westfield news Archives - Luxury Homes/Top Towns

Westfield Firefighters Holiday Food Drive 2020

November 13, 2020 by Scott Gleason

2020 changed the way we live our lives in many ways. Schools went virtual. Employers sent workers home. Even major events like AddamsFest went virtual. Many businesses are hurting. Some local residents found themselves unemployed and struggling. During the holidays, this stings even more. You can help our less fortunate neighbors by participating in the Westfield Firefighters Holiday Food Drive 2020.

Keeping public safety in mind, the Westfield Firefighters Holiday Food Drive accepts gift cards to grocery stores instead of food this year.

What: Holiday Food Drive 2020
Where: Westfield Fire Headquarters (405 N Ave W) & Westfield Fire Station #2 (1029 Central Ave)
When: Now Through December 1st
Contact: Westfield FMBA Local 30 via email

Westfield Firefighters Holiday Food Drive 2020

Every year, the Westfield Firefighters conduct a holiday food drive for local families in need. This year, the firefighters have already received more requests for meal baskets than they did last year. They need your help to make sure everyone gets taken care of.

With COVID-19 concerns on everyone’s minds, the firefighters will not accept food donations in person this year. Instead, they request gift cards to Trader Joe’s, ShopRite, and Stop & Shop. With these cards, they can go shop for the food they need to create each meal basket.

How to Participate in the Holiday Food Drive

If you wish to participate in the holiday food drive, simply visit one of the three stores listed above. Purchase a gift card in the amount you wish to donate ($5, $10, $25…every bit helps). Then, drop off the gift cards at either the Westfield Fire Headquarters or Station #2 between 8 am and 8 pm any day of the week.

If you cannot drop your gift cards off in person, mail them to:

Westfield FMBA Local 30
405 N Ave W
Westfield, NJ 07090

2020 has been a difficult year to say the least. For some, it’s been more difficult than others. Bring some cheer to families in need this holiday season and support our local firefighters at the same time. Please purchase a gift card today.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Adopt-a-Drain Program

August 28, 2020 by Scott Gleason

One of the best things about living in Westfield is that we take care of each other and our town. That’s an important contributing factor to why we continue to make the list of Top Best Places to Live in NJ each year. City officials created the Westfield Adopt-a-Drain program to encourage residents to assist them in keeping our storm drains clear. This also provides a wonderful opportunity to teach your children a pride in their community.

Westfield Adopt-a-Drain Program

When it rains (like this weekend), everything ends up in the storm drains. Grass, leaves, trash, animal waste, and anything else on our sidewalks and streets all make their way down the streets and into these drains. The build-up of materials creates a blockage, backing up water and causing flooding to occur. If left to pool for a period of time, it causes damage to our city streets and walkways.

These drains need to be cleaned regularly to keep the water from backing up. But with 3000 drains, the City has a tough job keeping up with regular cleanings. So, they created the Westfield Adopt-a-Drain program. Simply sign up online, choose a drain near your home, school, or office, and start raking away.

How Often Do I Need to Clear My Storm Drain?

Honestly, twice a month should be enough. But, please, check it before and after a big storm. We need a clear area for proper runoff before the storm starts. And since debris can build up during a storm, cleaning it afterward helps ensure that it continues to provide a clear pathway for future runoff.

Make sure you document your efforts by taking photos and posting them to your social media. Tag the City (@TownofWestfield on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) when you post. Also, visit the online tracking tool to update the stats after you clear the drain. You’ll be provided the information needed to do so when you sign up to adopt a drain. Encourage others to participate. Together, we can continue to make our community a great place to live.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield 300 Time Capsule

August 21, 2020 by Scott Gleason

One hundred years ago was the beginning of what would eventually be known as “The Roaring Twenties”. Women were officially allowed to vote. F Scott Fitzgerald’s first novel, This Side of Paradise, was released. A world pandemic, the Spanish Flu, wound down. And presidential election results were broadcast over the radio for the very first time. To celebrate our city’s 300th birthday, officials need your help with one of the objects going into the Westfield 300 Time Capsule.

Along with the usual items (newspapers, maps, menus, current electronics), local officials would like to include residents' opinions about current events as well as predictions for the future to place in the Westfield 300 Time Capsule.

Westfield 300 Time Capsule

Officials already decided to include the regular stuff you expect to see in a time capsule: newspapers, maps, menus, a jersey from Westfield High School, etc. Current electronics that are sure to be obsolete when the capsule is opened in 100 years also go into the time capsule. Of course, they plan on placing news about COVID-19 inside as well.

