Cranford Gets Back On Its Feet After The Flood

More than a week after Hurrican Irene flooded homes, municipal offices and businesses and caused widespread power outages in Cranford, the township is slowly getting back on its feet, but the process won't be quick - or inexpensive.

The cost...

During a meeting late last week, the Township Committee approved a resolution authorizing $961,402 in emergency appropriations. According to the resolution, "An emergency has arisen with respect to the destruction of buildings and infrastructure by Hurricane Irene...and no adequate provision was made in the 2011 budget for the aforesaid purpose." The funds are below the 3 percent budget cap, which, according to Chief Financial Officer Marlena Schmid, means that the township did not need to get approval from the Division of Local Government Services in order to approve the emergency appropriation.

"This appropriation) allows us to move quickly and ensure that we can deal with health and safety issues," Mayor Dan Aschenbach said.

Schmid pointed out that while the majority of the repairs to the Municipal Building will be covered by the township's flood insurance, through Selective Insurance Company, there was a great deal of damage not only to town hall, but other municipal property such as  Hansen Park and the Cranford Canoe Club, which was deemed structurally unsound following the storm. The appropriation is expected to offset the costs associated with remediation of those facilities.

Township officials also approved a resolution that will allow them to authorize "emergency procurement of goods and services required to mitigate extensive damage" caused by the hurricane. In essence, this will permit officials to secure services related to storm cleanup without accepting bids. Schmid said, however, that quotes for purchases and services will be acquired whenever possible.

The damage...

As rain and wind from Hurricane Irene pummeled the township last week, flood water poured into the lower level of town hall, forcing officials to the municipal building and police headquarters. The Cranford Police Department is now operational, but cleanup of the lower level of the building is still ongoing.

Several boxes of documents stored in the municipal building were damaged and the process to restore the contaminated paperwork involves a freeze-drying process. The documents and other materials will then be stored in a temporary office trailer that officials plan to bring in while the cleanup at town hall continues, so that township offices can be "up and running."

"Remediation is the lower level of the building is ongoing," Police Chief Eric Mason said, adding that it will take "several more weeks" to get that part of the municipal building repaired following the flood.

While repairs are ongoing, the township has entered into an interlocal services agreement with neighboring Westfield for municipal court operations.

During a meeting with employees immediately following the storm, Mason told township workers and police officers, "forget what your job is, forget what your title is. We need everyone to work together."

A total of 1,400 homes in the 500-year flood plain were affacted by the rain and wind brought on by Irene, according to Township Engineer Richard Marsden. The mayor added that the severity level in the 100-year flood plain was twice that number. As of late last wek, no homes had been officially condemned, but a few had been deemed unsafe for occupancy. Evaluations by engineers and insurance adjusters are ongoing throughout the township. The police chief also said that there were no deaths or injuries reported as a result of the storm. Power to the homes and businesses in towns has also been restored and roads in the township are open and clear of debris.

The township's schools were also damaged by the storm, forcing Superintendent of Schools Gayle Carrick to the first day of school by two days. Classes will begin Sept. 12. While Cranford High School did experience some flooding, Brookside Place School sustained substantial damage. The school will not be open to students for at least a couple of months.

The cleanup...

Beginning Tuesday, the township engineer said about five or six local public works crews, including at least one provided by Union County, will begin the task of collecting and hauling away flood damaged materials left curbside by homeowners. For traffic reasons, the crews will, for the most part, begin with the outer perimeters of the township and work their way inward.

"That will be a long-term process. The sorm was historical in its size," Mason said. "The volume of personal property that's going to be removed from these homes is huge."

Mason also warned residents to be on the lookout for , who have spent the last week picking through the discarded furniture, clothing and other items left by the curb. The police chief said a "no-tolerance policy" is in effect and summonses will continue to be issued to scavengers.

In order to help residents and business owners move forward with rebuilding their homes and stores, the Township Committee has also agreed to waive building, elecrical, plumbing, mechanical and zoning permit fees for those affected by the storm.

On Sunday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a . This makes residents and business owners eligible for individual, direct federal disaster relief assistance through FEMA to cover damages caused by . To apply for assistance through FEMA, residents can go to http://www.disasterassistance.gov/.

What's next...

Minutes after making the decision on Aug. 27 to evacuate the flood-prone sections of the township, the mayor met with Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon County), indicating that Cranford would likely be looking for assistance with the township’s ongoing . Phases 3 and 4 of the project - raising the height of the river walls from Kenilworth Boulevard to Springfield Avenue - is dependent on federal funds. The Rahway River breached its dikes during Hurricane Irene, and Aschenbach said raising the river walls to prevent future flooding is now more important than ever. The final Army Corps of Engineers report on the condition of the dikes  is not scheduled to be completed until the end of September or beginning of October.

"The dikes have to be raised, once and for all," Aschenbach said.

A town hall meeting is set to take place in Cranford on Sept. 15 to further discuss the issue. Assemblyman John Bramnick, R-21 was invited to attend along with Gov. Chris Christie.