County of Union, New Jersey

Millions in State, County and Municipal funds will benefit residents of Union County

On Thursday, Governor Phil Murphy signed a $50.6 billion spending plan backed by the State Senate into law. Millions of State, County and Municipal level funds were allocated towards and will benefit the residents of Union County.

The signing took place in the Township of Cranford at Cranford High School. The budget includes record levels of property tax relief. Other highlights include a permanent childcare tax credit for all those making less than $150,000 per year, while also laying the foundation for universal Pre-K. There is more than $5 billion included to pay down state debt.

The allocation of funding benefitting Union County is vast and includes resources for things such as flood relief, the County library consortium, county-wide 5G fiber optics, a new academic building for Kean University, and funding towards the Berkeley Heights Sewer Plant.

“This is budget addresses not only the economic challenges of our time but also our growing need for connection,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “As part of this budget, $10 million has been allocated toward the build out of a Countywide 5G fiber optics grid so that all County buildings, parks, town halls and law enforcement buildings will be equipped with 5G. This is a vital part of my ‘Connecting our Community’ initiatives for 2022 and will better ensure public safety and reliability of government services within Union County.”

Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, a Cranford resident, was present for signing of the budget.

“I was very pleased to see Governor Murphy choose my hometown as the place to sign the Fiscal Year 2023 budget into law. The funding provided for critical needs in our county, including $1.8 million earmarked for flood mitigation in Cranford, will be of lasting significance for all Union County families,” said Commissioner Kowalski. “I applaud and appreciate the leadership of Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari, Speaker Coughlin, and all other state leaders who came together to make this budget happen.”

“It was an honor to have Governor Murphy come to Union County and sign the State Budget,” said County Manager Edward Oatman. “Union County residents will greatly benefit from the many programs and initiatives funded in this budget, to say nothing of the record levels of property tax relief included. The budget will help make Union County more affordable for all our residents while enriching our quality of life. On behalf of Union County, I thank the Senate President, Nicholas Scutari, for his leadership and what he has brought to our county”

“This is a budget that puts the focus on our priorities of making New Jersey more affordable, addressing the financial needs of working people and expanding the state’s economy,” said New Jersey State Senate President, Nicholas Scutari. “In addition to property tax savings for homeowners and renters, it includes the child tax credit, energy tax savings and the back-to-school tax holiday. We are putting money into the hands of New Jersey residents at a time they need it most.”

Bill A4402 was passed by the legislature on Wednesday, June 29 and signed into law by the Governor. The bill can be viewed in its entirety at: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/A4402/bill-text?f=A4500&n=4402_I1

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, June 30, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting).

Check below and see if your city is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control: 908-654-9873

Cities

• Clark – Featherbed Ln., Westfield Ave., Frances Dr., Terhune Rd., Whitley Ter.
• Cranford – Hawthorn St., Mansion Ter.
• Elizabeth – Clarkson Ave.,
• Fanwood – LaGrande Ave., South Ave.
• Hillside – Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., John St.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Rd., Blvd (County Yard)., Epping Dr.
• Linden – Tremley Pt. area, Range Rd.
• Mountainside – Mountain Ave.
• New Providence – Gales DR.
• Plainfield – Jefferson Ave., E.4^th St., Terrill Rd., Cushing Rd., Knollwood Ct.
• Rahway – Donald Ave. Area, Leesville Ave. Area
• Roselle Park – W.Colfax Ave. Area, Colonial Rd., Elm St., W. Roselle Ave.
• Scotch Plains – Frank St., South Ave.,  
• Springfield – Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., S. Springfield Ave. (St. James Church), Garden Oval, Layng Ter.
• Summit – New Providence Rd. Area
• Union- Audrey Ter., Vaux Hall Rd., Everette Cir., N. Elaine Ter., Arsdale Ter., Everett Cir., N. Richard Ter.
• Winfield – Union County Parkway

County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge Pk.
• Elizabeth – Warinanco Pk.
• Hillside – Conant Pk.
• Mountainside – Echo Lake Pk.
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook Pk.

