TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD
NEWS
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This newsletter is published twice a month by the Township of Cranford to provide residents with important information and updates. | |
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
- Tuesday, February 20, at 7 p.m. Township Committee Workshop Meeting
- Tuesday, February 20, at 8 p.m. Township Committee Official Meeting
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Mayor's Message
Mayor Brian Andrews
A government’s budget represents a community’s values and priorities. This past Saturday, the Township Committee held a special workshop meeting with our Department Heads to discuss planning for the 2024 budget. You can watch the over five-hour meeting on TV-35.
Over the next several weeks, we will seek to balance investments in our roads, flood mitigation, public safety, pedestrian safety, recreation, environment and other priorities while minimizing the impact on Cranford taxpayers.
I also want to note that winter is not done with us yet. We expect more snow into tomorrow (Tuesday). Our Office of Emergency Management has been closely tracking the storms this season and our Department of Public Works is standing by to plow if we get three inches of accumulation on the roads. You can sign up for Nixle email and text alerts to receive weather and other urgent Township updates at: https://local.nixle.com/register/.
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Commissioner Comments
Mayor Brian Andrews
- Provided an update on affordable housing. The New Jersey court ruled against Cranford’s effort with 16 other municipalities to fight the Council On Affordable Housing (COAH). We are disappointed by the ruling and we are taking it to the NJ State Supreme Court. A law office has offered to try this case pro-bono.
- Discussed Community Access Unlimited (CAU) and a new plan for a four-bed group home. The township's new agreement with CAU will provide additional 10 credits to meet Cranford's affordable housing plan. This plan allows us to stop new high-density apartment proposals in town so we can pursue other uses, like the Benjamin Moore Paint Store envisioned for South Ave.
- The Township Committee approved an architect for the Cranford Public Library Expansion and Renovation Project. Stay tuned for updates on the proposed work and schedule.
Deputy Mayor Terrence Curran – Recreation & Parks
- The Centennial Avenue indoor pool and fitness center, the Cranford YMCA, is set to have a tour tomorrow, February 13, and a soft opening on Thursday, February 15. New fire sprinklers and indoor bathroom facilities are currently in progress. Your Cranford YMCA membership will continue to be valid at the Main Y Facility through March 30 while the main locker room renovations are completed. Latest video update on the Cranford YMCA.
- Pickleball drop-in is in session at the recreation center located at 375 Centennial Avenue. Please check the Parks and Rec Facebook page.
- New Recreation program--Track and Field is starting April 1.
- USA Sports Group is offering discounts for youth programs.
- Environmental committee is working on a rain garden at 375 Centennial.
Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty – Engineering & Public Works
- Discussed the ordinance introduced that permits a zoning change for property located on South Avenue to permit a retail use for the opening of a Benjamin Moore Paint store in this space. The retail use is consistent with other uses along South Avenue.
- Announced the special assessment rate in the Downtown Special Improvement District (SID) will see its first assessment increase in 21 years. The new rate is increased to .31 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. This is an increase of .10 cents.
- The Hanson House was authorized funding to replace the roof, shore up the foundation, and make improvements to the rear patio,
- Approved Sidewalk drainage improvements to correct the ponding and freezing of water on Centennial Avenue underneath the Conrail bridge.
- Approved a contract to make repairs to the sidewalk on Denman Road near Sherman Park.
Commissioner Paul Gallo - Public Safety
- Cranford Police Department has a new smart phone app allowing residents to receive alerts, obtain forms for items such as permits, report issues, and more. Search for Cranford Police Department in the App store.
- Urged pedestrians to be aware of surroundings when crossing the road.
- CFD worked with TV-35 to prepare a fire safety video.
- Plainfield Firefighter Marques Hudson lost his life battling a house fire on January 26. Members of the Cranford Fire Department have been assisting the Plainfield Fire Department through this tragedy. Our thoughts go out to the Hudson family and the Plainfield Fire Department.
Commissioner Gina Black - Finance
- Finance department is active in putting together a preliminary budget. Held first budget meeting February 10.
- Reviewed the state of finance -- the Township's annual debt service is down and the surplus is replenished and vested by a small margin.
- Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority bill is about $400,000 this year.
- Terminal pay and insurance costs are up.
Watch each commissioner's comments and the full budget meeting
On TV-35.
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February 6 Official Meeting
Proclamation
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Mayor Andrews read a Proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month and a Proclamation recognizing Detective Sergeant Michael Savnik for receiving the New Jersey State Police 2023 “Trooper of the Year” Award.
Ordinances
- Authorized agreement for the sale of Township property to provide affordable housing opportunities for people with developmental, emotional, physical or social disabilities.
- Amended zoning of 102-24 and 106 South Avenue from office residential character zone to downtown business zone.
Resolutions
- Authorized an award of contract to Arcari and Iovino Architects, P.C. for architectural services for renovations to the Cranford Public Library.
- Authorized an award of contract to Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc. for the provision of professional engineering services for the Hanson House roof replacement project.
- Authorized an award of contract to Jeff's Landscaping Design & Construction for Centennial Avenue improvements to the Conrail Bridge.
- Authorized an award of contract to LMxAC for specialized library services for the Township.
- Accepted, with regrets, the retirement of Captain Guy Patterson of the Cranford Police Department.
- Authorized the appointment of Municipal Prosecutor.
