A Message from Mayor Mahr

Earlier today, the state reported another 3,551 confirmed COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 95,865. The current total in Union County is 10,484 with 62 total in Fanwood.

I’d like to wish everyone in Fanwood a Happy Earth Day, and while we can’t observe this special day together we can all do our best to reduce, reuse and re-cycle and do our best for Mother Earth.

For many years I have been a member of the national group known as “Climate Mayors”, which is a bipartisan, peer-to-peer network of US mayors working together to demonstrate leadership on climate change through meaningful actions in our communities. As such, I am committed to working to build a greener Fanwood and a greener world, for us all to enjoy with our grandchildren!

Again, I’d like to remind our entire community that if you are in need of assistance or have assistance to offer, please contact me directly at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

Don’t forget to fill out your Census!

Responding to the 2020 Census is not only your civic duty; it also affects the amount of funding Fanwood receives from federal, state, and county governments. This impacts how we plan for the future and the number of congresspersons that represent us in Washington. Specifically, data from the 2020 Census will be used to:
  • Ensure public services and funding for schools, hospitals, and fire departments
  • Determine how many seats your state is allocated in the House of Representatives.
  • Plan new homes and businesses and improve neighborhoods.

Fanwoodians have done a great job in responding so far, with a 66% response rate, but we need to make sure each and every Fanwoodian is counted!

If you haven’t filed yet, do it today.  If you haven’t received your census form in the mail, go to 2020census.gov  or call 844-330-2020 to get started. Let’s make a 100% count our goal!

 

Today, Union County Manager Ed Oatman advised that the Federal Government wired $97+ Million to Union County as part of the first COVID-19 relief package. There is currently no guidance or rules for how the money can be spent, only that it cannot be used for budget shortfalls, and is intended ONLY for COVID-19 related expenses.

These funds will be maintained in a separate account until comprehensive guidance governing expenditures is provided by the federal government.

Celebrating Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary

April 22nd, 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the annual celebration of the environmental movement. In 1970, and since then, activists around the world have gathered each year to mark the day.

2020 marks the 31st year that Fanwood officially observes the day, but our annual tradition of gathering for Clean Communities Day and working together on a borough clean-up is suspended during the coronavirus pandemic.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the occasion while sheltering in place.

  • Take a walk, and look for signs of spring!
  • Getting take out? Please remember to recycle empty containers and thank you for supporting our local eateries!
  • While the TREX program is suspended, you can still save plastic bags and recycle at your grocery store!
  • What a great time to start a garden- seeds or seedlings are available at nurseries, which are open!
  • Get familiar with the right way to recycle and visit ucnj.org/recycling.
  • Feed the birds! Wild Birds Unlimited is making deliveries.
  • Or, in the spirit of social distancing, visit the NASA image gallery and learn about the cosmos!

Arbor Day is Friday, April 24

Fanwood’s Arbor Day activities have been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, but we encourage you to learn about trees and their importance to the health of the planet. Check out the Arbor Day Foundation website at arborday.org for great information on tree identification and tree care.

Arbor Day seedling distribution is anticipated to take place once the stay-at-home order is lifted.

Rockin’ for Autism goes Virtual this Saturday!

April is Autism Awareness Month and the intrepid planners of the Rockin’ For Autism Concert will be streaming the show online this Saturday, April 25, from 6-9 p.m.

This is the ONLY Fundraiser our friends from Rockin’ for Autism have each year, so please join us to make this music festival a terrific success!  Go to the Rockin’ for Autism Facebook Live page at www.rockin4autism.org or tune in Comcast Channel 35 or Verizon FIOS Channel 34. Read more at fanwoodnj.org.

Guidelines on Outdoor Accessory Improvements

As warmer weather arrives, the Zoning and Land Use Office has received several inquiries regarding outdoor accessory improvements such as sheds, fencing, patios, and pools. Kindly note that information on Fanwood’s Municipal Land Use Code (Article 184) is readily available on the Borough’s website below. Ray Sullivan, Borough Zoning and Municipal Land Use Official, has also provided a memo of fast fact guidelines.

If you have questions please contact the office at (908) 322.5244 (ext. 132) or email Zoning@fanwoodnj.org.

DCA Launches Online Foreclosure Intention Filing System for Residential Properties

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) this month launched an online foreclosure intention filing system for residential mortgage lenders to electronically submit to DCA copies of Notices of Intention to Foreclose on residential properties, as well as descriptive information for each property served with such a notice.

The system will enable DCA to coordinate with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to more effectively connect homeowners with the housing counseling offered under NJHMFA’s Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program. For foreclosure prevention resources, including information about the Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program, you can visit nj.gov/dca/hmfa/foreclosure/facts/.

Additional information about the foreclosure intention filing system can be found at nj.gov/dca/foreclosure.html on the DCA website.

An Update from Senator Menendez

Senator Bob Menendez shared the news that yesterday, a $500 billion proposal to support State and Local government was in the works. The Legislation is formulated so that the states hardest-hit will receive the money they need – NJ is #2 in the country for COVID-19 cases.

These funds will be split into 3 tranches, each of which will be roughly $166 Billion:

  1. Money for states in proportion to the percentage of US Population, with a 45% carve-out for some county and local governments with populations of 50,000 or more.
  2. Money allocated to states based on the share of the national infection rate; this tranche does not include any money going directly to county and local government.
  3. Money allocated to fill revenue shortfalls from February 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020.

Towns with populations lower than 50K must rely on County and State government to address funding needs.

This legislation is not yet signed.