|
|  |
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
September 16 | Tuesday North Recycling
September 17 | Planning Board
September 18, at 7:30 p.m. | | Monday South Recycling
September 23 | Tuesday South Recycling
September 24 |
| | Zoning Board Meeting
September 23, 7:30 pm | Township Committee Workshop Meeting
September 24, 7 pm
Official Meeting
September 24, 8 pm |
| | |
|
I would like to take a moment to remind residents that we have a special election next week on September 18 to fill our Congressional seat following the untimely death of Representative Donald Payne, Jr. Congressman Payne was a good friend of Cranford and led on issues important to our community, including investing in our transportation infrastructure, pushing for federal flood solutions, and advancing policies for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Since his passing several months ago, Cranford has not had representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Please remember to vote next week. You can find information on voting at https://unioncountyvotes.com/.
| |
September 10 Official Meeting Highlights | |
|
Mayor Andrews
Reminded drivers to drive with care.
Pedestrian safety issues update:
• Cranford Police Department had traffic enforcement along Kenilworth Boulevard.
• Enforcement is a critical piece of making our streets safer.
• In addition to enforcement, engineering and design plays a vital role of making streets safer.
• Union County Engineer agrees with us that Kenilworth Boulevard does have to be reviewed for traffic, pedestrian, and cyclist safety reasons. This is something we have been asking for a couple of years. Their review is going to include making it safer to get across to Lenape Park from Nomahegan Park.
• 750 Walnut Ave. – at the intersection of Colin Kelly and Lexington Avenue looking to pilot first raised crosswalk in Cranford. First step is doing an engineering study and traffic study to make sure it makes sense.
• Additional traffic calming measures on Walnut Avenue with strategic striping to naturally lead drivers to slow down.
• Lexington Ave.: CPD discussed with PSE&G about plan to upgrade six light fixtures to LED to provide more lighting at night in the area. This will be assessed after because we do not want excessive light spillage.
• Pedestrian safety improvement fund – Will begin in coming months pedestrian safety improvements at the crossing to Orange Avenue pool and the Adam softball field made possible by funding from the State of New Jersey, who awarded ~$143,000 last year for these projects.
| |
| |
| |
|
Commissioner Terrence Curran Recreation and Parks
• Installing air conditioning at 375 Centennial Avenue will allow a lot better usage of that facility during the summertime. This will be a big upgrade.
• Recreation Fall brochure is out. See Recreation website.
• Noted the 9/11 memorial service and thanked Boy Scout Troop 75 and the Department of Public Works.
• 71 trees to be planted throughout town, in addition to the 32 trees planted in the spring.
• Cranford High School, class of 1972. donated a tree, and it will be planted this Saturday, near Centennial field. This is the first tree that is going to be part of a bigger program to begin soon to allow people to donate a memorial tree around town.
• Tree nursery is partially complete.
• Passage of state-mandated stormwater ordinance, mandates a permit when you remove trees on your property. Taking down trees definitely impacts flooding. Go to the building department to obtain a permit. We want to make sure that people aren't clear cutting properties, leading to flooding.
• Environmental Commission is selling saplings 4 to 6 feet tall at $30, which is about 60% off retail. Go to their website.
• Addressed an online post about swimming at the Cranford YMCA facility. Assured the Cranford High School and the Gators swim team coaches are satisfied with the arrangements for the use of the pool. CHS has five lanes, plus a gutter lane. Gators has three lanes and a gutter lane for their practice time slot. Y swim lessons has a gutter lane.
• The YMCA facility is not funded by tax dollars. It's funded by memberships and rentals, and their payments are important part of running the facility.
• CHS has two banners displayed at the pool. Last year’s Senior banner was removed by the high school team, and making room for the new and upcoming seniors.
| |
|
Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty Engineering & Public Works
• Boy Scout and DPW teamed up to restore the 9/11 Memorial. A few months ago, a scout approached the town with his idea for his Eagle Scout project to spruce up around the 9/11 Memorial. Considering more work was needed than just sprucing up, we teamed Sean Hanna up with our Public Works crew. It is re-landscaped, the steps leading in have been repaired, pavers have been reset, pavers set down where they didn't exist, the 9/11 monument was repaired, the lights underground are working again. They did an amazing job.