February 5 Workshop Meeting
- Members of the 150th anniversary committee announced they will hold a dedication of a commemorative quilt on March 14 at council chambers.
- Commissioner Prunty proposed honorary signage for Buchanan Street.
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Technical Assistant to the Construction Official (TACO)
The Township of Cranford is accepting applications for the full-time position of Technical Assistant to the Construction Official (TACO) to support an active Building Department. Responsibilities include construction permit receiving, processing, and issuance, scheduling of inspections, general administrative work for the Building Department, monthly reporting and other related duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate will have familiarity and expertise in construction management and building inspection. Must have a working knowledge of office computer use (Word, Excel, Outlook, Edmunds, etc.) and experience with Edmunds & Spatial Data Logic preferred. Certification as a Technical Assistant to the Construction Official, issued by the Department of Community Affairs, is required.
Please e-mail cover letter, resume, and references to Lavona Patterson, Township Administrator, at [email protected]. Position open until filled. The Township of Cranford is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Openings within the Township of Cranford can be found here: https://www.cranfordnj.org/home/pages/employment-opportunities
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IMPORTANT SNOW STORM INFORMATION | |
Snow Storm Weather Update
Cranford Weather Summary – as of 02/12/24 @ 0930 hours: As of 11 a.m. we expect mostly rain after 1 a.m., with the temperatures just north of freezing point. Tuesday, rain and snow transition to all snow after 7 a.m. Wind chill values will be between 20 and 30 and wind gusts could reach up to 35 MPH.
There remains a great degree of variability with this storm. There still will be enough rain to prevent pretreating with salt in the overnight into the early morning hours. Snowfall bands can bring up to 1 inch per hour rates that'll allow surfaces to cover and accumulate despite marginal temperatures. It'll likely snow quite well for a few hours before tapering back to lighter snow midday, at which point cleared and treated surfaces become increasingly difficult for snow to stick to.
Totals have been moved up to 2.5 to 5.0 inches and it's looking more and more like a low-end plowable event. Updates will be posted as necessary.
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Weather Advisory & Plowing
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for late Monday night through Tuesday afternoon for our area. Precipitation is expected to begin as rain before turning to all snow after 7 am. Snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible. Updated information will be posted as needed.
Residents are reminded to move their cars from streets and park them in driveways so our public works crews can clear streets if there is plowable snowfall. Public Works will begin plowing after an accumulation of 3 inches. Please shovel the walkways around your homes, but do not put shoveled snow back into the street after your street has been plowed. The Township is divided into 4 sectors and crews will clear snow in each starting with main roadways.
A reminder the following are County roads and will be plowed by Union County DPW: South, Centennial, Springfield, Walnut Avenues, Raritan Road and Kenilworth Blvd. North Avenue is a State road.
Please be careful when driving as hazardous travel conditions are expected to impact the morning and evening commutes.
Please use 911 only for emergencies. All other Police related calls for assistance please use 908-272-2222.
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Southside Recycling is Postponed to Friday, February 16. | |
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Due to tomorrow’s weather forecast, Tuesday’s South Side recycling pick up has been moved to Friday February 16, 2024.
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Important program changes to the Senior Tax Freeze for 2023 Filing Season:
Beginning with the 2023 filing season, the law:
• Increases the income limit for the program to $150,000; and
• Eliminates the requirement that an applicant must be a New Jersey resident for 10 consecutive years.
The age/disability and three-year homeownership requirements remain unchanged.
The deadline for the 2023 application is October 31, 2024.
For further information on the Senior Tax Freeze, visit: the NJ Division of Taxation or call the Senior Freeze Hotline at (800) 882-6597.
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Remove English Ivy from Trees
The Cranford Green Team advises residents to remove English Ivy from trees on their property. English Ivy is an invasive species that, if left unchecked, can cause a tree to become weak, allow pests to breed disease to the tree, and produce berries that birds will spread throughout the region, furthering the production of English Ivy throughout the region. Removing English Ivy is the best way to stop the spread of this non-native plant.
Remove English Ivy with hand pruners, cutting near the ground as well as about chest height. The English Ivy may need to be pried off the bark of the tree to fully remove the ivy and allow the tree to receive sunlight.
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Residents who have issues with a tree on public property, should contact the newly formed Shade Tree Commission.
Contact the Shade Tree Commission at (908) 709-7205 or [email protected].
The Shade Tree Commission was established to ensure the appropriate management of the Cranford community forest. It has responsibility for the regulation, planting and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery located in the Township of Cranford on public property.
Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building, located at 8 Springfield Avenue.
View the Shade Tree Commission webpage for more information at:
https://www.cranfordnj.org/shade-tree-commission
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Residents should leave garbage cans on the rear yard or driveway of their house, per township ordinance.
No solid waste or solid waste receptacle may be placed on the street, front sidewalk or between the front sidewalk and curb of the street. Rear yard pickup is required. For rear yard pickup, solid waste receptacle(s) may be placed in the driveway or rear yard, but not beyond 10 feet from the closest wall of the dwelling.
Kindly ensure that you keep the sidewalk and curb in front of residential premises free of obstructions. Please refrain from placing garbage cans in the street prior to the pickup. Garbage cans should be kept on your property at all times.
Please contact the Health Department if there are any questions.
The Health Department may be reached at 908-709-7225.
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And Checking our Website for Cranford News.
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