A Message from Mayor Mahr

Earlier today, the state reported another 1,304 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 151,472. Union County currently has a total of 10,842 confirmed cases. Fanwood’s current figure remains at 88 confirmed cases.

Beginning this week, the Kean University testing site has opened up for anyone who wishes to receive a COVID test, regardless of symptoms. The Union County website has additional information on the new guidelines.

I am pleased to share some background on our 2020 Fanwood Memorial Day Grand Marshal, Major Patrick Moore.  Major Moore was commissioned into the US Army as an Infantry Officer in 2007 and has been deployed to both Iraq and Bahrain.  After returning to civilian life and working to assist in disaster recovery in New York and Louisiana, he was again called to duty as an Active Guard and Reserve Officer and again deployed to Iraq.  Patrick returned stateside this past January and continues to serve, working on training and simulations to prepare commanders and their staff for future deployments.

Major Moore has been awarded many awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal with “C” device for Combat, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and campaign medals for Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.

His wife Michele and their 9-year old twins, Reland and Spencer, are thrilled to have their “hero” back and the Moore’s are all enjoying some downtime together as a family. I couldn’t be more proud to know Patrick and his family, and I know Fanwoodians will join me in saying “Thank You For Your Service.”

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

Fanwood Police Food Drive

In a collaborative effort to replenish the local Food Banks, Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo and Scotch Plains Police Chief Ted Conley have joined together and have set up food collections sites at their respective police departments.

The police department is accepting any of the following: vegetables, potatoes, jelly, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, tuna fish, coffee, canned fruits, snacks, cake mix, mac and cheese, full-size toiletries, soap, and toilet paper.

Fanwood Recreation offering Summer Camp online

Fanwood Recreation announces its first ONLINE Summer Camp! For all the Harry Potter fans and creative kids out there, registration is now open for WORLD OF WIZARDRY CAMP! This camp has sold out every summer for the last several years when we offered it in person, and we expect the same thing to happen online. Space is limited, so if you have a student of the magical arts in your house between the ages of 8 and 13, don’t delay—register now!

For more information about and to register for this camp, please go to fanwoodrecreation.org. More online summer camps will be announced soon.

Fanwood Gold Star Tribute

In an effort to shine a light on those many Fanwoodians who have served our country and paid the ultimate price, the Memorial Day Committee is developing a map for the Gold Star Tribute.

The map traces the route among all of the twelve streets in Fanwood that are named after fallen service members.  Each street sign now has a gold star.  The Committee will place a placard with a history of the fallen at the base of the street sign and we encourage you to visit the sites and remember the sacrifice of these Fanwood heroes. We have two additional Gold Star soldiers who do not have streets named after them, placards with their information can be found on the lawn at Borough Hall.

You are of course discouraged from taking the walk in large groups and know you will practice social distancing on the walk.  We will release the map from this e-blast prior to Memorial Day.

Gold Star Video Tribute

As part of the virtual commemoration of this important occasion, the Fanwood Memorial Day Committee prepared a video tribute to the 14 local Gold Star Heroes along with special messages from Fanwoodians.  The video is expected to be released on Saturday and can be seen on local Fanwood TV.  (Comcast channel 35 or Fios channel 24)

Honoring the Fallen

We invite you to view and share this document of Fanwood service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will be honoring these fourteen men during Monday’s moment of silence:

  • William J. Brohm Second Lieutenant, US Army
  • Charles S. Burns III Captain, US Army
  • Eugene W. Hendricks Staff Sergeant, United States Air Force
  • Edward M. Klaniecki Specialist Four, US Army
  • Hugh MacLennan Warrant Officer Class II, Royal Canadian Airforce
  • Donald E. Vinton Petty Officer, Third Class, US Navy
  • John T. MacDermott Second Lieutenant, US Army
  • Theodore F. Ginder Private, US Army
  • Walter R. Stewart Staff Sergeant, US Armed Air Force
  • Edward Stagaard Sergeant, US Army
  • Ernst Ashworth Petty Officer, First Class, US Navy Reserve
  • Richard W. Gere Petty Officer, Third Class, US Navy
  • John J. Rau Second Lieutenant, US Army
  • Robert H. Wood Corporal, US Marine Corps

To view more information on the service members, please click here.

On The Road Back

Today, Governor Murphy laid out an extensive update for the state’s reopening procedure. We urge all Fanwoodians to take the time to read it by clicking the preview image.

THANK YOU, FRIENDS OF THE FANWOOD LIBRARY!

The Friends of the Fanwood Library recently donated $4,000 to support new eBooks and audiobooks for adults, teens and kids. Friends members’ contributions and book sale proceeds made this donation possible. The Friends also sponsor the eBooks and audiobooks that we offer through eLibraryNJ.

The library will continue to add new material all summer long. Keep logging into RBdigital and Libby to find new favorites. Register on our website if you don’t have the apps. Need help? Contact library@fanwoodlibrary.org.

We are grateful to the Friends for this generous gift that helps us keep our community reading while we’re staying safe at home.

A Message from Kessler Rehab

At Kessler Rehabilitation Center, there is nothing more important to us than your health and safety during this unprecedented time. We are taking extensive preventative measures, guided by the CDC, to protect our patients and employees who enter our centers. These protocols include Patient and staff screening & masking, hand-washing & deep cleaning procedures, equipment, supply & delivery safety audits, and TeleRehab.

For more information please visit:  https://link.edgepilot.com/s/8aa89777/6xjxdril-kaaZu7VTZZ-mg?u=http://www.kessler-pt.com/

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