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October 10, 2025
This newsletter is published twice a month by the Township of Cranford to provide residents with important information and updates.
| | | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | | Monday North Recycling
10/13, 10/27 | Tuesday North Recycling
10/14, 10/28 | Planning Board
Oct 15, 7:30 pm | | Monday South Recycling
10/20 | Tuesday South Recycling
10/21 |
| | Zoning
Oct. 27, 7:30 pm | Township Committee
Oct 21
Conference 7pm
Official 8pm |
| | Leaf Pickup
Zone 1&4 Week of Oct. 20
Zone 2&3 Week of Oct. 27 |
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My sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the two young women whose lives were tragically taken last week in a horrific and senseless act, there are no words that can truly ease the pain of such a devastating loss, and our entire community is grieving.
I know many of us are feeling shaken, heartbroken and searching for answers, but it is in times like these, it is important that we come together to support one another with compassion and kindness and to stand united against those who try to use this tragedy to sow division.
Let the memory of these two young women inspire us to work together to build a stronger, more caring and more compassionate community for all.
I also want to thank Chief of Police Matthew Nazzaro and the entire Cranford Police Department, along with the Union County Prosecutor's Office, for handling this investigation with the utmost tact and professionalism. Their leadership in this time of crisis and commitment to putting the needs of the families first while taking the appropriate steps to ensure that justice is served is deeply appreciated.
Terrence Curran
Mayor
Cranford, NJ
| | October 7, 2025 Township Committee Meeting | | Father Andrew David Kruger of Trinity Episcopal Church began his invocation with a solemn moment of silence in remembrance of Isabella and Maria. His invocation offered prayers for justice to be served and to heal the memories of the witnesses and first responders. | | |
Remarks by Chief of Police Matthew R. Nazzaro
We recognize that the recent tragedy involving the murder of two teenage girls – Maria and Isabella - has deeply affected our community, leaving a lasting impact on many hearts. During this difficult time, we extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims, whose grief is unimaginable. I have personally conveyed this message to both families, but it is important to reiterate it in this public forum.
As we navigate this exceptionally challenging period, it is crucial that we unite in support of the victims’ families who were affected by this horrific event. We ask for your patience and understanding as the criminal investigation and prosecution unfold. As members of the community, we share a collective responsibility to seek justice for the victims. However, we must emphasize the importance of refraining from speculating about the facts of this case on social media. Misinformation can spread quickly and complicate the investigation, potentially hindering the pursuit of justice. It is essential to rely on official sources for updates and factual information during this sensitive time.
Additionally, the juvenile justice system keeps certain information confidential, which adds to the frustration of many community members seeking information. While we cannot disclose further details at this moment, we firmly believe that the thorough work of law enforcement will eventually clarify the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. It is vital that we maintain hope and trust in the process.
I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the men and women of the Cranford Police Department for their professionalism, dedication, and strength in responding to this deeply troubling incident. Their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our community during these challenging circumstances deserves our respect and gratitude.
As we move forward, let us keep the families of these two young women in our thoughts and continue to offer them our support. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this very difficult time. Together, we can honor the memories of the victims and work towards fostering a more supportive and resilient community.
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Mayor Terrence Curran
750 Walnut Avenue Update:
-Certificate of Occupancy and Certificate of Completion to be issued for 730 / 740 / 750 Walnut Avenue, which allows township to begin collecting property taxes. The properties to be billed $1.56 million in property tax annually. Township receives 23.57%, Schools receive 57.75%, County 17.11% and Library 1.57%. In addition to regular property taxes, the township is to receive 11.5% of total income from 750 Walnut Avenue in a PILOT agreement.
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Deputy Mayor Paul A. Gallo - Recreation and Parks
-Air conditioning at the Recreation Center, 375 Centennial Avenue, is now installed and operating.
-Recreation Basketball registration is underway.
-October is Cyber Security Month, be diligent when receiving unsolicited communications. If any residents need to verify Township communications, call the Municipal Building at 908-709-7200 or email administration@cranfordnj.org.
-Halloween House Decorating Contest applications are being accepted. Winners will be judged by a committee in the following categories: Spookiest, Most Creative, All Around Favorite. Entry forms will be available at, www.cranfordrecreation.org and at the Community Center.
-Porchfest: Saturday, Oct. 11, starts at 1:30 p.m. Ten homes are hosting several different bands.
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Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty - Public Safety
-Fire department is holding an annual t-shirt drive and lighting up the firehouse in pink to support breast cancer awareness. You can order shirts online or call the firehouse non-emergency line at (908) 709-7360.
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Commissioner Brian Andrews - Public Works & Engineering
-Resolution to reject bids for storm express sewer at South Avenue / Chestnut Street, a multi-million dollar flood control project. Responses came in over budget. Engineers are to re-evaluate project.
-Union County is planning to pave roads on Springfield Avenue, parts of South, Centennial and Walnut Avenues. Township made it clear to County they let our traffic professionals know ahead of time and provide a traffic plan.
-Leaf Pickups: Start October 20. Schedule is online. Hold off putting leaves on the street until the week before pick up in your zone. Leave a space between curb and street for stormwater to flow. Herning Avenue will have leaf pickups before Halloween.
