County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – April 21, 2022 – Union County residents can bring their personal documents and sensitive papers to the next free paper shredding event of 2022, sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. The events will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday, May 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Nokia campus parking lot, located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence. The parking lot is located across from Ryder Way.

All of Union County’s free shredding events are drive-up only and are available to all residents. No business documents are accepted at these events.

“The free shredding service makes it easy and convenient for Union County residents to dispose of sensitive documents while also supporting our countywide recycling efforts, and we encourage everyone to participate in our 2022 recycling programs,” said Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca Williams.

As with each of Union County’s free shredding events, the May 14 event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. It will conclude at 1:00 p.m., but may finish earlier if the shredding trucks fill up to capacity.

Participants are reminded pre-shredded, damp, or wet paper will not be accepted. Bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia should be removed.

Drivers must remain in their cars while staff unloads their papers, which are shredded on site in a mobile shredding truck.

For the complete schedule and more information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, visit ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

Union County’s free shedding events are intended for personal, sensitive documents only. Residents can recycle magazines, junk mail and other waste paper with their municipal recycling program. For information, contact the municipal recycling coordinator.

For the latest news and updates on all municipal and countywide recycling programs in Union County, download the free Recycle Coach app. More information is available at ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

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

The mobile paper shredding program is paid for through Recycling Enhancement Act Grant funds, which are applied for by Union County and received from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

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.

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Union County, NJ – April 21, 2022 — Residents seeking information about services for seniors and their care givers can come to Union County’s Aging Services Kiosk events and meet in person with professional staff for guidance on senior programs and resources, including help with filling out applications and forms.

ASK is 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 care givers.

“ASK is a popular program that brings our staff to local neighborhoods, making it easy and convenient for seniors and their caregivers to meet with a knowledgeable expert in person,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

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 home town.

No appointment or pre-registration is needed.

Two ASK events will take place in May:

1. Thursday, May 12: Union Public Library, 1060 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union Township, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
2. Monday, May 16: Clark Public Library, 303 Westfield Avenue, Clark, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

To check for other upcoming ASK events call the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection 1-888-280-8226 toll free or visit the Division online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.

ASK updates are also posted on Union County’s social media channels and are frequently carried by local media, both print and digital.

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. It is one of 622 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.   

For 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.

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Union County, NJ – April 20, 2022 — Union County’s popular Wild Earth Fest and Touch-a-Truck events are returning to the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside for the first time in two years. Both events will be held on Sunday, May 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. Please note that pets are not permitted at these events.

“Wild Earth Fest is a unique event that combines hands-on fun, games, music and magic with new opportunities to learn and interact with our natural surroundings, helping to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship here in the Union County community and globally, too,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

This year, Wild Earth Fest features up-close experiences with live animals including:

Swift Farms Petting Zoo is bringing a variety of baby chicks, goats, rabbits, calves, lambs and other soft and fluffy animals.

Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant is bringing their traveling “touch tank” stocked with a horseshoe crab, pencil sea urchin, sea star and whelk. 

Falconer Brian Bradley of “Skyhunters in Flight” will present birds of prey at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Unique Creatures will present live reptiles, mammals, birds and insects from all over the world at 2:30 p.m.

Magician Joe Fischer will entertain audiences at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. with “Earth Day, Every Day, The Magic Way,” featuring magical solutions to pollution.

The Spicy Poblanos will also perform live music throughout the day. Featuring Dave Stefanic and Bob Gilmartin, this acoustic band entertains all ages with classic rock, 80’s pop, country, rhythm & blues and more.

Wild Earth Fest offers many other hands-on activities throughout the day:

• Ride down a giant inflatable slide
• Take home a plant to help keep the Earth clean and green
• Discover the art of Gyotaku by creating a colorful fish print.
• Play skee-ball, basketball, volleyball and other games in the “Recycling Olympics”
• New this year: Child’s Play Challenge Course, a portable ninja-style obstacle course designed to challenge agility, coordination, balance, speed and endurance.

