🌱 How will Plainfield’s new budget and data‑center ban affect you?
Plainfield, New Jersey Patch AM: a 4 min readHi there, Plainfield! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How will Plainfield’s new budget and data‑center ban affect you?
- Remember when Plainfield broke ground on the new Booker School?
- What does NJ-12’s GOP hopeful’s tiny war chest mean for Plainfield?
Also on today's calendar: HMH Multicultural Arts Fest 2026 and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What is seen in the middle of March and April that can’t be seen at the beginning or end of either month? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Breezy and very hot, with a high of 101 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Partly sunny, breezy and hot, temps: high: 95, low: 70.
- Friday: Some sun; hot, low humidity, with a high of 94 and low of 70 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. City of Plainfield Bans Data Centers, Passes City Budget During Busy Meeting; See the Votes (tapinto.net) — Plainfield residents face a 5.4% municipal tax increase after the City Council approved the new budget during a packed Monday meeting that also banned data centers in town. Councilors tabled strict short‑term rental rules, limited how long political signs can stay up, and reversed course to name Cresthaven Academy developer for a West Third Street property. 
2. Gannone gets life, this week in Central Jersey history, July 13-19 (mycentraljersey.com) — Plainfield shows up twice in this Central Jersey history roundup, including the 2021 groundbreaking for the new Charles and Anna Booker School that will replace Woodland Elementary, and a major Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant aimed at improving health in Plainfield and nearby communities. The piece also revisits notable regional crime, politics, sports, and weather‑related incidents from past decades.
3. NJ-12 Republican reports just $3,083 in cash, $19,128 in debt (newjerseyglobe.com) — A Republican congressional hopeful now listing a Plainfield address in NJ-12 has just over $3,000 in cash and more than $19,000 in campaign debt. The story tracks his long, mostly unsuccessful run through past races and shows how financially uphill his challenge is in this heavily Democratic district.
4. NJ utility seeks rate hike as water shutoffs and bills soar (wpst.com) — Plainfield is among several New Jersey towns where more than 500 homes had water shutoffs last year, as New Jersey American Water now seeks a 12% rate hike. The utility says higher bills would fund infrastructure upgrades and expanded low-income discounts, while advocates warn rising costs are squeezing residents already struggling with other utility and grocery prices.
📸 Around Plainfield
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Plainfield
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
HMH Multicultural Arts Fest 2026 →
Woodbridge High School, 1 Samuel Lupo Pl, Woodbridge Township
4:00 pm -
Stranger Things: The 1,000 Candles Concert Experience →
The Presbyterian Church Chapel in Westfield, 140 Mountain Ave, Westfield, NJ, 07090,
5:00 pm
Saturday July 25
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Create and Connect
North Plainfield Library North Plainfield branch - Children's Room
6:00 pm -
Qigong for Stress Relief
Watchung Library Watchung branch - Wilson Memorial Church
11:00 am -
Culinary Creators: Under the Sea Graham Crackers
North Plainfield Library North Plainfield branch - Program Room
3:30 pm -
Culinary Creators: Under the Sea Graham Crackers →
SCLSNJ's North Plainfield branch, 6 Rockview Ave, North Plainfield
3:30 pm -
Teen Volunteer Afternoon: Letters to Community Helpers
Watchung Library Watchung branch - 20 Stirling Road
4:30 pm -
Plan Ahead: Your Decisions Matter
Watchung Library Watchung branch - Community Room
2:00 pm -
Saturday ESL conversation group →
South Plainfield Public Library, 2484 Plainfield Ave, South Plainfield
11:00 am -
Saturday Movie Matinee
North Plainfield Library North Plainfield branch - Main Floor
1:00 pm
Wednesday July 15
Thursday July 16
Friday July 17
Saturday July 18
📣 Plainfield Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Disabilities Social Hour
North Plainfield Library North Plainfield branch - Main Floor
10:30 am -
Watchung Library Writers Group
Watchung Library Watchung branch - 20 Stirling Road
10:30 am -
Spin the Wheel Wednesday
Watchung Library Watchung branch -
10:30 am -
America 250 Story Time with General George Washington →
Town Book Store, 270 E Broad St, Westfield
1:00 pm
Wednesday July 15
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Cold Stone Creamery posted a job opening for Crew Member in Westfield. Apply here.
- LongHorn Steakhouse posted a job opening for Server in Piscataway. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Plainfield here.
Ok Plainfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The letter “R.” (Thank you Manuela A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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