TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD
NEWS
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This newsletter is published twice a month by the Township of Cranford to provide residents with important information and updates. |
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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
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TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR
Jamie Cryan
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Message from the Mayor
It’s been almost two months since Tropical Storm Ida dumped 9 inches of rain on Cranford, causing unprecedented flash flooding and the Rahway River to come over the banks. For too many residents, this was the fourth flooding event that turned their lives and homes upside down, and more than 650 residents and businesses have applied for FEMA assistance.
It’s also been 10 years since Irene wreaked havoc on our community and still there is no approved regional flood control project. Unacceptable!
Within days of Ida hitting, I reached out to Millburn Mayor Tara Prupis and together we contacted the other mayors impacted by Rahway River flooding to galvanize local officials to be more vocal and visible in demanding action. We pressed and got a meeting the NJ Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette to talk about the US Army Corp of Engineers (ACE) rejection of a flood control plan supported by nine towns and Union and Essex Counties. We are waiting for confirmation of a meeting with Comm. LaTourette and ACE. The Mayors (Cranford, Garwood, Kenilworth, Maplewood, Millburn, Orange, Rahway, Springfield, Union) are working on a parallel track with an engineer experienced in flood control management about options without the ACE.
A regional solution to flooding is absolutely necessary but that will take time so I want residents to know that we are not waiting for a major project to be approved. We are exploring what can be done in Cranford to lessen the impact of river flooding and have taken action on two items that will bring some relief.
The Township Committee has agreed to hire an engineering firm with expertise in flood mitigation to determine what we can do locally. I’ve asked for input and recommendations from the Planning Board, Flood Advisory Committee, the Environmental Commission, and the Green Team, that can be incorporated in a Resiliency Plan for Cranford. We are also looking at Blue Acres Program, where the State will buy back homes, and getting additional funding for home elevations.
On Tuesday, the Committee introduced an Ordinance that will streamline the home elevation process, specifically as it relates to height and setbacks and passed a Resolution to hire Colliers Engineering to design bank stabilization to reduce soil erosion at the Orchard Brook. This is part of a larger Union County project to replace the existing culvert with a larger culvert.
I will hold a Town Hall meeting once we have additional information and assure those in the flood area the Township will notify you if there is funding to elevate more homes.
Kathleen Miller Prunty
Mayor
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11/3: Planning Board at 7:30pm
11/8: Zoning Board at 7:30pm
11/9: Township Committee Combined Workshop/Official Meeting at 6:30pm
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Township Committee Meeting Updates |
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Township Meeting 10.26.21
- Introduced an Ordinance to amend the Township Code, Land Development Chapter 255, as it relates to home elevation in the Flood Plain Overlay Zone.
- Authorized a contract to Colliers Engineering & Design for services related to inflow and infiltration – Phase I on Edwards Street.
- Authorized a contract with Colliers Engineering & Design for work associated with Orchard Brook Improvement Project.
- Authorized Township Administrator and Township Attorney to negotiate, finalize and execute a contract with P&A Construction for the completion of the Elm Street Project for an amount not to exceed the Base Bid Amount of $818,288.64, plus Alternate Bid 'A' in the amount of $24,883.32 for a Total Bid amount of $843,171.96, and as adjusted for any amounts paid or received pursuant to the settlement with American Milling.
- Authorized Person-to-Person liquor license transfer from O’Donovan’s Pub LLC/Kilkenny House to Remarkable Foods Hospitality, LLC.
- Appointed two Per Diem EMTs: Maya Tobolewski and Travis Literate.
- Appointed Suzana Methasani as Payroll Specialist, Finance Dept.
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FEMA Individual Assistance Deadline is approaching! Residents needing assistance must register by December 6th in order to be eligible for aid. The Disaster Recovery Center at the Community Center will remain open Monday through Saturday until at least the deadline to assist with the process. The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov.
Disaster Recovery Center
Location: Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue
Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm Mon - Fri
9:00am – 5:00pm Sat
A DRC may help you:
- Apply for assistance.
- Learn more about disaster assistance programs.
- Check the status of your FEMA application.
- Understand any letters you get from FEMA.
- Find housing and rental assistance information.
- Get answers to questions or resolve problems.
- Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.
- Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) programs for individuals & businesses
- Meet with a Small Business Administration (SBA) agent
You may also apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or apply/check your status by phone at 1-800-621-3362.
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Cranford Township Pools Update |
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The Swim Pool Utility Advisory Board presented a report of historical data on the membership levels, operating costs, debt and revenue for the pools from 2015 to the present. That report can be viewed here.
The Advisory Board and Recreation Director Steve Robertazzi will provide additional information about marketing, sponsorships, cost savings and additional expenses at the November 9th Workshop meeting. Please send your questions or suggestions to [email protected].
Thank you to Board Chair Luke Paine, members Barbara Bilger, Chris Chapman, Jerry Dobbins, Dennis Geier, Ellen Heaney Springer, Chris Kolibas, Rich Pizzutta, Ron Ruiz, Township Administrator Jamie Cryan, Chief Financial Officer Lavona Patterson and Mr. Robertazzi.
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Verizon Cell Tower Litigation Update |
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The Township continues to vigorously defend the Zoning Board's denial of the cell tower application for the Union County College campus. Last week the federal court hearing the cell phone carriers' appeal held a scheduling conference. The court ordered the cell phone carriers and Cranford to spend the next nine months engaged in "discovery," which is the legal process wherein the parties exchange information related to their case. We expect few developments during this process, but will advise if that changes. The next substantial updates are likely to occur in the second half of 2022. |
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Cranford Receives $65,000 from Union County |
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Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty was joined by Deputy Mayor Brian Andrews, Commissioner Jason Gareis, Township Administrator Jamie Cryan, and Recreation Director Steve Robertazzi to announce grant awards from Union County Commissioners Bette Jane Kowalski and Kim Palmieri-Mouded. Cranford received funding for improvements at various playgrounds, recreation sites, building and trees:
Parks and Recreation - $60,000 (Johnson Avenue Playground, Hillside Avenue Outdoor Tennis Courts, Adams Avenue Field)
Hanson House - $2,500
Greening Union County (trees)- $2,500
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Cranford Community Clean Up Day |
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The new date of the Fall Clean-Up will be Sunday, November 14th! If you are part of a group interested in participating, please click here to sign up. If you were already signed up for the September date, you'll still be there so no need to update your info! If you are no longer able to take part though, please update your info in the Sign Up Genius.
We're so excited that we were able to reschedule our Fall Clean-Up and can't wait to get out there with everyone and help clean up our town.
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NJ Plastic Straw Ban Takes Effect Nov. 4 |
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Beginning on November 4, 2021, customers at NJ food service businesses can only receive plastic straws by request. Food service businesses are required to keep an adequate supply of single-use plastic straws. Stores may continue to sell packages of single-use plastic straws and provide/sell a beverage pre-packaged by the manufacturer with a single-use plastic straw, i.e., juice boxes.
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Election Day is November 2 |
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If you are a registered voter there are several ways to cast your vote. Options include:
- In-person voting on November 2, with polls open from 6 am to 8 PM.
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In-person early voting from October 23 through October 31 at these locations.
- Mail-in voting. If you have already signed up as a mail-in voter, you should have received your ballot by now. If you have not yet applied for a mail-in ballot, the last day to do so by mail is Tuesday, October 26. You can apply for a mail-in ballot in person at the County building in Elizabeth or Westfield up to and including Saturday, October 30.
Once you have received your mail-in ballot, place it in a mailbox or the secure Drop Box in front of the Community Center, 220 Walnut Ave or at Union County College.
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Department of Public Works |
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