County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Union County’s free COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs will continue under a modified schedule during the holidays.

“Considering the surge in cases linked to the delta and omicron variants, it is still vitally important to take every precaution against infection. We continue to encourage everyone in the Union County community to get fully vaccinated at the earliest opportunity,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Union County residents can visit ucnj.org to view the latest schedules and make an appointment online at any free vaccination clinic or testing site operated by Union County.

Residents needing additional assistance to make an appointment can contact the Union County COVID-19 Call Center at 908-613-7829, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except holidays.

Union County currently operates three free vaccination sites. Appointments are required at each site:

• Warinanco Sports Center at Warinanco Park in Roselle, on Tuesdays and Thursdays except holidays.
• Downs Hall at Kean University in Union Township on Wednesdays and Fridays except holidays (closed on Friday, December 24 and Friday, December 31).
• Plainfield High School in Plainfield on Saturdays except holidays (closed on Saturday, December 25 and Saturday, January 1).

For complete details, including hours of operation and the type of vaccine available at each location, visit ucnj.org/vax online or call the COVID-19 Call Center at 908-613-7829.

Union County also operates two free COVID-19 test sites, at Kean University on Mondays and Thursdays, and at Gerald B. Green Plaza in Plainfield on Wednesdays. For complete details and to make an appointment visit ucnj.org/covid19 or call 908-613-7829.

New Jersey residents can now request a free COVID-19 home test kit from the New Jersey Department of Health. For more information on home testing, or to use the Department of Health’s online testing site search tool, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing.

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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County remains at the forefront of testing and vaccination as first case of Omicron variant is identified

Union County, NJ – The Union County COVID-19 Partnership Lab at Kean University, the first County and academic run lab in the nation, has recently expanded testing protocols to include detection of the Omicron variant. Union County has updated sequencing processes for all test samples collected through mobile clinics and permanent testing sites as variants are identified. On December 3, the Partnership Lab at Kean began sequencing for the Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa. This week, the proprietary lab sequenced and identified the first case of the Omicron variant among positive samples tested through the Union County run COVID-19 testing programs.

From the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020, COVID-19 testing done through Union County mobile clinics and permanent testing sites has been consistently updated to identify new variants in samples that are found to be positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

“The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has proven to be more contagious and thus, easily transmissible, adding to the many moving parts in our battle against the pandemic,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.  “We strongly urge residents to get tested if they have been exposed and to get their vaccine or booster as soon as possible.”

“The Board of County Commissioners continues to provide residents with opportunities for testing and has recently increased the number of permanent vaccination sites within Union County so that residents are able to get tested when necessary,” said Commissioner and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Sergio Granados. “Currently, the positivity rate in the State is trending up towards levels seen 12 months ago. Easy access to both testing and vaccination is key to keeping Union County residents safe as we continue to navigate COVID-19 and its variants. Research shows that vaccines provide protection against possible infection and subsequent transmission as well as lowers the rates of hospitalizations due to COVID-19.”

As part of the efforts to identify possible cases of the Omicron variant within Union County and in addition to current analysis, COVID-19 positive test samples going back 30 days from when the new variant was identified were pulled and re-sequenced.

To date, the Omicron variant which was first identified in South Africa, has been detected in 77 countries worldwide and in over 30 states within the U.S. One of the identifying factors is the existence of an S-gene dropout in a spike protein. An S-gene dropout is not indicative of the Omicron variant, however all positive results of the Omicron variant have been identified as containing the S-gene dropout.

Union County offers two permanent testing sites, located at Kean University in Union and the Gerry B. Green Building in Plainfield. All results are analyzed through the Union County COVID-19 Partnership Lab at Kean University. For hours of operations, residents can visit: https://ucnj.org/covid19/testing/covid19testing/.

