[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6063565,"mediaKeyId","3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d","parentId",3268007,"title","Cranford issues proclamations for Women’s History Month, Girl Scout Week and Irish Heritage Month; inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade set for Sunday","audioSeconds",854,"startMs",89000,"endMs",943000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d&start=89&end=943","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d/thumbnail_89000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063565/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cranford-issues-proclamations-for-Womens-History-Month-Girl-Scout-Week-and-Irish-Heritage-Month-inaugural-St-Patricks-Day-parade-set-for-Sunday","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063565-f0e9610c34a6dc7547f1902b21c82a83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207936&Signature=h8ktsvFN58PKtCqpkhaZFBOyoV5p1gIXv~yDjoQdB9LBheC96aHKoe5GqHruABceij50mcDNllqEsEFw9AACgg1NJ5yfQHawbjmLPExXh6mybBZXWOcMU2d4dgJV4xIRXn8n5USQwLxSRT26KpNjcxvMaYzoJjwjhYw5iq76qUPc2VIicVc6a7Xbk0SWrvBZll441BYwjIASRMAHBktmpQw5PfwmwnJAvDYxpL3G-wOWKTW0Q92OaFmaIssn77RYJPm6YzNnbuiwG2PW~aw18UTfrJdY1QuCA1e9sewRb6cPK~SIChCoLyuljjnvisbtvtJjD8YBrHiiMPjLW7ffug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CranfordTV35","date","2025-03-12T13:06:36Z","article","Mayor Terrence Curran presented three proclamations at the meeting: March 2025 as Women’s History Month, the week of March (specific week cited) as Girl Scout Week, and March as Irish Heritage Month. The mayor highlighted contributions of women, the Girl Scouts’ 113th anniversary and the role of Irish Americans in community history.

Pastor Catherine Erwin delivered the invocation, reflecting on Women’s History Month and urging elected officials to “govern with the interests of your community taking the place of primary importance,” remarks praised by several committee members later in the meeting.

Organizers Kevin Kamitsky and Barry O’Donovan accepted the Irish Heritage Month proclamation on behalf of the parade committee and described the volunteer effort to stage Cranford’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade. O’Donovan listed volunteers and parade honorees including David Farrell (man of the year) and Mary O’Connor (woman of the year). Kevin (address given during public comment) reminded residents the parade starts at 1 p.m. Sunday at the community center and noted post-parade events supported by local businesses.

Commissioners thanked the Girl Scouts, parade volunteers and the pastor; no formal actions were taken on the proclamations beyond issuance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cranford Township Committee Meeting March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Terrence Curran proclaimed March 2025 as Women’s History Month and Irish Heritage Month and declared a week in March Girl Scout Week; organizers briefed the committee on the first Cranford St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday.","taxTitle","Cranford, Union County, New Jersey","taxId",57963,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063570,"Cranford outlines capital budget priorities: stormwater, roadwork, library expansion and pool facilities among planned projects",660,1256000,1916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d&start=1256&end=1916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d/thumbnail_1256000.jpg","/articles/6063570/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cranford-outlines-capital-budget-priorities-stormwater-roadwork-library-expansion-and-pool-facilities-among-planned-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063570-a30f4b1c7f8a7ee13aa1d5d1de51f94c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207936&Signature=U39zUa4aXFXHyshtB4uWSzxIy4H7NWvjx3sL9uS1uhY~nSwaZYxDKCygD3VK6q8dVCzjbLDSkOnNMy1NpwPKST8pCfeFP85PALjQsFTy8TdmPH44UH5aMB3dJDrKhIW4MxvhDtOepMXdl7AEDGwIPDdIfTbZhbrdyBdK36mN8PSvClSX7l59g6EQy~WENZELfY8juCZbcq~KC7LeLpv-DuBEasahkLDCmXVNiKeQy1UKTv2hwCP6hiDM7CMxjanUqDcP0nP3-hQ6AVD~z6eo668ibX~3wNy4ikFAl4OBEmllCEM2-~VjMbEy2NoJyd-0LdODO2CiJkKOHOTfS-EBng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Township leaders on Tuesday reviewed key items in Cranford’s capital budget, saying the plan emphasizes infrastructure and equipment while reducing net debt for the municipality.

