MAYOR'S UPDATE: JULY 2

Thanks to everyone who tuned in to Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting to provide their feedback on a range of topics, most notably the Edison School Fields Project -- which is in its initial portion of the critical public input phase that will inform next steps. We continue to conduct outreach and collect comments from residents so that questions can be addressed before any plans are finalized. If you haven’t already done so, please provide your comments at edisonfields@westfieldnj.gov, or attend one of the upcoming public meetings at Edison on July 21, September 1, or September 20 at 7:00PM.

As a reminder, the Conservation Center will be closed on Sunday, July 4, and Town Hall will be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday weekend!

COVID-19 UPDATE

Regional Health Officer Megan Avallone reports that the state now has two regions in a low activity level (down from three last week), while the rest of the state -- including our Central East region -- remains at a moderate activity level. Locally, Westfield continues to show a low level of activity, with 19 cases identified during the month of June, down from 57 cases in May. Of these 19 cases, the age ranges are broken down as follows:

Age 9 and under: Two cases
Age 10-19: Six cases
Age 20-29: Two cases
Age 30-39: One case
Age 40-49: One case
Age 50-59: No cases
Age 60-69: Six cases
Age 70-79: One case
Age 80-89: No cases
Age 90 and above: No cases

The state’s seven-day average for new confirmed cases is up 18% from a week ago and down 30% from a month ago, and the statewide transmission rate is 0.97.

Statewide, vaccination rates have decreased 32% from last week’s rate, with an average of 19.5K doses administered per day. More than 4.8 million New Jersey residents are fully vaccinated. 73.4% of the eligible population (12 and older) and 62.9% of the entire New Jersey population has received at least one dose of vaccine.

In Union County, 329,983 (59.3% of the total population) have received one dose of vaccine, and 289,983 (52.1% of the total population) are fully vaccinated. This week, Union County saw an average of 12 new COVID cases a day (down from 23 cases a day four weeks ago).

In Westfield, 94% of those 65 and older, 93% of the adult population (18+), and 73% of the entire population has been vaccinated with at least one dose. Fortunately, the percentage of fully vaccinated residents continues to increase, reflecting 89% of those 65 and older, 87% of adults (18+), and 68% of the entire population (up ten points from four weeks ago).

Immunization outreach efforts by the Health Department are in full swing, as they continue to meet people where they are. During June, they held several pop-up clinics in Westfield, and continue to administer the homebound vaccination program with both Moderna and J&J vaccines. They will also host three pop-up clinics in Summit: July 14, 2:00-4:00 at City Hall; July 16, 10:00-12:00 at City Hall; and July 18, 8:00AM-10:00AM at the Farmers Market. In addition, any residents interested in receiving the vaccine can call the Health Department directly at 908-789-4070.

The Health Department is also continuing to monitor cases, as well as the situation with the delta and delta plus variants, and will be working with the schools throughout the summer to ensure that each district is ready to fully reopen in September.

POLICE UPDATE

Chief Battiloro reports that on June 26, at approximately 6:42 AM, a resident of the 900 block of Minisink Way reported that he received an alert via his Ring camera system. Upon checking the footage, he observed a person wearing dark clothing and light-colored gloves look through his front door’s window and then proceed to pull on the door handle of his 2013 Ford F-150, which was parked in the driveway. After unsuccessfully attempting to enter the vehicle, the suspect ran towards and entered an accompanying 2018 Audi Q52 and fled the area, traveling north on Minisink Way. The 2018 Audi Q52 was subsequently identified as a stolen vehicle from Princeton.

On June 28, a 2019 black Land Rover Range Rover belonging to a guest at Echo Lake Country Club was reported stolen from its private parking lot during the mid-afternoon hours. The vehicle was left unlocked with its key fob in it at the time of the theft. It reportedly contained over $30,000 worth of personal property. The car has not yet been recovered.

And, most recently, just this morning, at approximately 2:01AM, officers on patrol observed a 25-year old Brooklyn man burglarizing an unlocked 2003 Dodge Ram pick-up located in the parking lot of an auto body business on the 300 block of Springfield Avenue. The subject had admittedly stolen $1.90 in spare change from within the vehicle. He was arrested, charged with Burglary (a 3rd degree crime) and Theft (a disorderly persons offense), and subsequently released on his own recognizance after being served with a complaint-summonses.

As Chief Battiloro continues to report, unlocked high-end vehicles are being targeted for burglary and theft. Suspects will usually exit accompanying vehicles, approach the target vehicles on foot, and then pull on the door their handles. If the vehicles are unlocked, suspects will enter and attempt to start and steal them. This activity remains prevalent in Westfield and surrounding areas during the early morning, post-dawn hours.

Additionally, Chief Battiloro advises that police information suggests area country clubs are now being targeted by criminals. Items such as garage door openers have been reported stolen from unlocked vehicles and then owners’ residences later targeted for burglaries and thefts. Vehicle registration cards have been stolen and seemingly used to identify the locations of owners’ residences.

There have been twelve reported vehicles stolen to date in 2021, eleven of which have been recovered.

Chief Battiloro states there are no better measures you can take to protect your property than to lock your vehicles, remove your key fobs, and hide your valuables. As always, be sure to report all suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities immediately to the police via 9-1-1.

For a more inclusive account of police activities, please see the weekly Police Blotter, which is posted every Tuesday on the Westfield Police Department’s website, www.wpdnj.org. It is also posted on the Westfield Police Department’s Facebook (@WestfieldNJPD) and Instagram (westfieldnjpd) pages.

GREEN TEAM RECEIVES SUSTAINABLE JERSEY GRANT

Congratulations to the Westfield Green Team for receiving a $2,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey for their Guilt-free Takeout: Reusable Container Pilot Program. Funded by the PSEG Foundation, these grants help build healthy, resilient and sustainable communities. I'm very grateful to the Green Team for identifying yet another way to make everyday items more environmentally friendly as we continue our focus on sustainability.

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND STREET SWEEPING

Our next phase of road improvements is expected to begin as early as next week on Manitou Circle, Marlin Court, Unami Terrace, Mohican Drive, Carol Drive, Davis Court, Wychview Drive, Hampton Court, and Karen Terrace. Our contractor will begin work on these roads by first performing manhole casting replacements, followed by milling and paving.

Also beginning next week is the DPW’s summer street sweeping pass through Town, which is expected to take about eight weeks to complete. The crews are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 6, in Leaf Collection Zone 1 (starting on Dudley Avenue and the surrounding streets) and Zone 7 (starting on Scotch Plains Avenue and the surrounding streets). It’s always helpful to remove cars from the streets where the sweepers are working so that they can access the stormwater drains and avoid debris clogging.

As a reminder, you can enroll in Town Updates by text or email to stay apprised of our street sweeping locations and road paving progress, as well as multiple other categories of interest.

WESTFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY PATRIOTIC READINGS

Join the Westfield Historical Society at 10:00AM on Independence Day for patriotic readings from the porch of the Reeve House at 314 Mountain Avenue. This 20-30 minute program will include The Declaration of Independence (recording by John F. Kennedy), the Bill of Rights, and Lincoln’s second inaugural address, as well as a flag ceremony and singing of the National Anthem.

SWEET SOUNDS DOWNTOWN MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS

Don’t miss the return of the DWC’s Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival next Tuesday!, Musicians will perform from 7:00 to 9:00PM on Central Avenue, at the corner of Quimby and Elm, and in Foundation Park. Please come out and support our local businesses while enjoying one of Downtown Westfield’s most beloved traditions. For details, visit our website.