TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD
NEWS
APRIL 28, 2022
This newsletter is published twice a month by the Township of Cranford to provide residents with important information and updates.
CRANFORD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty      

Deputy Mayor Jason Gareis
Public Safety

Commissioner Brian Andrews
Public Works/Engineering

Commissioner Gina Black
Public Affairs

Commissioner Mary O’Connor
Finance
TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR

Jamie Cryan  
Message from the Mayor

As elected officials, we speak with mayors and council people from other towns about shared concerns and often collaborate our forces to find solutions. For example, 30 mayors served by the Raritan Valley Line formed an Alliance and were instrumental in getting several direct trains and same platform transfers and we continue to push for better and safer rail transportation.
  Eight mayors whose towns are impacted by Rahway River flooding have advocated for a regional flood control project for several years and since Ida have been even more aggressive in demanding action.
  In conversations with mayors from Garwood, Westfield, Fanwood and Scotch Plains, we discuss the challenges of development, traffic impact and understand that our towns are not islands. What happens in one town can affect its neighbors in nearby towns so we organized the Route 28/South Avenue Corridor Mayors. Read more here. 

Best,
Kathleen Miller Prunty
Mayor
Township Committee Meeting Highlights
Official Meeting: April 26

  • Adopted the Township’s 2022 Municipal Budget. 5-0 vote. For details please go here.
  • Adopted the Downtown District Management Corporation (DMC) 2022 Budget. 5-0 vote. For details, please go here.
  • Township issued Proclamations honoring the Victims of the Holocaust and for Autism Advocacy.
  • Appointed Jordan Gassmann as a Probationary Firefighter in the Cranford Fire Department. 5-0 vote.
  • Appointed Brandon Metz as Assistant Superintendent of Public Works. 5-0 vote.

Resolutions Approved 5-0 vote
  • Approved an agreement with the Westfield YMCA to operate an 8-week summer day camp program at the Centennial Avenue Pool & Fitness facility. The YMCA will upgrade the facility and outside play area for the full day program that will run Monday through Friday beginning June 27 through August 19.
  • Approved contract with Clark Concession Operations LLC for food concession at Orange Avenue Pool. The Township will contract with a vendor for Centennial Pool at the next meeting.
  • Approved agreement with Union County for use of Nomahegan Park and Garden State Fireworks for fireworks display Saturday, July 2.
  • Approved a change order for repairs to the flooring at 375 Centennial Avenue Recreation facility.
  • Approved request to close a portion of Miln Street for St. Michael’s Annual Memorial Day Parish Block Party on Monday, May 30.
  • Agreed to work with PSE&G on energy and cost efficient upgrades to the lighting and HVAC systems at the Community Center. This is within the PSE&G Energy Saver Programs.
At 2 p.m. tomorrow, April 29, 2022, the Township of Cranford Municipal Offices will be working on an internet upgrade. There will be no access to email while the upgrade is being worked on, and the outage may last for about an hour. You will still be able to reach the Municipal Offices by phone at 908-709-7206 and can view our Department Directory on our website at the following link: https://www.cranfordnj.org/department-contacts. 
Visit Us at the Street Fair! The Township, Police Department, Environmental Commission, Green Team and Clean Communities Committee will all be at Sunday’s Chamber of Commerce Street Fair. Stop by Lot 1 (by the gazebo) to see us and get information about programs, activities and services offered by the Township.
Starting May 4, NJ will be implementing a statewide Bag Ban. The law encourages customers to bring their own reusable bags and no longer allows single-use plastic bags at grocery and retail establishments. Paper bags are also not allowed at larger grocery stores. In addition, polystyrene foam takeout food containers and other polystyrene food-service products such as plates, cups, and food trays are prohibited.

Please note that a "single-use plastic carryout bag" is a carryout bag made of plastic that is not a reusable carryout bag as defined by the law. These are prohibited from being provided in all retail establishments. There is no minimum thickness for a bag to be considered reusable. No single-use plastic carryout bags, regardless of the thickness of the plastic, are allowed to be provided or sold.

The following websites contain additional information:
Registration for the Pool is Open!
The 2022 Spring/Summer Township of Cranford brochure is now out! Click on the image below to view the upcoming recreation programs, pool and fitness center information, and more.
Cranford DPW has committed to not using gas-powered leaf blowers in the summer months and to limit their use for spring cleanups.
Tax payments are due May 1. A reminder about the convenient and secure drop boxes at the rear entrance that can be used to leave tax payments, applications and paperwork for building, zoning and engineering departments.