(Fanwood, NJ) – The Borough Council on Monday adopted ordinances for compliance with the New Jersey’s fourth round of affordable housing requirements. Municipalities are required to pass the revised ordinances by March 15.
Mayor Colleen Mahr and Council members, from left, Katherine Mitchell, Erin McElroy Barker, Patricia Walsh, and Gina Berry.
Since late 2024, the Borough has been working on complying with the 4th round (2025-2035) affordable housing requirements. The council adopted ordinances on second reading at Monday’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 affordable units.
The Borough’s affordable housing attorney, Diane Dabulis, said one of the ordinances increases the set aside for affordable housing from 15 to 20 percent in new developments within the Borough’s commercial corridor, which runs along South Avenue, while the other reflects language changes from the state.
The Borough’s affordable housing attorney, Diane Dabulis, discusses Fanwood ordinances prior to their adoption for compliance with the New Jersey’s fourth round of affordable housing requirements.
The council approved a resolution to revise a shared services agreement with the Borough of Garwood for municipal court services. The resolution amends the agreement to five years through January 31, 2031 with one five-year renewal option. The shared court began operations last month.
The Fanwood Council approved a resolution to apply for a state Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) Implementation Grant to cover costs associated with implementation of the shared service with Garwood.
The council approved a resolution authorizing submission of an application for assistance from the New Jersey Historic Trust for the Fanwood Historic Train Station rehabilitation project.
During public comments, residents Kristyna Frantz and Serena Brennan asked the council to create an ordinance to restrict of the use of Fanwood municipal properties for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Resident Kristyna Frantz asks the Borough Council to introduce an ordinance to restrict the use of Fanwood municipal properties for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Frantz said the ordinance “would not restrict or interfere with the execution of lawful judicial warrants or the enforcement of criminal law.” She said the ordinance would also not prohibit Borough personnel from complying with a lawful court order or judicial warrant or requirement imposed by state or federal law, regulation or court order.
Frantz and Brennan said the need for the ordinance is for the safety of the community with Brennan noting that 2025 was ICE’s deadliest year in over two decades with 32 people dying while in ICE custody.
Resident Serena Brennan discusses federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations around the country.
Mayor Colleen Mahr asked Borough Attorney Russell Huegel to review a sample resolution submitted by Frantz. Huegel said he will also review a resolution the Middlesex County Board of Commissioners will be introducing.
Resident Gary Morris inquired about the inclusion of a property on Old South Avenue he said was inadvertently placed in the Borough’s Area in Need of Rehabilitation.
Mayor Mahr said Library Director Dan Weiss has announced his retirement as June 1. She said the library board will be interviewing two firms to help guide the process of his replacement.
Mayor Colleen Mahr at Monday’s Borough Council meeting.
Councilwoman Patricia Walsh reminded residents that a Fanwood LEGO Build will be held Saturday, March 21 from 1-3 pm at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. The event, hosted by the Fanwood Historical Preservation Commission (HPC), is the first event the HPC is hosting for AmRev250, kicking off a special series commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Residents wishing to participate must sign up through Community Pass on the Recreation Commission’s website at fanwoodrecreation.org.
