[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",6789457,"mediaKeyId","5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d","parentId",5888396,"title","Burnside residents press Cranford leaders for engineering study after repeated flash floods","audioSeconds",1219,"startMs",3966885,"endMs",2747475,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d&start=3966&end=2747","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d/thumbnail_3966885.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6789457/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Burnside-residents-press-Cranford-leaders-for-engineering-study-after-repeated-flash-floods","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789457-7a9d93309d6fec630afa9db94021499f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775220109&Signature=KDjHryD-h5c9~VyU9~K8ItlV13DTr5OEsaieh-u6aY7Dwt20Zax6wBy3PLsBOoAIae7-JUK2OXMVGVDFpMY0HgyHnBv2b4djaesERCPuYNUhMrpv8Lt-1PDq2hOkN08dJPZwzFbJTC7r~ap4IaNdqouoJCKS5P56a0hKskJH8kGLr6qDzhLtoZf6Y-P2zJz~3-nStMMaQ01pIa0iLu4tFqnU7NRpNja3nLHykxU1QLP~epbLSc3qX~ZsCJQxIxNRPTlg0L1wOysprmiSzrtefY9Nv0Mq91oMXBRJTavcoQ4e8pIRtDpTG1h9JeafyCsJ3-7RurEoDvzzL47a7zepag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cranford Township, NJ","date","2025-08-20T14:26:48Z","article","Residents from Burnside Avenue and adjacent streets urged the Cranford Township Committee on Monday to move from study to action after multiple flash-flood events that homeowners say have caused recurring basement and property damage.

Kevin Harrison, who lives at 20 Burnside Avenue, asked the committee for “a formal engineering study” that examines the Orchard Brook culvert, the small retention basin at Elise and South Avenue, and local drainage systems. “Until we understand the scope of the problem … we cannot move towards solutions,” he said, noting the pilot funds recently discussed and that some potential sources are tied up in litigation.

Multiple neighbors backed his request. Daryl Slater said the brook’s infrastructure is “100 years old” and described repeated, acute flood events in July that left basements and streets inundated. Allie Welch, president of Cranford Newcomers, said her household had four feet of water during Hurricane Ida and that the neighborhood has spent thousands hardening homes yet continues to flood.

Town officials acknowledged the urgency. Mayor Terrence Curran said the township has met with the Army Corps of Engineers, which returned a study presenting five alternatives and concluded none were cost-effective; Curran described that finding as “disappointing” and said the township will continue to press for solutions. Township Administrator Lavona Pattison told the committee the county has committed construction funding for the Orchard Brook culvert design and that buyouts on one street are expected to close by year-end. “We are not stopping,” she said.

Commissioner Andrews and others told residents they would follow up with engineering staff and seek near-term actions such as removing debris and evaluating backflow preventers while pursuing longer-term designs. Commissioner Andrews said the township hopes to use leftover pilot funds where permissible, but that some funds remain tied up.

Residents asked for a timetable and more transparent communication about next steps. The committee scheduled a follow-up workshop and committed to arrange further engagements between residents and the township engineer to develop a clear scope and near-term actions.

What’s next: residents sought a firm timeline for a formal engineering study; township staff said they will schedule follow-ups and evaluate immediate clean-up/maintenance tasks while pursuing design and funding for longer-term work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cranford Township Committee Meeting August 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Burnside Avenue residents pressed the Cranford Township Committee for an engineering study of the Orchard Brook culvert and local stormwater infrastructure after repeated flash flooding damaged basements and streets.","taxTitle","Cranford, Union County, New Jersey","taxId",57963,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6789462,"Cranford proclaims Aug. 25 as Ukrainian Independence Day; local volunteer thanks committee",0,157705,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d&start=157&end=157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d/thumbnail_157705.jpg","/articles/6789462/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cranford-proclaims-Aug-25-as-Ukrainian-Independence-Day-local-volunteer-thanks-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789462-6e46c99edd2784d76831289c05b038ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1775220109&Signature=J~qReT9FCfkmqGxcU09u~Yf98Devx6j5Qu4ZcVpxTVNlKoJWrz3xJ5wvyAp44mWbOnHd9P2s23xAzlpeSKScSaj5Xg~-KAwEMJOLG6OJm5RhQn6XrOKVrI70CHShRRjpg5SDJ0XRG9Vx9yg0piNFCxQv5uwBjv11ZnAxhpFJRsrfyM~8YnHaCRy8EqWqln5ydlgZIlvmPNCKmZXC7XABzcj25LST3fa0wE-hpCY6f3i2d0TcGnw4uAKYI7FHhWN9Fvacvj10X~LsNPciyOZvD4qFK06SEgmLnKdHJcbhaXb5vF3xkJv8tJDQ~z2XgSKKy1CfWoEBgNvMR6QNaaX9ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Terrence Curran read a proclamation designating Aug. 25, 2025, as Ukrainian Independence Day in Cranford and condemned “Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine.” Curran praised the local Ukrainian-American community and cited Ukraine’s 1991 referendum that affirmed independence.

