TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD MUNICIPAL BUILDING REOPENING

TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD MUNICIPAL BUILDING REOPENING

PUBLIC ENTRY PROCEDURES

Beginning Tuesday, September 15, 2020, the Township of Cranford (the “Township”) Municipal Building will be open to the public. For the health of our visitors and employees please use the following instructions to access or interact with the appropriate departments.

• One Entrance for Members of the public - Visitors may only use the Health Department Entrance located behind the building in the lower parking lot.  This is an ADA-accessible entrance with access to the elevator. Entry protocols are necessary to comply with CDC and state guidelines on contact tracing and social distancing. 
• Members of the public are strongly encouraged to call ahead and make an appointment due to the limited space and occupancy issues. If there are too many people in the “queue” for say the building department, the member of the public will have to wait outside. Calling ahead avoids these issues. Please visit the Township Website for a directory –  www.cranfordnj.org/departments.
• Due to limited spacing with the outward facing departments, only 1 person will be allowed at the front counter and anyone waiting to meet with a Township representative, such as Tax Collector or Building Department, will be spaced at least six feet apart, and encouraged to wait outside until called in. Employees may also offer to meet residents outside in the parking lot if all parties agree and the matter can be completed while safety protocols like masks and social distancing are followed. Online, telephone and drop box services will continue to be available and we strongly encourage their use.
• A member of the Cranford Fire Department will be taking temperatures and logging visitors for contact tracing purposes from 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.
• All visitors and employees must maintain social distancing and be separated by at least six (6) feet from other members of the public or the employee assisting them. Markers have been placed on the floor and additional dividers are being purchased to section off the departmental queue lines.
• All visitors and employees are required to wear face coverings. No exceptions. If a member of the public has a medical issue prohibiting them from wearing a mask, he or she is encouraged to call ahead to discuss accommodations. Extra masks will be available.
• If a visitor anticipates requiring more than 10 minutes of time, he or she will need to be met by an employee outside and accompanied to a designated meeting room. If a visitor is at a window and is taking more than 10 minutes, he or she will be relocated to a meeting room where a designated department representative can continue assisting.
• Members of the public are not to enter the building if they have a fever (100.4° F or higher), feel ill or if they have been in contact with anyone who has been ill with COVID-19.
• Members of the public returning from states on the incoming travel advisory are not to enter the building. As of Tuesday, September 8, there are currently 35 states and U.S. jurisdictions that meet the 14-day quarantine travel advisory criteria. (https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/which-states-are-on-the-travel-advisory-list-are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey)
• No members of the public shall be permitted to access the employee space. All business shall be done through plexiglass/counter locations. In person meetings shall not be scheduled unless it can be done through the plexiglass/counter or by maintaining social distancing. 
• Members of the public who fail to abide by the rules will be asked to leave the building immediately and may be subject to other enforcement action.
• Visitor restrooms are located on the first floor, next to the Municipal Court. Visitors will not be permitted to access employee restrooms on the main level.
• Hand Sanitizers stations are conspicuously spaced throughout the building. Extra masks and gloves are available.

The health and safety of our residents and employees remains our highest priority. To that end, the building, including high touch surfaces, will continue to be cleaned daily.

The Township takes the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic extremely seriously, and it is important that we remain mindful of our responsibility to safeguard our residents and employees. We appreciate your cooperation during these unprecedented times.