MAYOR'S UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 17

Thanks to everyone who participated in this week’s very productive Town Council meeting, where we covered a range of important issues -- including prohibiting the rental of private backyard swimming pools, substantially raising the fines for bias crimes, and introducing the formation of the Westfield Infrastructure Resiliency Committee (WIRC), which will be tasked with assessing our current Town wide stormwater infrastructure on the heels of Ida.  We also recapped the amazing progress the DPW has made as they near completion of their first-ever bulky waste storm debris pick up, which should be wrapping up in the coming days.

This week, I also had the privilege of overseeing the ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly installed memorial for Charles R. Morrison, Sr. in Memorial Park. Mr. Morrison, who passed away in 2019, was a civil rights and civic improvement leader in Westfield. He founded the Westfield Civic Improvement Association in the 1960s to advocate on his neighborhood's behalf for the creation of a community recreational facility in what is now known as Memorial Park, and I was thrilled to honor his legacy with members of his extended family. 

I also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for Victoria’s Cake, a delicious new French bakery on Westfield Avenue that is a wonderful addition to the South Avenue-area business corridor that also includes Acting Out, Mulberry House, Lion’s Roar Brewery, Splash of Thai, Westfield Station Cafe, Outta Hand Pizza, and many more -- along with the newly-opened 501 South Avenue luxury apartment building at the former PanAm Cleaners site. It’s very exciting to see the ongoing revitalization of this area as business and property owners continue to invest in its bright future.

Wishing you all a great weekend!

TROPICAL STORM IDA

Because Union County is now part of FEMA’s Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Ida, Westfield residents and businesses are now eligible to apply for individual assistance. The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, or calling 800-621-3362 from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week. Available assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. The FEMA Fact Sheet provides additional information.

As I mentioned, the recently announced Westfield Infrastructure Resiliency Committee (WIRC) will be tasked with assessing our current Town-wide stormwater infrastructure and its capacity to handle these severe weather events in the future. They will also be making short and long-term recommendations for how best to fortify it, as well as ensuring that we are proactively thinking about climate resiliency in everything we do going forward.

It will be a significant undertaking, and will take all contributing factors into considerations such as engineering and current zoning and construction practices, future development, and input from public works and finance, who will all be represented on WIRC. 

This Council will be co-chaired by Finance Committee Chair Linda Habgood and Public Works Committee Chair David Contract, and will also include:

• Jim Gildea, Town Administrator
• Greg O’Neil, Director of Public Works
• Don Sammet, Town Planner
• Dave Battaglia, Town Engineer
• Frank Vuoso, Construction Official

We will also be seeking resident volunteers to fill several additional seats -- specifically those who have a unique perspective from personal flooding experience or professional experience in the areas of flood mitigation or related zoning or construction expertise. More details about how to apply will be available early next week. 

COVID-19 UPDATE

COUNTY-WIDE COVID MEMORIAL SERVICE

The Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council will host a countywide COVID-19 memorial service outdoors at St. Helen's Roman Catholic Church in Westfield on Wednesday, September 29 at 7:00 PM.  

The purpose of the event is to provide space for people who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, to name them aloud during a period of prayer, and provide the community with a sense of solidarity with one another. The interfaith group will provide a large lattice upon which attendees can tie a ribbon, affix a flower, or leave a stone or devotional candle to memorialize those they have lost.  

The event will be attended by interfaith clergy from throughout Union County. More information is available on the County's event page.

POLICE UPDATE

Chief Battiloro reports the following notable incidents occurred in Westfield this past week:

September 10
At approximately 1:36 AM, a Jersey City resident reported that he was using an app to remotely track his 2019 Mercedes Benz GLC, which was recently stolen from Hoboken. He reported that it was presently in the area of Golf Edge and Carol Road. While en route to that location, the stolen vehicle was observed fleeing the area onto Route 22. It was traveling at such a high rate of speed that officers were unable to catch up to it. The stolen vehicle was recovered later that day in Hillside. 

September 11
At approximately 6:29 PM, a resident of the 600 block of Raymond Street reported a suspicious individual looking into vehicles parked down a lengthy driveway in the rear of his residence, which included a 2021 Audi and a 2019 Porsche. It is unknown if the subject attempted to enter these vehicles, both of which were locked. Similar incidents were reported during the preceding week, including on September 9, at approximately 6:21 PM, when a Land Rover Range Rover, GMC Yukon, and Mercedes Benz C30 were apparently targeted on Kimball Circle. 

At approximately 8:28 AM, a resident of the 200 block of Tuttle Parkway reported that his 2017 Audi A6 was burglarized during the overnight hours. The vehicle was left unlocked at the time of the burglary. Nothing has been reported stolen at this time.


September 12
At approximately 8:09 AM, a resident of the 600 block of Prospect Street reported the theft of two vehicles from the driveway of his residence during the overnight hours -- a  2014 Audi S5 convertible and a 2019 Audi Q7. Both vehicles were left unlocked with their key fobs in them at the time of their thefts. Both vehicles were also subsequently recovered in Newark within hours of this report as a direct result of the efforts of the Westfield’s Police Department’s Detective currently assigned to the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force. Each was missing at least one license plate at the time of its recovery.

