MAYOR'S UPDATE:
APRIL 29

It was a very busy week in Town Hall! I’m grateful that being fully vaccinated and boosted meant my bout of COVID this week enabled me to feel well enough to work from home and stay engaged in the ongoing and important business of the Town. I’m now out and about again, and would like to thank all those who wished me well!

I’d also like to extend special thanks to Councilman Parmelee who, in his role as Acting Mayor, presided over a packed agenda at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting. In case you missed it, we swore in our new Fire Chief, Michael Duelks, as well as our new Ward 1 Councilmember, Emily Root, following Jim Boyes’ recent resignation. We were also pleased to honor Jim with a proclamation for his dedication and service, and the state championship Westfield High School Girls Swim Team joined us for some well-deserved recognition of their incredible achievements this season.

Importantly, we also heard the Traffic Impact Study presentation for the proposed Prospect/Ferris redevelopment, which you can view on our website or watch the replay on Facebook. I found it to be extremely helpful in assessing not only the potential traffic impact at the designated intersections, but also the circulation problems in the area, particularly related to the Trader Joe’s parking lot and the adjacent municipal lot, and I am encouraged by the proposed solutions in the works to help mitigate some of these issues. As always, I am grateful for the engagement of our residents who continue to ask questions in this important public input process. The Council continues to analyze the data presented and we will, as always, communicate next steps as we have them.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

WFD CHIEF DUELKS SWORN IN

COUNCILWOMAN ROOT SWORN IN FOR WARD 1

I’d also like to welcome Emily Root to the Town Council, who was appointed and sworn in on Tuesday night to fill Jim Boyes’ previous seat in order to maintain a continuity of representation for Ward 1. Councilwoman Root first moved to Westfield in 2000. She is a small business owner who has operated a successful private speech therapy practice in Berkeley Heights for nearly two decades – one of only a small group of stuttering specialists in the nation – and is also an adjunct professor at Kean University and San Francisco State University. She resides on Mountain Avenue with her husband, Bruno Tedeschi, and her two step-children – Zoe, a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island, and Dylan, a senior at Westfield High School. Councilwoman Root can be reached at eroot@westfieldnj.gov, and I look forward to working with her, alongside Councilwoman Habgood, in serving the residents of Ward 1. 

INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF EDISON FIELDS PROJECT

This week, the Town Council passed a resolution to authorize an award of contract to CME Associates, an engineering firm with extensive experience in designing and constructing natural grass and turf fields, to perform an independent assessment of the existing Edison Fields plan to date. This is the next phase of the Town's due diligence process of evaluating the best path forward by engaging an experienced third party to review the current proposal and address outstanding questions by residents. The assessment will include a review of the cost analysis to date, capacity and use assumptions for both natural grass and turf with and without lights, and an analysis of incremental benefits of each solution relative to expense and capacity, such as reliability and expected maintenance downtime. We expect to have a final product for review in June, which will be shared with the public. 

MAYORS' MOBILITY CONSORTIUM

As Mayor, I share the same concerns as many of you regarding the impact of growth and development on traffic and mobility not only within Westfield, but within the region. To proactively address these concerns, Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty, Garwood Mayor Sara Todisco, Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo, and Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and I have established the Route 28/South Avenue Mayors Consortium to work together, in collaboration with the County, to address and identify mobility improvements along the North and South Avenue corridors that traverse our five towns. You can read more about what we intend to accomplish in the letter to the editor we submitted this week.

EARTH MONTH 

Rain Garden Ribbon Cutting and Arbor Day Recognition
As we wrap up Earth Month, I was pleased to attend this morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Tamaques Park rain garden. Also known as a bioretention system, this landscaped shallow depression captures, filters, and mitigates stormwater runoff from the restroom building roof and parking lot perimeter while creating an attractive landscape between Fields 3 and 4. A rain garden is actually one of the quickest and easiest methods to reduce runoff and help protect our water resources, and we now have signage installed as part of the educational component of this project to inform residents about its benefits and how to build one on their own property. This project was initiated by the Green Team and installed by the DPW with in-kind technical and design assistance from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program.

Afterwards, I joined members of the Tamaques School community, along with the Tree Preservation Commission and the Green Team, to recognize Arbor Day with a tree planting ceremony on the school grounds.

Free Market
If your spring cleaning is underway, don’t forget to sign up for a donation time slot for the upcoming Free Market, hosted by the Westfield Green Team, this Saturday at the South Avenue train station lot. Donate or take home (at no cost) yard sale quality items such as clothing, kitchen items, garden tools and small furniture pieces. This is a great way to share still-usable items instead of discarding them, which helps limit what is sent to the landfill. Any items not taken will be collected by GreenDrop, an organization that accepts donations to assist the American Red Cross and other charitable programs, for distribution to deserving families or for recycling. All donated items must be new or gently used, in workable condition and able to be carried by an individual. For additional details on accepted items and when to browse, visit bit.ly/FreeMarket2022.