Mayor Terrence Curran and Commissioner Black highlighted stormwater and drainage projects, including a five-year plan for river desilting expected to begin this fall, and an Orchard Brook culvert improvement done in coordination with Union County. The South Avenue and Chestnut sewer project was also mentioned; the mayor credited support from state officials in obtaining previous state investment for that work.

The committee listed other capital purchases and upgrades: improvements to the Cranford Community Center (new flooring and infrastructure), purchase of an aerial bucket truck for the Department of Public Works, a tree stump grinder, and upgrades to Cranford West recreational facilities. Commissioner Black reiterated the capital program totals “over $5,000,000 of improvements,” with net town cost reduced by grant and financing strategies and a referenced figure of bringing costs down to about $1,600,000 (town share) in the budget year.

The library's children’s-room expansion project has broken ground, Commissioner Andrews said, with state leaders present for the groundbreaking. The library’s children’s collection has been relocated to the Cranford Community Center during construction; internal demolition has begun with an anticipated construction timeline of up to a year.

Commissioner Andrews and other officials said three roads—Coming Street, Thomas Street and a segment of Hillside Avenue near the school—will be paved this summer with support from the New Jersey Department of Transportation; the schedule was adjusted to minimize impacts on schools.

Officials framed the capital plan as fiscally conservative: Curran said the town will take on “nearly $1,000,000 less in debt than we pay off” this year, improving debt service and credit metrics for future borrowing. No final bond ordinances or financing resolutions were voted at the meeting; the committee discussed capital priorities as part of the budget season.","Mayor and committee described a capital plan that reduces net debt, funds stormwater and drainage projects (river desilting, Orchard Brook culvert), road paving with NJDOT help and library children’s room expansion; community-center and parks improvements also noted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063574,"Cranford residents demand accountability after family’s cat lost during town-run vaccine clinic",644,2466000,3110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d&start=2466&end=3110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d/thumbnail_2466000.jpg","/articles/6063574/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cranford-residents-demand-accountability-after-familys-cat-lost-during-town-run-vaccine-clinic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063574-8b906b2a9bc26c5753e0349ece692642/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207936&Signature=gcvE0ZkrMxcI2r9ePQhs1sAkL0svhCYq9TbPovFZ4kt~wiZ-modZdz-iWmt2k3SCzdOiea4a2Mf1sVAhsm6jk1z0GZPXNiedXaRnAGcnywsdFSd7cgu7Ug5QzK9dxROJ~8gTzk9Eh4ISictj2ugY5AeT7GCLYqb95U9q57luoIxHhRgoYKrBgCDhExKJDa3kXLwQAM0k~AIvjM3HheWpE8dQSl3JhfRINcaa5Eo3wRYgOX6iMRpaowKWNHY8ax5wy5RItL-Z84j7dSaOk7zTHE9gvS3MnyNUdD-0MC1QhdkrHA6H8PdN0oYeTr8Aq-MbrqFgJ~IzMxfgeZRpCkB4YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two Cranford residents described the loss of a family cat after an animal vaccine clinic held at the Orange Avenue pool in November and urged township officials to ensure the same does not happen again.

Erno Fotoro told the committee his 10-year-old daughter and family brought their cat, Mochi, to the clinic and last saw him when he escaped through open back doors at the pool. Fotoro said the event’s promotional material lacked required details—he said it did not specify carrier requirements or that the clinic would be outdoors—and that he witnessed “mishandling” by the veterinarian at the event. The family searched the area for 67 days before learning Mochi had been hit and killed by a car on Jan. 7, Fotoro said.

Pamela Harrison, who also identified herself as connected to the family, spoke to Mochi’s temperament and the emotional impact on the children. Both speakers criticized the clinic staff and the Cranford Health Department’s response, saying no one offered help or sympathy in the parking lot, and asked township officials to pursue accountability and changes to event communications and procedures.

Mayor Terrence Curran offered condolences and said the township is “looking into making sure that this doesn’t happen again.” The committee did not take formal action at the meeting; members said they would take the comments seriously and follow up but did not specify a timeline for investigation or corrective measures.

Several comments at the meeting noted the need for clear event instructions and better on-site animal-handling protocols, and asked that future vaccination or clinic events include carrier and containment requirements on promotional materials and check-in instructions so attendees can bring animals in secure carriers to prevent escapes.

