GARWOOD — Topping the bi-monthly Garwood Council meeting held last Thursday evening was a series of announcements regarding upcoming events that will be held within the borough.

A socially-distanced Garwood Senior Walk will be held this Saturday, October 3, at 10 a.m., at the Recreation Complex. According to Council President Jen Blumenstock, the event is being sponsored by the borough council in conjunction with the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. In addition, there will be a talk on pedestrian safety. Masks are required to participate.

Fire Prevention Week will be observed in the borough the week of October 4 to 10. Additionally, the Garwood Celebrations Committee is sponsoring a Garwood Scarecrow contest. The registration for participation goes until Friday, October 9. Any Garwood resident can participate and register through Garwoodcelebrations@garwood.org. It was stated that only 25 participants can be accepted and winners will be announced on Sunday, November 1.

It was noted that the Garwood Public Library had an official drop box for mail-in ballots for the General Election taking place Tuesday, November 3.

In other business, it was announced that a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on September 18, 2020 for new Garwood business The Body Department, followed by an open house showcasing the new business.

The new business was said to offer non-invasive and invasive cosmetic procedures. It is located across from King’s Supermarket.

In other business, Mayor Sara Todisco addressed the audience, updating everyone on the most recent Covid cases within the borough. It was reported that Garwood had three new cases, and that positive test results could be connected to recent testing that Garwood had offered to its senior population at the borough’s firehouse. It was not reported, however, how the cases were identified.

As of now, Garwood has had 52 cases with two deaths reported. It was noted that everyone should still wash their hands regularly, use antibacterial hand sanitizer that has at least a 60-percent alcohol content when one can not wash their hands, practice social distancing when possible, wear face masks and stay home if they are feeling sick.

In other business, it was reported that a local arborist had reviewed 32 trees that were slated to be removed throughout the borough in the recently approved re-curbing project resolution. Bob Caffrey of Scotch Plains was said to have toured the borough, stating that two of the 32 trees earmarked for removal could be saved. The addresses were reported as 704 Center Street and 555 Myrtle Street.

The trees throughout the borough were reported as having roots that dislocate curbing.

A resolution for the project recently was passed to remove the trees and replace them. The project is slated to start in mid- October and has been reported to end by December of 2020.