Flood Projects Lead Cranford’s New $9M Capital Budget

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford officials have introduced a nearly $9 million capital budget for 2026, outlining a series of long-term projects focused on infrastructure, flooding improvements, and township upgrades.

A capital budget is essentially the township’s plan for major projects and big-ticket purchases, such as roadwork, drainage systems, and public facilities. It is separate from the town’s everyday operating costs.

The plan was presented shortly after the state approved Cranford’s overall municipal budget for the year.

Township officials said about two-thirds of the funding for these projects will come from grants, meaning outside money, rather than local property taxes.

During the public meeting, Chief Financial Officer Lavona Patterson said the township is continuing its approach of investing in improvements while keeping borrowing and long-term debt under control.

“So even though it's over $8 million in appropriations, the debt is very little, and this is what we strive for,” Patterson said.

Officials said Cranford’s debt level remains steady at about $2.8 million, and the township’s debt ratio is currently 0.905.

The township also adopted a cap ordinance that allows it to set aside $523,341 in unused budget space for future years. Patterson said this reflects the difference between state limits on tax increases and the higher maximum allowed under state rules.

Projects included in the 2026 capital budget include drainage improvements at Orchard Brook to address flooding, downtown streetscape upgrades, and the purchase of a fully electric vehicle for administrative use in the police department.