County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders are deeply saddened by the death of George Floyd. We express our condolences to his family and his death is a horrific reminder that we must never relax our guard against racism and injustice, in any form.

Black men and women in particular, and all others throughout our nation should not fear harassment, abuse, or even death in the communities they reside, and when this happens there is still something deeply, fundamentally wrong in this great nation of ours.

Governor Murphy stated, “George Floyd should be alive today, not just as a matter of principle or justice, but as a matter of human dignity — as a matter of our nation living up to one of the most basic of our founding ideals ‘that all are created equal.”

As multiple generations endure various forms of systematic discrimination, we are now witnessing many communities uniting to peacefully stand up against the American legacy of racism and oppression.

 

The County of Union has received a donation of 600 live arborvitae trees from the Christmas Tree Shops to be distributed throughout county parks and other areas.

“The Freeholder Board would like to thank the Christmas Tree Shops for their generous donation of arborvitae trees,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These trees are beneficial to residents, the environment, and the wildlife that calls this county home.”  

Trees will be planted in various areas throughout Union County, including Conant Park in Hillside, Wheeler Park in Linden, Echo Lake Park in Mountainside, Green Brook Park in Plainfield, and Rahway River Park in Rahway.

The arborvitae tree is a type of evergreen that keeps its foliage all year round. Arborvitae trees have many benefits but are commonly used to create privacy fences due to their extreme height, sometimes growing as fast as three feet per year. Once mature these trees can grow as tall as 60 feet.

Arborvitae trees also provide many benefits for wildlife, providing nesting space for birds as well as a food source through seeds for animals such as rabbits, birds, squirrels, and deer.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

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.

Park visitors please note: Stay on marked trails in order to preserve fragile native habitat in County parks. The taking of plants and other wildlife is prohibited. Share paved paths by keeping to the right unless passing others. Bicycles are permitted only on paved paths. Dogs must be kept on leash. All trash must be carried out where receptacles are full or unavailable. 

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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.

Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Chris Hudak, Freeholder Andrea Staten, Freeholder Rebecca L. Williams, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded today delivered face masks to Mayors and other officials for distribution to County residents in Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, New Providence, Linden, Rahway, Mountainside, Plainfield and Winfield.

The face masks were part of 100,000 the Freeholder Board distributed Countywide for residents.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Andrea Staten, Freeholder Chris Hudak, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Sheriff Peter Corvelli and Clerk of the Board Jim Pellettiere delivered facemasks today to elected officials in Roselle, Kenilworth, Roselle Park, Cranford, Garwood and Westfield to be distributed to County residents in each municipality.

The facemasks were part of a total of 100,000 the County had purchased to be distributed to its residents. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Please be informed that due to COVID-19 protocols, Independence Day fireworks scheduled to take place in Union County Parks will be cancelled for this year.

This includes the following sites:

• Plainfield fireworks, Cedar Brook Park on July 4th;
• Cranford fireworks, Nomahegan Park on July 2nd (with firecracker fun run on July 4);
• Rahway fireworks, Rahway Park on July 3rd;
• Springfield fireworks, Meisel Park on July 4th.

Thank you.

Freeholders Sergio Granados, Angela Garretson, Bette Jane Kowalski, Angel Estrada, Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner and Public Works Director Joe Graziano delivered facemasks today to elected officials in Elizabeth, Hillside, Union, Summit, Berkeley Heights and Springfield to be distributed to County residents in each municipality.

The facemasks were part of a total of 100,000 the County had purchased to be distributed to its residents. delivered facemasks today to elected officials in Elizabeth, Hillside, Union, Summit, Berkeley Heights and Springfield to be distributed to County residents in each municipality. The facemasks were part of a total of 100,000 the County had purchased to be distributed to its residents.

 

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that beginning on Tuesday, June 2, the County Clerk’s offices will begin in-person appointments to swear in notaries and assist persons seeking to register trade names, tax waivers and clerk’s certificates.

Everyone seeking these services in person is required to make an appointment in advance and wear a face mask at all times, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. No other in-person services are available at this time.

“We are very carefully resuming a limited number of in-person services in accordance with statewide guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “As we have throughout the outbreak, my staff will continue to provide assistance with other services by phone, email, fax, or postal and delivery services.”

As of today, the following in-person appointments can be made for the County Clerk’s main office in Elizabeth, by calling the Business Division at 908-527-4966 (office hours are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday):

·   Notary swearing-in
·   Tax waivers
·   Clerk’s certificates
·   Trade names

Beginning on June 1, the following in-person appointments can be made for the County Clerks’ annex office in Westfield, by calling 908-654-9859 (office hours are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday):

·   Notary swearing-in
·   Clerk’s certificates
·   Trade names

Any Notaries whose commission date has expired should call the New Jersey Department of the Treasury at 609-292-9292 for assistance.

Please note that the County Clerk’s passport services have been suspended except for life-or-death emergencies within three days of travel, in accordance with U.S. State Department guidelines.

For office locations, and for assistance with other Union County Clerk services visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

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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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.

Union County, NJ – Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado reminds residents that the voter registration deadline is Tuesday, June 16, to participate in the July 7 Primary Election.

“If you are eligible to vote in Union County but not yet registered, please take a few minutes to apply before the deadline,” said Ms. DiRado. “The application forms are available online and my staff is happy to assist by phone or email with any questions you may have.”

Voter registration forms are available from the Board of Elections website at ucnj.org/boe.  Returned postage is prepaid.

In order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the July 7 Primary Election will take place mainly through Vote-by-Mail ballots.
 
Helpful tips on using a Vote-by-Mail ballot are available online at ucnj.org/boe/make-sure-your-vote-by-mail-ballot-is-counted-2.

Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 144 outlines the following procedures for the July 7 Primary Election:

All active, registered Democratic and Republican Voters will automatically receive a Vote by Mail Ballot. Return postage is prepaid.

All unaffiliated voters and inactive voters will automatically receive an application for a vote by mail ballot. Return postage is prepaid.

There will be a minimum of 5 secure ballot drop boxes located throughout the county for you to deposit your Vote by Mail Ballot. These locations will be updated by June 15, 2020.

Vote by Mail Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day, July 7, will be counted so long as they are received by July 14, 2020.

A reduced number of polling locations will be available to provide voters with a paper, provisional ballot. Voting machines will available for voters with disabilities. These locations will be updated by June 15, 2020.

For information on all Board of Elections services visit https://ucnj.org/boe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or leave a phone message at 908-527-4121. All email and phone messages will be returned.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Test Center, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

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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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.