FEBRUARY 15, 2023

CRANFORD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

Mayor Brian Andrews

[email protected]

Deputy Mayor Jason Gareis

Public Safety

[email protected]

Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty

Public Works/Engineering      

[email protected]

Commissioner Gina Black

Public Affairs/Recreation & Parks

[email protected]

Commissioner Terrence Curran

Finance

[email protected]

INTERIM TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR

Chief Ryan Greco  

[email protected]

Message from the Mayor

 We are excited for the start of a new year and have an opportunity to choose how we can proactively move our town forward. I hope in 2023 we can make progress in four critical areas.

1. Improve Our Quality of Life: We know it is important that our community be safe, welcoming, and enjoyable to walk. We have made some progress the past several years and will take additional steps to make our town more walkable and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

We want to see a vibrant and dynamic downtown, Centennial Village, and other commercial areas as well as identify opportunities to increase outdoor places to meet and gather.

We will formally open the new recreation center at 375 Centennial Ave on February 25. We must also invest in existing facilities and programs that our residents take advantage of every day.

2. Invest in Our Infrastructure: For too long, Cranford underinvested in our town’s infrastructure, from road paving to flood mitigation. We’ve moved quickly to advance paving and drainage projects as well as instituted a new curb policy.

We’ve also advanced our “All of the Above” flood strategy which encompasses the Army Corp of Engineers, regional solutions, home elevations, flood prone home buy-outs, drainage projects, and improved maintenance. We are on track this year to rebuild the dike to its full approved height, because every inch matters.

3. Improve our Local Government: We must continue to attract and retain high-quality government professionals who keep us safe, serve our residents, and implement incredible programs and events that benefit our families and businesses. We must also ensure our Township Government is transparent, accountable, and accessible.

4. Live Our Values: We want to ensure Cranford remains a community that is inviting and welcoming to all types of families and residents. We want to be good stewards of the environment and leave a better town to future generations.

As a township committee, we want to put politics aside to focus on moving our town forward. We will aim to be a Township Committee worthy of this great community.​     

Best,

Brian Andrews

Mayor

January 17 Official Township Meeting 

Mayoral Announcements

Proclamation read acknowledging Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Proclamation presented to long time resident and public servant Barbara Bilger recognizing her contributions as an elected official and volunteer.

Finance – Commissioner Terrence Curran

·        The first 2023 Budget meeting will be Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 am in Conference Room.

·        The 2023 Capital Budget meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 pm.

Engineering & Public Works – Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty

·        Elizabethtown Gas Co project on Orchard and nearby streets is almost complete. Curb to curb paving will be done by the utility in the Spring.

·        American Water Co project will get underway soon on the following streets: Upon completion, these streets will be paved curb-to-curb by the utility.

• Sylvester (Cranford to Hamilton)
• Arbor / Sutton (Belmont to Orange)
• Casino Phase 1 (Riverside to Manor)
• Casino Phase 2 (Manor to the end)
• Claremont (Casino to Riverside)
• Prospect (Riverside to Manor)
• Orange (Pacific to Birchwood)

·        Contract awarded to Messercola Construction for the Kensington and Edgar Stormwater Improvement Project

·        Contract awarded to TR Weinger for the Riverside Dike Restoration Project

Public Safety – Deputy Mayor Jason Gareis

·        Appointments in the Fire Dept

• Advancement of Arthur Anderson to Battalion Chief
• Advancement of Doug Petschow to Lieutenant
• Appointment of Andrew DiFrancesco as Probationary Firefighter

Resolutions 5-0 Vote

·        Contract to Enovate Consulting for a parking study in the Special Improvement District

·        Contract to purchase Mobile Data Terminals for the Fire Department

·        Authorized Police Department to participate in Defense Logistics Agency Law Enforcement Support Program.

January 24 Official Township Meeting 

Commissioner Reports

Finance – Commissioner Terrence Curran

·        Department heads are working with the Interim Administrator and Chief Financial Officer on 2023 Operating Budgets and the Capital Budget.

