County of Union, New Jersey

COVID-19 safety rules apply; event is open to all Union County residents.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds residents that the next mobile paper shredding event of 2021 will be held in New Providence on Saturday, May 15 for free, secure shredding of personal and confidential documents.

“Union County’s mobile document shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred confidential documents,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Al Mirabella “It also promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with other green initiatives in Union County.”

At Union County’s paper shredding events, documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company, lifted into the truck and shredded on site. The shredded documents are then taken to a licensed recycling facility.

The May 15 shredding event will take place at Nokia, located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. rain or shine. The event will close prior to 1:00 p.m. if the trucks reach capacity.

For everyone’s safety, residents must wear face coverings, keep their windows closed and remain in their vehicles at all times.  Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed, easily accessible to staff, for safe no-contact removal from vehicle.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the free paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per vehicle. Preferably, documents should be brought in paper bags.

Documents should be removed from any bindings. Plastic or metal clips and other non-paper items should also be removed.

Participants are reminded that pre-shredded paper will not be accepted. Wet or damp paper is also not accepted.

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

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

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.

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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 Announces Free Drive-In Concert, May 15

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Motown tribute band Shadows of the 60’s will headline a free, live drive-in concert at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15 at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

The event is free, but registration is required online in advance to reserve a spot. Reservations will be available on a first come, first serve basis beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 7 on the County website at ucnj.org/reserve.

Please note that space is limited and reservations book quickly.

“It’s a real pleasure to continue offering outdoor entertainment to the community while taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19, and we are looking forward to enjoying the music of Shadows of the 60’s,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Shadows of the 60’s pays tribute to the legacy of Motown’s Super Groups by recreating an authentic Motown concert experience. With stunning costumes and choreography, and performers that embody the spirit, style, and excitement of the original artists, Shadows of the 60’s offers live Motown music with the intensity of the original recorded performances.

“Shadows of the 60’s continues our concert series with another must-see show,” said Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Rebecca Williams. “Through their incredible singers, musicians, and performance, Shadows of the 60’s is able to bring Motown to life, and we are so happy to offer this authentic experience to Union County residents.”

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 guidelines regarding social distancing and other protocols. Attendees must bring their own snacks and drinks. There will not be any food or drink available for purchase.

To help promote social distancing, no walk-ups, bikes, or chairs are permitted. Vehicles will be arranged at least 6 feet apart with adequate social distancing.

Port-o-johns will be available. Masks will be required when using the port-o-johns. Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the port-o-johns).

Further details will be available to residents upon reserving tickets.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, 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 Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County residents who are not registered to vote that they have until Tuesday, May 18 to register in time to vote in the upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, June 5.

“We encourage all eligible residents to participate in every election, and the 2021 Primary Election is especially important because voters who are registered in the Democratic and Republican parties will choose their nominees for governor in the General Election in November,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

To register, a voter must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old by Election Day, and they must be a resident of New Jersey and Union County for at least 30 days.

Under a new state law enacted last year, persons currently on parole or probation are eligible to vote. However, persons currently serving a sentence due to a felony conviction are not eligible.

Eligible residents can download a registration application by visiting the County Clerk’s elections website at unioncountyvotes.com.

Residents who wish to receive an application by mail can use the online form at unioncountyvotes.com, or call the County Clerk’s elections division at 908-527-4996.

The County Clerk’s free Union County Votes app also provides voter registration links and information in a mobile format.

In addition, a new statewide online voter registration system was introduced by the New Jersey Division of Elections last year. Eligible residents who wish to register to vote online can visit the Division of Elections online at voter.svrs.nj.gov/register.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

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 the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, 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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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners and the Union County Parks Department would like to inform all Union County residents of the upcoming partial closure of the eastern section of Lenape Park, due to repairing the dam.

The purpose of the dam is to regulate the flow of water into Cranford during heavy rain events.

The eastern section of Lenape Park, beginning from the Rahway River and ending at the Kenilworth border, will be closed beginning in June 2021 to all visitors, including hikers, fishermen and bikers. The work is expected to take four months.

Additionally, the entire length of this Eastern Bike Path, from the Boulevard to 14^th Street, will be closed while this maintenance is taking place.

Lenape Park’s western section, however, shall remain open. This section is from the Rahway River to the Westfield border and includes the western bike path, which runs from the Boulevard to Springfield Ave. in Westfield.

Some of these repairs include:

• Removal of trees from the slopes of the embankment
• Installing a new asphalt overlay and fence on the bicycle path
• Reseeding the areas of disturbance caused by the tree removal

These repairs are required in order to the bring the dam into compliance with the regulations of the State of New Jersey’s Bureau of Dam Safety, the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection and to ensure the safety of County residents.

The County regrets any inconvenience to the public cause by these mandated repairs.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, 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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Alexander Mirabella, Chairman, Union County Board of County Commissioners
Union County Commissioner and Shade Tree Advisory Board Liaison Bette Jane Kowalski
 
To the writers: Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest! We are all very proud to host this special display of your work on the County website. Please know that your work in raising awareness about the importance of trees is very much appreciated by the whole Union County family. Through your ability to create and communicate, you have each made a significant contribution to encouraging environmental stewardship throughout our community.
 
To the readers: Please enjoy this unique window into the world of our community treescape, as seen through the eyes of local students in grades 4 – 8. Our 2021 contest winners invite us all to reconnect with the environment that sustains and surrounds us, each in their own very personal and thoughtful way.
 
We hope this exhibit inspires residents and visitors alike to appreciate, plant, and care for trees throughout Union County, and beyond.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites non-profit organizations to attend a free online workshop, Website Accessibility for Non-Profits, on Monday, May 17 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The workshop will be presented via Zoom by Frank Louvis, owner of the Coastal Technologies, an internet and marketing agency.

“Online communication has become more important than ever before during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage all non-profit organizations in Union County, especially those receiving grants through County-sponsored programs, to come to the workshop and learn about the latest resources for creating more inclusive and accessible websites,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The workshop is free of charge, but online registration is required. To register, please visit:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YYvw-sgsRBKHld2O5DD-sQ.

Website Accessibility for Non-Profits will introduce participants to the various types of website accessibility. Participants will learn how to ensure their website is accessible, whether they are starting off with a website or want to enhance their existing website.

Resources and tools will be provided.

This workshop is open to all arts and history organizations, especially those receiving grants through Union County’s HEART, Local Arts Program, and History Grant initiatives. Other non-profit organizations are also welcomed to attend.

Website Accessibility for Non-Profits is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about the event please call the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550.

The Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. For information on all Cultural and Heritage Affairs programs visit online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs.

For information and updates on all Union County services and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, and the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, please visit the new Union County COVID-19 website at ucnj.org/covid19.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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