But officials need your help with a special project they’d like to add. They want residents to fill out an online questionnaire. Questions include your opinions about current events, pop culture, and where you live. The questionnaire asks about how COVID-19 affected you and your loved ones. They also want to hear your predictions for the future. It only takes a few minutes to complete. So, please visit the Westfield 300 website to complete your questionnaire today.

Quimby Street Updates

In other news, the one-way traffic weekends on Quimby Street appear to be quite popular for many Westfield residents and most of the local businesses there. Therefore, officials decided to extend this setup well into the fall. In fact, it may continue through Thanksgiving if possible. The city purchased and set up tents along Quimby Street to allow for anyone utilizing the “to go” options from local restaurants to sit and eat. As the weather cools off, officials talked about possibly purchasing outdoor heating lamps to encourage the continued use of these spaces. How do you feel about that? Sound off in the comments below.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Named in Top 10 Best Places to Live in NJ 2020

July 31, 2020 by Scott Gleason

There are so many things to love about our fair city. Great food options. Lots of shopping. And we always help others in whatever way possible. So it should be no surprise that Westfield ranked in the Top 10 of Niche.com’s Best Places to Live in NJ for 2020.

Niche.com ranked Westfield #9 in its Top 10 Best Places to Live in NJ List for 2020 and #6 on its Best Suburbs to Live in NJ 2020.

Westfield Among Top 10 Best Places to Live in NJ

At #9, Westfield was the top-rated Union County city in New Jersey to make Niche.com’s list. The only other Union County city on the list was New Providence. That makes three years in a row that Niche.com bestowed this honor upon Westfield. Our real estate market has seen an increase in buyer demand even with COVID-19.

Niche.com bases their rankings on 12 different factors. These include public schools, jobs, health and fitness, outdoor activities, nightlife, and whether it’s a good place for families. All of these received “A” grades, with public schools, health, and fitness, and good for families receiving an A+ each. Commute time, housing, crime and safety, diversity, and weather all received “B” grades.

The majority of Westfield residents own their homes. This shows in how well-maintained our properties are. That shows a pride of ownership. The city offers a wide variety of restaurants, boutiques, and coffee shops as well as parks. Its easy commute into the City makes it a fantastic option for workers who desire a more suburban home life. (It’s also #6 on Niche.com’s Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey 2020, too.)

Best Places to Live in New Jersey 2020

#1 – Princeton
#2 – Princeton Junction
#3 – Upper Montclair
#4 – Ridgewood
#5 – Mountain Lakes
#6 – Princeton Meadows
#7 – Springdale
#8 – Monmouth Junction
#9 – Westfield
#10 – New Providence

If you’d like to purchase a Westfield home, contact me. I’d be happy to show you everything this town has to offer.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Best Ways to See Comet Neowise in Westfield

July 17, 2020 by Scott Gleason

Politics. Religion. The Patriots. We all have different opinions about these subjects. However, I believe I found something that we can all agree on: the majesty of the night sky. This weekend, Mother Nature puts on a celestial display unlike anything you’ve ever seen in the last 20+ years: Comet Neowise. Your best opportunity to see the comet in Westfield happens this weekend before and after the Westfield Virtual Pizza Run.

If you want to see the brightest comet in the sky since Hale-Bopp in 1997, look up to the skies above Westfield this weekend and watch Comet Neowise rise above.

How to See Comet Neowise in Westfield

Comet Neowise first came on NASA’s “radar” on March 27th, 2020. But in the past few days, people all over the world searched the night skies to see what kind of performance it would put on for them. This Saturday and Sunday evenings mark the best nights to see the comet in New Jersey. Fortunately, the weatherman predicts crystal clear skies. It is said to be the brightest comet since Hale-Bopp in 1997. So, you’re not going to want to miss it.

Where to Look

NASA says that your best chance to see the comet in all its glory is to focus on an area away from city lights. Find a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. Make sure you have your binoculars or telescope ready. Once the sun goes down, look to the northwest, just below the Big Dipper. For the last month, people reported the best views of the comet taking place approximately an hour before sunrise. Right now, sunrise in Westfield happens around 5:45 am.

Safety Precautions

Just last week, Mayor Brindle announced several new positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Westfield. This happened after a blissful two weeks of no new cases being reported. Several of these positive cases appeared to have come from teenagers attending a local party. In response, the mayor strongly urges residents to avoid gathering with people you don’t live with to help staunch any community spread. If you do plan a comet watch party, maintain a safe six foot space and wear your face masks.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes