Author: Web Site Administrator

Saturday, June 10th, 2 pm – 5 pm

Conant Park, 310 Conant Street, Hillside

Join Union County’s Department of Parks and Recreation for the annual summertime carnival for people with disabilities and their families. The afternoon will include carnival games, music, crafts, and a magic show finale.

Light refreshments  and beverages will be served. Registration fee is $10/person.

To register, pay, and learn more details, please visit www.ucnj.org/parks-reg . Questions? Please call (908) 527-4781

Citizens of Union County battling substance abuse or addiction will be eligible to surrender small amounts of narcotics without being arrested and gain access to recovery services free of charge under a new initiative being launched today by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Prevention Links, and the County Sheriff’s Office, Police Department, and Prosecutor’s Office.

The Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) program will be available to members of the public from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Union County Sheriff’s Office, basement level of 27 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth, and at Union County Police Department headquarters, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Those seeking to participate in the program will be screened for eligibility by members of law enforcement and permitted to surrender illegal drugs and paraphernalia for personal use without fear of arrest, prosecution, or questioning. Those excluded from participation will include citizens with active warrants or those previously convicted of certain serious indictable offenses.

Participants will be connected with Prevention Links-trained certified recovery specialists, who will serve as personal guides and mentors for those seeking to overcome their addiction.

“This is an essential component of our mission to provide support to individuals and family members seeking assistance accessing treatment and recovery services,” said Pamela Capaci, CEO of Prevention Links.

The initiative is based on a model first established by the Gloucester Police Department in Massachusetts and later adopted by the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newton Police Department. The County Freeholder Board authorized $17,000 in funding for the program and an additional $150,000 this year for inpatient addiction treatment beds.

The model can also be adopted by individual municipal police departments.

“There is an urgent need to get more of those who suffer from opioid addiction to help, and Operation C.L.E.A.R. is certainly a step in the right direction,” Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen said.

“For far too long, law enforcement has approached this issue from one angle only, seeking to go after and arrest those who sell, buy, and use drugs,” Union County Sheriff Joseph P. Cryan said. “Considering the scope and depth of the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic as it exists today, both here in Union County and nationwide, it’s beyond obvious that we need to fundamentally change that attitude. We want those affected by this to be able to look to us for help.”

At least 89 people died from fatal drug overdoses in Union County last year, more than any year since the start of the decade. Police departments in Union County began deploying the lifesaving overdose-reversal drug naloxone in July 2014, with more than 300 total deployments recorded to date.

“In addition to co-sponsoring the new C.L.E.A.R. program and launching our naloxone program nearly three years ago, we also strongly support the Project Medicine Drop initiative, through which citizens can safely dispose of unwanted or excess prescription medication that might otherwise fall into the wrong hands,” acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park added, noting that the number of Drop boxes available countywide has grown from two in 2013 to 12 today. “We are also strong proponents of our Drug Court program, through which nonviolent offenders can gain access to the recovery services they need, and we are proud members of the Union County Opioid Response Initiative, through which recipients of police-administered naloxone are connected with addiction recovery specialists at our local hospitals.”

“We are doing everything in our power to address this pressing public safety issue in every way we can.”

Please note correction to the June 7th date.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders would like to remind you of several free recycling events coming up in June. 

Union County will host three (3) Mobile Paper Shredding Events in June.  The first is on Saturday, June 3^rd at Union County College in Cranford located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford.  On Wednesday, June 7^th at Clark Public Works located at 315 Westfield Avenue and then on Saturday, June 17^th at the Union County Vocational Technical School (Votech) located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.    All events will run from 9 am to 1 pm or until the truck(s) get filled.  Residents can bring up to four bags of confidential documents for shredding.

On Saturday, June 10th, there will be a Household Hazardous Waste Program at Union County College in Cranford, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue.  The event will be held from 9 am to 2pm.  Items for drop off include old pesticides & herbicides, pool chemicals, gasoline, oil-based paints, deck stain, fluorescent bulbs and propane tanks. 

Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling program also continues in June.  The events are the first Thursday and Third Saturday of each month so Thursday, June 1st and Saturday, June 17th.

