OCTOBER 19, 2022

Message from the Mayor

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and at some point we are all pedestrians whether in a crosswalk, on a sidewalk, or in a parking lot. We all have a shared responsibility whether walking, rolling, biking or driving and need to stay alert, especially as our daylight time shortens.

      Speeding is a real concern and the Cranford Police Dept. encourages residents to report unsafe driving directly to them using the free MyPD App.

       We know that more needs to be done and we are working toward making every Cranford neighborhood and the downtown a safer and more walkable town. We’ve installed almost 30 flashing pedestrian crossing signs throughout town and several new crosswalks.

       Here’s what you can do:

• Cross at the corner and use marked crosswalks when available. That’s where drivers expect to see you.

• Look Up. Not Down. Don’t text and email while crossing the street.

• Wait for the walk signal to cross.

• Watch for turning vehicles.

• Before crossing look left, right, and left again.

• Watch out for blind spots around trucks and buses.

      Our Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Committee and the Cranford Police Department are working on efforts like the pedestrian decoy campaign and other ideas to make our streets and sidewalks safer for everyone whether you are pushing a stroller, in a wheelchair, using a cane, biking, or driving.

  We all play a role. SLOW DOWN IN OUR TOWN

Best,

Kathleen Miller Prunty

Mayor

Official Meeting October 11

Proclamation recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Introduction of Ordinances 5-0 Vote

·        Amending 2021 Agreement between member municipalities and the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority

·        Designate and install Stop signs on Belmont Avenue and Carolina Street

Resolutions 5-0 Vote

·        Opposing proposed increases to the NJ State Health Benefits Plan

·        Encourage residents to rake leaves and voluntarily forgo use of gas powered leaf blowers during designated leaf collection dates

·        Authorized change order for construction services associated with Burnside Drainage Improvement Project

·        Appointed Christian Francisco as Program Specialist in the Recreation Dept.

·        Authorized Clerk to advertise for proposals for various professional services in 2023.

·        Request approval of items of revenue and appropriation for Federal Bulletproof Vest Grant

·        Authorize closure of Municipal Lot 5 for the Police Department 125^th Anniversary Dedication on October 23.

·        Renewed Employment Agreement between Police Chief Ryan Greco and the Township of Cranford

October 10 Workshop Meeting

·        Presentation of Report No. 2 from the Stormwater Infrastructure Planning Committee.

·        Presentation by Girl Scout Troop 40222 to dedicate a portion of Alden Street in honor of Father Charles Watters who served in the US Army and was killed in action. Presentation by Gracy Lyubarsky, Asshritha Jinaga and Alexi Pryor.

·        Update on road drainage and paving projects by Township Engineer Jacqueline Dirmann.

·        Presentation by Bergen County United Way about creation of market to affordable housing units

Stormwater Infrastructure Planning Committee

 Chair Ann Dooley, David Coughlin and Jason Stevens presented the Committee’s second report that focused on desnagging the river and banks to prevent build up of natural dams that are problematic for Cranford. A maintenance plan should be established and coordinated with Union County to remove trees, large limbs, branches and other large garbage items from the river aver clean and outfalls.

               Encourage the community driven volunteer effort to assist with river clean up at least twice a year.

               The Committee was created in January to research and recommend projects that Cranford can undertake on its own. Based on the group’s previous recommendations, the Township applied for grants to install pervious pavement in pool parking lots at Orange and Centennial. Their next report will focus on desilting the river. Read Reports 1 and 2  here.

Upcoming Meetings

Planning Board Meeting: October 19 at 7:30pm

Township Committee Workshop Meeting: October 24 at 7pm

Zoning Board Meeting: October 24 at 7:30pm

Township Committee Official Meeting: October 25 at 7:30pm

The Cranford Police Department will celebrate 125 years of service with an Anniversary Parade scheduled for Sunday, October 23rd 2022 at 12:30PM.

This "driving parade" will consist of emergency vehicles and specialized equipment from Local, County, State and Federal Agencies. The parade route starts at Union County College and travels southbound on Springfield Avenue towards Downtown Cranford. The parade will then turn right onto North Union Avenue, cross North Avenue, and turn left into the Walnut Avenue entrance to the Train Station parking lot (Municipal Lot # 4).

A portion of the parade route from Springfield Avenue to Penn Road has been designated as a "sensory-friendly zone", with no sirens or horns being used by the participating agencies.

Leaf pickup starts October 24th and the last pickup is December 30th.

Some guidelines:

1. Rake leaves to the gutter line on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before your scheduled pickup. Once your street is

picked up, DO NOT rake anymore leaves into the street.

2. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to have their landscaper comply with the schedule and guidelines to avoid getting

a warning or fine.

3. All sections of town will have at least three leaf pickups. A final pickup of all sections will begin on approximately December 19 and continue until December 30, weather permitting.

4. No leaves are to be placed out after December 18.

5. If you live on a county road, leaf pickup schedules can be found at: www.ucnj.org or by calling 908-789-3660. The following are Union County Roads: Springfield Ave., Centennial Ave., Walnut Ave., Raritan Rd., Kenilworth Blvd., South Avenue East & West.

The 2022 Leaf Pickup Schedule can be found here.