• Update on public information efforts. Here in the township, we have a new director of TV 35 and a new part-time public information officer. The two departments work together to get out accurate information to the public, in a timely manner, in the form of videos, photos, website improvements, press releases, social media posts, and the Township newsletter.
• Website Updates: Storm Management can be found on the homepage with information you need to know about personally preparing if there are storms, what you need to do to keep yourself safe, your home safe, flood flash flood maps, Office of Emergency Management efforts and tips, and more. For our senior residents, we have a section called Age Friendly Cranford, providing relevant information from the town, county and state.
• Blue Acres Program agreement between the Township of Cranford and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Administrator and Engineer have been working to get funding and to get inclusion for residents who voluntarily agree to sell their homes, which have suffered tremendous flooding in the past, and the area would be converted to a passive space.
| |
|
|
Commissioner Gina Black – Finance
•. Highlighted resolutions on the agenda related to the capital budget.
-Pedestrian improvements.
-375 Centennial Avenue improvements--well needed air conditioning is partially funded by grants from the county, and budgeted in our capital budget for this year.
-Administration office: servers and computer programs.
• Township is starting to work through our capital budget line items, while being very mindful of the costs.
• Commended Business Administrator and her team on the hard-fought win on the Blue Acres program and the home elevations projects.
| |
|
|
Ordinances and Resolutions
Click Here for Full Agenda with Ordinances and Resolutions
| |
|
Ordinances
Adopted
-
Ordinance No. 2024-19: Authorizing the acceptance of an easement from Iron Ore Properties LLC, ISAOA and 2 Chestnut Street LLC, ISAOA, and the execution of a grant of easement by and between the Township of Cranford and Iron Ore Properties LLC, ISAOA and 2 Chestnut Street LLC, ISAOA
Introduction
- Ordinance No. 2024-20: an ordinance of the Township of Cranford adopting an amended redevelopment plan for a condemnation area in need of redevelopment consisting of certain properties located at 750 Walnut Avenue (Block 541, lot 2, qualifiers c01, c02, c03, c04, c05, c06 and c07) in accordance with the local redevelopment and housing law, N.J.S.A. 40a:12a-1 et seq.
- Ordinance No. 2024-21: (vote 4-1, Commissioner Black voted against) an ordinance establishing an amended and restated financial agreement for the benefit of the redevelopment of approximately 15 acres located at 750 Walnut Avenue, block 541, lot 2.
| |
Resolutions, Authorized:
- Award of contract to Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc. for the provision of Professional Engineering Services (Construction Administration Services) in connection with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Local Transportation Project Fund (LTPF) FY2023 Pedestrian Improvements Project
- Award of construction contract to DLS Contracting Inc. in connection with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Local Transportation Project Fund (LTPF) FY2023 Cranford Pedestrian Improvements Project
- Award of contract to Topology NJ, LCC for the provision of Professional Zoning Review Services in connection with the 2024 FEMA Home Elevations Program
- Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by and between the Township of Cranford and the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for participation in the Blue Acres Program
- Award of contract to Envirocon, LLC for the purchase of air conditioning equipment and installation at the Recreation Center, 375 Centennial Avenue, under the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ) Pricing System Contract, Contract No. 23/24-23
Proclamation: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Chris Lenza
Click Here for Video of Full meeting
| |
|
Special Election for the 10th Congressional District–Wednesday, September 18
• Polls will be open on Wednesday, September 18, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Early voting is occurring now in Union, Kenilworth, Roselle, Roselle Park and Cranford
• Best way to see results is www.unioncountyvotes.com
| | |
|
General Election – Tuesday, November 5
• For all voting information (such as “where to vote” and “am I registered”) go to: www.unioncountyvotes.com
or call the Clerk’s office at 908-709-7210 or 908-709-7207
Some Helpful Dates:
• Last day to register to vote – Tuesday, Oct. 15
• Last day for apply for mail-in ballot - Tuesday, Oct. 29
• Early voting begins – Saturday, Oct. 26
| |
|
Tree removal in the Township requires property owners and/or tree companies to submit an application to the Cranford Building Department for approval.
