JUNE 2, 2023

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Finance – Commissioner Curran

• Reported the Estimated Tax Rate is $6.666 per $1,000; an increase of approx. $98 per household.
• Update on municipal pools: 1,842 memberships; attendance on first weekend was approx. 500 at Centennial Pool and 1,200 at Orange Avenue Pool.
• Still recruiting lifeguards. The seven pools at the two complexes require 80 lifeguards and we currently have 63. Cranford experiencing same lifeguard shortage occurring in the area and around the country. 

Engineering & Public Works – Commissioner Miller Prunty

• Road Projects Update includes work being done by Township and utility companies
• Cranford Ave Area Drainage Project: drainage improvements, curbing and roadwork Cranford (Forest to Elizabeth) and Arlington (Cranford to North), realign road at Arlington and Hamilton
• Cranford Terrace area Inflow & Infiltration Project: sanitary sewer improvements and paving also on Garden, Edwards, Rose, Phillips, parts of Wall and Munsee.
• Edgar and Kensington: upgrade storm sewer capacity by increasing inlets from 5 to 9, replacing 18” pipes with a larger box culvert. Contractor has begun digging test pits and anticipates starting work on June 19.
• Nomahegan Road: water line repaired by American Water Co.; contractor installing drainage; anticipated completion end of June.
• Retford Avenue: milling and paving will be done by Elizabethtown Gas Co.
• Blake Avenue: installed two drainage structures and PVC pipes to inlet at Walnut and Blake.
• Phase 5 Flood Project: Mott MacDonald Engineering reviewing report and preliminary design done in 2005 and determine location for a pump station to relieve flooding on Balmiere, Doering, Springfield, Willow, portion of Brookside, Spruce and West End. 

Public Safety – Deputy Mayor Jason Gareis

• Thanked Elizabeth Police Dept and Garwood Fire and First Aid for participating in Memorial Day Parade.
• Congratulated Police officers honored for bravery and service at recent ceremony and cited Officer Michael Gamba who received the Det. Joseph Seals Valor Award for Valor from the NJ Attorney General
• Reminded residents to use the Police Dept app to report speeding and pedestrian safety issue. You can download the app here.

Public Affairs/Parks and Recreation – Commissioner Black

• Thanked Recreation Dept, VFW, and Green Thumb Garden Club for work on the parade, ceremony and sprucing up at Memorial Park.
• Encouraged residents to check out all of the summer programs on website and Recreation Facebook page.
• Summer playground registration is open and available to children ages 5-13 at Lincoln Park, Mohawk Park, Orange Ave School and Brookside School. Playground camps are open June 26 through August 11. The cost is $70 and you can register here.
• Cranford West opens June 2 and reservations can be made on Community Pass (see item below for more details).
• Canoe Club is open for the season weekdays 11 am to 6 pm, weekends and holidays 9 am to 6 pm.

OFFICIAL MEETING May 30, 2023

Proclamations

Moms Demand Action Against Gun Violence honored for advocacy of gun safety and common sense measures to reduce gun violence. Also, marking National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 2.

Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim marking the 106^th Anniversary of the congregation, programs and services to the community and members of all ages.

Garret Hanlon is recognition of fulfilling the requirements of Eagle Scout. His project was a stormwater mitigation project at Hampton Park.

Resolutions

Approved 5-0 Vote

• Eight Resolutions pertaining to road improvements, drainage, flood control projects described in Engineering and Public Works Report
• Award contract for purchase of Pierce custom chassis heavy duty rescue truck for Fire  Dept.
• Authorizing agreement with Garden State Fireworks for July 2 fireworks display and agreement with Union County to use Nomahegan Park.
• Authorize Municipal Tax Collector to prepare Estimated Tax Bills at 6.666%.
• Appointed Christine Pecoraro as PT Finance Clerk.
• Authorized closure of portion of Lot 1 for Jingle Jubilee December 14; portion of Lot 7 for Horse and Carriage Rides December 22.
• Accepted resignation of Brad Young as Chair of the Cranford Prevention and Wellness Alliance and appointed Karen Bennett as new chair effective June 1.

Workshop Meeting May 30

• Pool Update from Director Steve Robertazzi and Aquatics Manager Jenna Matousek: membership registrations still coming in and currently at 1,735, below 2022 level; Pool Open House is planned for Saturday at Centennial Avenue Pool and Sunday at Orange Avenue Pool. Public invited to enjoy the facility and get membership information.
• Complete Streets Policy proposal from Anthony Durante, chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee. The presentation has been given to the DMC, Planning Board, Police Traffic Division and Girl Scout organization.
• Short Term Rental Ordinance: discussion on whether to include the ORC Zone (Office, Residential, Commercial). The proposed ordinance allows short term rentals with conditions only in the downtown districts. Commissioners requested input from Township professionals and will revisit on June 20.
• Veteran Friendly Township: Comm. Curran presented ideas to make the Township more receptive and friendly for Veterans. He will have more details and examples at the June 20 meeting.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• June 7 at 7:30PM: Planning Board
• June 12 at 7:30PM: Zoning Board
• June 20 at 7PM: Combined Workshop and Official: Township Committee Meeting

On June 1st, Cranford celebrated Pride by raising the Pride flag at the Municipal Building. In addition, a Pride planting took place, organized by Downtown Cranford and Green Thumb Garden Club.

The new ambulance that was approved and ordered in 2021 has FINALLY arrived! The ambulance is replacing EMS 1 that was in a major accident back in 2018.​ The old ambulance will be repurposed as a much needed utility vehicle that will be used during fires, floods and special events.

Need a summer job? Cranford Pools are hiring! Must be at least 15 years old. New lifeguarding classes are beginning soon. Sign a contract to work the 2023 Summer at the Cranford Pools to receive a discount on the lifeguarding course.  

For more info, call the pool at 908.709.7260 or email [email protected]. To inquire about lifeguarding classes, contact Billie from Middle Atlantic Safety Training at 609.667.8825 or email:  [email protected].

Summer registration for the pool is now open! Go here for more information on how to register and see below for the days and hours of operation.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to bring old or unwanted metal items to Union County’s free scrap metal recycling drop-off program in June. Many different metal goods, from household appliances and cookware to sheds, fencing and gutters, are accepted at countywide collection sites in Cranford and Rahway every month from April to November.

Scrap metal will be accepted Saturday, June 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at two drop-off centers:

Cranford: Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard

Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive, Rahway off St. Georges Avenue to service yard across from swimming pool)

Scrap metal from residents in any Union County municipality may be brought to either of these sites.

These events are drive-in only and contact-free. Participants should remain in their vehicles while staff at the site unloads the items. To help the event run smoothly, please place items for drop-off in the trunk, cargo hold, or other easily accessible area of the vehicle.

Union County Mobile Paper Shredding – Saturday, June 10

This paper shredding event will take place at Union College from 9AM-1PM. Go here for the full schedule for Union County.

In an effort to accommodate all those wishing to participate, there is a limit of 4 bags or boxes per car weighing no more than 10lbs. each.

1. Material should be brought in Paper Bags whenever possible (not leaf bags)
2. PLEASE DO NOT BRING SHREDDED PAPER • NO WET PAPER
3. This event is garbage-free: boxes and plastic bags will be returned
4. Limit papers to confidential / sensitive materials only

Union County Residents Only • Please No Businesses

Primary Election Day in NJ is Tuesday, June 6. Please go to the following link for more information on how to vote, including early voting: NJ Division of Elections.