No ordinance, contract award, or vendor name was formally introduced or voted on at the meeting related to the clinic. Fotoro alleged the veterinarian had a prior record of complaints in other jurisdictions, but committee members did not provide independent confirmation during the meeting.","Two residents described the loss of a family cat after a vaccine clinic at the Orange Avenue pool; speakers called for review and accountability of the contractor/veterinarian and for changes to event procedures and communications.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063578,"Cranford officials defend pool finances as residents press for advisory-board transparency and fundraising options",1958,1538000,3496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d&start=1538&end=3496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3268007-aa9d6d021f278f4fadd37cf04b94205d/thumbnail_1538000.jpg","/articles/6063578/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cranford-officials-defend-pool-finances-as-residents-press-for-advisory-board-transparency-and-fundraising-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063578-65de2640e6c408aac393c0d21444a318/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207936&Signature=mWNSoH1n1KWQtRO0AlcdDCMHB5~AtsdvBHwT4fOCQS5ulzqiZ4Md0Tsc4rvAnUqRXrg2XdTltXAoAHFKXxuWdaPYMVNAcfZrtGHDpZnUrvCR~OMccXUncuuw5oJrS7d3Qb0cXWOstX4ZRuSd0HHVsRlWgEoibgaliYjXMUqOjK8htAYf~jNT3wFq8Wq~oDqHq9PXFZ3EoAMt4m3~elZ8tnR~KPUsO81Z8XGNmSEJLmdK2WschsqxfcBn4A7UwxKhkLJdlMEGw3rlOG62nH5KZ7A-GQHnIP3gUkjSBsqpWzOmtCdn2s3GCnwKe-pyqNaCjjSsTOGRMm0AXQMa680DWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Terrence Curran and other township officials told residents Tuesday that Cranford’s municipal pools are being run on a lean budget and that the town is working to boost membership, while several residents questioned the legitimacy and record-keeping of the pool advisory board and urged fundraising and independent review.

The township committee emphasized the capital budget and investments in town infrastructure but spent a substantial portion of public comment and discussion on recreational pools. Curran said the pool budget has been reduced from about $1.8 million in 2001 to roughly $1.4 million today and that staff and programming cuts have followed declining membership.

Resident Rita Labrutow and others said the pool advisory board lacks published meeting dates, minutes and bylaws, calling for transparency if the township is considering major changes such as closing a pool or converting a site to a turf field. “If they don’t have them, I get it,” Labrutow said, “but it would be advantageous to the pools if you did at least establish a fundraising committee and make it part of marketing.”

Jim Carvalho, another frequent commenter, reviewed historical records and told the committee he could find no minutes or resolutions that would prove the advisory board’s meetings or bylaws. Carvalho said his records requests returned no meeting minutes and argued that, as a result, the advisory board “cannot provide its bylaws, cannot prove if they have bylaws, cannot prove if they’ve ever had bylaws.”

Officials responded that pool financials are audited and reviewed by the township chief financial officer and administration. Curran said the CFO reviewed numbers with a community member (a CPA) and confirmed the figures. “The pool finances are not just looked at by one person,” Curran said. “It goes to an auditor. It’s looked at by our township administration and chief financial officer.”

Deputy Mayor Gallo and other committee members said they are pursuing membership drives, marketing, and programming improvements and would consider fundraising for capital improvements if allowed by the township attorney. “We really have to focus on membership drives and trying to get members,” Gallo said. “Fundraising from year to year will be up and down.”

Speakers pressed for more independent scrutiny of comparative cost estimates cited in presentations, and several asked the committee to publish advisory-board schedules and minutes so volunteers and residents could corroborate figures and recommendations.

The committee approved routine minutes and consent resolutions later in the meeting; minutes and consent votes were recorded by roll call (all members voting yes).","Township leaders say pool budgets are audited and staff have cut expenses while residents and volunteers criticized the pool advisory board’s record-keeping and urged fundraising and broader review as membership declines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cranford issues proclamations for Women’s History Month, Girl Scout Week and Irish Heritage Month; inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade set for Sunday

Cranford outlines capital budget priorities: stormwater, roadwork, library expansion and pool facilities among planned projects

Cranford residents demand accountability after family’s cat lost during town-run vaccine clinic

Cranford officials defend pool finances as residents press for advisory-board transparency and fundraising options