Work on Cranford Flooding Continues

Posted on: July 1, 2022 - 9:14am

Work on Cranford Flooding Continues

Earlier this year, the former Flood Advisory Committee was restructured into two subcommittees each with a specific focus.  The new Stormwater Infrastructure Subcommittee was given a directive to look for local solutions. “Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty explained “we believe that every improvement will make a difference and Cranford can be addressing issues while the US Army Corp of Engineers is working on a major flood control project.”

Ann Dooley, chair of the subcommittee presented a comprehensive report at the June 28 Township meeting with recommendations for important soft infrastructure maintenance and improvements of the river banks, levee, stormwater basins and drains. “The Township must get cooperation from Union County to accomplish the necessary improvements, like removal of trees and growth that sometimes create dams adding to flooding” she said.

The Township is pursuing the group’s recommendation to apply for a grant to repave parking lots including those at Centennial and Orange Avenue Pools with pervious pavement or other pervious surface materials to reduce stormwater runoff. The Report notes it is estimated this action will reduce runoff into the Rahway River by 26,500 gallons per inch of rain for every acre replaced.

Deputy Mayor Jason Gareis, liaison to the group which is working on local solutions, said the subcommittee will present a second report  at the August 8 Workshop meeting.

        The State-Regional Planning subcommittee, chaired Patrick Giblin, is working with the Rahway River Mayors  Council on advocating for a regional flood control project by the US Army Corp of Engineers. Mayor Miller Prunty, who currently chairs the Council, added, “we understand there is a great deal of work to be done throughout town that’s why we are tackling flooding on various fronts instead of just relying on a regional solution. “The Rahway River Mayors Council met again last week with Army Corp and I requested the Corp make a site visit to Cranford this summer in advance of the public community meeting they are planning for September or October”, the Mayor added.

          The Township Committee also approved funding for engineering design for a major drainage improvement project in the Edgar and Kensington Avenues area.