Municipal Parks

• Plainfield – Milt Campbell Pk.
• Union – Biertuempfel Pk., Rabkin Pk.

 

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Adult Mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, June 23, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control: 908-654-9873

Towns

• Clark – Featherbed Ln.
• Fanwood – LaGrande Ave., South Ave.
• Hillside – Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., John St.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Rd., Blvd (County Yard).
• Linden – Tremley Pt. area
• Plainfield – Jefferson Ave.
• Scotch Plains – Raritan Rd. (Vo-Tech), U.C.DPW yard.
• Springfield – Tree Top Dr., Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., S. Springfield Ave. (St. James Church)
• Union-Audrey Ter., Vaux Hall Rd., Everette Cir., N. Elaine Ter., W. Chestnut St., Morris Ave. (Interlux)
• Winfield – Union County Parkway

County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge Pk.
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook Pk. , Green Brook Pk.,
• Scotch Plains – Ponderosa Pk.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Adult Mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, June 16, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting).

Check below and see if your town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control at 908-654-9873.

Cities

• Berkeley Heights – Columbia Ave., Nancy Pl., Berkeley Ave.
• Clark – Blake Rd., Featherbed Ln.
• Elizabeth- Browning Ave., Clarkson Ave. (Walking Path)
• Hillside – Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Walters Rd.
• Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Lower Rd. (Fire Academy)
• New Providence – Central Ave., Charnwood Rd., Mountain Ave. (Bell Labs), Union Ave., Gales Dr.
• Plainfield – First Ave., Jefferson Ave.
• Rahway – Pierpont St., Oak St.
• Roselle – Columbus Ave., Woodland Dr.
• Scotch Plains – Cooper Rd., Prospect St., Raritan Rd. (Vo-Tech)
• Summit – Water Co. Rd.
• Union-Gifford Ct., Brighton St., Audrey Terr., Union Ave.
• Westfield- Cacciola Pl., Hamilton Ave.
• Winfield – Union County Parkway

County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge Pk., Esposito Pk.
• Cranford- Nomahegan Pk.
• Elizabeth- Montano Pk.,
• Hillside – Conant Pk.
• Kenilworth – Lenape Pk.
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook Pk. , Green Brook Pk.,
• Scotch Plains – Ponderosa Pk.
• Union – Lighting Brook Pk.

Municipal Parks

• Hillside – Rutgers Pk.
• Scotch Plains – Tamaques Pk.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all residents and visitors to join in the celebration of Pride Month 2022, with community activities scheduled all throughout the month of June.

“This year our Pride Month calendar includes a mix of activities from just plain fun to cultural enrichment, education, networking and awareness-raising,” said Chair Rebecca Williams. “We hope everyone can join with us in celebrating our LGBTQ community and renewing our commitment to equal rights and equal justice.”

“We are proud to celebrate our Union County community as one that honors diversity, equality, and respect for the dignity of every person, during Pride Month and throughout the year,” said Commissioner Alexander Mirabella, who is the Board’s liaison to the Office of LGBTQ Affairs.

Sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners and organized through the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, this month-long series of events includes:

Union County Pride Flag Raising

Wednesday, June 1^st at 1PM – 2PM

Union County Courthouse (2 Broad St, Elizabeth)

Live streamed on the County Facebook

LGBTQ: Say It Gallery Exhibit

Friday, June 3^rd from 6PM – 10PM opening night

Atelier Rosal, 74 East Cherry Street, Rahway

Presented in partnership with the City of Rahway

SAGE Table Community Lunch

An intergenerational lunch to share stories and connect our community

Sunday, June 12^th from Noon – 3PM

Plainfield Performing Arts Center, 724 Park Ave, Plainfield

Presented in partnership with the City of Plainfield and SAGE

Registration Required: Register Online

LGBTQ+ Trivia Night

Thursday, June 16^th from 6PM – 9PM

Please note the change of date

The Tavern at Ash Brook, 1210 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains

Registration Required: Register Online

Union County Pride in the Park, Plainfield – GRAND OPENING OF NEW INCLUSIVE PARK SPACE

