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November 17, 2025
This newsletter is published twice a month by the Township of Cranford to provide residents with important information and updates.
| | | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Friday | Saturday | | Monday North Recycling
11/24, 12/8 | Tuesday North Recycling
11/25, 12/9 |
| Family Game Night
11/21, 6-8pm
Community Center |
| | Monday South Recycling
11/17, 12/1 | Tuesday South Recycling
11/18, 12/2 |
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| | Zoning
11/24: 7:30 pm | Flu Clinic
11/18
4:30-7:30 pm
Community Center |
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| | Township Committee
12/1
Workshop 7pm | Township Committee 12/2
Conference 7pm
Official 7:30pm | Planning Board
12/3, 7:30 pm |
| Santa Claus
Community Center
12/6
9:30am-12 pm | | | |
Earlier this year, the Township Committee took an exciting step forward in reimagining one of Cranford’s most cherished public spaces by approving an RFP for the redesign and renovation of Memorial Park. This project not only represents an investment in the park itself, but in the values, stories, and community spirit that the park symbolizes.
To guide this effort, the Township established the Memorial Park Committee, bringing together a diverse group of voices from across Cranford. Representatives from the Cranford VFW, Cranford 86, the Cranford Green Thumb Garden Club, Commissioner Black, and myself worked collaboratively to outline the key design elements we hoped to see reflected in a renewed Memorial Park. The goal: honor our community’s veterans and history while creating a welcoming, meaningful space for future generations.
The response to the RFP was remarkable—12 proposals were submitted, each offering its own vision and approach. After a thorough review, the Committee unanimously selected John Morgan Thomas Landscape Architects to lead the design process. Their expertise, experience and thoughtful approach stood out. We are confident they will create a design that respects the park’s legacy while bringing new life to the space.
Once completed, the final design will serve as the foundation for a community-driven fundraising campaign to support the renovation. We look forward to sharing updates as this transformative project moves ahead, and we invite residents to stay engaged as we work together to enhance this important landmark in our town.
Additional information is available on the Cranford VFW's website.
Terrence Curran
Mayor
Cranford, NJ
| | November 10 Township Committee Opening Reports | | |
Mayor Terrence Curran
Please watch the video of Mayor Curran’s entire opening comments.
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•The Township is excited to be planting 85 new trees throughout Cranford this fall, bringing the total to nearly 300 over the last two years! This wonderful progress is the result of the dedication and enthusiasm of the Cranford Shade Tree Commission.
• Addressed conduct at Township Committee meetings. Noted that each speaker is allotted five minutes, as is standard practice in county, state and national government. Public comment time is meant to express opinions or ask questions, not to disrupt the meeting, turn the chamber into a spectacle or seek viral attention. Comments should be directed towards the Township Committee in a manner that allows all voices to be heard.
| | Deputy Mayor Paul A. Gallo - Recreation and Parks | | | |
• Thanked the County for providing $65,000 grant that will help improve our community center and tennis courts on Hillside Avenue.
• Recreation Basketball drafts have begun, but youth can still sign up, as still some spots.
• Halloween parade was a huge success. Thanked all involved, including the Cranford Jaycees, Cranford Fire Department and all the volunteers who helped make the event yet another memorable one.
• Sixth annual Halloween contest was a success as well. Congrats to all those winners.
• Look out for the details on Holiday House decorating contest that will be coming out shortly.
• Winter Programs should be released within the next few weeks.
| | Commissioner Brian Andrews - Public Works & Engineering | | |
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Electricity costs: Township addressing raising electricity costs on the local level by providing the Community Solar project, where commercial properties with large roofs get solar panels installed that generate electricity, and in turn, Cranford residents can voluntarily sign into the program, and they get the savings associated with those solar panels. Residents can sign up for this program online. To date, 683 Cranford residents have registered.
- Library renovations are on track with opening the new Children’s room in February. Library was temporarily closed last week to perform gas line work, and it is now reopened. Patrons may notice the temperatures on the first floor are cooler while a boiler issue is being addressed.
• Pedestrian safety:
- Milled and paved the roads surrounding the Adams softball field areas. Signage going in soon.
- Orange Avenue at Birch Street: to add more striping on the crosswalks to make more visible.
- Bloomingdale Avenue. Add strategic striping of the roadway outside of the school to narrow the road so cars hopefully will slow down. If it's successful, Township to look to expand it through other parts of Bloomingdale Avenue, because it has become a cut through for drivers trying to go through town.
• River Desilting: we continue to remain focused on this program. Delay in the NJDEP permit, due to erosion of the river, requiring extra steps in process. NJDEP to remove a substantial amount of the soil next year to provide more flood protection and more capacity in the river.
Home Elevations: Township is committed to elevating homes in town. Bids came in too high for the latest slate of home elevations. This has happened in the past. Complimented the business administrator, who did a tremendous amount on past rounds, getting these bid numbers down, by working with contractors. Administrator to work with contractors on this new round of bids.
| | Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty - Public Safety | | | Commissioner Gina Black - Finance | | | |
• Employee health insurance plan: Township lowered employee health insurance costs by switching from the State Health Insurance plan to a new plan that provides same health coverage without needing to switch doctors, while achieving savings in the budget. Cranford was one of the few communities who were able to get into this plan.
