April 26, 2024

This newsletter is published twice a month by the Township of Cranford to provide residents with important information and updates.

CRANFORD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE

Mayor Brian Andrews

b-andrews@cranfordnj.org

Deputy Mayor Terrence Curran

Recreation & Parks

t-curran@cranfordnj.org

Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty

Public Works/Engineering

k-prunty@cranfordnj.org

Commissioner Gina Black

Finance

g-black@cranfordnj.org

Commissioner Paul A. Gallo

Public Safety

p-gallo@cranfordnj.org

CRANFORD TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR / CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Lavona Patterson

l-patterson@cranfordnj.org

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Zoning Board

Monday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m.

Planning Board

Wednesday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m.

Township Committee

Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. Workshop Meeting

Tuesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. Conference Meeting

Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. Official Meeting

Mayor Brian Andrews

This week the Township Committee approved our annual budgets. Again this year, we are making important investments to address speeding and promote pedestrian safety.

We want to ensure our Police Department has the tools they need. This year, our capital budget includes the funding for two mobile radar speed and message signs. We are also approving funding for eight additional Rapid Flashing Beacon crosswalk signs that will be deployed around town. If you have suggestions for intersections that could use them, please reach out to me, other members of the Township Committee, or the Cranford Police Department Traffic Bureau.

We are allocating $100,000 to our Pedestrian Safety Improvement Fund, which was launched last year. In 2023, we used the fund to advance pedestrian safety improvements at Adams Softball Fields, Orange Avenue Pool and downtown. The softball and pool upgrades are moving forward this year. Cranford Police Department and the Complete Streets Committee will advise us on where to prioritize next.

Finally, we passed a resolution requesting Union County make a substantial pedestrian safety improvement upgrade for crossing Kenilworth Blvd. at Lenape Park. We want our residents and visitors to be able to safely enjoy all our township has to offer.

April 23 Official Meeting

Proclamations:

Arbor Day – April 26, 2024 (TV-35 Video) • Eagle Scout Awards (Watch Video)

Commissioner Reports

Mayor Brian Andrews (video)

Inspired by supportive community response to local business owners who received hate messages in response to a rainbow flag in the storefront window. Cranford is a welcoming and pluralistic community. Cranford will again raise the Pride Flag in June to show our Township stands for inclusivity and against hate.
"No Truck" signs were installed at Behnert Pl. and Mitchell Pl. to address traffic concerns in the area of 750 Walnut Avenue.

Deputy Mayor Terrence Curran - (video) – Recreation & Parks

Cranford YMCA is fully open noting the completion of the new locker rooms. Indoor pool has improved lighting and lower humidity levels. Sign up information is available online - click here.
Swim lessons available both through YMCA Indoor and Cranford Outdoor Pools.
Encouraged all to join the Outdoor Pools—New Concert Series this summer at the Pools.
Free 200 Saplings (Eastern White Pines, Northern Red Oaks, Red Maples and Redbuds) purchased through Arbor Day Foundation available during Arbor Day Celebration this Saturday. See more below.
750 Walnut Update: Hartz will move up the plantings in the schedule.

Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty - (video) – Engineering & Public Works

55+ Survey is available now--see more information below. Copies can be mailed to residents if not available to visit the locations -- Email k-prunty@cranfordnj.org
Over 100 volunteers participated in the Rahway River Clean Up this past Saturday.

Commissioner Paul A. Gallo - (video)– Public Safety

Touch A Truck event was a big success.
Capital budget includes necessary equipment and machinery for CFD and CPD.
Congratulated recipients of Valor Awards.
CFD--Be cautious of heat and oil while cooking--to smother a cooking fire use oven mitt and cover fire with a lid.

Commissioner Gina Black - (video) – Finance

The adopted municipal budget is a solid budget. Noted the Capital budget is offset by Grants.
See Finance webpage for details.

CFO Lavona Patterson Budget Highlights

Township 2024 appropriations: $46,735,768.50.

2024 tax rate increased at a lower rate than 2023. Homeowners will see an increase in taxes for 2024 of $87.29 on the average assessed household of $182,057. This represents a 3.14 percent tax increase over 2023.
Recouped all of the Surplus from 2023, and is over $40,000 than anticipated--Keeping Resident's Taxes Low.
Debt ratio is down over 2023.
Net Valuation of the Township Increased.
Township has Zero Comments in audit.
Highest Best Practice Scores.

Watch commissioner reports and the full meeting on TV-35.

Ordinances and Resolutions

Ordinances - Adopted

Municipal Budget and the DMC Budget.

Ordinances - Introduced

Bond Ordinance to make various capital improvements and purchases--roads, drainage and curbing; pedestrian safety; desilting portion of river; Eastman Plaza; communication and signal systems (CPD); security cameras at Cranford Crossing garage and Municipal Bldg.; power load stretcher and chest compression machine (CFD); computer server; downtown streetscape; HVAC and Hillside tennis courts (recreation).

