Residents voice concerns at Master Plan town meeting

Mayor Colleen Mahr, the Borough Council and Planning Board hosted a town hall tonight to get the community’s input on the Fanwood Master Plan, a blueprint for the next phase of the Borough’s development and priorities.

Last examined in 2021, the Master Plan’s purpose is to state goals and objectives regarding land use, historic preservation, mass transit, public facilities and other pillars of community development. The discussion was

Caroline Reiter of T&M Associates takes questions

led by Caroline Reiter of T&M Associates, an engineering firm. She narrated a slide presentation that listed Fanwood’s assets and challenges and emphasized that climate change and flooding will be an integral part of the Master Plan discussion.

When she asked the 60 residents gathered at Forest Road Park to express their concerns, they spoke at length about familiar issues—traffic congestion on Martine and South Avenues, lack of school bus service, flooding and the need for more stop signs to name a few. Several residents wanted more sidewalks on more streets. Mayor Mahr responded that residents have pushed back against retrofitting streets with sidewalks. She also pointed out that school bus service is a function of the Board of Education and state regulations.

Residents also spoke of positives of living in Fanwood—a feeling that they are safe, access to mass transit, its walkability and the downtown. Mayor Mahr said the town is investing in public facilities with construction of the new library, the impending construction of a new public works headquarters and the ongoing fight to bring a one-seat ride to rail commuters going to New York. She also told the audience that the former Railside Café will soon be occupied by the highly rated Jessica’s restaurant and the former PNC Bank on Martine Avenue will soon be the new home of the Fanwood Pharmacy.

Ms. Reiter said the feedback obtained at the meeting would be a factor in the development of the next Master Plan and promised another public meeting for early 2024.