There are two (2) locations in Union County for residents to drop off their metal for recycling, one in Cranford and Rahway.  All locations will be open from 9 am to 12 pm.  Residents can drop off old appliances, microwaves, air conditioners, and metal lawn furniture to name a few.

Please visit www.ucnj.org/recycling for more information or directions. 

Union County residents seeking information about services for seniors age 60 and older can attend any of six Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) events in April to speak with experienced staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging. The ASK events will be held in Clark, Westfield, Fanwood, Mountainside, Linden, and Union.

“The ASK program brings our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff to convenient locations throughout Union County, to reach more residents with helpful resources,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Board liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is based in Elizabeth.

The ASK community outreach program provides for members of the staff to travel throughout Union County to help connect residents with information about services such as home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

The ASK program also enables residents to obtain assistance with completing applications and forms at convenient locations.

The June 2017 dates and locations will be:

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any of these ASK events.

The mission of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

“The ADRC model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled,” said Chairman Bergen. “These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities.”

Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: -1-888-280-8226 or 908-527- 4870 or 4858 or visit the Union County government website at www.ucnj.org.

Please note that Somerset County will be closing New Providence Road  to all traffic between Union Ave. and Valley Rd., on June 6th, 7th and 8th, from 9am to 3pm for various road repairs. This portion of the roadway adjoins the Watchung Reservation and is an approach also to and from Route 78 that many Union County residents use. During this period of closure, please consider alternative routes.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a selection of prize-winning art work by Union County employees and their family members is on display through July 11 in the Freeholders Gallery, located on the 6^th floor of the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza at Rahway Avenue, in Elizabeth. The gallery is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

The art display presents a select sampling of 17 pieces from among the 133 creations judged at the recent 16^th annual “National Arts Program Exhibit and Contest for Union County Employees and Their Families.” The exhibit and contest is a result of a partnership with the National Arts Program Foundation which provides prize money and valuable support to display the work of talented artists of all ages.

“The artistic talent of our Union County employees, retired County employees, County program volunteers and their family members is very impressive,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We have artists who excel in painting, photography and other visual arts, and we are proud to put their work on display. We thank the National Arts Program Foundation and Elizabethtown Gas Company for hosting the May 3^rd awards reception and providing space for Union County employees and their families to display their talent in the original exhibit.”

Listed alphabetically by town are all the award-winning employee artists (or their family members) and the awards they won at the original exhibit and contest. Not all of the award-winning pieces are able to be displayed at the Freeholders Gallery exhibit.

Clark: Ryan Frees (First Place, Amateur); Tegan Frees (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Lucas Origliato (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Olivia Origliato (First Place, Youth 12 and Under). Cranford: Christina Barlik (Second Place, Teen 13-18); Spencer Hargiss (First Place, Amateur); Elizabeth Illing (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Betty Ann Kelly (Honorable Mention, Intermediate). Elizabeth: Brianna & Elianna Borga (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Emil Bustamante (Honorable Mention, Amateur); and Dario Scholis (First Place, Professional). Freeland: Ali McKittrick (Third Place, Intermediate); Seyona McKittrick (Third Place, Teen 13-18). Garwood: Sophia Malcolm (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Kelly Sullivan (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Georgetown: Judith Gault (Honorable Mention, Amateur) and Tatiana Gault (Art Education Award, Teen 13-18). Hillside: Abraham H. Feria (Honorable Mention, Amateur) and Femi Muftau (Third Place, Youth 12 and Under). Kenilworth: Maria Anderson (Honorable Mention, Intermediate). Leonardo: Eryn Knapp (First Place, Teen 13-18). Linden: Charisse Cosby-Hurling (Second Place, Youth 12 and Under) and Christine Marti-Millward (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Manalapan: Alyssa & Bianco Capolupo (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Monroe: Richa Wadhawan (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). North Bergen: Gabriella Marino (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Old Bridge: Allana McQueen (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Piscataway: Shelley Morgan (Second Place, Amateur). Rahway: Donna Farrell (Third Place, Amateur); Gabriella Lynch (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Danni Newbury (Second Place, Intermediate); Christina Wilson (Second Place, Professional); and Eleanor Wilson-Newbury (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Scotch Plains: Charles Rubin (Best in Show, Intermediate). Summit: Agnieszka Solawa (Honorable Mention, Professional). Towson: Molly McGuire (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Westfield: Mary K. Bannworth (Honorable Mention, Intermediate); Gina Minichino (Third Place, Professional); Angelo Paparella (Honorable Mention, Professional) and Mary Paynter (Honorable Mention, Professional).