Along with the hands-on fun, attendees can peruse exhibitions and information tables from Toadshade Wildflower Farm, the New Jersey State Park Service and Forest Fire Service, Friends of the Great Swamp, Union County Master Gardeners, 4-H Master Tree Stewards, Neshanic Valley Beekeeper, Union County Future Farmers of America and much more.

Green-themed art will be on display and eco-friendly gifts such as candles, homemade soaps, beeswax products and native plants and seeds will be available for purchase.

To round out the festivities, a food truck will be on site all day along with ice cream and kettle corn.

Wild Earth Fest will take place on the grounds of Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Admission is free for ages six and under, and $5.00 for ages seven and up.

Admission to Wild Earth Fest also covers the Touch-a-Truck event, located a short walk away at The Loop playground complex. Please note that horns and sirens will not be sounded during the event, out of consideration for all attendees. A food truck and an ice cream truck will be on site for those wishing to purchase a snack.

For more details about “Wild Earth Fest” or other upcoming programs or events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.

Wild Earth Fest, Touch-a-Truck and Trailside are programs of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information about all activities and programs, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

Quick links to other environmental activities and programs hosted by Union County 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, 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.

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Union County, NJ – April 20, 2022 — Bird watchers and nature fans can now enjoy Union County’s free Falcon Cam livestream on a new website at ucnj.org/falcon. The new site features live inside/outside views of the peregrine falcon nest on the roof of the Courthouse Tower in midtown Elizabeth along with news, updates, factoids and other information about the fierce raptor, known for its high speed dives of more than 240 miles per hour.

The Courthouse Tower nest has been occupied by a pair of peregrine falcons every year since 2006. The pair in residence this year is watching over four eggs, which are expected to hatch one by one in the coming weeks.

“Union County has been part of the peregrine falcon restoration effort for more than 15 years,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “We are very proud to continue partnering with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, to connect our residents with the experience of these magnificent birds and raise awareness about their significance to conservation efforts around the world.”

Along with the free livestream, the new Falcon Cam website includes:

• Educational resources for teachers to download and use in their classrooms.
• Information on how to help this bird of prey, which is still on the New Jersey Endangered Species List.
• A clickable link that enables members of the public to ask questions about peregrine falcons and get answers from a wildlife biologist.
• A behind the scenes look at the installation of new cameras and microphones from the top of the County Courthouse.
• New photos and videos.

Peregrine falcons were common in New Jersey and other states east of the Mississippi River until the 1950’s, when the pesticide DDT began to take its toll. DDT was finally banned in 1973. By then, peregrine falcons had disappeared from New Jersey and the entire eastern region, and they were put on the federal Endangered Species list.

The falcons did not begin to make a comeback in New Jersey until the 1980’s, when conservationists launched a successful reintroduction strategy.

Union County became involved in the conservation effort in 2005, when a pair of peregrine falcons tried to establish a nest on the roof of the Courthouse Tower. They were most likely attracted by the commanding views of the surrounding area, but the attempt was thwarted by windy conditions.

To help ensure success if the falcons tried again, Union County worked with the Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Conserve Wildlife Foundation to install a nesting box at the same location.

Two falcons did take up residence in the nesting box in 2006, but activity inside the nest remained a mystery until 2016, when Union County worked with its two partners to install web cams and set up free livestreams on the County website.

Since then, keeping watch for a new clutch of eggs to hatch has become a rite of spring for Union County residents of all ages, and visitors from all over the world.

For information about other nature education programs offered by Union County, visit the Trailside Nature and Science Center online at ucnj.org/trailside.

For more information about Conserve Wildlife Foundation visit conservewildlifenj.org.

Quick links to all environmental programs and activities hosted by Union County 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, 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.

Union County, NJ – April 19, 2022 — Union County residents who are interested in native plants, energy efficiency, climate change and other environmental topics can tune into a series of free webinars offered through the Environmental Stewards program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

“The Environmental Stewards do wonderful hands-on work in our communities, and the webinars provide new opportunities to learn from their expert guidance during Earth Month in April and beyond,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

The Environmental Stewards program is supported in part by the Commissioner Board through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The program trains local Environmental Steward volunteers to create environmentally beneficial initiatives and activities in their communities.

The program also offers the “Earth Day, Every Day” webinar series, bringing the latest research and information about sustainability-related topics to a wide audience.

