County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Union County Veterans Parking program has expanded to 14 locations in 2023, where specially designated parking spots are reserved for veterans who display an official Union County Veterans Parking placard in their car. The program is administered by the Union County Office of Veteran’s Services and helps raise public awareness about military veterans in the Union County community.

To request a Union County Veterans parking placard, use the online form on the Union County website at ucnj.org/veterans.

 “We invite veterans to contact the Office of Veteran’s Services for assistance with benefits and other resources in Union County, including the Veterans Parking program. This year we continue to show our respect, appreciation and support for military veterans by continuing to expand and improve our outreach through the Chairman’s ‘Building a Stronger Union County’ initiatives for 2023,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

The Union County Office of Veteran’s Services provides a wide variety of free, in-person guidance services for veterans including:

• Acting as the veteran’s official representative to the Veterans Administration
• Assisting with the assembling of evidence and timely submission of claims
• Helping with VA Disability Compensation claims and other VA benefits
• Assisting with Survivor’s Benefits
• Providing information on current VA regulations
• Explaining VA correspondence
• Aiding with Veteran’s Pensions
• Helping with Burial Benefits

The Office of Veteran’s Services also provides information on a wide range of resources including discharge registration, disability compensation claims, transportation, education and training, employment and veterans preference, equine therapy, VA health care and clinics, support and suicide prevention, property tax deduction/exemption, housing, job opportunities, end of life planning, military burial, special events and home loans.

Union County launched the Veteran Parking program launched in 2020 with a designated Veterans Parking spot at each of nine County locations:

• Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park – 136 Oak Ridge Road, Clark
• Ash Brook Golf Course – 1210 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains
• Colleen Frasier Building – 300 North Avenue East, Westfield
• Echo Lake (9/11 Memorial) – 1028 Springfield Avenue, Mountainside
• Galloping Hill Golf Course – 3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth – 2 Spots
• Rahway River Park (Memorial Grove Area) – St. Georges Avenue, Rahway
• Trailside Nature and Science Center – 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside
• Union County Administration Building – 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth
• Warinanco Sports Center – 1 Park Drive, Roselle

This year, four locations in Rahway and one location in New Providence have also been added to the program:

• New Providence Borough Hall – 360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence (two spots)
• Hamilton Stage – 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway (two spots)
• Rahway City Hall Parking Lot – 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway
• Rahway Public Library – 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway
• Rahway Senior Citizens Center – 1306 Esterbrook Ave,  Rahway

For more information about all veterans’ services in Union County visit ucnj.org/veterans or contact Geoff Smith, Office Coordinator, at 908-527-4918 or W.Geoff.Smith@ucnj.org.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing 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.

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In honor of the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the Union County Board of County Commissioners joins the nonprofit organization Moms Helping Moms Foundation to encourage residents to donate diapers, formula, wipes, hygiene supplies and other necessities for mothers with babies and toddlers in need.

Donation bins have been placed at six locations for drop-off during regular business hours from Monday, January 16 to Friday, January 31.

“We know that there are families who are going through financial struggles. Anyone can fall on hard times, and the burden of making ends meet is especially difficult for families with babies and young children. We encourage everyone in the community to support our families, in need, by participating in this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, and contributing a donation of supplies,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Moms Helping Moms is an organization that provides direct assistance to households with babies and young children up to age five, and we are very proud to support their work.”

 “Every donation will make a big difference in the lives of mothers who struggle to afford basic supplies. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a wonderful opportunity to step up and show your support for those who need a helping hand,” said Vice Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, who is the Commissioner Board Liaison to the Commission on the Status of Women.

The donation bins are located in the following municipalities:

• Cranford: Cranford Municipal Building, 8 Springfield Avenue
• Elizabeth: Union County Administration Building lobby, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza
• Fanwood: Fanwood Municipal Building, 75 North Martine Avenue
• Roselle: Warinanco Sports Center, 1 Park Drive in Union County’s Warinanco Park
• Westfield: Westfield Town Hall, 425 East Broad Street
• Westfield: Ralph G. Froehlich Public Safety Building in the Union County complex, 300 North Avenue East

A wide variety of baby and mother care products are accepted, including but not limited to diapers, wipes, hygiene supplies and menstrual products. All donations must be new and in their original packaging.

