A Message from Mayor Mahr
Earlier today, the state reported another 1,989 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 135,454. Union County currently has a total of 13,917 confirmed cases and as of publication. The Westfield Regional Board of Health has confirmed that Fanwood currently has 85 positive cases.
Earlier this week Governor Murphy extended the stay-at-home order until June 5, with plans to reopen the state in a safe manner being developed by the recently convened Restart and Recovery Council. Expanded testing will be a part of those plans and you will note below that testing will be offered to asymptomatic NJ residents, starting on Sunday, May 10 at two FEMA test sites.
And let me take a moment to wish a Happy Mothers Day to all! This year many of us will be away from our loved ones but we always keep our mothers in our hearts. Please take notice that Enchantments will continue taking online orders for pickup through 6:30 PM tomorrow.
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
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.
Murphy Expands Testing Site Access
Governor Phil Murphy today announced that New Jersey’s Community Based Testing Sites located at Bergen Community College and PNC Bank Arts Center will expand access to testing for COVID-19. The two testing locations, established in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will be open to asymptomatic New Jersey residents.
In addition to continued testing for symptomatic residents, testing will be prioritized for asymptomatic health care workers and first responders, personnel in congregate living settings, and New Jersey residents who have been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Expanded testing will begin on Sunday, May 10, at Bergen Community College at 8:00 a.m. and Monday, May 11, at PNC Bank Arts Center at 8:00 a.m. Asymptomatic New Jersey residents should attempt to seek guidance from a health care provider before accessing testing.
“Expanding access to testing is one of our key principles for getting New Jersey firmly on the road back to restart and recovery,” said Governor Murphy. “By building out our testing capacity, we can instill confidence among our residents that we are in front of the response and winning the fight against COVID-19.”
“Expanding the testing criteria at the two FEMA supported sites is an important step forward,” said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.
For more information on COVID-19 testing locations and resources, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/.
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
Long-Term Care Reporting Tool
The state also provided a critical update on long-term care facilities. We’ve seen 509 facilities with positive cases, for a total of 22,602 who are in long-term care. We’d like to remind everyone of the Long-term Care Reporting tool provided by the state, should you wish to keep track.
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.
Voter Registration Form (English)
Voter Registration Form (Spanish)
Vote-by-Mail Application (English)
Vote-by-Mail Application (Spanish)
Downtown Fanwood’s Enchantments would like to remind shoppers that Mother’s day is Sunday, May 10. The gift store offers online shopping and pick up without entering the building. Visit Enchantments online at www.enchantmentsnj.com to place an order.
The store’s pick-up schedule this week is from Tuesday to Friday: 4 pm to 6:30 pm and Saturday: 1 pm to 6:30 pm.
School Board Meetings to Continue
School Board Meetings will be live-streamed through the end of the school year on May 12 & 28, June 11 and 25, at 8 p.m.
The link for the live stream will be available at spfk12.org on the day of the meeting, or at https://www.spfk12.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1. Scroll to the middle of the homepage and click on the link.
There are 2 public comment portions of the agenda. Since these comments can’t be made in person, the phone number to call in and make a comment is (908) 913-0709, and callers will be able to speak to the Board.
Additionally, BOE agendas and recordings of all meetings can be found on our website at spfk12.org, under the BOE tab at the top. For further information call School Administration at 908-232-6161.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Many thanks to Assemblywoman Linda Carter and Director of Constituent Services Geoff Smith for their tireless work in helping those Fanwood residents who are having trouble moving through the system.
Many Fanwoodians have already benefited from their help, so if you are having difficulty with the PUA system, please reach out for help at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.
For those of you who have successfully registered, instructions found here https://myunemployment.nj.gov/
In order to prevent claim issues, it is essential that PUA filers follow the instructions closely. An improper claiming of benefits can cause payments to be held and require the claimant to speak to an agent.
Volunteers Needed for Invisible Hands
Invisible Hands is a group that offers free delivery of groceries and other essentials to the elderly and immunocompromised. The group is recruiting new volunteers in Union County, as their many requests have outstripped their current staffing.
If you are currently in good health, please consider helping Invisible Hands do this good work. And if you are not comfortable volunteering, Invisible Hands also needs donations to keep the organization running.
Here is a link to their website with more information: https://invisiblehandsdeliver.org/. Or if you have specific questions please reach out directly to Amanda Marcotullio at amand@marcotullio.net.
