Fanwood Gets $1 Million County Grant Toward New Fire Truck

According to the Borough of Fanwood's announcement on October 15, 2026.

Fanwood will put $1 million in county grant money toward a new fire truck for its volunteer fire department, and the borough does not have to match any of it.

The Borough of Fanwood announced the grant on Oct. 15, one day after a $1 million check presentation on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Here is what Union County Life readers in Fanwood need to know about the award.

The money comes from the Union County Improvement Authority's 2026 Capital Project Grant Program, run with the Union County Board of County Commissioners. It is giving $10 million only to Union County towns. According to the borough, state money secured with the support of Senate President Nicholas Scutari, whose 22nd District includes Fanwood, funds the program.

The award follows a vote on Sept. 22, when the Borough Council passed resolutions to apply for the county grants. Fanwood asked for money for fire department apparatus, for work at LaGrande and Forest Road parks, and for a Senior and Office of Emergency Management Center at Forest Road Park.

"This grant is an important investment in Fanwood's public safety and the dedicated volunteers who serve our community," Mayor Colleen Mahr said. "A new fire truck will help ensure our firefighters have the equipment they need to respond to emergencies and continue protecting our residents."

Fanwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Piccola said the funding "will make a meaningful difference for our department and our ability to serve the community." A fire truck carries firefighters, water and special gear to emergencies and serves as a command center on scene, the borough said.

Bibi Taylor, executive director of the Improvement Authority, said the grants help towns replace emergency equipment and improve public buildings without adding a financial burden on local governments and taxpayers.

The borough did not say what type of truck it will buy, what the truck will cost in total, or when it will be ordered or delivered. It also did not say what will happen to the current truck. The announcement lists no contact for questions.

The borough has not said whether its park and senior center requests were funded. Find more Fanwood news and public safety updates on Union County Life.

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