MAYOR'S UPDATE:
APRIL 22

I hope you had the chance to read the exciting announcement from the DWC this week detailing the many recent and upcoming business openings in Downtown Westfield!

From diverse restaurant offerings, to retail, wellness, and professional services, we are seeing a significant uptick in the number of businesses opening, and even expanding, here in Town. I provided some additional context in my Letter to the Editor, which details the importance of current business owners expanding their footprints, of Westfield residents investing in our community’s future, and of the impressive number of female business owners – all very exciting developments!

The next phase of our downtown’s revitalization will reflect the ongoing planning between the Town and Streetworks Development, with an anticipated public presentation of their proposed plans coming in July. Preliminary concepts recently posted prematurely by a Councilman do not reflect their final proposal. Please be assured that there will be a robust public input process, the details of which will be provided in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, we have a very busy Town Council meeting coming up on Tuesday, which will include the Ferris/Prospect Street development Traffic Impact Study presented by the traffic consulting firms. We will also honor the Westfield High School Girls Swim Team for their recent state championship, as well as former Councilman Jim Boyes for his service, swear in Deputy Fire Chief Michael Duelks as the new Fire Chief, and adopt the 2022 municipal budget. Please tune in!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

CHIEF TILLER RETIREMENT

Today, I was joined by Town employees and members of the Town Council at the final clap-out for Westfield Fire Department Chief Tony Tiller to thank him for his service as he embarks on his retirement. Chief Tiller joined the Westfield Fire Department as a volunteer in 1993, and was appointed as a paid firefighter in 1997. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2004, Battalion Chief in 2015, and Deputy Chief in 2016 prior to being named Acting Fire Chief in March 2019. During his three years as Deputy Chief, Tiller was involved in every aspect of fire department operations for both emergency and non-emergency events. Previously, he also worked for the Westfield Department of Public Works as a Laborer from 1994 through 1997. He broke through many doors during his tenure, rising to become the first African American Chief of the department. He leaves a lasting legacy, reflected in the professional department he leaves behind, and especially in his successor Michael Duelks, who I look forward to swearing in on Tuesday night.

I’ll have more detailed remarks about Michael and his many qualifications when we formally recognize his new role at his swearing-in ceremony. In the meantime, I know you all join me in thanking Chief Tiller for his numerous contributions to the Town, and wishing him well in his retirement.

EARTH MONTH

Join the Westfield Green Team on Sunday at the North Avenue train station lot between 1:00 and 4:00 for the Live Greener Fair in recognition of Earth Day. The afternoon will include a wide variety of sustainability-focused events for all ages, as well as information on a range of environmentally-friendly topics. For our bicyclists in Town, Councilman Dardia and I will be discussing bike safety and the Town’s biking strategy at 2:30PM – we hope to see you there.

And as Earth Month continues, be sure to take advantage of the additional activities presented by the Westfield Green Team:

Living Greener Student Art Contest
Native Plant Sale in partnership with The Friends of Brightwood Park
Tamaques Rain Garden Ribbon Cutting on April 29
Free Market on April 30
Parks Clean-Up on May 1

You can find all of the information about these events on our website.

NEW JERSEY BAG BAN

Now is a good time to make sure you’re prepared for the May 4 statewide implementation of the New Jersey Bag Ban legislation. Intended to help reduce plastic pollution, the law encourages the use of reusable bags by no longer allowing single-use plastic bags at grocery and retail establishments, as well as paper bags at larger grocery stores. It also bans polystyrene foam takeout food containers and other products such as plates, cups, food trays, and utensils.

In addition to stocking up on reusable bags, please prepare by visiting the following sites with more details:

DEP’s Get Past Plastic website
DEP’s press release
Video from NJ Clean Communities

THROUGH THE LENS

Calling all photographers! The Westfield Public Arts Commission (WPAC) is seeking submissions for its 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.

GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL COMES TO WESTFIELD

I was thrilled to learn about the newly-formed Westfield PAL Girls Flag Football! Started by residents Kelly and Dave Hantman, with assistance from Jamie and Chip Parks, as well as many others, Girls Flag Football will have its inaugural season this fall for girls currently in grades 1-6 (grades 2-7 in the fall of 2022). They will be holding two upcoming mini camps, with no advance registration required, where girls can become familiar with the sport – no prior knowledge or football experience necessary.

The dates are this Sunday, April 24 (4:30-5:45) and June 5 (11:00-12:15) in Tamaques Park. Girls should dress comfortably, wear sneakers or cleats, and bring a water bottle. Please reach out to Kelly Hantman with any questions, or to discuss volunteering or sponsorships.

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PARADE

After a two-year COVID hiatus, I’m looking forward to the return of the Westfield Baseball and Softball Parade on Saturday! I’ll be joined by members of the Police and Fire Department, Town Council, and Union County Commissioners to welcome our players back for another great season. If you’re in the area of East Broad/South Euclid/St Marks/South Chestnut, be sure to cheer on the kids as they march from Mindowaskin Park to Gumbert, beginning at 9:30 AM, for a morning of festivities!

FRIENDS OF WESTFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOOK SALE

The spring book sale returns to Westfield Memorial Library in May, with 100% of the proceeds directly funding library programming. Donation days this year will be April 27, 28, and 30, and the sale will take place May 3-7. For additional details, or to volunteer, visit fwmlnj.org.

SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES

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 signifcant 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.

MAYOR'S UPDATE:APRIL 22