• Salary ordinance: Every three years, Township updates for new positions, and routine evaluation of salary levels to ensure in line with the going rates.
• 250 RevolutionNJ Committee: Applied for a HEART grant to help fund events that will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Stayed tuned in 2026 for events such as historical speakers, reenactments, scavenger hunts, and possible July 4th parade.
• Open Space and Recreation Plan Element is currently open for public comment. Read the draft online and make comments to planner Graham Petto at g.petto@topology.is by November 17. Planning board hearing is December 3.
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Township of Cranford Receives $75K in Union County Grant
The Township is pleased to announce that Union County has provided Cranford with two grants. the Kids Recreation Trust Fund Grant $65,000 will support improved tennis courts on Hillside Avenue and improvements to the Community Center. The Greening Union County Grant provides $10,000 towards planting new trees in the Township.
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Cranford Township Achieves Sustainable Jersey Bronze Recertification
Township of Cranford is proud to announce it has earned its Bronze recertification for another three years, making a commitment to sustainability.
| | | | | The Cranford Fire Department joins communities across the nation in shining a green light in support of our veterans. Operation Green Light is a simple way to say thank you — to let every veteran know that their service, sacrifice, and courage are seen and appreciated. We invite our residents to join us by lighting their homes or businesses green this week to show support for those who have served. To all who have worn the uniform: we honor you, and we thank you. | |
| |  | On October 21, 2025 the Township Committee enacted revisions to the state-mandated 2024 Tree Removal and Replacement Ordinance. Under the revised ordinance, residents must still obtain a permit before removing any tree larger than six inches in diameter from their property. However, the permit fee has now been reduced from $75 plus $20 per each tree being removed, to a flat $50 permit fee (regardless of the number of trees being removed). And while a permit is also required prior to removing a hazard tree or a tree recognized as an invasive species, the permit fee is now waived under both of these circumstances. When seeking a removal permit under the "hazard tree" exception to the permit fee and replacement requirements, the property owner must provide written documentation from a certified arborist or licensed tree expert that the tree meets the definition of a hazard tree as set forth in the ordinance. Where a homeowner elects to pay the tree replacement fee rather than plant a new tree or trees on their property, that fee has been increased to better reflect the actual cost of purchasing, planting and maintaining municipal trees. Finally, Tree Removal Companies (and not just property owners) are now subject to a fine for violating the provisions of the ordinance.
For more information, see the amended ordinance online.
The application for a Tree Removal Permit can be found here.
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Road Projects:
Starting Tuesday, November 18
- Milling and Paving of North Union Avenue. Roadwork will occur underneath the train track to the crosswalk at Cranford Hotel / One Walnut. The road will be closed overnight 7p on 11/18 to about 6 a.m. 11/19. Please follow detours during this construction project.
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Stoughton Avenue – New curbing to be installed during day and will take about a week, to prepare for road paving in the Spring of 2026.
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LEAF PICKUP
2025 SCHEDULE ONLINE NOW
Pickup #3 Begins Nov 17-21 (Zones 1&4) & Nov. 24-Dec. 4 (Zones 2&3)
Final Pick Up All Zones is Dec. 15-19
Once your street is picked up, please remember to not rake anymore leaves into the street.
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The Township does not pickup leaves on County roads. If you live on a County road, leaf pickup schedules can be found at: www.ucnj.org or by calling: 908-789-3660. According to the county website, their first pick-up schedule is as follows, but check the website or call the County for updates:
- Springfield Ave / Park Dr: Nov. 14th
- South Ave: Nov. 17th
- Raritan Rd: Nov. 19th
- Walnut Ave: Nov. 19th
- Centennial Ave: Nov. 20th
- Springfield Ave: Nov. 21st
- Blvd / County Park Dr: Nov. 26th
| | Cranford 250 RevolutionNJ Committee | | | |
Celebrate America's 250th With A Magnet
As part of Cranford’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, the Cranford 250 RevolutionNJ Committee, is selling magnets to help fundraise for celebratory events. Magnets are $5 each. Email Co-Chair Loretta Smith at lorettasmith@comcast.net or call (908) 272-4053 to purchase one.
| | | CRANFORD PREVENTION & WELLNESS | |
Family Game Night
Friday, November 21
6-8 p.m.
Cranford Community Center
220 Walnut Avenue
Bring the family, play old favorites, learn a new game, or bring one to share. All Ages Welcome. Children must have a parent present.
Learn more about Cranford Prevention and Wellness Committee online.
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Small Business Saturday
Join us on Small Business Saturday to celebrate shopping local this holiday season! Thanks to the generosity of Cranford business owners and sponsors, we'll be giving away thousands of dollars in gift baskets! Hang on to your receipts from any local shopping you do in Cranford starting Monday, 11/24, and bring them to Eastman Plaza on November 29th. Every $10 you spend gets you one raffle ticket and the chance to win gift baskets provided by our Cranford businesses. Receipts from restaurants, retailers, salons, dry cleaners - if it's from a Cranford business, it's a chance to win!
| | | Wishing Everyone a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. | | Stay Connected with the Township of Cranford | | | | |