Parks Clean-Up
And on Sunday, there’s some great opportunities to spend the morning helping to beautify Westfield’s parks (Tamaques, Brightwood, and the wooded lot at Myrtle & Grandview). Families, teens, Girl/Boy Scout troops and others are welcome. For more details and to sign up, visit bit.ly/ParksCleanup2022.

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.

SPRING FLING

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce Spring Fling returns this Sunday, May 1! Presented in partnership with OceanFirst Bank, this year’s event will be held on Central Avenue, between East Broad and North Avenue, and will include the parking lot across from the Post Office (Municipal Lot 7), as well as a section of Lenox Avenue. As in years past, the event will have a variety of food and merchandise vendors, along with a Kids Zone and musical entertainment. For further information,visit www.gwaccnj.com.

As a result, these areas, as well as Quimby Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday from approximately 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Please plan accordingly by traveling on alternate routes, and, for downtown parking, utilizing the South Avenue train station lot. 

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT

Don’t miss Girls’ Night Out on Thursday, May 5, from 5:00-9:00, for an evening of entertainment, special offers, shopping, and refreshments from downtown businesses. Shop for Mother’s Day Gifts, enjoy special in-store events and promotions, relax with refreshments and entertainment. Free reusable bags to the first 500 registrants, courtesy of sponsor David Realty Group. Downtown Westfield will randomly give out gift cards to downtown Westfield businesses at the registration table on Quimby Street. Register on the DWC's website.

OPEN QUIMBY

Thank you to our dedicated Public Works crews for completing the installation of our expanded outdoor cafe dining areas throughout the downtown area. Open Quimby is back once again this year as a seasonal pedestrian plaza that will feature expanded outdoor dining and retail space, entertainment, and wellness programming. The one-way traffic pattern is now back in place and, on Tuesday nights in July and August during the Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival, the road will be fully closed to cars.

In order to better meet the needs of business owners, we have changed the short-term parking allocations in the downtown area. Many of the 15-minute parking spots that were established in the response to the pandemic have now reverted back to standard metered parking, providing additional parking for residents and visitors spending time downtown to patronize local businesses. 15-minute spots remain at several key locations in order to help facilitate ongoing pick-up from local eateries. 

NEW AND RENOVATED BUSINESSES

Congrats to The Gallery on Elm Street, Edward Jones on North Avenue, and to the newly renovated Brunner Eye Care on their ribbon cuttings this week! The Life by Alli & Paige at 52 Elm Street (formerly Castle Bootery) officially opens tomorrow (Saturday), and is hosting their grand opening from noon to 6:00. All are welcome! 

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

To celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month, and in recognition of the difficult times many in our community have experienced over the past two years, the Westfield Mental Health Council will present a Mental Health Day of free activities on Sunday, May 15. The day begins with a Walk for CAKE in Mindowaskin Park from 10:30AM - 12:00PM, where participants can enjoy a walk in the park punctuated with stations highlighting aspects of wellness such as yoga, music, art, meditation and pet therapy. CAKE is the Mental Health Council’s ongoing initiative emphasizing compassion, acceptance, kindness and empathy.

Across the street, at the Bauer Branch of the Westfield Area YMCA, enjoy family-friendly activities, mental health provider resources, and presentations from 11:45AM - 1:45PM. For more details, visit westfieldnj.gov/mentalhealth.

SUMMER PLAYGROUND PROGRAM AND POOL REGISTRATION

Summer is getting closer! The Recreation Department reminds residents that early bird pricing for the Playground Program will end on Monday, May 2, at 9:00AM. The Playground Program returns to a full-day (9:00 - 4:00) format this summer at all six elementary schools, and will run from June 28 to August 5 for children completing Kindergarten through fifth grade. Jefferson camp is nearly sold out, and both Tamaques and McKinley camps are 70% filled, so be sure to register soon to secure your spot for a great summer!

In addition, returning Memorial Pool members have until May 6 to renew a secured spot for this summer; after this date, the membership will be on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re new to Town, make sure to sign up to receive a membership packet, as there is currently no wait list. For full details, visit the Recreation Department website.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

As May approaches, the Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 is busy finalizing the return of the Westfield Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30. The Town is assisting the Legion by collecting parade participant information on our website, and there is still time to register your community organization to march!

This year, the parade organizers will be unveiling a new route designed to maximize participation by the marchers and the spectators. The traditional solemn ceremony to honor our fallen heroes will begin at 9:00 AM in Monument Circle. The parade will immediately follow, beginning on East Broad Street and turning left on North Euclid, ending in Mindowaskin Park. The Westfield Police Department will then escort all participating veterans to Fairview Cemetery for the annual solemn service held there. All residents are invited to join the American Legion between 12:00 and 4:00 for a barbecue with music and entertainment. For additional information, contact James McDonald via email or at 612-910-4100. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact email Joe Mindak or call 201-410-8282.

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.