(above) Mrs. McGovern with Mayor Mahr and Council members Jeff Banks, Erin McElroy Barker, Trisha Walsh, Kathy Mitchell and Tom Kranz
Fanwood Celebrates Eleanor McGovern
Retiring Fanwood Borough Clerk and Administrator, Eleanor McGovern was celebrated on December 18, 2019, at a dinner at the Shackamaxon Country Club with gifts, proclamations and about 100 guests who honored her 35 years of service.
Mrs. McGovern, who began working as Clerk/Administrator in 1984, saw five mayors and many more council members come and go during her tenure, which came to an end on December 31, 2019. She announced her retirement in the fall.
Mayor Colleen Mahr was the keynote speaker, and was joined by Public Works Director Clint Dicksen and Police Chief Richard Trigo who praised her service and their ability to work seamlessly with her to perform the important functions of the Borough. Fanwood Tax Collector and Registrar Colleen Huehn spoke fondly of her as a friend and coworker for the last 34 years and presented her with a gift card from coworkers and friends. Council President Tom Kranz read portions of proclamations in Mrs. McGovern’s honor from Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, the New Jersey Assembly and the Union County Freeholders. Mayor Mahr and members of the Council presented her with a pen crafted from the Fanwood Oak, the iconic tree that once stood on Martine Avenue but had to be cut down for safety reasons. She also received a plaque made from the tree.
Many members of Mrs. McGovern’s family were in attendance, including her son Bill who flew in from Denver, sons Mike and Jerry and two grandsons. Two of her sisters also attended.
A virtual who’s who of Fanwood and regional officials, former officials and volunteers were among the approximately 100 people in attendance, including County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, Garwood Mayor Sara Todisco, former Scotch Plains Town Manager Tom Atkins, municipal clerks from across the region, Fire Chief John Piccola, Rescue Squad president Ed Winsor, Library Director Dan Weiss, Shade Tree Commission Chairman Steve Falco, Borough Engineer Antonios Panagopolous, Zoning Official Ray Sullivan, Tax Assessor Mike Ross, Borough CFO Fred Tomkins, Redevelopment Director Liz Jeffrey, Fanwood poet laureate Adele Kenny, all of Mrs. McGovern’s coworkers at Borough Hall, and all members of the Borough Council.
Photos courtesy of Tom Kranz
(above) Mrs. McGovern, seated fourth from left, surrounded by her family
(above) Council President Kranz reads various proclamations
(above) Mayor Mahr presenting gifts