-5,600 pounds of clothing and textiles have been recycled so far through the Helpsy bins at the Conservation Center.
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Commissioner Gina Black - Finance
-Finance Department evaluating upcoming budget items. Challenging line item is health care costs. Currently employees are part of the state health benefit program and costs are estimated to go up 35 percent. A healthcare broker was contracted to find a lower cost healthcare plan. New private benefits plan will stay with Blue Cross Blue Shield, but no longer through the state health benefits plan. There should be no change in coverage to employees.
-Township is maintaining Aa2 bond rating with Moody’s, which keeps credit rating low.
-Best Practices Survey assesses Township compliance with laws and implementation of financial and operational best practices. Score identifies good practices and areas of improvement. Township earned a perfect score for third year in a row.
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Thomas Slattery, Attorney
Provides general guidelines for the public comment period. Each person has a maximum of five minutes to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting. Should the speaker leave the podium before the five minutes and the mayor calls up the next speaker, then that ends the speaker's ability to participate in public comment. Calling out, interrupting the speaker, speaking outside the public comment period, or blocking the view of others from participating in the meeting are considered disruptions of the meeting, and are considered a disorderly person's offense.
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Lavona Patterson, Administrator & CFO
We are saddened by the tragic loss of the two young members of our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and the loved ones during this incredible, difficult time.
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Patricia Donahue, Clerk
Extends condolences to the families and friends of Maria and Isabella. Sends her support to the fire department, EMS, ambulance staff, police department, municipal colleagues, and county professionals, and their families and friends during their work.
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ORDINANCES
Adoption
2025-20: Amending Article I, Section 4 of Chapter 410 "vehicles and traffic, general traffic and parking regulations, violations and penalties" by amending Section 4 and including fines for violations.
(Parking offense fine is set at $40.)
2025-21: Amending and supplementing Chapter 410 vehicles and traffic of the Code, authorizing the police to enforce Title 39 of the NJ motor vehicle code in Fairways at Cranford 750 Walnut Ave and 730-740 Walnut Ave.
(Vehicles must be parked between the lines, and cannot stop or idle along the interior roadways, parking spaces, or stop intersections. Speed limits are 15 mph on the property.)
Introduction
2025-22: Revising Chapter 106, Article I, Section 7 of the Code, regarding procedures and fees for purchasing copies of public records.
(Body worn camera footage requests has increased. Fees for request of footage will be set at the hourly rate of the lowest level employee authorized to fulfill the request. For every one hour of footage requested, it is assumed three hours are required to review. Certain exemptions and limitations apply.)
RESOLUTIONS:
| | The theme for Fire Prevention Week™, October 5–11, 2025, is “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” | | From Phones to Power Tools: Cranford Fire Department Urges Residents to Know the Risks of Lithium-Ion Batteries this Fire Prevention Week | | | | |
CFD Lights Up in Pink and Supports Breast Cancer Awareness with Exclusive T-Shirts
Proceeds Benefit Relay for Life / American Cancer Society
Order by scanning the code, clicking here, or visiting the firehouse at 7 Springfield Avenue.
Click Here to Learn More
| | | The 2025-2026 Union County Behavioral Health Services Quick Reference Guide offers valuable information on local support resources for those navigating difficult times. Among the organizations featured is, Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss. Imagine offers peer grief support groups for New Jersey children (ages 3-18) and young adults (age 18-30) who are coping with a loss including a parent, a sibling, a close family member or significant person in their life, and parents who lost a child (ages 0-25). If you or someone you know could benefit from this compassionate support, please call (908) 264-3100. No one should have to grieve alone. | | |
LEAF PICKUP
First pick up starts week of October 20, with Zones 1&4. Week of October 27 is Zones 2&3.
2025 SCHEDULE ONLINE NOW
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Reminder:
Rake leaves to the gutter line on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before your scheduled pickup. Once your street is picked up, please remember to not rake anymore leaves into the street.
Live on a County road?
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 Avenue; Centennial Avenue; Walnut Avenue; Raritan Road, Kenilworth Blvd; South Avenue East & West. The Township does not pickup leaves on County roads.
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Union County Parks NEW E-Bike/Scooter Ordinance
Bans the use of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles (e-bikes), low-speed electric scooters, and motorized scooters from all County parks. They are prohibited upon any footbridge, bridle path, bicycle path, lawn, wooded area, park, playground.
County Parks in Cranford Include:
- Nomahegan Park
- Mohawk Park
- Sperry Park
- Riverwalk (along Rahway River from Lincoln Avenue to South Avenue)
- Unami Park
- MacConnell Park
- Lenape Park
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Fall 2 Session Registration Begins This Week!
Priority Registration for Family Members begins 9 a.m. Thursday, October 9
Registration for Program & Non-Members begins 9 a.m. Monday, October 13
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FALL PREVENTION
Free program open to the community
presented by Cranford Park Care
Wednesday, October 15
11:00am-12:00pm
401 Centennial Avenue, Cranford
| | The October issue of the Senior Bulletin is now available online, as well as the Community Center, Municipal Building, Library and Senior Housing. | | Stay Connected with the Township of Cranford | | | | |
