March 25, 2024

CRANFORD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

Mayor Brian Andrews

[email protected]

Deputy Mayor Terrence Curran

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

p-gallo@cranfordnj.org

TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR

Lavona Patterson

Township Administrator / Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

UPCOMING MEETINGS



• Monday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. Zoning Board Meeting
• Monday, April 8, at 7 p.m. Township Committee Workshop Meeting
• Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. Township Committee Conference Meeting
• Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. Township Committee Official Meeting

March 19 Official Meeting

Proclamations:

• Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
• Second leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States today is colorectal cancer.
• Cranford residents Rich Saccone, who lost his wife Amy to colorectal cancer at age 41, and Dr. Chris Lenza, a gastroenterologist, spoke to raise awareness. It is a curable disease when found early. More Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer under the age of 50. Get screened early.
• Holocaust Remembrance
• Cranford honors the victims of the Holocaust and the survivors, as well as the rescuers and liberators, and further proclaims that we, the Cranford community, should strive to overcome hate, intolerance and indifference through education, remembrance, and action. 
• Holocaust Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, March 27, at Hillside Avenue School.

Mayor Brian Andrews

• We worked collaboratively on the operating and capital budget. This truly is a consensus document and it reflects our values and aspirations.

Important investments in:

• Pedestrian safety
• Police officers provided more tools to combat speeding
• Recreational facilities
• First responder lifesaving equipment
• Roads & Paving
• Flooding investments, including a desilting fund
• The Governor has now signed a housing bill that will create a new regulatory framework on Affordable Housing commitments in the State of New Jersey. The Township Committee does not think this is the right solution for the State of New Jersey or Cranford. We have been suing the governor to reinstate the Council On Affordable Housing (COAH). This new legislation dissolves COAH permanently. Cranford is already built out and has profound flooding, yet the new law does not adequately account for these factors. 
• The township needs real investments in stormwater infrastructure -- large projects going forward over the next decade or more.

Deputy Mayor Terrence Curran – Recreation & Parks

• Please join the outdoor pools (see flyer below. In the first week, 380 people joined.
• A new Cranford Recreation & Parks website is out and is more user friendly.
• Recommended to discuss with your physician to get a colorectal cancer screening.
• Meeting with Hartz on site at 750 Walnut Avenue on Friday, March 22, to go over the whole site, traffic mitigations, and push them to do more to control the dust there. The mounds in front and side of the property need to be covered and controlled. Hartz had until Thursday, March 21, to respond to the trees that were cut down and has to go to the planning board. They have to plant larger trees. If they don’t respond in time they would be in default of the redevelopment agreement, Attorney Ryan Cooper said.

Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty – Engineering & Public Works

• The 2024 Downtown Management Budget represents first assessment increase since 2013. The operating budget of $266,815 includes additional funding for maintenance, repairs and marketing.
• Contract has been issued for milling and paving work on Colby Lane, Scherrer Street, 5th Avenue and Riverside Drive between Orange and N. Union Avenues. Meetings with residents of these streets will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
• Welcome new Construction Code Official Gary Junkcroft who came to us from Cranbury and worked previously as a plumbing and building sub code official in Westfield, Summit and Edison. Gary is also a licensed architect. Hillary Barboza joined the team as the Technical Assistant.

Commissioner Paul A. Gallo - Public Safety

• Honoring Women’s History Month, he recognized the female officers in the Cranford Police Department (CPD) and Cranford Fire Department (CFD).
• Recognized the promotion of Chris Polito to Captain in the CPD, a reappointment of a Special Law Enforcement Officer II, and newly hired CPD personnel.
• CFD was awarded a $40k grant to fund six sets of turn out gear. (read article below.)
• Burning of yard waste, with the exception of firewood, is prohibited.