Saturday, June 18^th from 12PM – 4PM

Tëmike Park in Cedar Brook Park (Plainfield)

Queer Empowerment Hour: We Say Gay, the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ state laws and patchwork legal protections across the country

Monday, June 20^th at 7PM

Virtual discussion

Registration Required: Register Online

LGBTQ+ Professionals Mixer

Date changed to Thursday, July 28th 6pm to 9pm

The Watt, 1403 Irving Street, Rahway

Presented in partnership with the Rahway SID

Registration Required: Register Online

Love is Love Celebrating National Coming Out Day Youth Dance (Ages 13+)

Date changed to Friday, October 7th 24 6PM – 8PM

Warinanco Sports Center, Roselle/Elizabeth

Registration Required (student ID required at check in)

NOTICE: all participating students will need to be dropped off and picked up by legal guardian, with consent form.

Registration Required: Register Online

Head Over Heels the musical

Thursday, June 30^th at 7PM

Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving St, Rahway

General Admission – Free Tickets Available by reservation: Call the Box Office at 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org to reserve.

Presented in partnership with the City of Rahway and Rahway Social Justice Commission

Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs was established in 2018 under the Department of Economic Development. It is the first county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey. It offers a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For Pride Month schedule updates and more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

We join with the nation in mourning, in outrage, and in a renewed commitment to honor the rich diversity that makes our country great. Our shared history has made America a shining light of progress, sometimes slow, sometimes halting, but always on the path of embracing equality, dignity and respect for all. Nothing will ever change that. Our strength lies in our power to choose, and we choose to celebrate all of humanity.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Adult Mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, June 9, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting).

Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control: 908-654-9873

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Cities

• Berkeley Heights – Emerson La., Beechwood La., Water La., Appletree Row, Cedar La., Janet La.
• Clark – Featherbed La., Oakridge Rd. (Town pool area)
• Cranford – Kenilworth Blvd. (County Police yard), Beechwood Ave., Cranford Ave.
• Hillside – Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., John St.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Dr.
• Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Lower Rd., Range Rd.
• Mountainside – Longview Dr., Indian Trail, Deer Path, Orchard Rd.,
• New Providence – Glenside Ave., Charmwood Rd., Mountain Ave. (Bell Labs), Union Ave., Gales Dr.
• Plainfield – Rock Ave.
• Rahway – Hamilton St., Pierpont St., Jaques Ave., Oak St.
• Roselle – Chestnut St., Columbus Ave., Spruce St.
• Roselle Park – Colfax Ave., Walking Path between Galloping Hill Rd. and Chestnut St.
• Scotch Plains – Hetfield Ave., North Ave., South Ave.
• Springfield – Layng Ter., Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., S. Springfield Ave.
• Summit – Glenside Ave., (Water Co. Rd.), Stanley Ave.
• Westfield– Boyton Ave., Lamberts Mill Rd., Grove St., Prospect St.
• Winfield – Union County Parkway

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County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge Pk.
• Cranford – Nomahegan Pk.
• Elizabeth– Montano Pk.
• Garwood – Unami Pk.
• Kenilworth – Lenape Pk.
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook Pk. , Green Brook Pk.,
• Springfield – Meisel Pk.
• Roselle – Warinanco Pk.

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Municipal Parks

• Westfield – Brightwood Pk., Tamaques Pk.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents and visitors to visit the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside for a special presentation on the solar system on Saturday, June 11 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. It is open to adults and families with children ages six and older.

On June 11, visitors will experience a two part program that highlights the new, groundbreaking Solar System Walking Trail, located near the Trailside Center. The exhibit, which opened to the public in April, is the first of its kind in New Jersey.

“This unique program offers the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the wonders of the universe,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “It is a tremendous opportunity for residents to experience Union County’s new, trailblazing Solar System Walk in the Watchung Reservation.”

To register, visit ucnj.org/trailside. The fee is $5.00 for Union County residents and $6.00 for non-County residents. 

The program on June 11 begins with NASA Volunteer Outreach Ambassador and member of the NJ Astronomical Association, Paul Cirillo, who will take you on a Journey through the Solar System.  Paul Cirillo’s engaging presentation will include the latest astronomical images from observatories both on and off the Earth.