Dimitri Zakalavko, who the mayor invited to speak, thanked the committee and said he has volunteered for Ukraine since 2014 and participated in advocacy in Washington, D.C. “The United States has stood a long time with Ukraine … the democracy, liberty, and freedom,” Zakalavko said, calling Cranford’s community support “very strong.”

The proclamation traces Ukraine’s history and the township’s intent to honor Ukrainian Americans’ contributions to the local community. The committee did not take a separate vote on the proclamation; it was presented as a mayoral proclamation during the meeting’s opening remarks. The mayor called on residents to join in commemorations and remember the “heroes who sacrificed their lives to ensure freedom.”

No further administrative actions were recorded tied specifically to the proclamation; it formed part of the meeting’s ceremonial opening and community recognition items.","Mayor Terrence Curran issued a proclamation recognizing Ukrainian Independence Day and condemning Russia's war; local volunteer Dimitri Zakalavko thanked the township and described long-term volunteer and advocacy work for Ukraine.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6789453,"Cranford leaders, residents spar over pool future as state grant eases but may not cover long-term costs",4118,1042185,5160750,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d&start=1042&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d/thumbnail_1042185.jpg","/articles/6789453/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cranford-leaders-residents-spar-over-pool-future-as-state-grant-eases-but-may-not-cover-long-term-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789453-f49a5a5ae9bde1021339ca634c47500b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775220109&Signature=bCcJda7tcQeirZj7E01A9UpVN4ikgKQlePu~eEVWM~LJ56r5qguR6pphd1K3d9pU0keuaIL5jc9h0-HqHmdtscDEB4sn9S6D9g6tkpOvzi2pek00eCJF20L66h9mhAeg4HioSNjeRfqlgc~4t7aNrtfVMg1RNR~Xt9y6QnoQC4J4NSnGr3e9Luy0pulj6vIeYfwcQZTY6ZGug3OdtMs9PkMuCL2QyVb-w9eLnOLhZkj55wwmj7W~p5VU7JG3ow6ZA9tD-45M6c0KVN~hmv3KXElZ-2wsIiDelkotyVF9Orm~8zAG0EhmMFI-gRRpuSNL7e80FE5mmxr1mnZb-Yt7gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Terrence Curran told the township committee that Cranford received $750,000 from the state for pool infrastructure but said the amount “will not be enough on its own” to maintain all three facilities and warned he could not support operating three pools without a “drastic and sustained improvement” in community finances and membership.

Residents and local volunteers pushed back. Rita Labritto criticized the condition of Orange Avenue Pool and said marketing and maintenance shortfalls contributed to membership declines. Commissioners and volunteers highlighted the newly formed Friends of the Cranford Pools volunteer group and the programming they’ve provided.

Commissioner Black and others praised volunteer work and events, while noting there are options to explore. Commissioner Black said “we still have a lot of discussion left” and that compromises could be found. Curran said he favored concentrating resources to make one outdoor pool “world class” while keeping the indoor pool for teams and exercise.

The meeting produced no final policy decision; commissioners asked staff and volunteers to continue discussions and promised more detailed budget figures later in the year. Several commissioners thanked volunteers and signaled willingness to consider phased improvements paired with community fundraising.

What’s next: committee members expect follow-up budget analyses and continued talks with the Friends of the Cranford Pools volunteer group before any formal decision about reducing the number of pools.","Mayor Terrence Curran said a $750,000 state grant for pool infrastructure helps but will not sustain three pools; residents and a volunteer group urged more investment and criticized maintenance and marketing. The committee agreed to continue discussions and scheduled follow-ups with volunteers.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6789444,"Cranford adopts three ordinances on vacant-property registration, single-use plastics and C1 zone uses",397,5993350,6390380,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d&start=5993&end=6390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d/thumbnail_5993350.jpg","/articles/6789444/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cranford-adopts-three-ordinances-on-vacant-property-registration-single-use-plastics-and-C1-zone-uses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789444-7528dc78fa4af2c9b62651b9df5a73bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775220109&Signature=OUdhdgUgehOWje4M8wwJrnx8lOv7B6NqFmCS3PNzmzC7sO7-aZUhT~OQW3X1QpXtYPoabp~iTwPppXonzgrf8Kjppt0XnjSj7FWIuE2KViGekzSgrc7QxlJVaQD14xgXon7dzyQXp8guj2~xN2kE9a8r1Rur6JKfgx8mLHzVXyyo3kzP9RW3aymjDa-4Q5MaXskZh77W0VtHvDWoxzfbhIE-zOdmlXKid~K3DQFgt1YXSfVrLn16HjqoiaBgp2KobhgMVEODPaAN38tZbChEB~73nJ5FLv3yAAYIhTSb5VW4MEoIasF2MoDypeEk42SQkFL2he-jxPjVJZbkGemTIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cranford Township Committee voted unanimously to adopt three ordinances during Monday’s meeting.

