MAYOR'S UPDATE:
WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 30

Another week, another ribbon cutting! Congrats to Kirshenbaum Baking Co on their grand opening this week! Following the success of their online baking business, Westfield residents Jeff and Uyen have chosen to invest in their own town and open their first storefront location in the former Papyrus store on Elm Street – to our benefit! Uyen is a Pastry Chef who has worked in some of the top bakeries and restaurants, from Paris and Las Vegas to Los Angeles, and led the pastry program at a two-star Michelin restaurant. Councilwoman Emily Root and I had the privilege of sampling some of the bakery’s items and they are amazing – and served with Boxwood Coffee! What a great addition to our downtown.

Our next new business opening will be tomorrow! Please be sure to stop by and support Reves Smoothie Cafe at 106 Quimby Street, where they will serve smoothies, bowls, and other fresh foods. I am thrilled to welcome Cynthia and Basti, who relocated here from Germany to open their business, and look forward to their ribbon cutting ceremony next week. It’s a great time to be downtown, and I’m thrilled to share this continued good news with you about our ongoing momentum.

In other news this weekend, congratulations to the Westfield High School student athletes who will be presented with the Group 4 ShopRite Cup on Saturday for the 2021-22 school year! This prestigious recognition is awarded annually by the Wakefern Food Corporation to schools for winning group championships and for being disqualification-free all year in all New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) sports. Our Blue Devils had 13 sports contribute to this award, which is 45% of the athletic department. This is the second-ever ShopRite Cup win for Westfield High School since 2010. Be sure to catch the award ceremony tomorrow at 1:30 at Gary Kehler Stadium before the Blue Devils football team kicks off at 2:00.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

FIRE PREVENTION MONTH

October is Fire Prevention Month! The Westfield Fire Department will kick off Fire Prevention Month this year by opening their doors on Saturday, October 8, with an open house for the public from the hours of 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

Throughout the month, the Westfield Fire Department will provide fire safety awareness to families, students, seniors and the community. To schedule a visit to your class, school, organization, or block party, call Fire Prevention at 908-789-4145, or email fireprevention@westfieldnj.gov.

ELECTION INFORMATION

The deadline to register to vote in the November 8 General Election is Tuesday, October 18. You can check your voter registration status online.

Vote By Mail
The deadline to apply by mail for a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, November 1. The deadline to apply in-person at the Elizabeth and Westfield County Clerk Offices for a mail-in ballot is Monday, November 7 at 3:00 PM. Mail-in ballots can be returned in person or by mail to the Union County Board of Elections office, or at the secure ballot drop box located at the County Clerk’s Office at 300 North Avenue.

Early In-Person Voting
Union County residents have the option to vote early at specified locations throughout the county beginning on Saturday, October 29, through Sunday, November 6. Locations, dates, and times for early voting are available on the Union County Board of Elections website.

In-Person Voting on Election Day
The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8. Polls will be open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. A list of Westfield Wards and Districts is available on our website.

For additional information about voting in the November 8 General Election, visit unioncountyvotes.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Green Energy Fair
Join the Westfield Green Team on Saturday, October 1, between 12:00 and 4:00 for the Green Energy Fair. Residents of all ages can learn about alternative energy options, with opportunities to view and test drive the latest electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-scooters. Kids (ages 8-15) can also participate in the Solar Car Derby. Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with live music, giveaways (while supplies last), food for purchase, and much more! This event is weather permitting -- please check the Town's website and Facebook page for any scheduling updates.

To learn more, RSVP for test drives, and register for the kid’s Solar Car Derby, visit westfieldnj.gov/green-energy-fair.

Town-Wide Storm Drain Clean-Up Day
Did you know we have more than 3,000 storm drains throughout Westfield? As we experience more severe storms, keeping our storm drains clear of debris and pollution is more important than ever. The Town of Westfield has a comprehensive storm drain maintenance system, which includes ongoing clearing efforts and street sweeping by the DPW. But residents and businesses can also help keep our local watershed clean by taking simple steps to prevent trash and other waste from getting into storm drains.