Please visit the Building Department website to read the ordinance and details for the permit needed.
| |
RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT | |
Dog Owners: Keep our parks clean of pet waste, please remember to pick up after your dog. Our parks are used by many youth recreation programs and for passive use. Please be mindful. | |
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | |
Shade Tree Commission
Tree of the Month: Zelkova
Watch the Video on TV 35
Read More on the Website
| | |
|
Environmental Commission
Read More on their website.
| | |
|
Downtown Cranford Senior Citizen Film Series
- September 25, 2024 – Shawshank Redemption
Sign up opens two weeks before. Click here to register or call the Downtown Cranford office at (908) 709-7208. It’s free for Union County seniors 55+ while tickets are available.
| | |
|
Friday Senior Movies
Movie, "Edie" (2023, Drama, 1 hr. 49 min.)
Friday, September 13, at 12:30 p.m., at the Cranford Community Center
It is never too late! That’s what 83 year old Edie believes! Leaving her life behind and embarking on an adventure she never got to have - climbing Mount Suilven in Scotland. Despite the generational differences, her guide Jonny encourages Edie to fulfill her dream.
Starring Sheila Hancock, Kevin Guthrie and Paul Brannigan.
| | |
CRANFORD COMMUNITY CONNECTION | |
|
Cranford Community Connection has announced Porchfest is taking place October 19, from 2 to 6 p.m. Rain Date: Saturday, October 26.
This year's poster was designed by Cranford artist Tammanie Crawford, who also designed the new Cranford TV 35 logo.
Stay informed of locations and bands by going to the Porchfest
Website.
Those interested to host a band on their porch, or bands interested in performing can fill out a submission form.
| | |
|
Our Annual Pooch Plunge is back!
Saturday, September 14, 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Centennial Avenue Pool. Small, Medium and Large dogs can have their time to frolic in the water before the pool officially closes for the season. Both resident and non-resident pooches can attend by registering in advance to reserve their spot, although we will take on-site registration as well!
All dogs must be up-to-date on their vaccinations, owners must curb their dogs during the event, and dogs must be able to play well with others! This is a pup party!
Resident dog swim fee is $5 and non-resident fee is $10.
| | |
|
Centennial Village Group
Music Fest is September 21, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Lincoln School parking area. Live music, food trucks, tricky tray. Free admission.
| | |
|
NEW AT THE CRANFORD YMCA
--Open House on September 15, from 1 to 3 p.m.
--Fall Session Guide.
--Creative Arts & Enrichment Programs Launching at the Cranford YMCA.
| | |
|
Cranford Library
Theater Project
Join us for the first program in the Fall season of this popular and long-running series! The Theater Project will present a script-in-hand performance followed by a lively discussion with the playwright, director, actors, and audience. Third Saturdays monthly at 2 p.m.
Library Website
| | |
TV35 gives a heartfelt thank you to Michael Plick, a long-time Cranford resident who gave his all to the Cranford sports program and to TV35. After serving on the Cranford Township Committee, Mike joined TV35 as its Friday night football announcer, and through the years interviewed coaches, players, pilots and veterans who participated in the night's events. He even announced for us as his son played in baseball's Last Dance Tournament finals. He kept us in the loop for all of Cranford athletics, even when his kids were not participating. Thank you for the last 17 years of service to TV35, Mike, and enjoy the beach in South Carolina. | | |
|
DOWNTOWN CRANFORD
Website
Follow Downtown Cranford on Facebook and Instagram for Events
| |
|
Tickets are now available for the 2024 Downtown Cranford Pumpkin Spice Tour on Saturday, September 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. In addition to pumpkin specials from participating stores there will also be pumpkin carving, live music, pumpkin bowling, and more!
The event is rain or shine. No refunds. Tickets are limited.
| | |
Registration for the biggest event of the fall, the 17th annual Scarecrow Stroll, is now open! Starting October 11, over 100 scarecrows will line the streets of Downtown Cranford. The scarecrows are created by local residents, businesses, organizations, schools, and families. The deadline to enter is Monday, September 30. | | |
Follow Township of Cranford on Social Media
| | | | |
