Failed Health Inspections to Cost Cranford Restaurants

The Cranford Township Committee unanimously approved on Tuesday an ordinance updating the Board of Health legislation that would instate fees for failed health inspections of food establishments in the township.

On Aug. 12, Megan Avallone of the Westfield Regional Health Department presented to the committee a suggestion to instate fines after a failed health inspection after the second visit to a food establishment.

The suggestion came after the department had to conduct repeat visits to establishments in town. Avallone explained that Cranford uses a part-time health inspector so each additional time he has to visit an establishment, it is costing Cranford the hourly rate of his services, which is why she suggested the additional inspector fee.

The fees presented were a $100 charge if they did not pass inspection after the second visit. Following that, it would be a $200 fine plus $150 inspector charge and the fourth failed inspection would be a $400 fine plus $150 inspector charge.