A Message from Mayor Mahr

Earlier today, the state reported another 2,887 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 113,856. Union County currently has a total of 12,188 confirmed cases and the Westfield Regional Board of Health reports that as of today our total in Fanwood remains the same at 67 confirmed cases.

Today’s conference call with the County yielded the happy news that there are 1,000 fewer patients hospitalized today than last week at this time, and other medical variables are appearing to be peaking.  This is a welcome sign but keep in mind that the Governor’s Order requires 14 days of a steady and sustained decline in ALL numbers in order to move forward with the reopening.

So keep up the good work, it is your valuable cooperation with social distancing that is moving us in the right direction.  I do believe when this is over, we Americans will have demonstrated a mobilization effort second to none, and a success in terms of keeping our hospital systems from being overwhelmed.  While the emergency continues I know you will all stay strong in your vigilance.

Please take a look below at another local hero working for the benefit of us all.  Be sure to email me (mayor@fanwoodnj.org) a photo and story about your loved one on the front line so we can publicly acknowledge their sacrifice and dedication!

If you are having issues getting your unemployment benefits sorted out, or are having a food emergency I urge you to reach out to me at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.  We are here to help.

 

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

LOCAL HEROES

Local Hero Eryn Sinclair CTRS, CBIS is a Recreation Therapist at Hackensack Meridian JFK Medical Center JRI Center for Brain Injuries: Extended Recovery Unit at Hartwyck at OakTree in Edison.

“Not only have I been providing therapy for my patients but working on maintaining my patients quality of life, correspondence and whatever else needs to be done.”

Thank you, Eryn!

 

 

 

An Important Message from the Fanwood Police Department

Grandparent scams have been around for a long time. However, scammers are coming up with a new twist based on the coronavirus. COVID-19 grandparent scams are playing on the fears many people have right now, that they might lose a loved one.

Who Is It Targeting: Phone and email users.

What Is It: A grandparent scam is a phishing scam that claims your family member is in trouble.

What Are They After: Scammers are posing as grandchildren who claim they are sick and need money to pay their hospital bills or a loved one is in prison and needs to be bailed out. The information is easily gleaned from social media accounts, giving the caller a name that the person knows to use in their scam. In the current times of the coronavirus, COVID-19 grandparent scams can be particularly compelling.

How You Can Avoid It:

  • Never make a payment over the phone to anyone you do not know or were not expecting to hear from.
  • Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
  • If you receive a call like one of these, say that you have to go to the store or bank to secure the money and have them call you back; during that time contact Fanwood Police Department at (908) 322-5000.

Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

Due to the Coronavirus, PMUA has amended its pick-up schedules temporarily.  Recycling will be collected in Fanwood TOMORROW April 29th so please remember to place your containers curbside this evening.

Governor Murphy Unveils “The Road Back” Plan 

Earlier today Governor Phil Murphy announced his vision, “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health,” to restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery. Governor Murphy outlined six key principles and benchmarks to guide the process for restoring New Jersey’s economic health by ensuring public health.

“Our priority is to use science, data, and facts to put New Jersey on the road to recovery. In order to restore economic health, we must first promote public health,” said Governor Murphy. “These key principles and metrics are critical for giving New Jerseyans confidence that we will re-open our state with our public health protocols firmly in place and our health care system prepared. Restarting New Jersey’s economy and returning people to work will be done methodically, strategically, and responsibly.”

Governor Murphy’s stay-at-home Executive Order, which has been in effect since March 21st, will remain in effect in its entirety until further notice. The following six principles and key metrics will guide the process for lifting restrictions and restoring New Jersey’s economic health through public health.

Principle 1: Demonstrate sustained reductions in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

  • 14 day trend lines showing appreciable and sustained drop in cases, hospitalizations and other metrics.
  • Hospitals stepping down from functioning under crisis standards of care

Principle 2: Expand testing capacity.

