayor & Council meeting scheduled for 7 p.m.will be remote via video conference and available for live-stream. Below are the instructions to join:
Live-stream
Video link
Meeting ID: 981 0419 4620
Password: 607295
Dial-in information
Phone: (872) 240-3412 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 201-378-181
Celebrate Juneteenth
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19. On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation – which had been issued on January 1, 1863 – was read to newly freed African Americans in Texas by General Gordon Granger. Texas was the last Confederate State to have the proclamation announced, after the end of the American Civil War in April of that year. Texas was the most remote of the slave states, and minimal fighting meant there were few Union troops present to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation until after the war ended.
A Message from Chief Trigo
IN LIGHT OF GOVERNOR MURPHY LIFTING THE STAY AT HOME ORDER, WE ANTICIPATE MORE VEHICLES BEING ON THE ROADS. AS ALWAYS, THE FANWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT ENCOURAGES ALL DRIVERS TO ADHERE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ADVICE WHEN DRIVING.
Please click here to view the safety guidelines as outlined by the Fanwood Police Department.
Important Information on the July 7, 2020 Primary Election
THIS IS A MAIL-IN ELECTION!
- A reduced number of polling locations will be available to provide voters with a paper, provisional ballot. Voting machines will available for voters with disabilities. These locations will be updated by June 15, 2020.
- All active, registered Democratic and Republican Voters will automatically receive a Vote by Mail Ballot. Return postage is prepaid. You may have already received yours.
- Unaffiliated voters and inactive voters will automatically receive an application for a vote by mail ballot. Return postage is prepaid
- Vote by Mail Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day, July 7, will be counted so long as they are received by July 14, 2020.
- If you don’t want to depend on the mail, or are delivering your ballot close to election day, mail-in ballots may be deposited in one of the 5 secure ballot drop boxes located throughout the county. These locations will be updated by June 15, 2020.
Fanwood Recreation Expands Online Summer Offerings
First, on the heels of their now sold-out World of Wizardry ONLINE Camp, Picasso’s Basement and Fearless Dragon Writers, in partnership with Fanwood Recreation, now offer a Make It a Mystery ONLINE Camp! Mystery-loving campers are invited to write stories, create art, and follow clues as they create mysteries and solve mysteries.
In an effort to keep student’s minds active this summer, Fanwood Recreation is offering the following ONLINE educational programs for the summer. Each of these classes will help prevent any learning slide due to at-home learning or the summer months and will make sure students are best prepared for the new school year: English Essay Writing ONLINE, ACT Boot Camp ONLINE, Study Skills Class ONLINE and SAT Boot Camp Online.
For more information and to register for these camps, please go to fanwoodrecreation.org. More ONLINE summer camps are still being added!
A Message from the Fanwood Memorial Library Board of Trustees
As we grieve the racial wounds that have plagued our nation for far too long, we stand in solidarity with the Black community, Fanwood citizens, and those committed to a just and peaceful society. However, we find encouragement in those speaking out against racism and believe that as a public institution we have a vital role to play in the fight against injustice. The public library has always represented the highest democratic ideals, providing all people access to resources and services designed to educate, inform, and inspire.
As ardent supporters of the First Amendment, we believe, now more than ever, in the importance of freedom of speech. We encourage all citizens to engage in the pursuit of lifelong learning and critical thinking.
In our struggle to find meaning and a path forward, the Fanwood Memorial Library has recommitted to ensuring that our collection and programming represent the diverse thoughts, experiences, and perspectives of our town and community. In addition, we remain steadfast in supporting our youth as they lead our country to a brighter future. In partnership with the Borough and local organizations like The Joint Committee for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, we pledge to help foster meaningful conversation at the local level, paramount in effecting lasting change.
Finally, the Fanwood Memorial Library unequivocally condemns the reprehensible actions that led to the death of George Floyd. This library champions and embraces equity, diversity, inclusivity, and access. We wholeheartedly endorse the tenet that all people are created equal. Every action, covert or overt, intended to diminish or marginalize people of any race should be denounced, condemned, and disavowed. Libraries represent a place of refuge for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, economic status, physical or mental capacities. We have always championed equality of access and advocated free speech and will continue to do so.
It is our collective hope that the death of George Floyd will serve as a catalyst for meaningful conversations and actions that will lead to racial healing in our country.
With utmost compassion,
Ann Minski, President
Jane Frost-Guzzo, Vice President
Board of Trustees
Fanwood Memorial Library
