TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD
NEWS
MARCH 11, 2021
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 Brian Andrews
Public Affairs

Commissioner Jason Gareis
Public Safety

Commissioner Tom Hannen
Public Works & Engineering

Commissioner Mary O’Connor
Finance
TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR

Jamie Cryan  
Township Committee
News from Township Committee Meetings
From Township Workshop Meeting:
  • Zoning Officer Jason Bottcher and Engineer Jacque Dirmann discussed the new proposed Floodplain Management Regulations based on minimum requirements established by FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Regulatory Program. If adopted, the new regulations have the potential to lower cost of flood insurance for residents.
  • Zoning Officer Bottcher also presented proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance Chapter 255-36C regarding permitted uses and signage in the Neighborhood Commercial District (NC). If adopted the following would be added to principal permitted uses:
  • bakeries
  • coffee shops
  • delicatessens
  • florists
  • Continued discussion of $4.9 million 2021 Capital Budget for a variety of items including:
  • numerous road mill and pave projects and road drainage repair projects ($3.6 million)
  • in car & body worn cameras for Police Dept. ($210,000)
  • Ambulance replacement for Fire Dept. ($267,220)
  • Completion of recreational facility at 375 Centennial Ave ($900,000)
  • Pickup truck with plow for DPW ($40,000)
  • Report from Township Administrator Jamie Cryan on Township recycling contract. Proposals and costs will be submitted by May 1.
From Township Official Meeting: Resolutions
  • Agreement between Township and JDS Entertainment (Cranford Movie Theater)to operate a drive in at Orange Avenue Pool Parking Lot.
  • Requesting NJ Dept. of Transportation, Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety to conduct a traffic study of North Avenue from Centennial Avenue to Lincoln Avenue. This project was initiated by the Township Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee.
  • Endorsed the Township's Round Three Housing Element and Fair Share Plan
  • Appointed residents and Township professional staff to a Cannabis Legislation Review Committee. Commissioner Jason Gareis will head the committee and Commissioner Mary O'Connor will also be a member.
  • Authorized the appointment of Fire Department Call members. The volunteers appointed are: Sam Scher, Daniel Gaul, Brian Burkhardt and Frances Quigley
Upcoming Meetings
 Due to the public health emergency and in accordance with the Governor’s Orders, meetings will be conducted remotely and by electronic means. Please click here for more information on virtual meeting procedures: Township of Cranford Virtual Meeting Procedures.

Agendas and Minutes will be posted on the Township website.

  • 3/17: Planning Board at 7:30 pm
  • 3/22: Zoning Board at 7:30 pm
  • 3/29: Township Committee Workshop at 7 pm
  • 3/30: Township Committee Official Meeting at 8 pm
COVID-19 UPDATES
Please note that the totals are sometimes adjusted by the Board of Health.

CRANFORD (as of 3/10/21)
  • 52 active cases (as of 3/10/21)
  • 11 new in community / 0 LTC - 1,269 total
  • 0 new deaths - 107 total

UNION COUNTY
  • 149 new cases – 50,711 total
  • ​​​​​​​1,597 deaths

NJ
  • 3,047 new cases – 729,403 total
  • ​​​​​​​21,294 deaths
For more detailed information check the State's Information hub, www.covid19.nj.gov.
Township COVID-19 Mobile Test Site Opens
The Township is working with QDX Pathologies Labs, based in Cranford, and Immediate Care to operate a COVID-19 test site for Cranford residents. The mobile site is located in the Library parking lot and will operate by appointment Wednesday 1 to 7 pm and Saturdays 9 am to 3 pm.
   Officials say a local testing site is needed as we open back up to travel and participate in activities like sporting events.

The site is open from 1pm to 7pm Wednesdays and 9am to 3pm Saturdays. Walk ins are okay, but appointments can be made at immcare.com. Please bring photo ID and health insurance card. For more information, please watch this video by TV35: COVID Mobile Test Site.
Celebrate Cranford's 150th Anniversary!
This year is the 150th Anniversary of Cranford! The 150th Anniversary Committee has a number of ideas in the works to celebrate this milestone. These ideas include a River Carnival, Bike Race, Scavenger Hunt, and more.

150th Anniversary merchandise is currently on sale through Cougar Headquarters. Please click the link to view what's available and place an order: Cranford 150th Anniversary Merchandise.
Sign Up for a Pool Membership!
Sign up in March for the Cranford Pool and you'll receive 2 Free Guest Passes!

Please take a moment to read about what you can expect this summer at the pool, as well as Questions and Answers regarding the Cranford Pools: Questions & Answers about the Cranford Pool.
Cranford Police Cars To Have 'Sensory Communication Kits'
A forward-thinking police officer, a generous Cranford-based business, and the Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit combined efforts to create and deploy “Sensory Communication Kits” in all primary radio cars in Cranford. “The Sensory Communication Kits are intended to improve relationships and mitigate communication barriers between our officers and those individuals in our community who may have an underlying diagnosis involving sensory issues,” Chief Ryan Greco announced.

For more information on this initiative, as well as on the Special Needs registry offered by the Cranford Police, please click here.
2021 Conservation Center Permit
Applications are now being accepted for the Conservation Center permits. Permits cost $75. Please click below for more information and for the application.