Some recent complaints about rats in the area of the trash dumpsters in our municipal parking lot have sparked action by the Borough, the local businesses who maintain the dumpsters, the Health Department and the Fanwood Police Department. Following a meeting Tuesday, July 25th, that included representatives of the businesses, Chief Richard Trigo, the Fanwood Board of Health and our Health Officer, Councilman Tom Kranz, Borough Administrator Eleanor McGovern and Public Works Director Clint Dicksen, here’s what we’re doing:

  1. Surveillance cameras monitoring both illegal and improper dumping have been reset and are monitored at police headquarters. Complaints of illegal dumping by outsiders, citizens, contractors or businesses other than those who pay for the dumpsters WILL BE INVESTIGATED AND PROSECUTED. The cameras operate 24 hours a day.
  2. Both trash and cardboard collections at the dumpster site will be increased.
  3. The Health Department, which has set baited rat traps in the past several weeks, will continue to monitor the area and set more traps as necessary.
  4. Business owners along Martine Avenue who pay for the dumpsters have again been urged to abide by the agreement they signed several years ago to keep the area clean on a DAILY BASIS. We have asked that employees who dispose of garbage make sure the garbage goes into the dumpsters and not on the ground.

The situation has greatly improved over the past couple weeks thanks to the efforts of the businesses, the Health Department and concerned citizens who brought it to our attention.

WE URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING AT THIS AND ALL LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT FANWOOD TO THE POLICE BY CALLING 908-322-5000.