Message from the Mayor
Too many Cranford residents have suffered from flooding too many times for too many years. A major flood control project is not in the immediate future but there is work that can be done and improvements, big and small, that can make a difference. As many residents have said, "every inch of water matters.”
We had good news this week with the announcement of $1,870,906 in funding from the state that will allow us to tackle a serious stormwater issue in the area of South Avenue to Lincoln Avenue west of the Rahway River. You can read more and see the area map here. In addition to this funding, the Township negotiated with Iron Ore, developers of South and Chestnut, to provide an additional $400,000 for the project. This does not relieve the developer from adhering to the Township's strict Stormwater Management rules.
The Township also approved engineers to proceed with road drainage and stormwater issues in various other areas: Edgar and Kensington, Cranford Avenue, Edward Place, Rose, and Phillips Streets. Work has already begun on Burnside and Johnson Avenues.
The Rahway River Mayors Council met with representatives of U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to get updates. They are collecting data from the eight towns involved, evaluating previous flood control plans and will hold a public meeting to discuss and get feedback in September or October. I asked US ACE to visit and tour Cranford's flood areas ahead of that public meeting.
We take this issue very seriously and all have family or friends who have been impacted by flooding. This is a priority and we are tackling it from all angles regionally and locally.
Best,
Kathleen Miller Prunty
Mayor
