Ordinance Rescinded For Voters To Establish Charter Study Commission

By Christy Potter, Cranford Chronicle on July 17, 2013

The establishment of a charter study commission to recommend whether or not to ask voters if they support a change in the townships form of government is officially off the table, at least for now. During Tuesday nights Township Committee meeting, commissioners voted 3-2 to rescind the ordinance from December that would have provided for a referendum to voters to allow the establishment of a charter study commission. Tuesday night was the final reading and public hearing on Ordinance 2013-14, an ordinance rescinding Ordinance 2012-38 that provided for such a referendum. Many residents spoke out on the issue during the hearing, including a number of former elected officials. Several said they are against the idea of changing the form of government, saying they dont see the need for the change. Others said they would like to see the question be put on the ballot. The township presently operates under a committee form of government with five commissioners elected at-large for three year terms. The commissioners decide who will serve as mayor and deputy mayor for a one-year terms. One of the other possibilities is an elected-mayor form of government. This isnt the first time the matter has come up in Cranford. A charter study advisory group was established in 2008, after a similar referendum was passed the year before. No action was taken to change the form of government at that time. The Township Committee also has been divided on the issue. Commissioners Lisa Adubato and Andis Kalnins have long supported a charter study commission. Commissioner Kevin Campbell and Deputy Mayor Edward OMalley have been vocal opponents of the idea. When the final vote was taken, Adubato and Kalnins voted against rescinding the ordinance, while Campbell, OMalley and Mayor Tom Hannen voted to rescind. The very fact that there is so much debate on the issues is evidence enough to support why we need to put it on the ballot, Adubato said. One of the comments I heard tonight was that voters need to know what theyre voting for. Thats the very purpose of the study commission to educate the public. This is not a vote tonight to change the form of government. Those who are so vehemently opposed, what are you so afraid of? She added that while there would be a cost involved in having a charter study commission, it would be money well spent. I do have some major problems with our current form of government, she said. One is that it actually costs us in the long run and it leads to an ineffective and inefficient

spending of money. Every year there is a learning curve. I dont feel its a weakness to suggest that you need to get up to speed, but the very fact that someone new comes in every year is why it takes that long to get up to speed. Adubato said the commissioners have all gotten email from residents that were pretty evenly split on the issue. She read one from a resident who said she is a definite maybe, and said she has long wanted to see a different form of government for Cranford, but she wants to be more informed on all the options and all the pros and cons. The purpose of a study is to educate and inform, Adubato said. I dont discount the opinions that were given here, and Im not saying Im right. But I cant understand why its so repugnant to people. Whatever it costs, it will be money well spent. It wont be nearly the cost of what we lose in our current form of government. Campbell countered that the number of people who expressed any interest in the issue was quite small. The reason for doing it is that the community really wants it and supports it, he said. There is no evidence of that. I dont understand the logic of saying let the public decide, and I dont accept it. This isnt about just administration or efficiency in government, its about Cranfords identity. What has made our town what it is in some ways is our form of government. What makes Cranford special is that were a tight-knit community, and the township form of government is one of the reasons. Kalnins said the Township Committee wont know if theres community support without a vote. This is about whether we should have a commission to study the form of government, he said. Were not saying wed have a strong mayor form of government. There are many types available under the Faulkner Act and we would choose. I do believe this form of government is good and what were doing is good, but I think it could be better. The Faulkner Act has been around for 30 years. There are checks and balances on all forms of government. Most have every year elections. If you dont like what the mayor is doing, you do have options. OMalley said he may support such a study at some point in the future, but right now is too soon. There is merit in re-examining things, but I see us getting bogged down in analysis paralysis, he said. I expect I would be supportive of this kind of initiative in another 4-5 years, but its just too soon. Im also concerned about relative costs Ive studied other towns with different forms of government, and what I came up with was inconclusive. They were all close on costs. We were a little bit less; we operate a little bit lean in this town. In his final comments before the vote, Hannen thanked everyone for their input. What has been said tonight is inspiring, if nothing else, he said. If this township committee doesnt do this, the next one will. Under the current form of government, mayor usually has the majority support of the committee and can get things done. Ive

heard all of my colleagues comments, and I still am of the opinion that at this particular time, I will be voting to uphold the ordinance to rescind. In other business, Hannen recognized Robert Dinocento and Nicholas Frediani, both of whom earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Both are Cranford High School students. For his service project, Dinocento renovated the meeting room at the Knights of Columbus in Rahway. Frediani renovated the band room at Cranford High School for his project. The mayor also recognized the Cranford High School spring track and field team and the girls soccer team for their outstanding seasons. Deputy Mayor Edward OMalley presented four Green Business Certificates to Big Es Bagel Bistro, Krause Dental, Trade Linker International and Reynolds Plumbing. The committee also unanimously approved Downtown Cranfords 2013 budget.