A Message from Mayor Mahr

Earlier today, the state reported another 1,028 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 141,560. Union County currently has a total of 14,306 confirmed cases. Fanwood’s total remains at 86 confirmed cases.

Governor Phil Murphy announced several executive orders today, as well as a slow-reopening of our state for non-essential construction crews and certain businesses. Additional details on his announcement can be found below.

Also new today you’ll see an appeal to residents to help us celebrate Memorial Day through video messages that we’ll edit together and share with the community. And we have another item below seeking your help to beautify the downtown planters.  Due to the pandemic, we are trying to keep costs down but would love to keep our community looking pretty for you. We’ll buy the plants, so if you can lend a hand that would be swell!

In continuing in the vein of “Fanwood Spirit”, our census response rate is continuing to tick upwards and right now we’re at 77.4%! This is excellent relative to the entire state, but our response rate has slowed, so talk it up among your neighbors!  We need to have each and every Fanwoodian counted in order to receive the services we require and deserve.

If you are having trouble accessing relief services, or you’re experiencing other emergency needs, I urge you to reach out to me directly at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.  We are here to help.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

Election Deadlines

Due to COVID-19, Borough Hall remains closed to the public until further notice. The following election deadlines are approaching:

  • May 13, 2020: Party Affiliation Deadline
  • June 16, 2020: Voter Registration Deadline

You may also choose to vote by mail. The deadline to apply for Vote by Mail for the Election is seven days prior to the election date (July 7, 2020).  You may also apply in person at the Union County Clerk’s Office until the day before the election at 3:00 pm.

All forms may be dropped off at Brough Hall by deadline dates or mailed directly to the Union County Clerk, Two Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207.
Any questions regarding elections, please go to www.unioncountyvotes.com or call the County Clerk at (908) 477-5787.  All Applications are available below.

Party Affiliation Registration

Voter Registration Form (English)

Voter Registration Form (Spanish)

Vote-by-Mail Application (English)

Vote-by-Mail Application (Spanish)

DO YOU KNOW A FANWOOD HERO?

Has someone in your life gone above and beyond to serve others during this crisis? Please continue to email me (mayor@fanwoodnj.org) with photos and stories about our front line heroes. We want to publicly acknowledge their sacrifice and dedication.

On The Road Back

Hospital data continues to trend in a positive direction, including decreases in new hospitalizations, patients in the ICU, and patients on ventilators. This steady decline has allowed state leaders to begin planning for incremental reopening.  Today Governor Murphy signed an Executive Order to:

  • Allow the restart of non-essential construction
  • Allow non-essential retail stores to reopen for curbside pickup only
  • Permit drive-through and drive-in events under social distancing guidelines

The Governor is expected to announce further steps in the coming days.

Gov Murphy Announces Resumption for Certain Non-Essential Employers

Governor Murphy today signed Executive Order 142, permitting the following to resume as part of the state’s broader Road Back plan:

  • All non-essential construction will be allowed to resume starting Monday, 5/18/20 at 6 AM
  • Non-essential businesses will be allowed to open for online sales and curbside pickup ONLY 5/18/20 at 6 AM
  • Drive-in events will be allowed, including drive-in religious services – all cars must remain 6ft apart, no one is to leave their cars, windows and sunroofs must be closed.
  • Car washes – self serve car washes can open. Those with staff who wash the vehicles may NOT open.  If staff is taking payment or washing wheels they may be open. STAFF MAY NOT GO INSIDE CARS.
  • ALL OF THESE OPENINGS STILL REQUIRE USE OF MASKS AND MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES.

Click here to read the full press release

Fanwood Hosting Virtual Memorial Day Observance

Because we are unable to gather together this year to honor the fallen, the Memorial Day Committee invites you to make your own video remembrance to be included in the Fanwood video tribute.

Feel free to be creative, if you wish to offer a patriotic tune or other creative/artistic material feel free to express yourself.

  • Please send your video via email (NO TEXTS) in full resolution to FanwoodGoldstars@gmail.com
  • Please shoot horizontal, and not the vertical cell phone look.
  • Your video should be brief, no longer than 2 minutes.
  • Submission Deadline. Midnight, Monday, May 18

Important information for Second Quarter 2020 Tax Payments

In line with Governor Murphy’s executive order, the Borough of Fanwood has extended the normal May 1st property tax payment grace period to June 1st. This action supersedes the action the Borough Council took last month to reduce the interest rate applied to late payments.

Since Borough Hall is currently closed to the public, payments should be submitted as follows:

  • Regular Mail mail to tax collector 75 N Martine Avenue, Fanwood NJ 07023
  • Online on our homepage click on the sidebar for tax/utility payments; you will be directed to a site to make an online payment using credit card or e-check (additional charges are applied when paying online see information listed on payment site)
  • Drop-off there is a mail slot located on the wall outside of the front entrance to borough hall labeled tax and sewer payments drop payment inbox it will go into a secure payment box inside of the building.

Property Owners should take note of the additional fees that are charged on credit card payments. These charges are not imposed by the Borough of Fanwood but by the entity that will process the payment.  This site has been set up as a convenience.  The upcharges are as follows:

  • $1.05 to send an e-check
  • $3.95 for Visa Debit
  • 2.95% upcharge for credit card payments

Spring Planting Time!

Want to help beautify the community?  The Fanwood Green Team is leading a search for willing volunteers to fill a downtown planter.  There are approximately 15 planters and we’ll provide the flowers, planter, and soil.

Simply email greenteamfanwood@gmail.com to sign up for you and your family to bring your hand tools downtown and fill a planter or two.  To observe social distancing we don’t plan on a one-day event but will have plants available for pickup and will direct you to a particular pot with plantings to be completed by May 22.

Look forward to hearing from you and beautifying Fanwood together!

Join NJ Human Services on their Facebook page at facebook.com/NJDHS this Wednesday, May 13th at 7 p.m. for a live discussion about services that could help you and your family during this public health emergency.