MAYOR'S UPDATE:
APRIL 1

April is here and spring is in the air! In the coming days, you’ll start to see our dedicated Public Works crews begin the process of installing the expanded outdoor cafe dining areas throughout the downtown area, with the return of Open Quimby anticipated in the next few weeks. 

Additionally, each week, we are seeing announcements of new businesses joining our town, and existing businesses renovating or expanding their current spaces. It’s an exciting time for our business community as we gear up for the warmer weather, outdoor dining, and a terrific seasonal events line-up. Look for an announcement in the near future with all of the exciting details. 

We have a busy week of public meetings ahead of us. The Planning Board, Recreation Commission, and Board of Health all meet on Monday, and the Town Council will meet on Tuesday. As always, agendas are posted in advance of each meeting on our website.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES

EARTH MONTH 

Happy Earth Month! The Westfield Green Team has a robust line-up of activities for the community over the next few weeks, including the Live Greener Fair on April 24, the Free Market on April 30, and the Parks Clean-Up on May 1. To kick everything off, join me on Thursday, April 7, at noon for a Facebook Live discussion with members of the Green Team to provide additional details about these events for the community.

THROUGH THE LENS 

Calling all photographers! The Westfield Public Arts Commission (WPAC) is pleased to announce the Second Annual Through the Lens Photography Exhibit. This year's theme is "Renewal and Strength."  Artists are encouraged to explore photographically what renewal and strength look like through their eyes and the camera lens, and are invited to use their own creative interpretation of the theme. The WPAC will select photographs to be displayed in Downtown Westfield. The deadline for submissions is May 1, and full details can be found on our website.

COVID-19

Earlier this week, the FDA authorized second booster shots for those who are age 50 and above, and for those who are age 12 and above with certain conditions that compromise the immune system. The Westfield Regional Health Department reminds residents that second booster shots are especially important for those over 50 who have underlying health conditions that put them at risk for severe COVID disease, and for those over the age of 65. Second boosters can be given four months after the first booster dose. 

The Health Department is holding a pop-up COVID vaccine clinic today at Town Hall, from 3:30-5:30, and one on April 8 at Jefferson School in Summit from 3:30-5:30. Both clinics will be for individuals five and older, and will carry all brands of vaccine for primary doses and both booster doses for those eligible. In addition, online vaccination scheduling is now available on our website on select dates, making it easier than ever for those who still wish to get vaccinated or boosted.

SPOTTED LANTERFLIES

With the spring weather unfortunately comes the return of the Spotted Lanternfly.  According to the NJ Department of Agriculture, this insect has the potential to greatly impact agricultural crops and hardwood trees, as it feeds on the plant sap of many different plants including grapevines, maples, black walnut, and other important plants in our state. While it does not harm humans or animals, it can be a signi?cant nuisance, affecting the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors. 

Now is the time to identify and destroy Spotted Lanternfly egg masses, before they begin hatching in the coming weeks. Our DPW Downtown Division is actively working to identify and address any egg masses that they may find over the next few weeks as they set up the outdoor dining areas. This video provides some helpful details so that we can all do our part to help minimize the disruption of these invasive insects this summer.

ROAD PAVING

26 miles – that’s the amount of roadway we have on the paving schedule for 2022! For context, the Town has 100 miles of roads in total, and we have paved 44 miles since 2018, fulfilling this administration’s commitment to make substantial improvements to our roads throughout Town. Thanks to the Town Council for adopting the 2019 road paving ordinance which made utilities responsible for the cost of repaving the full width of roads they open as part of their ongoing maintenance and upgrade work, saving our taxpayers millions of dollars in road improvements. 

With 26 miles scheduled for this year, it will be busy and even disruptive at times – but I hope you agree that the long-term benefit is well worth the short-term inconvenience. I encourage you to view the paving list for this year on our website. If your road is on the schedule for 2022, now is a good time to think about any projects you are considering which require the road to be opened, such as generator installation or switching from oil to gas, to avoid paying a substantial fee after they’ve been paved. As the utility companies are in the early phases of scheduling this work, it’s important to contact the Engineering Office (908-789-4100, ext. 4600) if you have any questions about timing. As always, we will communicate paving schedule updates on the Town’s Facebook page, and through email/text alerts available at westfieldnj.gov/townupdates.