Resolutions

Award of contract to Riker Danzig LLP for the provision of litigation and related legal services in connection with the matter New York SMSA Limited Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless v. Township of Cranford.
Purchase of Bulk Sodium Hypochlorite for 2024 summer season.
Requesting the County of Union to install additional pedestrian safety measures at the Lenape Park Crosswalk along Kenilworth Boulevard.

Municipal Clerk Patricia Donahue, Clerk's Office

Polling locations announcement, effective June 2024:

District 3 is moved from the Municipal Building to Bloomingdale Ave. School.
District 7 is moved from the Municipal Building to Cranford High School.
District 26 will remain in the Municipal Building.

Ballot Drop Boxes for the June Primary Election are now open and located at the Community Center and Union College. The County Clerk's Office is mailing Vote by Mail Ballots to all registered voters on the permanent vote-by-mail list in Union County. The process will take about a week.

DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS

POLICE DEPARTMENT

This year's Youth Academy is limited to the first 40 applicants, who must be Cranford residents. Any additional applicants will be placed on a waitlist. There is a $150 registration fee (covers uniforms, equipment and expenses) that is due upon applicants being notified of their acceptance into the Youth Academy. Payment may be made in the form of a check or money order, made out to the "Township of Cranford." Applications are due May 15.

Parents are encouraged to download the Cranford PD's app today. Once the application process begins, applicants should look for the "Youth Academy" button to complete applications in the Cranford PD app.

Download the Cranford Police Department Mobile App Today

Questions? Please contact Det. Ali Muhammad at:

(908) 272-8989 a-muhammad@cranfordnj.org

MVC returns to Cranford Community Center on May 14 & May 16, 2024. Check the Cranford Police App for the link to make your appointment today! If you have any questions, or don't have the App, please contact the Cranford Police non-emergency # at (908) 272-2222.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

SPRING FIRE & LIFE SAFETY TIPS Every season brings its own safety hazards. Spring is the time we traditionally clean up our homes or businesses. Here are a few things you can add to your list: Read the full Fire Safety Message.

RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT

Spring and Summer Recreation program registration is ongoing.
Outdoor Pools registration is open.
Director sign-up for Cranford West 2024 is open on Community Pass. Must be a Cranford resident, 21+ to register. Information: go online or call (908) 709-7283.
“Tune-Up Tuesdays,” a weekly program at the Community Center on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Tune Up Tuesdays will continue through May 14 and all are welcome. This is a partnership between Cranford Recreation and Parks and NJ4S Union–Prevention Links, Inc. Next Up on 4/30 is: High Pressure: Peer Pressure.

DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC WORKS

*NEW* DPW Hours 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Township is pleased to offer a variety of programs dedicated to residents ages 55+. The township website will soon offer a breadth of information for seniors to navigate so they can live, work and play in their beloved community of Cranford, New Jersey.

Visit our Age Friendly Cranford page

The Cranford YMCA Announces Grand Opening

The whole community is invited to come out and experience the new fitness and indoor pool facility, party room and brand new restrooms/locker rooms.

April 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. -- Open House with kids games, crafts, activities in the pool, fun snacks, and more! Bring the whole family.
Try the Y for a full week for free. Stop by and get your pass.

401 Centennial Avenue

Cranford, NJ 07016

Contact the Cranford YMCA at (908) 709-7260 / Website

Check out The Environmental Commission Home Eco-Guide for simple steps you can take at home to live more sustainably.

Canopy Project-2024

To reserve a tree, complete this form: Cranford Canopy Project 2024 Reservation Form

Cranford Native Plant Gardening Webinar

Learn about the important role of native plants in the home garden.

We invite the community to explore the garden at 3:30 p.m. on May 9 with the formal dedication starting at 4 p.m. to mark the inauguration of the Dr. Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe Reading Garden created at Lincoln Park.

Cranford’s notable resident Dr. Wolfe was a trailblazer and a woman of firsts. She was the first African American to be named in the National Honor Society at Cranford High School, the first female to be ordained as a Baptist minister; the first African American faculty member at Queens College.

Leading the way in a number of notable civil rights and education initiatives, Dr. Wolfe is a woman the Township is proud to call one of Cranford’s most treasured citizens.

Visit the Cranford Historical Society website to learn more about Dr. Wolfe and her outstanding achievements—and see a photo of her on the grandstand with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during his "I Have a Dream" speech. Memoir.

RSVP for the Understanding Implicit Bias Training Here

Click Here for the Cranford Public Library Calendar

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Click Here for More Health Department News & Announcements

KEEP GARBAGE CANS IN REAR YARD OR DRIVEWAY

Residents should leave garbage cans on the rear yard or driveway of their house, per township ordinance.

No solid waste or solid waste receptacle may be placed on the street, front sidewalk or between the front sidewalk and curb of the street. Kindly ensure that you keep the sidewalk and curb in front of residential premises free of obstructions. Please refrain from placing garbage cans in the street prior to the pickup. Garbage cans should be kept on your property at all times.

JOB OPENINGS

Please go online to view our current job openings at:

https://www.cranfordnj.org/home/pages/employment-opportunities

Keep Up to Date by Following Us on Social Media, Subscribing to Cranford TV 35 on YouTube

And Visiting our Website for Cranford News.

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