(Fanwood, NJ) – The Borough Council appointed Joseph Guerin at Monday’s monthly regular meeting as temporary tax collector for a period of 60 days commencing on December 1, 2024. Long-time tax collector Colleen Huehn is retiring at the end of the month. She also is the borough’s payroll supervisor, Board of Health Secretary and registrar of vital statistics.
Council President Katherine Mitchell said the borough is required under state law to have a tax collector in place the day after Huehn’s retirement.
The governing body awarded contracts earlier this month to Jersey Professional Management to conduct a search for a temporary tax collector and Laracy Associates for temporary payroll services. Deserie Foster, an administrative assistant with the borough, will assume the duties of Board of Health secretary and Chief Financial Officer Patricia Celardo will take over the responsibilities of registrar of vital statistics with Deputy Borough Clerk Courtney Agnello serving as deputy registrar of vital statistics.
The council passed a resolution supporting State Senate Bill 2511 and Assembly Bill 4051. According to the resolution, “the bill aims to protect animals from commercial breeding mills and prevent New Jersey from becoming a haven for unscrupulous breeders” and “protect consumers from misleading sales tactics, sick puppies, disease outbreaks and predatory puppy loans.”
The council also approved the sale of a borough ambulance at auction and the sale of an abandoned vehicle at auction.
The council adopted on second reading an ordinance establishing requirements for the storage of salt and other solid de-icing materials on privately-owned property. The purpose of the ordinance is to prevent stored salt and other solid de-icing materials from being exposed to storm water.
During committee reports, Councilwoman Patricia Walsh said the Fanwood Police Department partnered with the Scotch Plains Police Department at the Union County Prosecutor’s Office gun surrender event on October 5th at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Scotch Plains. She said over 100 firearms were turned in at the event.
Walsh said the borough will be starting the process of hiring a new police officer due to an upcoming retirement.
Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker said the collection of gifts for the Santa Parade begins in two weeks. Parents are asked to drop off gifts at the Fanwood Fire Department between 5 and 9 p.m. from December 2nd through 6th. The gifts must be wrapped and have labels with the child’s name, address and phone number. Click here to see the rules and more information. The parade will be held Saturday, December 14th.
Mitchell reminded residents not to include brush in the leaves as they are not accepted at the Houdaille Quarry. She added that the Fanwood Recycling Center will not be open in December as the borough is still collecting leaves.
The annual Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony will be Sunday, December 8 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. To sign up to meet Santa click here. There will be activities along with a Petting Zoo prior to the tree lighting at 5 p.m. on the lawn on the Northside of the Fanwood Train Station.
The next council meeting will be a work session on Monday, December 2 at 7 p.m.
