News from the Township of Cranford for March 31, 2023

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TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD

NEWS

MARCH 31, 2023

This newsletter is published twice a month by the Township of Cranford to provide residents with important information and updates.

CRANFORD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

Mayor Brian Andrews

[email protected]

Deputy Mayor Jason Gareis

Public Safety

[email protected]

Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty

Public Works/Engineering

[email protected]

Commissioner Gina Black

Public Affairs/Recreation & Parks

[email protected]

Commissioner Terrence Curran

Finance

[email protected]

INTERIM TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR

Chief Ryan Greco

[email protected]

Message from the Mayor

Thank you to the many residents who took the time to share their perspectives on important issues before Cranford the past three months. The Township benefits by hearing additional views and learning from our residents.

Thanks to study by resident volunteers on the Flood Advisory Committee, this month Cranford Township and Union County conducted significant anti-flooding maintenance on the river. Cranford pool member feedback (particularly from the “Aquanuts”) led to a change to Centennial indoor pool hours to improve accessibility, particularly for our seniors. Public discussion and inputs also helped the Township refine the Request for Proposal necessary to meet our affordable housing requirements. Specifically, we included new language encouraging “the smallest scale (both height and density) feasible” for eight affordable housing units within a mixed-use development at the North Avenue Gateway project.

Local government works best when more people are involved and engaged. Township Committee Workshop and Official Meetings agendas can be found here: https://www.cranfordnj.org/node/70/agenda/2023. Please consider attending a meeting to share your views and knowledge on issues before Cranford.

Best,

Brian Andrews

Mayor

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Finance – Commissioner Curran

· Introduce 2023 Municipal Budget; public hearing and adoption at April 18 Township Meeting. Copies of the budget available on bulletin board in Town Hall

· Proposed budget of $43,996,168; 3.9% increase resulting in $8.90 per month for average household

· Like most towns, Cranford faced expenditures beyond our control: increased pension and health care costs, sewer fees and general inflation.

· This budget provides a healthy reserve of $4.9 million for emergencies and unexpected issues; no cuts in services; continue a robust road improvement program, advance flood control projects, replace a 30 year old fire truck.

· Introduced the 2023 Downtown Management Corporation (DMC) Budget; public hearing and adoption at April 18 meeting. Proposed budget.

Public Works & Engineering – Commissioner Miller Prunty

· 2022 Conservation Center stickers expire April 3; the application and information available www.cranfordnj.org/publicworks.

· The flagpole spotlight at Post Office Plaza and new American flag has been out but is being repaired and a new American flag was ordered.

· Work on the drainage and road repair project on Spruce Street is moving ahead and the work will begin in June when schools are closed for the summer. The majority of work will be completed before the High School and Brookside Place School reopen in September.

Public Safety – Deputy Mayor Jason Gareis

· Announced details of the 3^rd Truck Parade that will include two sensory-friendly locations near Memorial Park and near Unami Park. Thanked Cranford Community Connection for organizing and Police and Fire Departments for participating.

Recreation and Parks – Commissioner Black

· Registration for Spring recreation programs, including summer camps and playground programs, will begin Friday. Details are available on www.cranfordnj.org/recreation and if you subscribe to Community Pass.

· Adding new programs like volleyball and pickleball sessions at 375 Centennial.

· Reminded visitors to park in the upper pool lot and not behind the building or in the driveway off Centennial Avenue.

Official Meeting – March 21

· Introduction of Municipal and DMC budgets; public hearing on April 18

Resolutions 5-0 Vote

· Authorized a lease/purchase for new Street Sweeper to replace the Sweeper purchased in 2014.

· Authorized executive of Collective Bargaining Agreement with International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local Union 469 representing Public Works employees.

· Appointed Carol Berns to the Cranford Housing Board for term to expire December 31, 2024.

· Re-appointed Walter Berg as a Special Law Enforcement Officer II with the Cranford Police Dept.

· Approved request to the NJ Dept of Transportation for a Townwide Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Study.

· Authorized closure of lower section of Municipal Parking Lot 1 for the 2023 Truck Parade Sunday, March 26, noon to 2 pm.

