A Message from Mayor Mahr
Earlier today, the state reported another 4,427 confirmed COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 99,989. The current total in Union County is 10,935 while our total count in Fanwood remains at 62.
By now many of you have enjoyed televised concerts by various artists during COVID 19 pandemic. This Saturday night I hope you will join me to watch our very own – Rockin’ for Autism – a premier event to raise awareness for autism here in Fanwood and throughout New Jersey.
From the comfort of our living rooms, we will be treated to great performances by some of our own local stars! Glenn Studt, of B Street Band, the one and only Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band; Craig Kiell of Unforgettable Fire, the amazing U2 Tribute Band; and many more!
All proceeds will be directed to Autism NJ or our SPF FLAG organization, which has been raising money to feed our front line workers.
We each can do our part on Saturday! A big thank you to the Banks Family for reinventing what this great community event for our enjoyment while we all shelter in place!. For more information, visit rockin4autism.org.
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!
- 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!
New Resource from Westfield Regional Health Department
Understanding the need for the public to receive accurate up to date information on long term care facilities (LTCF), today the Westfield Regional Health Department shared with us a new portal that has been created by the NJ Department of Health concerning COVID 19 and LTCF.
NJ DOH now mandates that all long term care facilities publish information about their facility to the online portal by 2 pm every day. This information will then be used to populate information on the state website. If you are looking for information specific to the LTCFs this may be helpful. Here is the link to the new portal.
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 them 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!
Tomorrow is Arbor Day
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 our Facebook page Rockin For Autism, website at www.rockin4autism.org, or tune in Comcast Channel 35 or Verizon FIOS Channel 24. 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.
Road Work Updates
Paterson Road and Ridge Way: In late February, work began on the reconstruction of a section of Paterson Road and Ridge Way. To date, drainage improvements, sewer lining, and new curbing have been completed. The final step is paving, which will commence next week, weather permitting. Residents within the project limits will receive notice at least 24 hours before paving begins.
North Martine Avenue: New Jersey American Water has completed the water main installation on North Martine and is now working to complete the service connections. They expect to complete the work by mid-May.
Martine Avenue: The County has the paving of Martine Avenue scheduled in the coming months. They will be paving Martine Avenue from North to South Borough limits, except in the downtown area, where the road was recently paved in the last year or so.
PSE&G Outlines steps taken in improving our environment
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) this week released its inaugural Climate Report detailing how it is preparing for the opportunities and risks associated with climate change and supporting New Jersey and the region to achieve a sustainable future.
The report outlines how climate change is integrated into the organization’s corporate strategy and highlights how PSEG tracks progress on its climate change goals through metrics and targets. The Climate Report also assesses potential implications of the International Energy Agency’s “2DS,” a scenario designed to limit global average temperature increases to less than 2°C by 2050.
In the spirit of Climate Week, we recommend all Fanwoodians take a look at PSE&G’s report, linked below. It is comprehensive, but digestible and concerns all of us.
