Cranford Holds Back $385K Payment For Orange Avenue Pool Upgrades As Issues Surface

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford is continuing to withhold a final payment of more than $385,000 for recent improvements at Orange Avenue Pool as officials work to address outstanding issues with portions of the project.

During Tuesday's Township Committee meeting, resident Rita Lobruto raised concerns about standing water in the newly paved pool parking lot, saying the issue could create safety problems if water freezes during the winter.

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"This is going to freeze, and somebody's going to get hurt," Lobruto said.

Township Administrator Lavona Patterson said the township had already held back the final payment to the contractor and that the money will remain unpaid until the paving issues are corrected.

Patterson said township engineers have inspected the parking lot twice and are continuing to review the work.

"We're not releasing the final payment until those issues are resolved," Patterson said.

According to the township's bill list, the withheld payment totals $385,240.75 for work completed under the "NJ DCA Upgrades to Cranford Pools" project.

The discussion came as officials also provided a summer update on Orange Avenue Pool, which is now Cranford's only operating outdoor municipal pool after Centennial Pool remained closed for the 2026 season.

Commissioner Terrence Curran said the township has sold 1,946 pool memberships representing 5,002 individuals as of July 7. At the same point last year, the township had 2,283 memberships representing 5,960 people.

Curran said the pool has remained active during the summer, including serving as a cooling location during the recent stretch of extreme heat. The facility is also offering programs including swim lessons, pool yoga, fitness classes and long-distance swimming sessions.

Lobruto also raised concerns about the pool's newly renovated ADA-accessible bathhouse, questioning whether certain features meet federal accessibility standards.

Using measurements she said she took at the facility, Lobruto identified several areas she believes do not comply with ADA guidelines, including the height of towel dispensers, mirrors and toilet paper holders, as well as clearance space around sinks.

She also said records obtained through New Jersey's Open Public Records Act showed no construction permits or inspection records because the work was classified as repair and maintenance rather than new construction.

Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty said the township's construction official was involved in advising on the project and agreed that the concerns raised should be reviewed.

"We'll have the construction official go back out and take a look," Miller Prunty said.

Earlier this year, Cranford approved approximately $875,000 in grant-funded improvements at Orange Avenue Pool, including accessibility upgrades, locker room renovations, lighting improvements and other facility enhancements.

The township has not announced when the final payment will be released, but officials said it will remain on hold until the outstanding paving issues are addressed.