Terrence Curran was elected mayor and sworn in as chair of the Cranford Township Committee at the township’s Jan. 2025 reorganization meeting, and Paul A. Gallo was elected deputy mayor. The committee also administered oaths of office, announced mayoral appointments to boards and commissions, and adopted a consent agenda comprising resolutions numbered 2025-01 through 2025-90.

The leadership elections were carried by roll call vote. Following nominations, the committee voted unanimously to elect Curran as mayor and chair for 2025 and to elect Gallo as vice chair and deputy mayor. Commissioner Gina Black was sworn in following her reelection earlier this month.

The reorganizational meeting sets the committee’s leadership and many administrative appointments for the year. The consent agenda approved by the committee included contracts for legal and professional services (township attorney, labor counsel, risk-management consultant, public defender, environmental counsel, redevelopment counsel, affordable-housing counsel and others), designation of official depositories and newspapers, temporary municipal budgets, appointments to boards and committees, and administrative assignments. Many professional service contracts were authorized for one-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2025, and multiple board and commission terms were listed with end dates where specified.

"I promise I will fulfill that obligation," Terrence Curran said after taking the oath of office, referring to his commitment to serve Cranford residents. Curran used his remarks to outline local initiatives he said the township will pursue this year, including downtown streetscape revitalization, expanded children’s library hours and space supported by state funds, tree-planting and other environmental projects, flood mitigation work and exploration of renewable energy options.

Commissioner Gina Black, sworn in for another term and named commissioner of finance as part of the mayor’s organizational announcements, said the campaign message that elected her resonated with residents and emphasized listening and collaboration: "The fact that I'm standing here today shows that my campaign message truly resonated with our residents." Black also thanked staff and volunteers and said she will focus on transparent financial stewardship in her role as finance commissioner.

The meeting included presentation of framed certificates of election from the Union County Clerk's Office and brief remarks from several state and county officials who attended or administered oaths. Assemblywoman Michelle Matsakoudis administered the oath to Commissioner Gina Black; Union County Commissioner Betty Jane Kowalski administered the oath to Terrence Curran; and Assemblywoman Linda Carter administered the oath to Deputy Mayor Paul A. Gallo.

Mayor Curran announced mayoral appointments to boards and commissions, including the planning board, the Environmental Commission, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, the Emergency Management Council, the library board and numerous ad hoc and standing committees. The meeting record lists terms for many appointees, commonly ending Dec. 31 of the year shown (for example, several one-year and multi-year terms ending 12/31/2025, 12/31/2026, 12/31/2027 and 12/31/2028 were specified).

During the reorganization meeting the committee moved a single consent motion to adopt resolutions 2025-01 through 2025-90 by roll call vote. The text of the resolutions recorded in the agenda included the appointment of the township attorney (resolution 2025-01 and related professional-service designations), designation of official newspapers and depositories, temporary municipal budgets, authorization for electronic funds transfers, appointment and designation of numerous advisory board members and liaisons, and acceptance of resignations where noted. The committee’s roll call on the consent motion recorded unanimous votes in favor.

Public comment was opened and, according to the meeting record, there were no speakers during the public comment period.

The committee closed the reorganizational portion of the meeting after the appointments and resolutions and adjourned following customary closing remarks thanking staff, volunteers and department heads. Several commissioners used their remarks to thank personnel and volunteers, and to note priorities for 2025 such as library expansion, pedestrian safety improvements, flood mitigation, support for public works, and technology and communications improvements.

Votes at a glance

- Nomination and election of Terrence Curran as mayor and chair of the Cranford Township Committee for 2025 (motion: nomination; mover/second: not specified in record). Roll call: Commissioner Gina Black — yes; Commissioner Andrews — yes; Commissioner Mila Prunty — yes; Commissioner Paul A. Gallo — yes; Commissioner Terrence Curran — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Nomination and election of Paul A. Gallo as vice chair/deputy mayor of the Cranford Township Committee for 2025 (motion: nomination; mover/second: not specified). Roll call: Commissioner Gina Black — yes; Commissioner Andrews — yes; Commissioner Mila Prunty — yes; Commissioner Paul A. Gallo — yes; Commissioner Terrence Curran — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to adopt Consent Agenda resolutions 2025-01 through 2025-90 (motion moved by consent agenda; mover/second: recorded as moved and seconded in the minutes but names not specified for the motion). Roll call: unanimous yes votes recorded (Commissioners Black, Andrews, Miller Prunty, Gallo, Curran). Outcome: approved. Key items listed in the consent agenda included professional services contracts (many one-year terms ending 12/31/2025), designation of official newspapers and depositories, temporary municipal budgets, and numerous board and committee appointments (see meeting minutes/resolution list for itemized details).