  • At least double the current diagnostic testing capacity.
  • Prioritize testing for healthcare workers, essential personnel and vulnerable populations.
  • Create a flexible testing plan accessible to all residents.
  • Expand partnerships with institutions of higher education, private-sector-labs and federal government.
  • Ensure that those who test positive are linked to a healthcare provider.

Principle 3: Implement robust contact tracing.

  • Recruit and deploy an army of personnel who will identify and follow up with contacts.
  • Leverage technological data and innovative solutions to increase efficiency.
  • Coordinate the approach of local and state health officials, which will have a coordinated county/regional component.

Principle 4: Secure safe places and resources for isolation and quarantine.

  • To the greatest extent possible, provide individuals who do test positive in the future with a safe and free place to isolate and protect others from COVID-19.
  • Ensure that quarantined contacts are provided supportive services, if needed.

Principle 5: Execute a responsible economic restart.

  • Create Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission to advise on the process and recommend responsible and equitable decisions.
  • Plan for a methodical and strategic return to work based on level of disease transmission risk and essential classification.
  • Continuation of social distancing measures when feasible and appropriate.
  • Leverage any available federal funds and programs to support health care, individual and small business recovery.

Principle 6: Ensure New Jersey’s resiliency.

  • Learn from the lessons of COVID-19 and prepare for the possibility of resurgence.
  • Ensure hospitals, health care systems and other health delivery facilities have inventories of personal protective equipment and ventilators.
  • Build our own state personal protective equipment and ventilator stockpile.
  • Create a playbook for future administrations for the next pandemic.

Student Loan Relief

New Jersey has secured new relief options for private student loan borrowers, including a 90-day payment grace period, a waiver of late fees, and access to borrower assistance programs. Borrowers are encouraged to contact their loan servicer to find out what relief options are available to them.

A Guide to Essential Construction Workers

Who is considered an essential worker and who is considered non-essential? The New Jersey government has an FAQ section for employees and employers looking for clarification, especially in the context of Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order #122 affecting non-essential construction workers. Have questions? Click here.

Essential Worker Update from Governor Murphy

There is a new administrative order from the Governor’s Office which lists additional businesses as essential and as such can be open:

  • Pet grooming, daycare, and boarding
  • Retail stores that sell items necessary for religious observation or worship
  • Car dealerships can allow test drives before pickup or delivery but in the case where a sale is not made, the car must be sanitized.
  • There is additional language regarding personal care service providers: they cannot work out of their homes but can provide their services to family members or romantic partners who live with them or close family members.

NEW HOURS FOR THE UNION COUNTY COVID-19 DRIVE-THRU TEST CENTER

Effective today, the hours of operation at the testing site at Kean University will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information please visit https://ucnj.org/coronavirus-update/testing-center/ or call (908) 214-7107.

Virtual Food Drive Needs Support

The Fanwood Community Foundation (FCF) has launched a virtual food drive to help local food banks. The FCF will match these virtual donations up to $2,020 but would love to surpass that goal!

The FCF has been supporting the community through donations from local donors – individuals, families, and businesses. The FCF provides these public-spirited donors with a vehicle for using their gifts in the best possible way now and in the future, thereby providing for inevitable change.

The Foundation uses a portion of the income from these invested donations to provide grants and support to the local community, like the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The FCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization making your donations tax-deductible.

To make a donation, visit https://cfbnj.org/event/fanwood-community-foundation-virtual-food-drive/.

Fanwood Recreation Goes Virtual

Fanwood Recreation is adding more programs to its Spring ONLINE schedule!

Beginning this coming Wednesday, April 29, children ages 11–15 can register for the 3-session Babysitting Certification program.

Also beginning this coming Wednesday and Thursday, Fanwood Recreation offers these 6-session academic enrichment programs: K–2nd Grade Reading, English Essay Writing Class (grades 5–12), and Study Skills Class (grades 6–12).

For more information about and to register for all these programs, please go to fanwoodrecreation.org.

Guidelines on Outdoor Accessory Improvements

As warmer weather arrives, the Zoning and Land Use Office has received several inquiries regarding outdoors 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.