Resolution 4-1 Vote

· Authorized Clerk to advertise the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of North Avenue Gateway Area. This step invites developers to submit proposals that must comply with the Township’s Redevelopment Plan. You can view the North Avenue Redevelopment Plan here.

Conference Meeting – March 21

Commissioners discussed the temporary closure of the Centennial Indoor Pool during renovations of the Centennial Fitness Center. Commissioners reviewed additional financial information and users and agreed to keep the pool open limited hours through April 30. Annual members will be able to use the indoor pool Monday through Friday 5 to 10 am and 3:30 to 7:30 pm. Additional information will be made available to pool members.

Workshop Meeting – March 20

· Discussed installation and designs for a digital information sign on lawn of Municipal Building. The DMC project, budgeted in 2019, was put on hold.

· Discussed repairs to the Township owned Hanson House, 38 Springfield Ave. The estimated cost of $140,053, is for repairs to the roof, foundation, steam heat piping, asbestos removal on piping and repair to the rear patio and steps.

· Discussed the Community Forestry Management Plan and proposed tree ordinance. Requested more information about criteria used to remove trees. Agreed to set a policy requiring Township to replace each tree we remove on town property.

On March 7, 2023, Connolly & Hickey presented a North Avenue Gateway Vision Plan, which was prepared with the input of the Downtown Management Corporation. This vision plan is not a specific project proposal. Rather it presents the style, scale and type of project that the Township expects to see for the North Avenue Redevelopment Area. The Township expects to include the Vision Plan as part of a Request for Proposals that is anticipated to be approved for publication on March 21. It is anticipated that responses to the RFP will be received and reviewed by the Township this summer. Please provide feedback on the Vision Plan by emailing [email protected], which will remain open for feedback through the RFP decision process.

The Conservation Center is open Wednesdays 9:20am to 3:20pm, Saturdays 9:20am to 3:50pm. The Center will reopen on Sundays March 5^th at 920am.

2023/2024 Conservation Center Stickers are now for sale - click here for the Conservation Center permit application. Current stickers are good until April 5^th 2023.

Summer registration for the pool is now open! Go here for more information on how to register.

Do you have questions about the Cranford Pool? Please go here to review some Frequently Asked Questions.

Help us divert materials from landfill while encouraging environmentally friendly creation at our second annual Community Art Swap! Bring new or gently used arts and craft materials to the Community Center and swap them for something new on Saturday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The last hour of the swap is pickup only, please do not bring donations after 11:00 a.m.

You can make the swap amazing by sticking to four simple rules:

1. Arts and craft materials only

2. Donations must be fit for reuse (new or gently used, not expired)

3. Donations must fit in your car

4. When in doubt, use the "bestie" rule: ask yourself, "would I give this item to my best friend?"

How to participate:

• Bring your donations to the swap!

• Can't make the swap but have materials to share? Drop donations off in the Children's Department from April 12-14!

• Pre-swap your most loved goodies on the Facebook event page. Share the art supplies you have and those you want on this page. Line up some sweet swaps and then exchange goods at the event!

• Follow the Facebook Event Page for updates and reminders.

The Township of Cranford currently has a job opening for a Part-Time Finance Clerk in the Finance Office. To view this job listing, as well as other employment opportunities, please visit our website: Township of Cranford Employment Opportunities.

The Union County Board of Elections is seeking bilingual poll workers for Primary Election Day on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 and General Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, 2023. In addition to receiving a stipend of $300.00 for the day, poll workers perform a valuable civic service by helping to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote on Election Day.

“Bilingual poll workers are especially helpful in our diverse community, so we encourage everyone with a second language, specifically Spanish, to participate in this very important civic service,” said Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado.

Any Union County resident who is 18 years or older, and registered to vote in Union County, can qualify to become a poll worker. No experience is needed. Before Election Day, each new poll worker must attend an in-person training course. Persons interested in becoming a poll worker are advised to apply now in order to reserve a spot.

For more information and to obtain an application form, visit the Poll Worker Resources page at the Board of Elections website, ucnj.org/pollworker. To request an application form by mail, call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4236 or email [email protected]. For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe.

Mark Your Calendar for Annual River Clean Up Day on Saturday, April 22, 9 am to 1 pm. The Green & Clean Cranford Team is looking for volunteers! Sign up by emailing [email protected].