(Fanwood, NJ) — Mayor Colleen Mahr and the Borough Council thanked Colleen Huehn for her 35 years as a dedicated borough employee at Monday’s council work session meeting. Huehn is retiring at the end of this month.
Huehn serves as tax and sewer utility collector, payroll supervisor, Board of Health secretary, and Registrar of Vital Statistics.
“For decades, Colleen has served as the welcoming face of Borough Hall, greeting residents with kindness and patience, ensuring that every individual feels valued and heard,” according a proclamation read by Mayor Mahr that was presented to Huehn.
Mayor Mahr noted that Huehn has dealt with a number of challenges including the sewer rate, tax sales, and COVID in her Board of Health role. She also stepped up to serve as borough clerk for a short time during a gap in administration in that office.
To fill the roles that Huehn has held, the council awarded contracts to Jersey Professional Management to conduct a search for a temporary tax collector and Laracy Associates for temporary payroll services.
Mayor Mahr said Deserie Foster, an administrative assistant with the borough, will assume the duties of Board of Health and Chief Financial Officer Patricia Celardo will take over the responsibilities of registrar of vital statistics with Deputy Clerk Courtney Agnello serving as deputy registrar.
The council also approved a resolution appropriating $40,000 from the Union County 2024 Kids Recreation Trust Fund Grant and matching the grant amount from the Fanwood Recreation Trust Fund. The county grant is slated to be used for construction of tennis/combo courts to replace the current dilapidated tennis courts in Forest Road Park.
A resolution was approved for a step increase for Police Officer Daniel Hudspith per the Fanwood Police Department collective bargaining agreement with the Fanwood PBA for the year 2024.
An ordinance, adopted on second reading, notes the requirement of the display of parking permits at the Fanwood Train Station parking lots from Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to noon. Permits for 2025 will be available beginning Monday, November 25 for Fanwood residents and Monday, December 2 for non-residents. For information click here.
An ordinance was introduced on first reading 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. The second reading and public hearing will be held on Monday, November 18.
During public comments, Larry Cohen of Mac Lennan Place commented that in 2016 Fanwood became the first town in Union County and 74th municipality in New Jersey to pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats at pet stores. He said the measure is aimed at banning puppy mills. He requested the governing body pass a resolution supporting state Senate Bill 2511 and Assembly Bill 4051 that, Cohen said, would ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at retail stores.
Mayor Mahr asked Agnello and Borough Attorney Russ Huegel to review the legislation as well as a resolution passed by the Westwood governing body supporting the state legislation.
During committee reports, Mayor Mahr noted that the borough has been awarded a $350,000 state grant to resurface the tennis courts at La Grande Park. Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker said there will be enough money left to also resurface the basketball courts at the park.