Appointments at Union County vaccine sites can be booked online by creating an account at ucnj.org/vax. Residents looking to visit the Immunization Clinic for a free COVID-19 vaccine can walk in Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, 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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Please Note – Covid-19 testing and vaccinations will be available on Sunday, only

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds residents of the emergency Holiday Food Distribution events for Union County residents in December to aid those affected by COVID-19.

These will include:

Saturday, December 18, 2021

• 8:00 a.m. – KEAN University in Union
• Drive-thru – Holiday Distribution

Saturday, December 18, 2021

• 12:00 p.m. – Division of Social Services in Elizabeth
• Walk-Up – Holiday Distribution

Sunday, December 19, 2021

• 11:00 a.m. – Gerald B. Green Plaza in Plainfield
• Walk-Up – Holiday Distribution

The food distributions are open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and no registration is required. The events will take place rain or shine.

“Residents continue to look for assistance from the ongoing food distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and we are proud to provide this valuable resource as well as an opportunity for residents to get vaccinated,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“We are making progress in the fight against COVID-19 and emerging variants but our residents continue to face housing issues, food insecurity and unemployment,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “We thank Village Super Market and Gargiulo Produce for their continued partnership in these efforts.”

COVID-19 vaccinations will be available at the walk up event in Plainfield on a walk-up basis. Johnson & Johnson and Moderna (for those 18 years or older) and Pfizer (12 years or older) vaccines will be offered. Along with vaccinations, COVID-19 saliva tests will be available as well on a walk-up basis.

Residents wishing to pick up food at the drive-up distribution events at Kean University must arrive in a vehicle. Walk-ups will not be accommodated in Union.

All drive-up recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up when possible. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.

Masks are required for residents picking up food at the walk-up events in Elizabeth and Plainfield. Walk-up recipients should bring a cart or be able to carry several food bags at the walk-up area.

Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency and indication of how many people reside in their household will have to be provided. Recipients will receive an emergency box of produce, dairy, and shelf stable food, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per recipient at each event.

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders regarding social distancing.

For questions and more information, residents may call the UCDHS Director’s Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

To learn more about Village Super Market, visit: https://www.myvillagesupermarket.com.

To learn more about Gargiulo Produce, visit: http://www.gargiuloproduce.com.

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.

County pivots vaccine strategy to accommodate demand among residents due to new variants

Union County, NJ – In response to the rising demand for COVID-19 vaccinations, as of December 15 Union County’s test sites will operate on an accelerated schedule of five days per week shared between three mass-vaccination sites located in Union Township, Roselle, and Plainfield. The new schedule will enable Union County to increase the number of vaccinations administered each week. In order to accommodate the new schedule, Union County’s mobile vaccination service will be temporarily suspended at the end of December

The recently identified Omicron variant, and an increase in confirmed positive cases, has made the demand for vaccines dramatically increase around Union County and elsewhere in New Jersey.

“Union County’s COVID-19 response strategy is designed to adjust rapidly to new circumstances as the pandemic continues,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Vaccination is the only sure way to prevent serious illness and death, and we are committed to providing our residents with ample opportunities to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

To ensure that Union County can continue to maintain the clinical integrity of vaccine operations, stationary sites with a consistent schedule will help to bring mass vaccinations to residents in a more orderly way.

Effective 12/15, Union County will be operating stationary sites five days a week with the following schedule:

• Warinanco Park, Roselle – Tuesdays and Thursdays – 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Pfizer Vaccine for those ages 5 years old and up)
• Kean University, Union Township – Wednesdays and Fridays – 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer 12 and up only – No pediatric vaccines)
• Plainfield High School, Plainfield – Saturdays – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (All Vaccines including Pediatric Pfizer)

“The recently identified Omicron variant of COVID-19 has made it necessary to adjust our strategy,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.  “We continue to urge residents to get tested if they have been exposed and to get their vaccine or booster as soon as possible.”