Additional support for this event was provided by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Exhibits at the Freeholders Gallery are coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

For more information about this exhibit and other programs and services related to the arts and Union County history, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. Or send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella present a resolution and a check to students and educators from Union County Vocational-Technical Schools (UCVTS) in Scotch Plains in honor of the school winning the 2017 Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) challenge.

UCVTS collected the most food donations during the “Kans 4 Kids” food drive under the annual UC STEP youth leadership program and won the $1,000 Start Now grant.

Roselle Park High School, Linden High School, Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights and Union County Teams Charter School in Plainfield received honorable mention grants of $250 each.

More than 100 students from 14 high schools participated in the friendly competition collecting 5,120 pounds of food for donation to the Community Food Bank in Hillside.
UC STEP was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop a countywide community service around a topic they feel is important, while teaching them leadership and personal growth skills and responsibility within their communities.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Total of $1.5 million in grants awarded third year in a row under grant program initiated in 2015

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced the third annual Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid matching grants have been awarded to all 21 municipalities for a total of $1.5 million, mainly targeting road resurfacing.  

“Union County is a key transportation hub in the New York-New Jersey metro region, so this County funding benefits our local residents and businesses as well as commuters, visitors and shipping companies,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Heavy rains this spring have exacerbated the damage normally incurred during a typical winter, making it all the more imperative to ensure that road repair continues apace this year.”

The Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid program was conceived by Freeholder Christopher Hudak in 2015 and developed through the County Freeholder Fiscal Committee. It is designed to stimulate the development of projects of economic, social, transportation and governmental importance to local municipalities.

The program is administered by the Department of Economic Development. This year’s Fiscal Committee is chaired by Freeholder Alexander Mirabella and includes Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, and Freeholders Lind Carter and Mohamed Jalloh.

As part of his Chairman’s initiatives for 2016, Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen asked grant applicants to focus on road improvements, given the toll on local roads over the past several winters. This year, 19 of the 21 grants involve road improvements.

“The end result of several bad winters and tight municipal budgets during a time of shrinking state and federal funding have placed a strain on local roads,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak. “Our goal is to leverage County dollars to help our municipalities cover the funding gap and focus on the urgent need for repaving.”

The matching grant initiative makes available approximately $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2017. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital in 2014.

The following matching grants have been awarded through the Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid program:

• Township of Berkeley Heights:  $50,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Township of Clark:  $50,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Township of Cranford:  $90,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• City of Elizabeth:  $105,000.00 Installation of Traffic Signals
• Borough of Fanwood:  $55,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Borough of Garwood  $55,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Township of Hillside:  $55,000.00 Roadway & Facilities Improvement Projects
• Borough of Kenilworth:  $75,000.00 Rehabilitation of Facilities, Housing Master Plan, Traffic Signal Study
• City of Linden:  $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Borough of Mountainside:  $50,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Borough of New Providence:  $55,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• City of Plainfield:  $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• City of Rahway:  $65,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Borough of Roselle:  $60,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Borough of Roselle Park:  $55,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Township of Scotch Plains:  $90,000.00 Park Facilities and Road Improvement Projects
• Township of Springfield:  $75,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• City of Summit:  $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Township of Union:  $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Town of Westfield:  $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
• Township of Winfield:  $15,000.00 Facility Improvements: Municipal Building & Police Department

Residents and other travelers are advised to check with their municipality regarding improvement projects on local roads. For information on scheduled improvements to Union County roads (identified by their blue signs and three-digit route numbers) visit the interactive map on at ucnj.org/traffic. A list of contacts is available on the County website, ucnj.org, for reporting potholes on local, County and State roads. For links to all forms of transportation in and around Union County visit Union County ConneXions at ucnj.org/connect.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)