The Minutes of the Workshop Meeting of the Township Committee of the Township of Cranford, County of Union, State of New Jersey on May 7, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 108. THIS MEETING IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT AS ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY MAILING THE ANNUAL SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS TO THE WESTFIELD LEADER, THE UNION COUNTY LOCAL SOURCE, THE STAR LEDGER, AND TAP INTO CRANFORD, BY POSTING SUCH ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE ON A BULLETIN BOARD IN THE TOWN HALL RESERVED FOR SUCH ANNOUNCEMENTS AND THE FILING OF SAID NOTICE WITH THE TOWNSHIP CLERK OF CRANFORD. FORMAL ACTION MAY BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING. Present: Absent: Mayor Thomas H. Hannen, Jr. Deputy Mayor Ann Dooley Commissioner Patrick F. Giblin Commissioner Mary O Connor Commissioner Jean-Albert Maisonneuve PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Hannen opened the public comments portion of the meeting and asked if there were any questions or comments. Mr. Michael Normann of 12 Colby Lane spoke about 3 (three) issues related to Union County College: 1) the fence between Union County College and Colby Lane; 2) the trees on the Union County College property, specifically a) noting that the trees were responsible for the loss of power during the winter s heavy snow storms and b) inquired who was responsible; and 3) the Union County College property near Colby Lane, specifically that it was very messy with dead trees. He elaborated about the potential danger which would occur if sparks fell on the dead trees. Mr. Colby stated that there 7 (seven) Colby Lane residents who shared his concerns. Mayor Hannen responded. Township Administrator Wall took Mr. Normann s phone number for follow-up action. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Hannen closed the public comment portion of the meeting. CLOSED SESSION following resolution was adopted by roll call vote: Resolution No. 2018-94.15: BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Committee will go into closed session to discuss the following, the minutes of which will be released at some time in the future at the discretion of the Township Committee: Real Estate Matter
Abandoned Property Act Legal Matters Legal update Third Round Affordable Housing Obligations PILOT/BOE OPRA Outstanding Credits North Avenue Rehabilitation Minute Review Closed Session Minutes of April 23 and 24, 2018 Personnel Collective Bargaining Recorded vote: Aye: Mayor Hannen, Deputy Mayor Dooley, Commissioners Giblin & O Connor Nay: None Abstained: None Absent: Commissioner Maisonneuve Township Committee returned to open session at 7:56 p.m. Review Official Meeting Agenda Mayor Hannen requested that specific resident FEMA claims for reimbursement come off the May 8th Bill List. Deputy Mayor Dooley inquired whether her requested changes to specific April Minutes had been made. Cranford 150th Anniversary Committee (2021) Commissioner Giblin spoke about Cranford s upcoming anniversary, i.e., in 1871, the Township would celebrate its 150 th year. He recommended a year-long celebration in 2021 and stated that he would like to coordinate such activities. Commissioner O Connor stated that she was interested in helping. Township Administrator Terence Wall offered to assist with press releases. Police Personnel
Police Chief Ryan Greco stated that two members of the Police Department would be leaving the Department this year and therefore, the Department sought authorization to underwrite a candidate s enrollment in the Police Academy. He further elaborated about the July start state of the Police Academy and headcount mandates. Chief Greco noted the generosity of the Committee and the Township to consider the authorization of an Academy enrollment. The Committee directed Police Chief Greco to move forward with the candidate s enrollment in the Police Academy. Street Renaming Deputy Mayor Dooley noted that both Commissioner O Connor and Mayor Hannen suggested community input regarding the idea of naming a street after a notable Cranford woman. She stated that she had reached out to members of the community regarding the formation of a Street Renaming committee. Committee consensus was reached.to move forward with the Committee formation. Minutes Approval April 23 and April 24 th Closed Session Deputy Mayor Dooley stated that she had suggested edits to the Minutes. Committee consensus was reached to postpone the consideration of Minutes Approval to the following evening s Committee meeting. TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR REPORT Township Administrator Wall noted that interviews had been conducted for the Property Maintenance position. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Giblin Commissioner Giblin inquired as to whether Cranford could host a County showcase. A brief discussion ensued. Deputy Mayor Dooley Referencing the Boy Scouts, Deputy Mayor Dooley inquired as to whether 7 (seven) Community Pool benches could be improved with the assistance of the Scouts. Mayor Hannen Mayor Hannen noted that a Township meeting had been scheduled with the Department of Environmental Protection for the following week. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Hannen opened the public comments portion of the meeting and asked if there were any questions or comments.
Ms. Maureen Strazdon noted that she was present on behalf of the Cranford Historical Advisory Board (HPAB.) She stated that she supported the Cranford 150th Anniversary Committee (2021) formation. Ms. Strazdon stated that she came to the meeting to discuss the proposed designation of Sunny Acres as a historical district and elaborated. Ms. Deborah Kush of 28 Colby Lane stated that she came to the meeting for advice. She elaborated about her dissatisfaction with Union County College s property maintenance and elaborated. Mayor suggested that Administrator Wall speak to the Zoning Officer regarding what had been memorialized regarding the College s adjoining property. Further discussion ensued regarding the adjoining fence, tree trimming and saplings and previous year Township/College agreements. Ms. Kush stated that she had submitted an OPRA request and had not received a response. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Hannen closed the public comment portion of the meeting. CLOSED SESSION following resolution was adopted by roll call vote: Resolution No. 2018-94.15: BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Committee will go into closed session to discuss the following, the minutes of which will be released at some time in the future at the discretion of the Township Committee: Real Estate Matter Abandoned Property Act Legal Matters Legal update Third Round Affordable Housing Obligations PILOT/BOE OPRA Outstanding Credits North Avenue Rehabilitation Minute Review Closed Session Minutes of April 23 and 24, 2018 Personnel Collective Bargaining
On motion of Deputy Mayor Dooley, seconded by Commissioner O Connor and passed, the Township Committee returned to open session at 8:36 p.m. On motion of Deputy Mayor Dooley, seconded by Commissioner O Connor and passed, the Township Committee adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dated: May 7, 2018 Patricia Donahue, RMC Municipal Clerk