“The Board of County Commissioners continues to provide residents with multiple opportunities to get vaccinated,” said Commissioner and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Sergio Granados. “Easy and consistent access to vaccination as well as testing remains our focus and is key to keeping Union County residents safe as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.”

As of this writing, no cases of the Omicron variant have been identified within Union County. The Union County COVID-19 Partnership Lab at Kean University has expanded testing protocols l to include detection of the Omicron variant. Union County COVID-19 testing operations have analysis prepared to identify cases of all currently known variants. In addition to analysis of current tests performed, COVID-19 positive test samples going back 30 days have been pulled and re-sequenced.

The Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa, has been detected in various countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. One of the identifying factors is the existence of an S-gene dropout in a spike protein. An S-gene dropout is not indicative of the Omicron variant, however all positive results of the Omicron variant have been identified as containing the S-gene dropout. There are currently 19 states with confirmed cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Appointments at permanent vaccine sites can be booked online by creating an account at ucnj.org/vax. Residents looking to visit the Immunization Clinic for a free COVID-19 vaccine can walk in Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, 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 – Union County received a credit rating of Aaa from Moody’s last week, maintaining its strong financial position looking forward to 2022 and beyond. A rating of Aaa is the highest a county government can achieve.

“The rating reflects the efforts of our strong County Management team and affirms our ability to continue fulfilling the civic mission of County government including public safety, public works, human services and other foundational programs,” said County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“As Chairman of the County Commissioner Fiscal Committee, I am proud of our continued efforts to responsibly manage our County’s budget as we provide for the many important needs of our residents,” said Commissioner Christopher Hudak.

In its report, Moody’s took particular note of the County’s governance, awarding Union County its highest level in this category, a score of G-1.

“The county has built a deep bench of civil servants and outside professionals to implement its policy objectives,” Moody’s observed, adding that “strong county management has aggressively pushed operating efficiency, leading to material financial gains.”

“This, plus a combination of a strong state-wide institutional framework and highly conservative budgeting, has allowed the county not only to strengthen its finances but to do so while providing various forms of assistance to its local governments,” explained Moody’s.

Among the benefits, maintaining an Aaa rating means the County can borrow money at the lowest available interest rates, saving tax dollars.

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 – Union County residents who are interested in improving the environment can learn how to create a conservation project in their community by joining the Rutgers Environmental Stewards volunteer program. The program helps members of the public learn specific steps leading to a positive impact on the local ecosystem.

“Whether you are looking for a project or already have one under way, the Environmental Stewards program can help you develop an effective course of action that makes a real difference in the Union County community,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Environmental Stewards program is offered in New Jersey through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, which is part of the NJ Agriculture Experiment Station and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in cooperation with county governments. It is designed to make university-based information available to local communities, and is supported in Union County by the Commissioner Board.

Recent Environmental Steward projects in Union County include a collaboration with the Department of Parks and Recreation to collect data on the impact of the Ash Borer beetle on the tree population in Union County, the creation of a new program in New Providence encouraging children to learn about environmental conservation, and a new “Adopt a Storm Drain” project in Westfield to stop debris from reaching the Rahway River.

Other recent examples in New Jersey include:

• Clearing invasive plants and planting native trees for a forest restoration project at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton.
• Building 1,000 homes for native bees from bamboo kits, for distribution in Burlington, Mercer, and Ocean counties.
• Organizing a symposium for municipal leaders about the impacts of planning and zoning on the environment, in Burlington County.

The Environmental Stewards program consists of a series of weekly classes and field trips during the winter and spring. Each participant also chooses a local environmental issue as an internship project. The internship provides opportunities to gain real-world experience and build relationships in the community.

On completion of the classes and internship, participants earn certification as Environmental Stewards.

This year’s classes will include zoom sessions, in-person instruction, field trips, and electives by request. The program will cover climate change, green infrastructure, environmental justice, wildlife habitat and other topics of broad interest.