 
Chief Battiloro also reports that similar cart thefts and burglaries continue to occur in neighboring communities. Just this morning, the Cranford Police Department received two reports of stolen vehicles during the overnight hours, one from Retford Avenue and the other from S. Union Ave. Both of these vehicles were reportedly left unlocked with their key fobs in them at the time of their thefts.

As Chief Battiloro has repeatedly reported, 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. 

There have been 21 vehicles reported stolen to date in Westfield in 2021, 19 of which were subsequently recovered. Chief Battiloro reports that keys or key fobs have been used to steal every single vehicle. 90% of these vehicles were left unlocked with their key fobs inside at the time of their thefts.   

As Chief Battiloro stated last week, with many people returning from vacation and summer residences, he anticipates there will be a noticeable shift in vehicle burglary and theft activity from Jersey shore communities in Monmouth and Ocean counties back towards Union County and towns like Westfield. As recent incidents indicate, this certainly appears to be the case. 

Please take appropriate action to protect your property. This includes removing valuables, including key fobs, and locking vehicles at all times, regardless of time of day. Also, please report all suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities immediately via 9-1-1.

GREEN ENERGY WEEK

As part of our ongoing focus on sustainability, Westfield will hold its first Green Energy Week, which I announced by proclamation at this week’s Town Council meeting, from September 26 through October 2. The goal of Green Energy Week is to highlight the importance of green energy to address global warming, and to demonstrate to our fellow residents that there are easy ways to join the fight.

Green Energy Week will kick off on Sunday, September 26, with the Tour de Westfield, our first-ever resident community biking event!  Activities include a two-mile family bike parade led by the Westfield Police Department, a WPD Bike Safety Rodeo, the Tour de Tots activity for younger children on tricycles, and a Safe Bike Check hosted by Jay's Cycle Center. The festivities kick off at 10:00 AM at the North Side Train Station Lot with DJ entertainment. Additional details and registration are available on our website. Huge thanks to the Recreation Commission & Department, in collaboration with the Westfield Police Department, Green Team, Bicycle Advisory Board, BRAKES Coalition & Downtown Westfield Corporation.

On Saturday, October 2, Green Energy Week will culminate with the Alternative Energy Fair, hosted by the Westfield Green Team, at the South Avenue station lot, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, where attendees can view electric vehicles, try out electric bikes and lawn equipment, and learn all about alternative energy programs available in Westfield. For more details, and to pre-register, visit our website.

EDISON FIELDS MEETING

As a reminder, there will be another public meeting to discuss the proposed Edison Fields project on Monday, September 20, at 7:00 PM in the Edison cafeteria. I’m grateful to the many residents who continue to express their opinions and ask questions, which is a critical part of this process. As previously announced, in response to resident concerns, we are scaling back the initial proposal by almost half, consistent with the Strategic Parks Plan recommendations which proposed two full size turf fields. Members of the Recreation Commission will be presenting a more detailed revised proposal at Monday’s meeting, and will also be addressing many of the questions and concerns that have been raised to date.

SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES

Sightings of the spotted lanternfly are on the rise here in Town and throughout the region. This invasive insect has the potential to impact dozens of important plant species, including grape vines and black walnut trees. Residents are advised to keep an eye out for spotted lanternflies, and kill them on sight.

For information on extermination and prevention, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. To report sightings, use the online reporting tool.

UNION COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to The Westfield Leader and Outta Hand Pizza for being named as Union County Small Business Community Champions! This distinction comes from nominations by community members and recognizes resiliency throughout the pandemic’s impact on small businesses. I’m thrilled to see their efforts recognized as part of the incredibly resourceful and dedicated small business community here in Westfield.

WESTFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL FUNDRAISER

Don’t miss the next WNC Friday Fundraiser coming up on October 1, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM! Get your orders in early for your favorite chicken and fish dinners by emailing wncheadquarters@gmail.com, or calling 908-913-0090. 

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT

A favorite Westfield tradition returns on Thursday, September 23! Sponsored by Downtown Westfield, this annual Girls' Night Out event welcomes ladies to enjoy festivities all day for shopping, and refreshments until 9:00 PM. Our amazing local businesses are preparing to deliver an exciting day of shopping events, refreshments, entertainment, gifts, sales and discounts. 

Shopper parking is free all day and night for this event at on-street meters and parking lots. Parking restrictions and time limits apply.

Downtown Westfield is sponsoring random drawings from the Girls' Night Out registration list. Five $50 gift cards will be randomly chosen from a variety of participating Girls' Night Out businesses. A Grand Prize of Five $50 gift cards to participating businesses will also be given out to one winner. Winners will be announced the evening of GNO. Additional information and advance registration is available on the DWC website.