Union County residents can visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu/earth-day-every-day to sign up for any of the hour-long webinars, free of charge.

For the 2022 series, residents can view four archived webinars at their convenience:

Starting a Native Plant Garden: Learn how to plant a hardy, low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly garden habitat.

RU Ready for NJ’s New Plastic Pollution Reduction Law?: How to prepare for New Jersey’s new plastic pollution law, which takes effect on May 4.

What’s an Energy Audit and Do You Need One?: How energy efficiency assessments save money, improve personal comfort, and increase the value of your home.

Food Systems and Climate Change: Hear from Xenia Morin, Associate Professor with the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health to learn how our food systems are connected to climate change, and how you can help.

The spring 2022 series also includes a special presentation on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. by Professor Bob Kopp, a lead author of the 2021 Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Chance.

Titled “The Cost of Climate Change,” the live discussion will focus on the economic effects of climate change in New Jersey and worldwide, and on strategies for managing climate-related risks.

For additional information and insights about environmental topics all year long, members of the public can read the Environmental Stewards Earth Day, Every Day newsletter online or sign up to receive it by email.

Environmental Stewards volunteers undergo a hands-on training course that focuses on the concrete steps needed to plan, organize, and implement a program or activity that benefits the local environment. No previous experience is needed. For more information about the next training series visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu.

For information about all Rutgers Cooperative Extension volunteer programs supported in part by the Commissioner Board, including Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards, and 4-H youth clubs, visit ucnj.org/rce.

Quick links to all environmental activities and programs in Union County 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, 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.

Union County, NJ – April 14, 2022 – Union County residents seeking a convenient way to dispose of old or unwanted metal gutters, fencing, cabinets, lawn furniture, tools, appliances, cookware, wire hangers, and many other kinds of household scrap metal can bring them to a free drop-off site this Saturday, April 16.

The April 16 event is part of a monthly series of free drop-off events for scrap metal, hosted by Union County each year.

“Many different household metal products can be recycled instead of going into landfills and incinerators. We encourage all residents to take advantage of this opportunity to help conserve useful resources while removing unwanted items from their homes,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

Scrap metal drop-off will be accepted on Saturday, April 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the following two locations:

• Cranford:  Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive to the service yard, across from the swimming pool)

Residents from any Union County municipality can bring their scrap metal to either of these two events.

For safety reasons, participants must remain in their vehicles.  Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed and be easily accessible for staff to remove.

The next free scrap metal drop-off events will take place on Thursday, May 5 and Saturday, May 21. For a complete schedule of the 2022 program visit ucnj.org/recycling/scrap-metal.

For more details about all Union County drop-off recycling programs, including free personal paper shredding and household hazardous waste disposal, visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning at uncj.org/recycling.

For additional questions and information about Union County’s recycling programs, use the online form at ucnj.org/recycling or call 908-654-9890.

Download the free Recycle Coach mobile app to stay up to date on local recycling programs tailored to the user’s home town. Recycle Coach also includes information on countywide programs.

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

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.

Summer Jobs Available – Lifeguards Wanted

Ulrich Pool at the Rahway River Park

Current American Red Cross Certification preferred, but will train if needed. Weekends are mandatory.

Text or leave message at 908-868-2725

Union County, NJ – April 11, 2022  — Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that ballot position drawing for the June 7 2022 Primary Election will be both in-person and live-streamed on Facebook. The drawing will be held on Thursday, April 14 at 3:00 p.m. as designated by a recent law which moved it one day earlier due to Good Friday. A link will be posted prior to the drawing.

“My office will continue to make use of the technology at hand to ensure that the mandated steps occur according to schedule, while utilizing every available access to the public;” said Ms. Rajoppi.

In-person voting will be available on June 7, as well as Vote-by-Mail ballot, which voters can apply for if they are not already on the permeant list.

Early voting will take place from Friday June 3 to Sunday June 5.  Early voting polling locations are posted on unioncountyvotes.com.

For more information on voting in Union County elections, including applying for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, visit the County Clerk’s Elections Division online at unioncountyvotes.com or call 908-527-4996.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

For 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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