SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

Message from the Mayor

Cranford is committed to fulfilling its affordable housing obligation but we have joined 12 other NJ towns urging Governor Murphy to appoint members to the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). We think these important decisions about housing should not rest with the courts but with COAH, which hasn't had appointments since Governor Christie sought to abolish the Council. Earlier this month, Cranford joined in a lawsuit to compel the Governor to make the appointments to COAH.

The trial courts tasked with replacing COAH are busier, less specialized, and more inclined to leverage municipalities into settlements than they were when the Legislature passed the FHA. Without COAH to regulate the creation of affordable housing, Cranford, and municipalities like it, are confronting mega-projects, like Hartz Mountain Corp.’s original proposal to build 900+ units in a single-family neighborhood.

This is costing taxpayers millions of dollars and forcing towns like Cranford into unfavorable settlements for projects that are out of place in their community and that do not create much affordable housing, including for those in Cranford.

In the absence of COAH, Cranford has faced down developers trying to exploit the affordable housing rules to build 900+ apartments, which would have had a devastating impact on our community. The Township cannot sit idly by while these developers exploit the State’s inaction.

I look forward to the resolution of this important issue and will keep residents informed of the court's action. For more information about Cranford's affordable housing lawsuits, obligations and actions please visit the Redevelopment section of the Township of Cranford website.

Best,

Kathleen Miller Prunty

Mayor

Official Meeting September 13

• ​​Issued a Proclamation to Msgr. Timothy Shugrue in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of St. Michael's Church​​​

Resolutions Passed 5-0

• Authorized contracts with Colliers Engineering for engineering design work in connection with an Inflow and Infiltration project on Cranford Terr., Garden Pl, Edward Pl, Phillips St and Rose St.
• Authorized contract for emergency work on a sanitary sewer main on Cranford Ter.
•  Authorized a contract change order to P &A Construction for the Elm Street area drainage project.
• Authorized award of contract to Fasano Heating & Cooling for HVAC/Dehumidifying equipment for the Municipal Building.
• Authorized a Shared Services agreement with Westfield for bulk waste disposal services. More information can be found here.
• Authorized Township Clerk to advertise for proposals for engineering and construction of the South and Chestnut Stormwater Project.
• Authorized Township Clerk to advertise sale of abandoned bicycles at an October 8 public auction.
• Authorized salary increase for certain full time employees.
• Authorized suspension of downtown parking meter enforcement for the 2022 November-December holiday season.
• Authorized street / lot closures for the October 22 Howl-o-ween event and September 17 Wellness Week. 
• Authorized application to Union County for the "Greening Union County" grant. ​

Workshop September 12

• ​Presentation by Eagle Scout candidate Daniel Kennedy to make improvements to the Belmont Avenue Walking Path to create safer conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Emergency Management Coordinator Battalion Chief Matt Lubin and Police Chief Ryan Greco updated on Ida recovery review and emergency preparedness. A storm preparedness handbook will be created for distribution to residents in flood prone areas. The information will be added to Township website.
• Updates on the 375 Centennial Ave Recreation facility. Opening expected mid-October​.

Upcoming Meetings

Zoning Board Meeting: September 19 at 7:30pm

Planning Board Meeting: September 21 at 7:30pm

Township Committee Combined Workshop and Official Meeting: September 27 at 6:30pm

Road Improvement Projects in Progress

1. Burnside, Johnson and Elise: this is a storm sewer drainage and paving project. Paving expected to begin week of September 26.
2. North Lehigh and Edgebrook: work started
3. Thomas, Severin and Lincoln: Elizabethtown Gas Co will mill and pave as part of the main replacement project
4. Cranford and Arlington: Elizabethtown Gas project ongoing

Elizabethtown Gas main replacement project on Orchard Street will begin Monday Sept 19. The gas main replacement project will take place along the following roadway limits.The contractor anticipates work 4 ten hour days and will not work on Fridays during the course of the project. ​

Orchard Street- Brookside Place to Torbush Street

Orchard Street- West End Place to West Holly Street

Tulip Street- Spring Garden Street to Cul-de-sac

Ramsgate Road- Orchard Street to Cul-de-Sac.

The Cranford Fall Cleanup takes place on 9/24, 9AM to noon. Participants can meet at the gazebo to pick up gloves, trash bags, and instructions. You can sign up as individuals or as groups. Interested in taking part? Email [email protected]. Residents, Scout troops, teams, groups of friends and neighbors can pick location for clean up. Parks, playgrounds, catch basins, neighborhoods, business areas - any location you think needs a cleaning. Public Works will pick up bags of trash on Monday. 

Join us for the Pooch Plunge on September 25!

Please register through the parks and rec department community pass. The event is listed under the Cranford Pool & Fitness. CommunityPass.

Although it shows that there is no charge for the event we ask at the door that you donate $5 for Cranford residents/$10 for non residents per dog. Please reach out if you have any questions and see you on the 25th at the pool!

Small dogs (20lbs and under) 10:30am-11:15am

Medium (20lbs -50lbs) 11:30am-12:15pm

Large (50lbs and over) 12:30pm-1:15pm