(Fanwood, NJ) – The Borough Council introduced on first reading at the Monday, November 17th regular council meeting amendments to the Borough’s parking ordinance.
Lt. Dan Kranz, Officer in Charge of the Fanwood Police Department, said the ordinance makes changes to lot 9, located behind stores on South Avenue across from the train station.
Lt. Dan Kranz, Officer in Charge of the Fanwood Police Department, discusses changes to the Borough parking ordinance.
Lt. Kranz said there are two rows of parking spaces located close to the businesses, which will now be designated as two-hour parking, Monday through Friday, from 5 am-11 pm. There will be no parking allowed from 11 pm-5 am seven days a week.
He said the remaining 170 spaces in Lot 9 will include some no-cost permitted spaces to residents of 246 South Avenue, 250 South Avenue, and 233 LaGrande Avenue. In addition, each business will be given a certain amount of merchant permits. Larger businesses will have the opportunity to purchase additional permits for employees to park on LaGrande Avenue and Second Street by displaying merchant parking permits. Employees will also be able to park in the train station lot, which is free after 12 noon.
Lt. Kranz said Elizabeth Jeffery, director of economic development, will be speaking to businesses about the parking changes. He said new signage will be placed in the lots at some point once the changes are rolled out.
In addition, Lt. Kranz said Hendricks Street will now have one side of the street designated as no parking during school days from 8 am-4 pm.
Laura Lang, Fanwood Green Team chair, made a presentation on its “Skip The Stuff” campaign regarding plastic utensils from restaurants. She is asking that restaurants only supply single-use plastics if a customer request them. She said Cranford, Garwood and Westfield have passed ordinances to prohibit the distribution of plastic, single-use food service items for take-out and delivery orders unless requested by customers. She asked Fanwood to do the same.
Mayor Colleen Mahr, Councilwoman Katherine Mitchell with the Fanwood Green Team.
Fanwood Green Team Chair Laura Lang discusses the Team’s 2025 initiatives.
A resolution was passed opposing State Senate Bill 4736 which, according to the resolution, would bypass the local planning process and local decision making resulting in increased density and height regardless of a municipality’s ability to ensure safety for their residents.
A resolution was passed to award a contract to Primepoint LLC for payroll, time management and human resource services. Primepoint will be a new vendor for the Borough.
Three ordinances were introduced on first reading with second readings scheduled for Monday, December 1st. The first, as detailed by Lt. Kranz, amends parking regulations per Chapter 280 of the town’s code.
A second ordinance creates an auxiliary police force made up of volunteers to assist with things like traffic and crowd control.
The third ordinance amends salaries and compensation of employees by creating a position of crossing guard supervisor as well as establishing a stipend for the Office of Emergency Management coordinator.
Council President Patricia Walsh reported that the Public Works Department held its annual bulk waste collection. She said the Borough sold 397 permits, which generated revenue of $27,358, an increase of $3,000 over last year.
She said the Fanwood Foundation is donating a new sign for the Carriage House.
Councilwoman Gina Berry said the Fanwood Library will be hosting a blood drive on Saturday January 3rd run by New Jersey Blood Services.
Mayor Mahr said the Fanwood holiday tree lighting event will be on Sunday, December 7th from 2:30-5 pm. Pre-registration is required for children’s pictures with Santa.