Each class will be taught by a leading researcher from Rutgers University, a government agency, or the non-profit sector. The 2022 class will begin on Tuesday, January 25 and continue on Tuesdays through May 17. Each class will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

More than 900 New Jersey residents have received Environmental Steward certification since the program began in 2005, and many continue to have an impact in their community.

To learn more about the Environmental Steward volunteer program and to sign up for classes, visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu.

For additional assistance contact Michele Bakacs, County Agent and Associate Professor for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at bakacs@njaes.rutgers.edu or 732-398-5274.

The Union County Commissioner Board supports the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with administrative assistance and office space in Westfield, land for the Demonstration Garden in the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, and funding for special projects. For more information about all Extension projects and activities in Union County, including Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards and the 4-H youth development program, visit ucnj.org/rce.

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 – Union County residents can put their kitchen scraps to good use this winter by starting a backyard compost pile. Compost is a natural, organic soil enhancer that helps flower beds, vegetable gardens and shrubs thrive without the need for extra fertilizer.

Keeping food scraps out of the waste stream helps ease the burden on municipal waste disposal operations. Pumpkins, decorative gourds and other plant-based home decorations can go into a compost pile along with kitchen scraps and yard waste.

“Union County residents got off to a great start in November by bringing more than five tons of pumpkins to our annual Jack o’ Lantern recycling event. Anyone who has access to a yard can help keep the momentum going by learning how to start a compost pile,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “It’s a simple but effective way to help recover valuable organic nutrients from the waste stream and lighten the burden local waste disposal operations.”

There is a science to composting, but the basics are simple. Scraps from the kitchen are combined with leaves and other yard waste to form a pile. The pile creates a warm environment for naturally occurring microbes. The end result is humus, a crumbly organic matter that can be worked into soil to add nutrients.

Just about any kind of fruit and vegetable scraps can go into a compost pile, raw or cooked. That includes coffee grounds and filters, and tea in the bag (with staples removed, if any). Crushed egg shells are also recommended.

Jack O’ Lanterns, flower arrangements and other plant-based decorations can also be composted. Any non-plant accessories should be stripped off.

Some paper products can also go in, such as towels, napkins and plain cardboard. These should be ripped into strips to aid in decomposition.

Dairy products and cooked meats should be left out of home compost piles, as they may attract pests. The experts categorically state that raw meat should never be composted at home, and the same for used kitty litter and other pet waste.

Nut shells, corn husks and other “woody” kitchen scraps can also be left out, because they take too long to decompose.

Backyard composters also need to be selective about yard waste. Weeds can go in, but not their seeds, or else more weeds will grow from the pile. Similarly, any plants that show signs of infestation or disease should be left out.

Winter composting can be a challenge due to the cold weather. Following a few simple steps can help keep the pile warm and active.

Start by saving fallen leaves in your yard. Leaves supply the carbon needed for composting, while food scraps provide the nitrogen.

• Place your pile where it will be sheltered from wind. Avoid a covered spot, because the pile will need rain to keep moist. A good location will also get sunlight to help keep the pile warm.
• Start by heaping up a large mound of leaves. Fluff them up instead of trying to compact them. The air spaces between the leaves will help insulate the pile. The extra air is also needed to help the decaying process.
• Make a hole in the middle of the pile. This is where your food scraps will go.
• To help the scraps decompose faster, chop larger pieces into smaller ones (pumpkins and other foods with hard rinds may need extra chopping).
• Each time food scraps are added, push some leaves from the sides of the pile over the top.
• Compost piles need some moisture. If it doesn’t rain for several days, or if cold weather freezes the top layer of leaves, add a bit of water along with the food scraps.

If needed, extra insulation can be added in several ways:

• Cover the pile with burlap or an old cloth tarp. The loose cloth will help lock in moisture while allowing rain to seep in.
• Keep the pile from spreading out by enclosing it in chicken wire or other fencing. Straw bales are ideal, as they also serve to insulate the pile.
• Before starting the pile, scoop a shallow pit of 1-2 feet into the ground. The earth will help keep the pile insulated.