Engineering & Public Works – Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty

·        Cranford Terrace area Inflow & Infiltration Project: Pipe installed on Crane Parkway and Cranford Terr. Work will continue on Rose, Phillips, Garden and Edwards.

·        Next Elizabethtown Gas Co main replacement project will involve the following streets (Paving curb to curb will follow):

• Madison (Arlington to Elizabeth)
• Hamilton (Arlington to Elizabeth)
• John (Hamilton to North)
• 321 North Ave E (Cranford Condominiums)

Public Safety – Deputy Mayor Jason Gareis

·        Explained the Ordinance on Agenda concerning Firearms fees

• Firearms Identification Card - $50
• Firearms Permit to Purchase - $25
• Firearms Permit to Carry - $ 150

Public Affairs - Commissioner Gina Black

·        The Community Center on Walnut Ave has recorded 14,198 entries for the month of January. This translates to over 160K entries throughout the year. The Rec Department is very happy to see this increase in utilization, nearing pre-pandemic rates of ~19K in Feb 2019.

·        The Community Center currently runs over 80 programs for ages ranging from infant to seniors, with > 900 attendees.

·        In addition, the Rec Basketball Program reached record numbers this season, with almost 1000 registered players!

·        The Pickleball schedule can be found on the Recreation and Parks homepage.

Ordinance Introduction

·        Introduce an ordinance to amend the Township Code to raise the Firearm fees: 5-0 Vote.

Resolutions

·        Extension of contract to Giordano Company for collection and marketing of recyclable materials

·        Declare Iron Ore Properties LLC proposed site plan application for South Avenue phase of the Rehabilitation Area consistent with the Redevelopment Plan

·        Authorized advertising for bids for garbage removal services for municipal buildings and grounds

·        Authorized a salary stipend for Emergency Management Coordinator

·        Appointed James Pisauro as part time Fire Protection Inspector in the Construction Office

·       Appointed Dr. Christopher Lenza to Board of Health for three year term.

Workshop Meeting February 7

• DMC Director Caren Demyen proposed a $180,745 budget for 2023. 
• Construction Official Frank Genova discussed increase in building and zoning permit fees. The current fees were adopted in 2011.
• ​Discussion about the ongoing discussions and negotiations to expand the partnership with the Westfield YMCA. Proposal under consideration is to totally renovate the fitness center including new equipment, child care and multi-purpose room and filtration system for the indoor pool. Proposal incudes permitting pool and fitness center members to use the Y at no additional cost during construction. Public can send questions to [email protected].
• Discussed a part time Public Information Officer position to handle Township website, social media, newsletter and other communications. 

Official Meeting February 7

Mayoral Announcements

• Proclamation recognizing the 25^th Anniversary and contribution of the Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence.
•  Proclamation recognizing Black History Month.
•  Proclamation and pledge committing Cranford to sustainable land us and recognizing work by the Environmental Commission and Green Team .

Commissioner Comments

Finance – Commissioner Terrence Curran

·        Reminded public about 2023 Operating Budget meeting Saturday, Feb 11 that will also be televised on TV35.

·        Capital Budget meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 pm in Room 108, Town Hall.

Engineering and Public Works – Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty

·        Edgar and Kensington Stormwater Project will include upgrading some pipes from 18”to 27” and increase the size of the catch basins; tests pits have been done; materials expected 8-12 weeks. Township officials will schedule a neighborhood meeting late March or early April.

Public Affairs – Commissioner Gina Black

·        An Open House will be held at the new Recreation Center at 375 Centennial Ave. on Saturday Feb 25th, 4:30-7pm. Come check out the new facility, meet the staff and find out more about future programming.

The Conservation Center is open Wednesdays 9:20am to 3:20pm, Saturdays 9:20am to 3:50pm. The Center will reopen on Sundays March 5^th at 920am.

2023/2024 Conservation Center Stickers will be sold in March. Current stickers are good until April 5^th 2023.

The Township of Cranford currently has a job opening for a Part-Time Finance Clerk in the Finance Office. To view this job listing, as well as other employment opportunities, please visit our website: Township of Cranford Employment Opportunities.