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Cranford submits FEMA comments, advances local flood projects and orders fixes to retention basins
Summary
Committee members said Cranford formally submitted comments to a FEMA review, directed local engineering follow‑up on Canterbury Basin, told a 750 Walnut property owner to clear retention basins or begin mosquito treatment, and reported a collapsed sanitary sewer at Adams Softball Field delaying paving.
Cranford officials on May 20 told the Township Committee they formally submitted comments to a FEMA review and outlined local steps to mitigate flooding, including an engineering review of the Canterbury Basin and orders to clear or treat retention basins at the 750 Walnut property.
Commissioner Andrews said the town made a formal submission to a FEMA process reviewing the agency’s role in disaster response; the submission was led by Police Chief Nazaro in his capacity as coordinator for the Office of Emergency Management. Andrews said the submission described successes working with FEMA and urged improvements rather than elimination of the agency’s role.
Andrews also said the Cranford Flood Committee is finalizing a scope of work for local infrastructure projects and that the town has asked its engineering firm to investigate the history and current condition of the Canterbury Basin — a low‑lying, two‑block preserved area northwest of Brookside that retains stormwater. The committee described the basin as a potential candidate for improvements to increase stormwater capture consistent with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection guidance.
On the 750 Walnut property, committee members said several retention basins were retaining too much water and the township notified the property owner to clear dredged material immediately; if standing water remains, the township told the owner to begin a mosquito‑control treatment plan. The committee said the step is intended to prevent mosquito breeding while flood mitigation work proceeds.
Separately, officials reported that an investigation at Adams Softball Field found a collapsed sanitary sewer line that has caused backups; repairs are needed before final paving and the township said the line’s infiltration and inflow (I&I) contributes to higher sewage treatment costs. Officials said they will pursue funding and expedited repairs but did not announce a funding source at the meeting.
Committee members framed these steps as part of an “all‑of‑the‑above” local flood mitigation strategy rather than reliance on federal funding alone.
