Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public comment session disrupted; committee recesses after attendee distributes flags
Summary
A public-comment disruption on April 21, 2026 led the Cranford Township Committee to recess. An attendee distributed flags in the audience after repeated requests to comply with meeting rules; the committee voted unanimously to recess and later resumed the meeting and closed public comment.
During the public comment period at the Cranford Township Committee’s April 21, 2026 meeting, an attendee identified in the minutes as "Anonymous" began distributing American flags in the audience and refused repeated requests from Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty to follow meeting rules. Mayor Miller Prunty said the attendee had been warned and ordered removal after the person refused to sit down. The minutes state the attendee was escorted out of Council Chambers.
On motion of Commissioner Terrence Curran, seconded by Commissioner Brian Andrews, the Committee recessed the Official Meeting because of the disruption; the motion passed unanimously (Aye: Mayor Miller Prunty; Deputy Mayor Paul A. Gallo; Commissioners Brian Andrews, Terrence Curran and Gina Black). The Committee resumed the meeting on a subsequent motion and vote.
Public-comment speakers earlier in the same period included Will Thilly, who introduced himself as a Democratic primary candidate for Township Committee and outlined priorities including ending long-term PILOT agreements, reducing bonding and opposing a planned Kenilworth data center; Don Sweeney and Janet Ashnault urged use of TV35 for Memorial Day coverage and requested community involvement; Varghese Mancherry asked the Committee to consider selling Township-owned land behind his Myrtle Street property and submitted a document for review; Paul Argen raised longstanding concerns about title and compensation regarding 27 North Avenue.
After the meeting resumed, Leroy Truth criticized the Police Department’s handling of the flag incident and alleged the Township denied a disabled veteran’s emailed request to have comments read, invoking the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mayor Miller Prunty reiterated that written public comments are accepted and included in the official minutes and noted that individuals may read their statements themselves during their allotted five minutes.
The public comment period closed and the Committee proceeded to approve minutes, bills, and the evening’s consent agenda.
Representative remarks from the minutes include Leroy Truth’s allegation that "you did something unpatriotic and vile to the Constitution," directed to the dais regarding past actions and the recent handling of flag-related conduct. The minutes record removal of the disruptive attendee and unanimous Committee action to recess in response to the disturbance.
