A Message from Mayor Mahr

Earlier today, the state reported another 970 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 156,628. Union County currently has a total of 15,324 confirmed cases. We have no further information from the Westfield Regional Health Department and our number of cases remains at 92.

Along with Fanwood Economic Development Director, Liz Jeffery, we are working to assist local business to return to the marketplace in a safe and productive way.   Liz has been meeting regularly (via conference call) with local business and we are adjusting the requirements for outdoor dining and seating, so as to allow our restaurants to expand their footprint during social distancing.

Please note below that local businesses are beginning to return.  You’ll see below of new openings.  Of course, they will not be returning to pre-pandemic conditions but will adopt a new approach to operations, which will keep the demands of social distance paramount.

Please be sure to shop local and support our local businesses, which have worked so hard to support this community, our first responders, and those in need, throughout these very difficult times.

And of course, for those of you in need of assistance, we are not going anywhere.  If you need our help with food insecurity, illness, or unemployment issues, please reach out at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

Schools Open to Essential Workers

The Goddard School, Lightbridge Academy, and The Wonder Years are all open now and offering child care for essential workers in the community. For information, please call or visit their websites below!

The Goddard School

Lightbridge Academy

The Wonder Years

Update from Fanwood Larder

After closing to the public to take email and phone orders on April 9, Fanwood Larder will be re-opening their doors on Saturday, June 6, at 9am.

There have been lots of wonderful new additions in the past 2 months, including D’artagnan meats, Oceanbox seafood, and fresh mozzarella, ricotta, and burrata from Antonio Mozzarella Factory in Newark, in addition to all the great produce and products you remember. And then there’s the tale of Daisy the Lardergator.

Curbside pick-up proved not only practical, but popular, so it will continue indefinitely. In addition to email and phone orders, look for online ordering to begin in the near future. But what the Larder is looking forward to most is seeing their customers, or at least their eyes, again soon. See you at the Larder, and stay safe everyone!

– Eva Pfaff
Owner of Fanwood Larder

Summer Recreation Online Programming

While the status of the Day Camp at La Grande Park remains uncertain, Fanwood Recreation is in the process of adding online camps to its summer offerings.

The first online camp it announced, World of Wizardry, is almost sold out, so if you have a Harry Potter fan between ages 8–13 who is interested in signing up, don’t delay!

For updates on programming and to sign up for World of Wizardry or other online programs, go to https://link.edgepilot.com/s/e547beee/J0Db_6Y9A02AzGpEdiUsGQ?u=http://www.fanwoodrecreation.org/.

From the Fanwood Memorial Library

We hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend. The Library is still closed to the public, but we are working hard to bring you online options and activities you can do at home.

Due dates are extended to June 30th, so please ignore any emails about overdue items and continue to keep your books at home. We won’t charge late fees while we are closed.

Love independent or foreign films?

Watch independent films, documentaries, foreign films, and classic TV shows like Roy Rogers and Flash Gordon on IndieFlix.

Stream IndieFlix through your RBdigital app. Register on our website if you don’t have the app. Need help? Contact library@fanwoodlibrary.org.

Missing Storytime at the Library?

We miss you too. Check out our brand new feature: Storytime with Dan and Natchez! Library Director, Dan Weiss, reads some of his favorite stories alongside his family’s lovable dog Nachez. Visit our website to start listening.

Friendly Reminder

We will not charge overdue fees for items due during the time that we are closed. Borrowed items should be kept at home until we reopen.
Access our online resources with your Fanwood Library Card. Your PIN number is probably the last 4 digits of your phone number.

If your library card is expired, please email us at library@fanwoodlibrary.org to renew it. Also, email us if your PIN isn’t working or if you are a Fanwood resident and need a temporary library card.

Recycling Center Update

The Fanwood Recycling Center will be open on June 6, from 8 am to 11 am, for self-service drop off of specialty recycling. In order to comply with social distancing guidelines, residents will be asked to unload materials from their vehicles by themselves. If you are unable to unload the materials from your vehicle, it is recommended to bring someone with you who can help.

Recycling Pickup will continue to be on Wednesdays through June, being June 10 and June 24.

The Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority (PMUA) has notified the Borough that recycling pickup may not be completed today (Wednesday, May 27).  If your recycling was not picked up, please leave at the curb and pickup will be completed tomorrow (Thursday, May 28)

Curbside Recycling Update

Recently, the annual Fanwood Department of Public Works schedule was delivered into all homes. On the front cover are important dates for the remainder of the year for curbside recycling. Those dates at the moment are not correct.

Due to COVID-19, the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority (PMUA) had to change the recycling pick up schedule for the months of April and May to Wednesdays due to modified work schedules within their organization.

Just this week, the Borough was notified that the recycling schedule will remain on Wednesdays for the month of June; therefore pickup will be on June 10th and June 24th.

The Borough now anticipates the schedule may remain on Wednesdays after the June pickup however due to the possibility of sudden changes, we ask residents to monitor the Borough website, local social media, the Recycle Coach App and be sure to sign up for the Borough email blasts as changes to the schedule will be posted on these media sources. In addition, residents can call the Department of Public Works at (908) 322-7404 for updates.

We apologize for any confusion.

Are you a small business owner? The state wants to hear from you

The State of New Jersey is requesting input from local businesses to better understand how the state can help get them back to work safely and productively.

We ask that any Fanwood business owners take a moment to fill out the survey so that Fanwood can help guide the state’s reopening strategy and upcoming business assistance opportunities.

Click here to take the survey

COVID Drive-Thru Screening is now Open to all Union County Residents

Testing is free of charge to county residents and no symptoms are required to participate.

Please call (908) 214-7107 if you wish to secure an appointment at the Kean University drive-thru the testing site.

Testing notwithstanding, it is important that we all continue to practice accepted social distancing methods including wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and staying six feet apart from one another.  This is for your protection as well as the entire community so please be respectful of others and do your part to keep us all safe!