Residents who prefer touchless pick-up can make arrangements through the Union County Office on Women, by contacting Jennifer Erdos, Coordinator at 908-527-4216 or jerdos@ucnj.org.

The Office on Women is part of the Union County Department of Economic Development. For more information visit online at ucnj.org/women.

 A group of new mothers launched Moms Helping Moms in 2011, with the goal of ensuring that every baby is provided with life’s basic necessities. Moms Helping Moms partners with community organizations, social workers, homeless shelters, schools, and others to collect and distribute essential items including diapers, clothing, formula, nursing supplies and strollers. More information is available at momshelpingmomsfoundation.org.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is observed each year on the third Monday in January. It is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing 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.

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The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and their caregivers to come to Union County’s ASK community events in January, and meet in person with professional staff for expert guidance on senior programs and resources. Help with filling out forms is also provided.

Bilingual staff will be present at both of the events to offer assistance in Spanish.

“The ASK program is a friendly, convenient way to find out about helpful programs and services for seniors and caregivers in our community. Our professional staff will meet with you in the familiar environment of your local public library, to provide the latest updates and information, and to help fill out any necessary forms,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. 

ASK stands for Aging Services Kiosk, a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60-plus and their caregivers.

Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown.

No appointment or pre-registration is needed. The upcoming events in January are as follows:

Wednesday, January 18

Elizabeth Public Library – Main (bilingual staff will be present)

11 S. Broad Street

Elizabeth, NJ 07202

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Monday, January 23

Garwood Public Library (bilingual staff will be present)

411 Third Avenue

Garwood, NJ 07027

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection for information on upcoming ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County. Call 1-888-280-8226 toll free or visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.

The goal of the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families, in accordance with a statewide initiative adopted by Union County in 2012. The Division is one of 622 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.    

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.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners advises job seekers that the Union County American Job Center will hold a job fair for residents interested in careers in health care on Friday, January 27, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Warinanco Sports Center, located in Warinanco Park at 1 Park Drive in Roselle.

Attendance is free of charge but pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/job-fair.

Atlantic Health System, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Walgreens, City MD Urgent Care, NJ Transit Medical Unit and Trinitas Regional Medical Center will have representatives on site along with many other leading health care employers in Union County.

“Union County’s job placement programs have been successful in matching thousands of qualified candidates with new careers and good paying jobs,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Sergio Granados. “As part of the Chairman’s ‘Building a Stronger Union County’ theme for 2023, we have launched the ‘Building Workforce Relationships: Closing the Gap’ initiative, featuring our first job fair dedicated to a wide range of careers in the health care field.

“We encourage our residents to come and meet with these top employers in person to explore the many opportunities in the health care field. We will also be working throughout the year to organize additional job fairs dedicated to other fields of employment,” added Chairman Granados, who is the liaison to the Union County Workforce Development Board.

Open positions for the January 27 event include both administrative staff and frontline healthcare workers including Registered Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomist and many more.

Attendees are advised to bring a resume and dress appropriately for on-the-spot interviews.

Employers who are interested registering to participate in the job fair can email Carolina Marin,  Senior Manager Business Development at Astrid.marin@ucnj.org or Pamela Mata, Business Development Manager, Union County American Job Center at pamela.mata@ucnj.org.

The Union County American Job Center is s division of the Union County Department of Human Services, providing in-person career services. Counselors on staff work with job seekers to identify their interests, assess their skills and abilities, and advise them on in-demand jobs and potential training opportunities. The Union County American Job Center also organizes recruiting events and workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, and more.

To learn more about employment services offered by the Union County American Job Center, visit ucajc.org and use the “Job Seekers” link. Searchable job-finding tools are also available at the “Search Jobs” and “Find a Job” links.

An orientation video about the services provided by Union County American Job Center is available on the Union County website at ucnj.org/dhs/workforce-development.

