Kathleen Miller Prunty sworn in as Cranford chair; officials lay out 2026 priorities

Kathleen Miller Prunty was sworn in as Chair of the Township Committee of the Township of Cranford on Jan. 4, 2026, at a reorganization meeting in Council Chambers that brought state and county officials to town. Assemblywoman Linda Carter administered the oath; Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill served as the witnessing official.

Prunty, who begins the year leading the five-member committee, used her remarks to thank staff and volunteers and outline a set of local priorities for 2026: careful budget management, downtown streetscape and pedestrian-safety improvements, maintenance and renovations at the community pool, and expanded sustainability efforts including tree planting. "One person can make a difference and everyone should try," Prunty said, quoting President John F. Kennedy as an inspiration for public service.

Deputy Mayor Paul A. Gallo, who was elected Vice Chair and sworn in at the same meeting, reiterated a focus on traffic and pedestrian safety and responsible development. Commissioner Brian Andrews said the township will continue flood mitigation work and is preparing a permit request to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to remove soil build-up from the Rahway River to improve river flow. "Tomorrow, the Township will submit our permit request to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to remove soil build-up from the Rahway river," Andrews said.

The meeting also featured remarks from Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, who said she was ‘‘honored to be present’’ and praised New Jersey public servants, and short statements by Commissioners Terrence Curran and Gina Black thanking residents and staff. Black highlighted the township's work on Blue Acres home elevations and buyouts, and said the future of the municipal pools will be an area for "honest conversations" in the months ahead.

Mayor Prunty emphasized inclusive community values and urged residents to stay engaged: she noted the "Everyone is Welcome Here" decals and asked the public to approach differences with civil, fact-based discussion. The committee recessed briefly before returning to a long consent agenda of appointments and contract approvals.

The committee adjourned at approximately 3:34 p.m. after a public comment from resident Stephen Dunn, who encouraged continued progress on bike lanes and rail-trail efforts.