A basic, “unscientific” compost pile will create humus in a matter of months, though it could take up to a year or more. Home composters can easily speed up the process to just a few weeks, by cultivating an ideal environment for microbial activity.

The factors for faster composting include using an optimal mixture of “green” and “brown” waste, such as two parts kitchen scraps and grass clippings to one part leaves.

Aerating the pile by turning it with a pitchfork once a week will also help. Store-bought compost tumblers are designed to accommodate aeration, but be wary of the possibility of freezing over the winter.

For additional guidance on home composting, visit the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station online at njaes.rutgers.edu/fs811. Video instructions are also available at envirostewards.rutgers.edu/Earth-Day.html.

Union County’s Bureau of Recycling and Planning held the 2021 pumpkin recycling event at locations in Berkeley Heights, Elizabeth, and Westfield. During the weeklong event, Union County residents returned more than five tons of pumpkins, which were collected by the firm Waste Management for conversion to green energy.

For quick links to all environmental activities and programs in Union County, including the NJAES Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, visit ucnj.org/green-connect.

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 residents of all ages invited to participate.

Union County, NJ – Union County’s new Watershed Ambassador is available to conduct free classes on watershed protection and help create new cleanup and restoration projects in Union County and the surrounding area. The Watershed Ambassador program is designed to include both adults and students in environmental education activities and projects that make a real difference in the community.

This year’s Watershed Ambassador is Cassidy Attanasio. She can be reached by email at wma7.njwap@gmail.com or by phone at 908-654-9855.

“The Watershed Ambassador program helps engage Union County residents of all ages in the preservation and protection of our environment, and we are very pleased to welcome Ms. Cassidy Attanasio to our community,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “As stewards of water resources that feed into the Atlantic Ocean, we have both a local and a global responsibility to take care of our watershed.”

A watershed is a specific land area that drains into a river system or other body of water. Some watersheds are fairly small. Others sprawl out to include rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

A large portion of Union County is located in New Jersey’s Watershed Management Area 7, also known as the Arthur Kill watershed.

Area 7 covers the 11-mile Elizabeth River, the 24-mile Rahway River and major tributaries including the East Branch Rahway River and Robinson’s Branch. Area 7 also covers bodies of water in Union County parks including Lake Surprise in the Watchung Reservation and Echo Lake in Echo Lake Park.

In addition to waterways within Union County, Area 7 encompasses parts of Essex and Middlesex Counties including Woodbridge River tributaries, the Middlesex Reservoir, the Orange Reservoir and Diamond Mill Pond.

Now in its 21st year, the Watershed Ambassador program sends trained presenters to classrooms and civic groups, to help teachers, students, and community members discover how human behavior can impact the land and water around them.

The free program also offers easy, practical solutions that everyone can implement to reduce pollution and improve water quality, such as eliminating or minimizing the use of pesticides on lawns, picking up pet waste, and not feeding geese.

In addition to educational presentations, the program offers stream assessment training for individuals and groups.

Ms. Attanasio has a bachelor’s degree in biology with a specialization in zoology from Delaware Valley University. Her experience includes volunteer service in wildlife and natural resource management with the United States Geological Survey and the Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Residents interested in cleanups and other environmental activities in Union County parks are also encouraged to join the Adopt a Park/Adopt a Trail program of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, by phone at 789-3682 or by email at dbernier@ucnj.org. Individuals and groups are welcome to participate.

The Water Ambassador Program is a federally funded position administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program, and supported in Union County by the Commissioner Board through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The Watershed Ambassador works from the Extension offices in the Colleen Frasier Building at the Union County Complex in Westfield, located at 300 North Avenue East.

More information about the Union County parks system is available at ucnj.org/parks. For information about all Extension programs in Union County visit ucnj.org/rce.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connect.

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.