Fanwood Celebrates Black History Month; Residents Comment on ICE

(Fanwood, NJ) – The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Black Student Union was honored at Tuesday’s Borough Council meeting as part of Black History Month that is celebrated annually in February. A proclamation was read and presented to the BSU.

Representing the BSU were BSU President Savannah Hudson and BSU Secretary Chase Worthey as well as faculty advisor April Chestang. Black History Week was established in 1926 and was expanded to Black History Month in 1976.

Councilwoman Gina Banks, BSU President Savannah Hudson, BSU Secretary Chase Worthey and BSU faculty advisory April Chestang.

In her comments, Savannah said the BSU is a student-run organization “dedicated to celebrating black excellence, culture and community while also promoting leadership, empowerment and positive change within our school and beyond.”

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Black Student Union President Savannah Hudson speaks about the BSU and Black History Month.

Since late 2024, the Borough has been working on complying with the 4th round (2025-2035) of affordable-housing requirements. The council introduced ordinances at Tuesday’s meeting that amend the Borough’s affordable-housing statues to comply with Fanwood’s state obligation of providing a realistic opportunity for the construction and delivery of 109 low to moderate income housing units. Mayor Mahr said the revised ordinances increase the set aside for affordable housing from 15 to 20 percent within new developments within the Borough’s commercial corridor, which runs along South Avenue.

Both ordinances will have a second reading and a public hearing and a vote on Monday, March 2 at Borough Hall at 7 pm.

The Borough Council approved a resolution for prequalification regulations for bidders for the exterior restoration of the Historic Fanwood Train Station. Per the regulations, only qualified historic restoration general contractors with demonstrated experience in similar projects are eligible to bid on the project.

The project includes interior structural framing remediation and masonry restoration, exterior and interior carpentry restoration, window restoration, slate roof repairs, removal of all exterior paint as well as required repairs and preparation for historic finishes repainting.

The Borough received a $500,000 state grant for the project and a $15,000 grant from Union County.

During public comments, Fanwood residents Kristyna Frantz and Serena Brennan asked the council if the Borough has a formal policy prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using Borough-owned property as staging areas, operational bases or processing locations.

Kristyna Frantz and Serena Brennan address the Mayor and Council.

Frantz said ICE has had recent operations in Linden, Summit, Plainfield and Morristown. Brennan said the use of Fanwood public buildings and property by ICE would “undermine the trust in local government and create fear in a community that depends on stability and safety.”

Mayor Colleen Mahr said the Borough is monitoring what the state and other towns are doing in order to make sure that whatever step Fanwood takes is the correct response to the issue.

Denise Yarcheski of Fanwood said she supports ICE, and feels it is unsafe for undocumented immigrants to be in the country without proper paperwork.