Join the Westfield Green Team for a town-wide storm drain clean-up on Sunday, October 2 – it’s easy to do with garden tools you already own and only takes a few minutes. No registration is required; simply pick a drain that is convenient for you in Westfield, and drop off the organic debris at the South Avenue Train Lot from 10:00 - 2:00, where DPW employees will be available, or at the Conservation Center from 9:00 - 2:00. This event is weather permitting -- please check the Town's website and Facebook page for any scheduling updates.

If you would like to help keep our storm drains clear year-round, consider Westfield’s Adopt-a-Drain program, which allows residents to select a nearby storm drain and volunteer to clear the surface of any lingering debris that would cause ongoing flooding issues. Of course, our dedicated DPW team continues to perform regular maintenance of these drains, but with over 3,000 of them throughout Town, this volunteer program aims to supplement their efforts as needed. For full details, visit westfieldnj.gov/adoptadrain.

Through the Lens Exhibit
Don’t miss the final days of the Through the Lens photo exhibit on Central Avenue (alongside the Rialto) through October 9. The exhibit, which showcases the photos of area residents and artists reflecting this year’s theme of Resilience & Strength, was the second annual installation from the Westfield Public Arts Commission, and was made possible in part by a 2022 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

You can still purchase some of the remaining photos, the proceeds of which will be applied towards future public art initiatives.

GOLDEN PASS

The Westfield Public School District invites Westfield residents 65 years and older to participate in the Golden Pass program, which allows them to attend many Westfield High School performances and sporting events for free. The program, a longstanding tradition, was put on hold over the past couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full details are available on the Westfield Public Schools website. For more information on the program and for assistance in obtaining a ticket to performances, please contact Coordinator of School and Community Relations Mary Ann McGann at 908-789-4463 or mmcgann@westfieldnjk12.org.

ONE WESTFIELD PLACE PREVIEW CENTER

Have you requested an appointment to visit the One Westfield Place Preview Center yet? HBC | Streetworks Development will open the space at 76 Elm Street next week, where you can see a full scale model of the proposed project, ask questions, and provide feedback. Visit onewestfieldplace.com to schedule your visit, read the FAQs, and sign up to receive email updates. The Preview Center is currently available by appointment only to avoid early crowds, but is anticipated to be open for walk-in visits in the next few weeks. The final outcome of this project will only be as good as the public input they receive, so please let them know what matters to you.

UNION COUNTY EV INFRASTRUCTURE SURVEY

Union County has launched a study to support electric vehicle use by planning
the expansion of a network of charging stations for current and future vehicles. The Union County Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Study will look at where EV charging infrastructure should be located by considering areas of highest demand and need. The study is developing a plan for the installation of EV chargers over the next ten years to meet New Jersey’s goals during this time period. It will collect and analyze data, and with public input, recommend a network of locations for Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers.

Feedback and input from the public will be imperative to identify key locations to place charging stations around the County. Comments will also be collected on the project website, or please contact Project Manager Liza Betz, AICP PP, at ebetz@ucnj.org.

FOURTH QUARTER PROPERTY TAX BILLS

This week, fourth quarter property tax bills were mailed and, as I do each year, I’ve enclosed an update on some of our key initiatives and fiscal health. I hope you’ll take the time to review the information, which shows our positive post-COVID revenue growth, historic grant funding levels, the reaffirmation of our enviable AAA rating, and – of course – where your tax dollars go. You can also find a digital version on our website.

BLOCK PARTY INFORMATION

Block party season is coming to an end on October 10. Before hosting your neighborhood gathering, be sure to follow the Town's procedures to obtain all necessary approvals. You can find full details, as well as a fillable application, on our website.

MAYOR'S UPDATE:WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 30