TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD
NEWS
JULY 8, 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

The Hartz Mountain application for 750 Walnut Avenue is scheduled for a Planning Board hearing on Wednesday, July 20 at 8 pm in Town Hall. The hearing will include presentations by professionals and experts for both Hartz and the Township and the public may ask questions of both following their presentations. These will include engineering, traffic, architecture, planning and more. Once the schedule of presentations is finalized it will be posted on the Township website and social media.
 
I know this project is of great concern to many people, especially residents living in the immediate neighborhood. There have been six community meetings (virtual and in-person), as well as numerous public hearings and all of the feedback from those meetings, emails, phone calls and surveys was given to the Township’s traffic expert, planners, engineers and police department for review.

 This project, part of the Affordable Housing settlement with Fair Share Housing, began as a proposal for 900 residential units. Negotiations between the Township and Hartz resulted in that number being reduced to 250 units with flex warehouse space on the remaining 15 acres.
 
 The July 20 Planning Board meeting will also be televised on TV 35 and live streamed on TV35 Facebook page.

Best,
Kathleen Miller Prunty
Mayor
Township Committee Meeting Highlights
Official Meeting: July 7, 2022

  • Adopted an Ordinance to amend the Township Code regarding signage in commercial districts. 5-0 Vote.
  • Introduced an Ordinance to amend the Township Code pertaining to Police extra duty. 5-0 Vote.
  • Introduced an Ordinance to amend the Township Code to exclude trucks of a certain weight (4 tons) on the entire length of Orchard Street. Trucks making deliveries, doing construction or landscaping are permitted. 5-0 Vote.
  • Presented a Proclamation to the Cranford Historic Preservation Advisory Board recognizing the more than 200 unique Cranford street signs as historic. The signs were first installed in 1929.

Resolutions 5-0 Vote
  • Appointing Gary Gonzalez as Road Foreman and Nicholas Hughes as Laborer/Driver in Public Works.
  • Appointing Casey Cullen-Wood to the Stormwater Infrastructure Planning Subcommittee.
  • Authorized renewal of Interlocal Agreement between Township and Board of Education for School Resource Officers July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
  • Award contract with P & A Construction for services associated with 2022 Road Improvement Projects.
  • Awarded contract with Mott MacDonald for engineering services for improvements to repair the Nomahegan Dikes on the Rahway River at Riverside Drive.
  • Authorized periodic street closures (Miln Street between Eastman St and Lot 7 entrance; N. Union Avenue between Springfield Ave and Riverside Drive) for filming on July 27 and 28.
Workshop Meeting July 7, 2022

  • Discussed Fire Prevention Fees.
  • Amended 2022 Township Committee Official Meeting start time to 8 pm on September 27, October 11 and November 14.
  • Discussed programs and fees for the 375 Centennial Ave Recreation facility.
Upcoming Meetings
Planning Board Official Meeting: July 20 at 8pm
Planning Board Official Meeting: August 3 at 8pm
Township Committee Workshop Meeting: August 8 at 7pm
Township Committee Official Meeting: August 9 at 7:30pm
The Cranford Equity and Inclusivity Initiative (Cranford Mayor and Township Committee, Cranford Police Department, Cranford Board of Education, NAACP, the Cranford Clergy Council, and additional concerned citizens) invite the public to an important discussion on July 26.
Shoppers are quickly learning that reusable bags come in many shapes and sizes, as well as material. Bags, for example, can be woven or nonwoven polypropylene, nylon or polyester, bamboo or hemp, cotton or insulated.
While all of these reusable bags are a sustainable alternative to plastic bags, we want to prevent germs and keep food items safe from cross-contamination. The NJCCC is spreading the word on how best to wash and store bags safely between each use. 

Clean
  • Wash bags after each use, following care instructions. See the fabric care label or the table below for more details.
  • Wipe insulated bags with a disinfecting or sanitizing cloth, especially along the seams.
Separate
  • Use separate bags for raw meats, seafood and produce. Label bags to avoid confusion.
  • Keep bags for non-food items like cleaners, books, sports gear, etc. separate from food bags.
Store
  • After washing, make sure the bags are dry before storing.
  • Don't store your bags in your car trunk. This is a dark, warm and often humid environment that promotes bacteria growth.
  • Help prevent bag bacteria by storing your bags at home in a cool, dry environment where air can circulate. Just remember to bring them each time you go shopping!


Taxes are due August 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.