Afterwards, participants will take a guided Space Walk Through the Park on Union County’s new Solar System Walk, led by Trailside Naturalist volunteers.  The volunteers will help visitors experience the scale of the solar system with new interpretive signage and audio guides.

The Solar System Walk is open daily from dawn until dusk. Four audio guides offer inspiring and educational content for all age groups about the Solar System, the atmosphere and the structure of the Earth.  Every step of the walk represents a million miles in space. To activate the Audio Guide, visitors can scan the QR code with their cell phone using a QR Scanner App, or visit www.x-trails.com/audio-guide to download the guides.

The STEM-oriented audio guides feature the following:

The Solar System Experience for all ages, Go on a tour of the Solar System all the way to the furthest known planet, Neptune.

A mission to Mars for ages 4+ Climb up and join Astro, Comet and Professor Edwin Horatius Quintus Van Oort, on a mission to the red planet Mars.

A voyage to Saturn for ages 7+ Join commander Steve ‘the Zoom’ McRocket, Anna and Ben on a daring voyage to Saturn

A Comet’s Journey for all ages Follow the journey of comets and asteroids across the Solar System as you walk back to the Sun.

This new, innovative trail is in partnership between Trailside Nature and Science Center and X-Trails, a company which specializes in outdoor astronomical observation and STEM-related activities. “We are excited to be part of Union County’s Trailside Science Center’s latest development and hope it will add another dimension to an already excellent facility,” said Roni Waserman, founder of X-Trails.

For more information about this program or other upcoming activities at Trailside, visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.

The Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside is run and maintained by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information about Union County parks and facilities, including information about the Adopt-a-Park volunteer program, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Adult Mosquitoes tonight,

Friday, June 3, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting).

Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office.

Berkeley Heights – Kuntz Ave., Locust Ave., Maple Ave., Mead St.

Clark – Blake Dr., Featherbed La., France Dr., Kennedy Dr., Oakridge Rd. (Town pool area)

Cranford – Gallows Hill Rd.

Garwood – Center St.

New Providence – Central Ave., Charmwood Rd., Mountain Ave. (Bell Labs)

Plainfield – Park Ave., Rose St., Laramie Rd., Parkside Rd., Randolph Rd. Kenyon Ave.

Scotch Plains – Indian Run, Pheasant La.

Springfield – Layng Ter., Jade Meadow Dr., Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave.

Summit – Glenside Ave., (Water Co. Rd.), Stanley Ave.

Westfield- Hamilton Ave., Lamberts Mill Rd., Overhill St., Prospect St.

Winfield – Union County Parkway

County Parks-

Municipal Parks –
• Union- Rabkin Pk.

     

 “The Union County Board of County Commissioners share our sentiments of sorrow and sadness over yesterday’s unspeakable tragedy in the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. It is extremely difficult to comprehend the horrible and violent actions of people, and even more so when directed at – what should be – a safe space. Violence on this scale at a school is almost impossible to process.

Far too often, we have seen horrific scenes like this play out, places like Newtown, Parkland and Columbine have been etched into our minds. And now, once again, we are left to try to make sense of a senseless act, one that cut short the lives of at least 19 innocent children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School.

We stand with Uvalde, Texas and its community. We are heartbroken. We are frustrated, and we are dispirited as we mourn with their students, parents and staff who face a grief that is unimaginable. As we think about these losses and our shared values in relation to the Uvalde community, we need to also work together to find solutions with compassion and partnerships.

While there is so much more we can do as a country, the County of Union continues to fight for smarter Gun Sense laws with having partnerships in place like Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action. We continue to create initiatives such as the Gun Buyback/Turn-In Programs and mental health programs. As elected officials, we work to do everything in our power to protect our residents, our children and our families from gun violence—and we will continue to remain connected and vigilant.

The Board of Commissioners extend our deepest condolences to all those who have been impacted by this horrific crime. We remain united and County strong. May you keep your loved ones close to you during these unsettled times.”