Councilwoman Reshma Adwar

07/07/2026

Storm Update July 7th

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

🔹Power Outages
We are pleased to report that nearly all of the outages have been resolved, with fewer than ten homes remaining without power. PSE&G continues to make progress on these homes as they finalize what have been complex repairs. We remain in ongoing contact with PSE&G to ensure that all power restoration is complete after a very frustrating four days for affected residents.

🔹Cooling Center
The Town Hall Community Room will be open until 8:00 PM today to anyone in need of air conditioning, device charging, or restroom facilities.

🔹Road Closures
Portions of the following roads remain closed due to downed trees and utility wires:
-1700 block of Florida Street
-Dorian Road / Hazel Avenue / Scotch Plains Avenue

The Florida Street wiring is a Verizon issue, and we are awaiting an updated timeframe for their crews to resolve this location so the tree can be removed.

🔹Debris Pickup/Disposal
Public Works continues with its town-wide curbside pickup of storm debris. They are following the sequence of leaf collection zones, which started simultaneously yesterday in Zone 1 on the north side and Zone 6 on the south side. Street sweepers are also being deployed with the pickup crews.

🔹 To Report Storm-Related Issues
🌳 Downed trees: Westfield Police – 908-789-4000
⚠️ Downed power lines: Call 9-1-1 immediately
💡 Power outages: PSE&G – 800-436-7734 or text OUT to 4PSEG (47734)
With curbside pickup underway, there is no need to continue to report debris on the Westfield Connect app, as crews will be covering the entire town to complete the collection efforts.

The impacts of this storm were significant across the region. We are grateful to our residents for their cooperation and patience, and to our Town employees for their ongoing diligence in resolving the related safety, power, and road issues.

07/06/2026

Storm Update July 6th

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

🔹Power Outages
Approximately 1,600 Westfield households remain without power. Unfortunately, this represents an increase from yesterday due to an additional 1,500 customers on the north side of town who lost power as a result of a significant PSE&G circuit problem during last night's storm. The remaining 100 or so outages are primarily in the Topping Hill Road/Kimball Avenue and Hazel Avenue/Dorian Road areas, where residents have been without power since Friday night.

We recognize how difficult and frustrating it is for those who have now been without electricity for three days, and we thank you for your patience. The Town continues to advocate for these areas to remain a top priority in our multiple daily conversations with PSE&G regarding restoration efforts.

According to PSE&G, Friday's storm caused extensive damage throughout the region, with particularly significant impacts in Westfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Plainfield, and Mountainside. Union County continues to have the highest number of outages in PSE&G's New Jersey service territory, and the utility reports that it has deployed all available crews and resources to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

🔹Cooling Center
The Town Hall Community Room will be open from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM today and Tuesday to anyone in need of air conditioning, device charging, or restroom facilities.

🔹Road Closures
Portions of the following roads remain closed due to downed trees and utility wires:
-Mountain Avenue / Walnut Street
-Topping Hill Road / Kimball Avenue / Garfield Avenue
-Elm Street / Orchard Street
-Birch Avenue / Standish Avenue
-900 block of Tice Place
-Dorian Road / Hazel Avenue / Scotch Plains Avenue

🔹Debris Pickup/Disposal
Public Works has begun its town-wide curbside pickup of storm debris. They are following the sequence of leaf collection zones, which started simultaneously today in Zone 1 on the north side and Zone 6 on the south side. Street sweepers are also being deployed with the pickup crews.

🔹Flood Watch
There is a Flood Watch in effect for our area through 6:00 AM on Tuesday. The current forecast anticipates 2-3 inches of rain, with the potential for local flash flooding and rainfall rates of up to two inches per hour. Please take all appropriate precautions, and always call 911 in an emergency.

🔹Food Safety
The Westfield Regional Health Department reminds residents to use caution with refrigerated food following a power outage:
➡ Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator after four hours without power or a cold source.
➡ Throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture.
➡ Check temperatures of food kept in coolers or your refrigerator with a cold source. Throw out food above 40°F.
➡ If you have an appliance thermometer in your freezer, check to see if it is still at 40°F or below.
➡ You can safely refreeze or cook thawed frozen food that still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F or below.

Additional details about food safety are located on the CDC website: cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/keep-food-safe-after-emergency.html

🔹 To Report Storm-Related Issues
🌳 Downed trees: Westfield Police – 908-789-4000
⚠️ Downed power lines: Call 9-1-1 immediately
💡 Power outages: PSE&G – 800-436-7734 or text OUT to 4PSEG (47734)

With curbside pickup underway, there is no need to continue to report debris on the Westfield Connect app, as crews will be covering the entire town to complete the collection efforts.

