A Message from Mayor Mahr

Today, the state reported another 274 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 167,103. Union County currently has a total of 16,308 confirmed cases. According to the Westfield Regional Health Department, Fanwood’s number stands at 95 cases.

Today begins Stage 2 of New Jersey Reopening Week.  This means that restaurants and non-essential retail will be able to open with strict health and safety guidelines. For the protection of us all, occupancy will be limited and facemasks will be required but I am very happy that our local merchants can now begin to resume operations.  Given what we have all been through for the last months I strongly urge you to support our local merchants and keep our local economy healthy.

If all of the health metrics continue to head in the right direction we can expect hair salons and barbershops to reopen on a limited basis next week.  In the period to follow, New Jersey will work toward the gradual opening of personal care, gyms, and health clubs, at reduced capacities as the stage progresses.

Expansion of retail depends on the metrics continuing to drop, so please continue to wash hands, wear masks, and observe social distancing. Keep in mind that high-risk individuals should continue to stay at home. State policy continues to recommend that all workers who can work from home should continue to work from home.

In other important news, the Joint Committee on Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation will continue its listening tour on Wednesday, June 17 at 7 PM.  Our inaugural event last week was a resounding success.  It was well attended by participants of all ages and the committee continued to listen and answer questions for an hour and a half. This week’s event will focus on hearing from our youth and I expect it to be enlightening and dynamic, please listen in!

And as ever, whether during the pandemic or another time of need, we are here to help. If you need assistance with food insecurity, illness, or unemployment issues, please reach out at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

Union County Plant Shop & Swap

Attract pollinators, birds, and other wildlife to your yard by planting native vegetation and eradicating invasive plants in your yard. Bring invasive plants from your yard to this event, and you will be given a native replacement FOR FREE to plant in its place! Maximum 3 native plants per household. The event will be held on Thursday, June 25th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Scout Camping Area of the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, NJ.

Toadshade Wildflower Farm will be on site with native plants to purchase even if you do not have an invasive plant to swap. This is a COVID-Safe event so please place your invasive plants in your vehicle’s trunk or back seat so staff can easily remove them and load your new native plants to ensure a contactless exchange. Participants must wear masks.

Gardeners are encouraged to read Union County’s Plant This Not That Brochure to learn more about native plants.

SUPREME COURT ISSUES LANDMARK CIVIL RIGHT RULING

The Supreme Court today ruled that U.S. civil rights law protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination, a stunning victory for L.G.B.T. equality.

“An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law,” said Justice Neil M. Gorsuch in the ruling.

To read about the Court’s decision, please click here!

June 15 Council Meeting to be Remote

The June 15 Mayor & Council meeting scheduled for 7 p.m.will be remote via video conference and available for live-stream. Below are the instructions to join:

Live-stream

Video link
Meeting ID: 981 0419 4620
Password: 607295

Dial-in information

Phone: (872) 240-3412 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 201-378-181

Stage 2 Re-opening in Fanwood

Here’s what you need to know about shopping in Stores

  • Stores can open with 50% of normal occupancy level
  • Provide special shopping hours for customers considered in the vulnerable population such as the elderly or immune-compromised
  • Regular sanitizing of common areas and high touch areas, like credit card machines
  • Install barriers or partitions where customers pay and mark the floor to keep customers six feet apart

Here’s What You Need to Know About Outdoor Dining

  • Patrons are prohibited from indoor sections except to walk through entering or exiting or use the restroom.
  • Customers to wear face coverings only when inside the building (unless there is a medical reason for not doing so or if the patron is under 2 years).
  • Employees to wear face coverings and gloves when in contact with customers, handing food, utensils, and other items.
  • Prohibit smoking in areas where people are drinking and eating.
  • Recommend customers wait in their cars or away from the establishment while waiting for a table if outdoor wait areas do not allow for proper social distancing.
  • Encourage reservations to help control customer volume and require customers to provide a phone number if making a reservation in case of the need for contact tracing.

SPF Scouts hold Food Drive Thru 6/13

Due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Cub Scouts packs and Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scout) troops will be conducting an SPF Scouting for Food Drive “Thru” on Saturday, June 13 from 9 am – 1 pm at Fanwood Presbyterian.

Social Justice Group Aims to Mark Juneteenth, “National African American Celebration of Freedom”

The nonprofit group, Social Justice Matters (SJM), has come up with a unique way to mark Juneteenth, the African American celebration of freedom: airing a video featuring local officials, community leaders, and students.

The 40-minute video will be available on local access television and social media on June 19 and will include several local officials; Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, Scotch Plains Police Chief Theodore Conley, Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo, and more prominent Scotch Plains and Fanwood officials.

“Juneteenth underscores that you have a voice that matters and that you are free to be empowered,” said Tashira B. Wheeler, co-chair of SJM’s Juneteenth 2020 Committee. “This year’s celebration is all the more important as a result of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and other recent events across the country.”

Contactless Libraries to Open June 22

Fanwood Memorial Library, in tandem with the Scotch Plains Public Library, will begin contact-less curbside pick-ups on Monday, June 22.

Residents will be able to place holds through the online system or by phone. Pickup instructions will be available when you place your order.

Fanwood Recreation Expands Online Summer Offerings

Fanwood Recreation has added Karate for Beginners, Hip Hop Experience Dance, Young Rembrandts Art Workshops, and Chess to its ONLINE Summer schedule, along with its Make It a Mystery, English Essay Writing, ACT Boot Camp, Study Skills, and SAT Boot Camp programs.

For more information about and to register for these programs, please go to fanwoodrecreation.org. More ONLINE summer programs are still being added!