Ordinance 2025-15 creates a vacant property registration program with escalating registration fees intended to encourage productive use of privately owned, long-term vacant properties. The public hearing drew a brief exchange with a resident who suggested temporary public use of a vacant parcel; commissioners noted private-ownership limits and moved toward adoption. A legal notice of adoption will be published in the Westfield Leader on Aug. 28.

Ordinance 2025-16 adds provisions limiting automatic distribution of single-use plastic items by restaurants and takeout vendors, allowing utensils or similar items only upon request or via a self-serve counter. Mayor Curran explained the measure seeks to reduce plastic pollution while preserving the ability for customers to request items.

Ordinance 2025-17 amends land-development rules for the C1 zone (Commerce Park) to add modern permitted and conditional uses — including storage and uses supporting the film industry — to broaden potential commercial uses of the business park. Officials said it does not rezone the area but expands permitted uses.

Each ordinance was opened for public comment, the hearings were closed, and motions for adoption passed by roll call with all commissioners recorded as voting yes. The committee also published legal ad dates for each adoption.","The Township Committee adopted Ordinances 2025-15 (vacant property registration), 2025-16 (single-use plastics limits) and 2025-17 (expanded permitted/conditional uses in the C1 zone). Votes were unanimous and legal notices are scheduled in the Westfield Leader.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6789448,"Cranford committee advances Memorial Park design RFP after veterans and residents urge investment",3793,3193540,6986710,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d&start=3193&end=6986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888396-70f3ae31c9d14cdfed9e4b24560dc23d/thumbnail_3193540.jpg","/articles/6789448/Cranford/Union-County/New-Jersey/Cranford-committee-advances-Memorial-Park-design-RFP-after-veterans-and-residents-urge-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789448-c138f9b5bb48360a267379ccd929a83d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775220109&Signature=fRIjcQToqKnxQ1yGzAPxz~ZJFPzPiYzOR3byeN1YyKPFvUm-vTXpKy1e0YFhTnfzT0BdUg7tJMrnqFCjoUa83yeeCvnRhNEP8bf5VSoMtWMvHhb~wkTlDx9tKoH2Dp1Bdm~8xmt7X4WgsBY-OIVFP4BdF3U4uLnzDwJwENctZAjBfAoWLtiDG45RHw2l74yfTCztlqc4MXm8YL4YfAUH0f2Pr7TH44umpuM5dIEwxC4DyOaWhexMzn6FczITOZm8u4pgqxxN14r-kALplcEMpmxTV2zCJuUc5FML8xhygs9Fw8haGfhWwNUTfiJnKwLbuWyLyodudQ3QQckqCbHkFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the VFW and local residents urged the township committee to approve a request for proposals to redesign and revitalize Memorial Park, arguing the memorial deserves professional design to better honor service members and serve as a year-round public space.

Mark Schwartz, quartermaster of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 335, described the monument and the need to update the park to properly reflect service and sacrifice. Architect and VFW member Mark Pollock supported the effort, emphasizing the park’s role in community traditions such as the Memorial Day parade.

Commissioner Black and others said an RFP for design services will go out and noted the project will rely on a mix of community donations and township funds. The committee moved the RFP and approved it as part of evening business; supporters urged residents to participate in fundraising via QR codes and volunteer efforts.

No detailed budget breakdown was provided in the meeting beyond a reference to combined funding sources; the committee indicated future votes will specify funding levels.","The Township Committee approved an RFP to solicit professional design services for Memorial Park after VFW and local residents urged modernization to honor fallen service members; speakers emphasized community fundraising will supplement township funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Burnside residents press Cranford leaders for engineering study after repeated flash floods

Cranford proclaims Aug. 25 as Ukrainian Independence Day; local volunteer thanks committee

Cranford leaders, residents spar over pool future as state grant eases but may not cover long-term costs

Cranford adopts three ordinances on vacant-property registration, single-use plastics and C1 zone uses

Cranford committee advances Memorial Park design RFP after veterans and residents urge investment