February 23, 2024

CRANFORD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

Mayor Brian Andrews

[email protected]

Deputy Mayor Terrence Curran

Public Affairs/Recreation & Parks

[email protected]

Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty

Public Works/Engineering      

[email protected]

Commissioner Gina Black

Finance

[email protected]

Commissioner Paul A. Gallo

Public Safety

[email protected]

TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR

Lavona Patterson

[email protected]

UPCOMING MEETINGS



• Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. Township Committee Workshop Meeting
• Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. Township Committee Conference Meeting
• Tuesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. Township Committee Official Meeting

Mayor Brian Andrews

• Benjamin Moore paint store is interested to open on South Avenue at the former sheet metal union site. Following constructive feedback from members of the public, the Township Committee will amend zoning of the property to Village Commercial. This move will prevent any future construction of high-density apartment buildings, which can be permitted in the Downtown District. The amended ordinance is set for adoption on March 19.
• Residents' feedback led to approval of two new ordinances on Tuesday. One will prevent trucks over 4 tons from using Lexington Avenue as a cut through. The other bans parking on one side of Pacific Avenue near Roosevelt Park to enhance park user and pedestrian safety.
• As another step to enshrine good governance and ethical behavior in our local government, we amended the Township Committee bylaws to discourage Township Commissioners from political campaigning during official Township meetings. 

Deputy Mayor Terrence Curran – Recreation & Parks

• Provided an update on construction at 750 Walnut Avenue.
• Dust: Somerset Union Soil Conservation District inspected and is requiring Hartz to mitigate the dust problem by: 1.) increasing the size of tracking pad so dust comes off trucks before leaving site, 2.) seed undisturbed areas including the mound of dirt, and 3.) update plan and resubmit to Somerset Soil and Conservation District by March 12.
• Berm: Hartz removed an additional 151 trees on the property of which 58 were removed along the berm and 93 along the train tracks and back of the property. It significantly changes Hartz's original plan, so the township is requiring Hartz to appear before the planning board and resubmit a new plan.
• The Cranford YMCA is open at Centennial Avenue Pool. It has all new fitness equipment. As of Tuesday, 540 new members joined. Indoor pool is open. Locker rooms are undergoing a complete refurbishment. (See flyer below.)
• Cranford Parks and Recreation will launch a new website next week.
• The recreation center at 375 Centennial is open and available to rent for activities.
• Shade Tree Commission met this week. Tree stumps identified in town to be marked for removal. Planning a tree planting program and tree nursery.
• Rain garden planned at 375 Centennial through a grant with Sustainable Jersey.

Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty – Engineering & Public Works

• The DMC is submitting a grant application to the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority for planning and technical expertise to look at three areas where there is no accessible or safe pedestrian passage that were part of an original historic river walk through town. These include: 1.) South Avenue / Centennial Avenue near Lincoln Park East, 2.) Crossing South Avenue to North Avenue, 3.) North Union Avenue near Sperry Park. All projects came to us from volunteers.
• Engineering design survey work for Birchwood and Birch roadways will continue to provide crosswalks with flashing beacon signs, and a walkway so people don’t have to walk or bike in the driveway to the Orange Avenue Pool. 

Commissioner Paul Gallo - Public Safety

• Cranford Police Department (CPD) arrested six individuals in association with a stolen car with the assistance of automatic license plate readers. 
• Cranford Fire Department offers a free inspection of smoke and CO detectors in Cranford residents' home.
• CPD will bring in a mobile unit from the Motor Vehicle Commission on March 19 and March 21 at the Community Center parking lot.
• Reminded residents to download the CPD app on their mobile devices to stay tuned of alerts.

Commissioner Gina Black - Finance

• The township will introduce the 2024 budget on March 19 and adopt the budget on April 23.

Watch each commissioner's comments and the full meeting on TV-35.

February 20 Official Meeting

Ordinances: Adopted

• Amended the code to prohibit trucks over 4 tons to drive on the entire length of Lexington Avenue.
• Amended the code to prohibit parking at all times on the west side of Pacific Avenue from Orange Avenue to Locust Drive.

Resolutions

• Authorized the advancement of Douglas Kurt Petschow to the rank of Battalion Chief within the Cranford Fire Department, effective March 1, 2024.
• Authorized the advancement of Wesley Ditzel III to the rank of Lieutenant within the Cranford Fire Department, effective March 1, 2024.
• Authorized the appointment of Travis Literate as a Probationary Firefighter within the Cranford Fire Department, effective March 1, 2024.
• Spruce Street Improvements Project is completed. Authorized the release of final payment, contract retainage and Performance Bond to DLS Contracting Inc. in connection with the NJDOT (New Jersey Department of Transportation) FY2022 (Fiscal Year 2022) Spruce Street Improvements Project.
• Authorized an award of contract to Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc. for the provision of Engineering Services (Traffic Study Design) associated with the Various Pedestrian Improvements Program.
• Authorized an award of contract to Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc. for the provision of additional Engineering Services (Survey and Design) in connection with the Birch Street and Orange Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Project.
• Accepted, with regrets, the retirement of Arthur Anderson, a Battalion Chief within the Cranford Fire Department, effective March 1, 2024.
• Accepted, with regrets, the resignation of Martha Banks, Technical Assistant Supervisor within the Cranford Building Department, effective February 23, 2024
• Adopted the Township Committee revised Bylaws to add that it is inappropriate for Township Commissioners to mention political endorsements during Township Committee meetings or other official meetings.
• Supported legislation to establish minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards.
• Authorized submission of grant application to Transportation Planning Authority for technical assistance on a Complete Streets Pedestrian Improvement plan.

February 20 Workshop Meeting

• Agreed to install signage at Orange Avenue Pool to honor former, long time Director and Cranford resident, the late Guy Borges. Will discuss sign ideas with the Swim Pool Utility Advisory Board. 
• Agreed to honor John and Mamie Culbreath by installing an honorary street sign at Buchanan Street. The Culbreaths settled in Cranford in the 1920s and Mr. Culbreath built several homes on Buchanan Street in the 1940s that stand today.

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

Construction Official/Building Subcode Official

The Township of Cranford is accepting applications for the full-time position of Construction Code Enforcement Official. The successful candidate will possess a current Construction Official, Building HHS Subcode and Inspector licenses, and be an outstanding leader and manager ready to oversee the day-to-day operations of a very active Building Department. This position reports to the Township Administrator and exercises considerable independence of judgment in meeting assigned objectives and delivering services. Duties include responsibility for departmental budgeting, performing plan review of projects and inspections, as well as supervising a staff of Subcode Officials, technicians and inspectors. Excellent customer service skills are mandatory for this position, along with the ability to multi-task efficiently and effectively in a high activity work environment, as well as to forge and maintain professional and cooperative team relationships with all others in the Department and with other Departments in the Township. The candidate will possess at least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory and administrative leadership capacity in a high functioning building department or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Must possess a valid NJ driver’s license and be able to perform all duties of the UCC office as outlined in the NJUCC. Must be computer literate – experience with Spatial Data Logic and Edmunds, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, preferred. SC Electrical HHS, SC Plumbing HHS, SC Fire Protection Inspector HHS a plus. Floodplain Manager Certification a plus. Salary shall be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

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.  

Each Month, the Cranford Shade Tree Commission will educate residents about trees that line our streets, here in beautiful Cranford!

Contact the Shade Tree Commission at (908) 709-7205 or [email protected]

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.