(Fanwood, NJ) — The borough council approved several proclamations, introduced four ordinances and adopted a fourth ordinance at Monday’s agenda meeting.
A proclamation was approved and presented to Lt. Kranz, Officer in Charge of the Fanwood Police Department, for National Police Week.
A proclamation was approved and presented to Fanwood Rescue Squad Captain Brian Downing, President Juliana Lance, and EMT John Crifasi in recognition of National Emergency Medical Services Week.
Proclamations were also approved for National Nurses Week and National Historic Preservation Month.
A resolution was passed on first reading to amend the 2025 municipal budget. A public hearing will be heard on the budget amendment on Monday, June 16th at 7 p.m.
A resolution was approved calling for the restoration of energy taxes to municipalities. “Taxes on gas and electric utilities were originally collected by the host municipalities to be used for local purposes and to compensate the public for the use of their rights of way… State budget makers have diverted funding from energy taxes to fund state programs; and instead of being spent on local programs and services and used to offset property taxes,” according to the resolution.
A resolution was approved authorizing the Fanwood Tax Collector Paula Ferreira to prepare and issue estimated tax bills for the Borough for the third installment of 2025 taxes. Borough Administrator Jesse Moehlman said tax bills have to go out by Monday, June 30th.
An ordinance was introduced to provide procedures for police department promotions for the rank of captain, a new leadership position within the department.
The council introduced the borough’s annual capital bond ordinance. Mayor Colleen Mahr said the bond ordinance includes capital projects for the police department, public works, information technology upgrades for the municipal court and borough hall, an electronic sign board, road improvements to Waldron Road, Kyte Place, Graybar Terrace and Watson Road, resurfacing the basketball court and reconstruction of the tennis court at La Grande Park.
The council introduced a bond ordinance for sewer lining on various borough roads. Mayor Mahr said this project enables the borough to line, clean and fix old sewer lines.
Public hearings and second readings on the introduced ordinances are scheduled for Monday, June 16th and 7 p.m.
An ordinance was adopted on second reading setting fees for films and motion pictures within the borough, which will make the borough a film-ready town.
Council President Patricia Walsh said the recycling center will be open this Saturday, June 7th. She also reminded residents to help remove leaves and debris from storm drainage inlets at the request of the Public Works Department. Also, she said the summer brush program begins on Monday, June 9th in the northern quadrants and the southern quadrants on Monday, June 16th. Brush should be placed curbside by 7 a.m.
On economic development, Mayor Mahr said Red Light Therapy, which is owned by the same ownership of the Shovlin Mattress Factory, and a Hot Yoga studio have signed leases to be commercial tenants at the SoHo development currently under construction on South Avenue.
Resident Gary Morris of South Avenue spoke about notifying residents via certified mail when a zone is changed, in this case 383 South Avenue, whose application for an apartment building is currently before the planning board. He also addressed the issue of a buffer of trees to separate the building from neighboring homes.