Commissioner Gina Black - Finance

• Discussed the introduction of the 2024 operating and capital budget. Township started the finance process in early fall and ended up in a comfortable place despite significant challenges. 
• Big hits to budget--RVSA, Pensions, Terminal Pay, Utility Increases, Insurance Increases.
• Goals to maintain surplus—we don’t want to drain our surplus.
• Capital budget--we want to maintain a certain level of debt.
• Our Local Municipal Tax Rate, 2024: 1.576 compared to Local Municipal Tax Rate, 2023: 1.528.
• The 2024 budget will be adopted April 23.

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

Resolutions

• Introduced the 2024 Municipal Budget, unanimous vote to approve.
• Anticipated Township 2024 appropriations: $46,735,768.50.
• Swim Pool Utility 2024 appropriations: $1,658,627.40.
• Introduced the 2024 Downtown District Management Corporation (DMC) Budget, unanimous vote to approve. Anticipated 2024 Appropriations: $266,815.
• Authorized the Chief Financial Officer to conduct the annual budget.
• Authorized the closure of Holly Street, between Eastman Street and Alden Street, in connection with the Calvary Nursery School and Child Care "Week of the Young Child Party and Ice Cream Social" event on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
• Expressed support for "Union County Connects" in its pursuit of connecting all underutilized railroad ROW’s, bicycle and walking trails and parks in the County of Union.
• New Hires:
• Authorized the advancement of Christopher Polito to the rank of Captain within the Cranford Police Department, effective March 20, 2024.
• Authorized the appointments of Matthew V. Richel and Quinn Haddad as Probationary Police Officers within the Cranford Police Department, effective April 1, 2024.
• Authorized the re-appointment of Walter Berg as Special Law Enforcement Officer II within the Police Department effective April 1, 2024.
• Authorized the appointment of Gary A. Junkroft as Construction Code Official and Building Subcode Official, effective March 19, 2024.
• Authorized the appointment of Hillary Barboza as Technical Assistant to the Construction Official, effective March 19, 2024.

Budget Introduction

CFO Lavona Patterson, Finance Department

2024 Municipal Budget Highlights:

• Anticipated Township 2024 appropriations: $46,735,768.50.
• 2024 tax rate increased at a lower rate than 2023. Homeowners will see an increase in taxes for 2024 of $87.29 on the average assessed household of $182,057. This represents a 3.14 percent tax increase over 2023.
• Recouped all of the Surplus, and is over $40,000.
• Debt ratio is down over 2023.
• Net Valuation of the Township Increased.

Swim Pool Utility 2024 appropriations: $1,658,627.40.

Downtown District Management Corporation (DMC) appropriations: $266,815.

Municipal Clerk Patricia Donahue, Clerk's Office

• Polling locations announcement, effective June 2024:
• District 3 is moved from the Municipal Building to Bloomingdale Avenue School.
• District 7 is moved from the Municipal Building to Cranford High School.
• District 26 will remain in the Municipal Building.

Cranford Fire Department Supports Autism Acceptance

The Cranford Fire Department will support “Autism Awareness Month” throughout April by wearing custom t-shirts and by lighting up Fire Headquarters blue. 

According to Fire Chief Dan Czeh, “The Cranford Fire Department fully supports the Autistic Community and will do whatever possible to show love and support to those affected by this developmental disability. As firefighters, our job goes above and beyond protection and service. We need to set the standard and stand together with those affected by this disorder. We will serve as an advocate for these individuals and continue our awareness efforts.”

Autism refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Most children are still being diagnosed after age four, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism. “We all know someone who is affected by autism. We know it is a difficult life for them and for their parents. Our goal is to have a positive impact on them and let the autistic community feel the love and acceptance they deserve.” 

The Cranford Fire Department, along with FMBA Locals 37 and 237 are selling a Puzzle Piece T-Shirts and Puzzle Piece Patches. Both are available for purchase via Venmo (@Cranford-Local) or by visiting Cranford Fire Headquarters at 7 Springfield Avenue. Cost of the shirt is $25 and patch is $10. Proceeds will go towards local charities. If purchasing a shirt in person, please have exact change. Checks will also be accepted and must be made out to Cranford FMBA Local 37. 

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.