07/04/2026

Please note storm updates after last night. Town Hall Community room is open as a cooling center, bathroom opportunity, and charging station area. Stay safe everyone!

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

Following last night's powerful storm, Town crews continue working throughout Westfield to address its impacts. Here's the latest information:

🔹 Power Outages
Approximately 1,700-2,000 Westfield customers remain without power, although that number continues to fluctuate. Affected facilities include Memorial Pool, Fire House #2, and the Senior Housing complex. Police remain in close communication with Senior Housing, which is operating on a backup generator, to ensure residents' needs are being met.

Memorial Pool remains closed. Once power is restored, several hours will be required to restart and circulate the filtration system before the pool can safely reopen.

🔹 Cooling Center & Charging Station
The Town Hall Community Room is open to anyone in need of air conditioning, device charging, or restroom facilities.

🔹 Property Damage
Trees fell on five homes located on Doris Parkway, Tremont Avenue, East Broad Street, Golf Edge, and Girard Avenue. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Residents either relocated safely on their own or received assistance from the Westfield Police Department and the American Red Cross. The Town's Construction Official has begun structural assessments of the affected homes, and those evaluations will continue in the coming days.

🔹 Road Closures & Cleanup
Several roads remain closed due to downed trees and utility wires, including portions of Mountain Avenue, East Broad Street, Springfield Avenue, Topping Hill Road, and Prospect Street.

As of last night, the Department of Public Works was responding to approximately 40 locations involving fallen trees or large limbs with wire hazards. Cleanup in Town parks will begin once all street-related emergencies have been addressed.

🔹 Response Efforts
The Police, Fire, and Public Works departments continue working to address all outstanding issues. Many response efforts depend on PSE&G crews first de-energizing downed wires before Town crews can safely begin cleanup.

Across PSE&G's service territory in New Jersey, approximately 27,000 customers remain without power, including nearly 12,000 in Union County. The Town remains in close contact with PSE&G regarding restoration efforts.

To Report Storm-Related Issues:
🌳 Tree branches or limbs in streets, parks, or other Town property: Westfield Connect App
🌳 Downed trees: Westfield Police Department at 908-789-4000
⚠️ Downed power lines or wires: Call 9-1-1 immediately
💡 Power outages: PSE&G at 800-436-7734 or text OUT to 4PSEG (47734)

Please do not report power outages to the Westfield Police Department. Reporting outages directly to PSE&G helps restoration crews prioritize repairs and restore service as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and support as our first responders, Public Works crews, and utility partners continue working to restore normal conditions throughout Westfield.

07/04/2026

I hope everyone is safe from the storm last night and has a safe and happy July 4th!

06/24/2026

⚽️ Save the date, Westfield!

After the incredible turnout and energy at our last watch party, we’re gearing up to do it again. If Team USA advances, join us for another community watch party downtown on either July 1 or July 3*.

Final details will depend on the match schedule, but for now, mark your calendars and get ready to cheer on the red, white, and blue together. 🇺🇸

More to come!

*Per knockout stage schedule

06/13/2026

Come celebrate Juneteenth, Westfield!

06/08/2026

As a resident of our town, a driver on our busy roads, and—above all—a parent, keeping everyone safe is my ultimate priority. E-bike safety continues to be a real concern, and the Town of Westfield, NJ Police Department will be enforcing the updated state regulations this summer.

Riders and parents should be aware of the July 19 compliance deadline. Under the new law:

Age Limit: E-bike riders must be at least 15 years old.

Registration: E-bikes must be registered and licensed through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

Traffic Laws: Riders must follow all the standard rules of the road.

Penalties for noncompliance may include fines and, in some cases, impoundment of the bike.

Let's work together to keep our kids and streets safe this summer, and beyond.

06/02/2026

Save the date to celebrate Pride Month on Monday, June 8! 🌈

05/30/2026

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 2nd. Make your voice heard! Make sure you have a plan to vote!

NJ Voter information about the Elections.

05/29/2026

I never fully appreciated months dedicated to cultural or identity groups like AAPI Heritage Month. Until last night.

As an Asian-American councilwoman representing Westfield (the first but not the last), I was invited to join other leaders from across the state at the Governor’s Mansion for the inaugural AAPI Heritage celebration.

In her address, Governor Sherrill spoke about how many of our immigrant parents came to the United States with $8 in their pockets and a dream. And how, in the span of one or two generations, the AAPI community has made extraordinary contributions to the fields of health, education, culture, business, and public service in New Jersey. This, I realized, is what AAPI Heritage month honors and celebrates.

At the end of the night, my mother remarked that she never imagined her American dream would include her daughter wearing a sari to the Governor’s Mansion. So as we celebrate the trailblazers in our community, I am also grateful to the allies who continue to see and celebrate the AAPI community.