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MAYOR'S UPDATE:
WEEK ENDING JUNE 24
Summer is officially here, which means many seasonal events and local happenings around Town. From Sweet Sounds Downtown, to the Pizza Run, Farmers Market, Open Quimby, Memorial Pool, Recreation programs, and enjoying our beautiful parks, what a great time of year to be in Westfield!
It also means many more pedestrians and bicyclists on our roads and sidewalks, and I ask each of you to please remain vigilant about safe driving and exercising patience with the temporary detours caused by utility work on our roads. The police are doing their part from an enforcement perspective, but we all have a role to play in sharing the road safely.
With school out for the summer, I want to congratulate all of our students for completing a successful year – in many respects, the most normal one they’ve had since early 2020. And, of course, I’d like to extend special recognition to our new graduates. To the Class of 2022, I wish you all much success in your next adventures, near and far, and hope you will always think of Westfield as your home. We can’t wait to see what amazing things you’ll do.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
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THE WESTFIELD VETERANS BANNER PROGRAM
The Town of Westfield is proud to partner with the Westfield Veterans Fund, a locally established 501(c)(3) organization, to introduce the Westfield Veterans Banner Program, which will honor local veterans with banners displayed in Downtown Westfield.
Phase 1 of this program is expected to begin on July 4, when the first 30 banners will be displayed on poles adjacent to Monument Circle, along East Broad Street, North Avenue, and South Avenue. The service details for these initial 30 veterans have been identified and verified through the resources and cooperation of the Westfield Historical Society.
Community sponsorship opportunities are now available to fund the cost of the banners. Donations can be made directly to the Westfield Veterans Fund. The suggested donation is $125 (the cost of a banner), although any amount is appreciated and helps the Westfield Veterans Fund make these banners a reality for the community.
The banners are expected to remain on display from July 4 through Veterans Day, and will then return annually each Memorial Day. In the coming months, a submission process will be made available, where residents can provide service information about additional veterans to be included in subsequent phases of the program as it continues to grow.
Thanks to Councilwoman Dawn Mackey and to resident volunteers Jen Blasi, Joe Mindak, and Robert Wendel for their work on the Town’s behalf to assist the Westfield Veterans Fund with this important community effort.
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SWEET SOUNDS DOWNTOWN
Save the dates for the 25th Annual Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival – every Tuesday night in July and August, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. This favorite summer activity draws residents and visitors alike to Downtown Westfield for dining, shopping and, of course, the fabulous musical entertainment. Thanks to the DWC for scheduling another great line-up of performers! |
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GREEN TEAM NEWSLETTER
The Westfield Green Team's quarterly newsletter is a great way to stay apprised of their sustainability efforts and to receive some helpful tips on a variety of environmentally-focused topics.
Their next issue, to be released next week, includes info on new recycling programs at the Conservation Center, the new Sustainable Jersey grant for downtown bike oases, and recent student green initiatives, as well as tips on mosquito control, eliminating spotted lanternflies, and saving our native pollinators.
To subscribe, visit westfieldnj.gov/townupdates, and select Green Team. |
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FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES
This week, the Westfield Fire Department started its home safety inspection program for senior citizens. Seniors who request this service will have a member of the Fire Department inspect the inside and outside of the home to identify any potential fire hazards and provide related safety recommendations to the resident.
According to Chief Duelks, senior citizens are more likely to be injured in home fires because of potential mobility restrictions or having more difficulty hearing a smoke alarm. I am grateful to the Chief and his department for providing this valuable service to our seniors to prioritize their safety and wellbeing. To schedule an inspection, please contact Fire Prevention at 908-789-4145, or fireprevention@westfieldnj.gov.
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POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Thank you to the Police Department for conducting another round of High Visibility Enforcement this week – mostly focused on areas around the schools during drop off and dismissal to improve pedestrian safety for our students.
High Visibility Enforcement combines enforcement, visibility elements, and a publicity strategy to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance with the law. These enhanced measures serve as a reminder to all residents to obey traffic laws and protect our pedestrians. With schools out for the summer, please be extra vigilant about pedestrians and cyclists on our roads.
On another note, thanks to the work of the Police Department, a pop-up party that was being planned on Snapchat for Mindowaskin Park last Friday did not materialize. An event like this is not merely groups of local kids getting together in Town. Rather, these are mass gatherings that, through social media, draw large numbers of youths and young adults from many towns – often resulting in property damage, unrest, and arrests. Some recent examples include Long Branch and, just this week, Wayne. Pop-up parties are becoming an increasingly large problem throughout the state, and our police officers will remain diligent about assessing any such gatherings planned within Westfield. If you hear about any such planned activity, please report it to the police immediately. |
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LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM
The Summer Reading program is back at Westfield Memorial Library! This year’s program, called Oceans of Possibilities, is for all ages – little listeners (not yet reading), kids (readers up through entering grade 6), teens (ages 13-17), and adults (ages 18+). Each age group has a different summer reading contest with age-appropriate prizes. Online signup opened earlier this week, and the program ends on September 2. Enroll and track your progress through the library’s READsquared web page, or the READsquared app available on Google Play and Apple App stores. |
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WORK BEGINS ON MAIZE COCKTAILS & COCINA
In case you missed it earlier this week, the transformation of our train station into Maize Cocktails & Cocina is underway!
Operators Kamal Arora and Chef Jesa Henneberry gave me a sneak peek of the demolition, where we got to see the potential of this historic building. Hidden high ceilings and the original brick will be restored to create an amazing ambience and a perfect place to enjoy a margarita around the 24 seat bar. Follow their Instagram account (@Maize_Westfield) to watch their progress! |
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BLOCK PARTY INFORMATION
It's block party season! 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. |
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