To contact the American Job Center by phone, call the Elizabeth office at 908-558-8000, or call the Plainfield office at 908-757-9090.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing 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.

Commissioner Sergio Granados has been selected as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and announced a series of initiatives for 2023, titled “Building a Stronger Union County,” focusing on enhancing local communities, while empowering private and public sectors.  

Granados, a lifelong resident of Elizabeth, who is the youngest Democratic Commissioner ever elected in the State of New Jersey, announced his initiatives at the 166^th annual reorganization meeting held in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth on Tuesday.

Included in these initiatives, among others are developing greater relationships between Union County businesses, job training and opportunities for their residents, a series of mental health programs and services, park enhancements and housing assistance programs for renters and homeowners as well as rebate programs for the veteran and senior population.

Former Commissioner Christopher Hudak was sworn into his first term as Union County Surrogate, and Bette Jane Kowalski, Sergio Granados and Rebecca Williams were sworn in for their terms. Commissioner Joseph Bodek was appointed to fill the seat of outgoing Commissioner Christopher Hudak. Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded was appointed Commissioner Vice Chairwoman. The Commissioners also voted to fill numerous positions on County advisory boards and to adopt the Board’s 2023 schedule and procedural rules.

“As Chairman, I want to build a path of resilience and togetherness, so I am announcing a series of initiatives, which will roll out throughout the year, called “Building a Stronger Union County,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our residents are what make Union County strong and each year we continue to ensure that they are at the forefront of all our decisions. These were just some of examples of all of the great things we will do together in 2023 and we will be announcing more as the year goes on, because we are breaking down barriers, opening doors for all, and building the county that our residents want and deserve.”

Residents can find a transcript of this speech on the Union County website at www.ucnj.org/commissioners.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds residents that much of the material in their holiday gift deliveries can be recycled. Municipal  drop-off locations are now available for Styrofoam recycling, plastic film recycling, or both.

As a reminder, the Styrofoam and plastic film programs are drop-off only, and they are only available at designated municipal recycling sites.

“We encourage everyone to add block-type Styrofoam and plastic film to their list of household recyclables this year, and bring these items to a designated location.” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

Styrofoam recycling is available in nine municipalities in Union County. Visit ucnj.org/recycling/styrofoam for a list of drop-off locations and hours of operations. 

In order to maintain high quality in the recycling stream, the Styrofoam program only accepts rigid, white foam blocks, such as the type used to pack appliances. Soft, bendable types of foam are not accepted.

Foam blocks for recycling must be clean and dry, with labels, staples and other attachments removed.

All other types of foam must be discarded in regular household trash, including colored Styrofoam and other foam items such as packing peanuts, beverage cups, containers, egg cartons and wrapping.

A local recycler in Union County transforms the blocks into new material that can be used to manufacture plush toys, picture frames and furniture, among other items.

Under a new program coordinated by the Bureau of Recycling and Planning, 12 municipalities have also established drop-off sites for bubble wrap, store bags, plastic delivery mailing envelopes and several other common types of clean, dry plastic film. It is not necessary to remove stamps and labels.

For a list of drop-off locations and hours, visit ucnj.org/recycling/plastic-film.

The plastic film recycling program accepts both clear and colored films, but only if they fall into one of the following categories:

From your front door – bubble wrap, plastic e-commerce mailers, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags

From the store – produce bags, store bags, ice bags

From your pantry – Ziploc and other re-closable bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, case overwrap (for example a case of bottled water)

All other types of plastic film must be disposed in regular household trash.

The recycled film is transported to Virginia, where the company Trex uses it as raw material to manufacture high quality decking, lawn furniture and other outdoor items.

Experts from Union County’s Bureau of Recycling and Planning are available to present recycling information to schools, community groups and other organizations. To schedule a program contact Heather Miara, heather.miara@ucnj.org.

The free Recycle Coach mobile app provides a handy way to find out what items are included in curbside recycling programs and drop-off sites in Union County. The app provides up to date information on both countywide and local recycling programs.

For more information and updates on all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing 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.