County of Union, New Jersey

Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Andrea Staten, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe, members of the City Council and Assemblywoman Linda Carter joined the United Way of Greater Union County and members of County Government at Hamilton Stage in Rahway in distributing food donated by Amazon.com through United Way to various social service organizations throughout Union County. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union.)
 

Program to fund $1.5 million in projects in all 21 municipalities

UNION COUNTY – The Union County Freeholders Infrastructure Grant program will fund various projects throughout the County, including: parks, sewage drainage, road resurfacing and signage. In all, the Freeholders made awards to 21 municipalities as part of the sixth annual Union County Infrastructure Grant program, funding projects aimed at spurring economic development growth, and providing indirect tax relief.

The program was conceived by Freeholder Christopher Hudak in 2015, developed by the County’s Freeholder Fiscal Committee and administered by the Department of Economic Development.  This year’s Freeholder Fiscal Committee is Chaired by Freeholder Sergio Granados. Also on the committee are Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Rebecca Williams and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded.

Road improvements once again topped the list as the most requested program for funding, among the municipalities.

“The Infrastructure Grant program is aimed at providing economic assistance for our municipalities to make these and other needed improvements, providing a better quality of life for the residents of Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“Infrastructure is a priority and our municipalities must continue to be able to make essential improvements. These grants allow our residents to directly benefit from improvements made to their local communities,” added Freeholder Hudak.

The matching grant initiative makes available approximately $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2020.

Funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital in 2014. 

The 2020 awards by municipality are as follows:

Municipality	2020 Projects	Award
Berkeley Heights	Roadway Improvements to Plainfield Avenue	$60,000.00
Clark	Roadway Improvements	$50,000.00
Cranford	Brookside Place Drainage Improvements	$87,500.00
Elizabeth	Pine Street Parking Lot	$130,000.00
Fanwood	Paterson Road, Phase 2 & Ridgeway Improvements	$50,000.00
Garwood	#1 Curb, Sidewalk & Tree Repairs at Various Locations #2 Cleaning & Television Inspection of Sanitary Sewers	$35,000.00
Hillside	Orchard Street Terrace Drainage Improvements	$ 55,000.00
Kenilworth	Records Management Scanning	$ 65,000.00
Linden	Resurfacing of East Linden Avenue	$97,500.00
Mountainside	#1 Borough Hall Safety Upgrade #2 Resurfacing  Dunn Pkwy	$50,000.00
New Providence	Municipal Roadway Paving Project	$55,000.00
Plainfield	Roadway Improvement Project – Prospect Ave.	$110,000.00
Rahway	Road Resurfacing Project	$90,000.00
Roselle	Columbus Avenue Roadway Improvements	$60,000.00
Roselle Park	#1 Improvements to West Sumner Avenue #2 ADA Improvements at Municipal Complex	$55,000.00
Scotch Plains	Roadway Assistance Program	$100,000.00
Springfield	Tooker Avenue Paving Improvements	$57,500.00
Summit	#1 Huntley Road Area Improvement Project #2 City Hall Records Management Improvement Project	$90,000.00
Union	2020 Township Road Rehab Project	$95,000.00
Westfield	Improvement to North Chestnut Street	$97,500.00
Winfield	Various Improvements (Street Signs, Salt Spreader, Surveillance Camera	$10,000.00

 

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 – The Union County Freeholder Board will distribute 100,000 face masks to its 21 municipalities as part of “Mask Up UC,” a Countywide public safety campaign to encourage all County residents to wear face masks and safeguard themselves and others from potential exposure to COVID-19.

“These masks are being provided free of charge to local agencies, who are working with County personnel to determine priorities and identify those most in need,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“The ‘Mask Up UC’ initiative will help fill a critical need of facial mask that enables county residents to prevent the spread of COVID-19. By supporting our county in this endeavor, we hope to continue to make progress toward safely restoring economic activity and civic life,” said Freeholder and Public Safety Committee Chair Angela R. Garretson.

“Fighting the COVID-19 crisis is an all-hands-on-deck effort. By purchasing and distributing these masks free of charge we hope to ensure that everyone in Union County has access to a mask and can help protect our community,” said County Manager Edward T. Oatman.

The details are currently being worked upon and the County will be distributing the masks to the municipalities and other agencies imminently.

Among other COVID-19 response efforts, Union County organized the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, which has provided over 18,000 free tests since opening on March 23.

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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Community Gardeners looking to upgrade their gardening abilities can learn skills for managing their gardens so that they flourish with the help of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. A series of Community Garden Lunch and Learn webinars will be offered beginning on Wednesday, May 27 through Wednesday, July 1. 

“This series will assist gardeners of all levels by educating on the challenges of community gardening with strategies for growing great tasting fruits and vegetables while protecting the safety of fellow gardeners,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.         

The webinars will be held on consecutive Wednesdays, beginning May 27 from Noon until 1:00 p.m. The schedule for the series is as follows:

• May 27 – Getting a Head Start on Weed Control
• June 3 – People and Food Safety in the 2020 Growing Season
• June 10 – Soil Management Basics
• June 17 – Compost Considerations for the Community Garden
• June 24 – Tree Fruit in a Community Garden
• July 1 – Looking Ahead to the Fall Crop Season

The first webinar will begin Wednesday, May 27, however participants may register at any time throughout the series. To register online for the Community Garden Lunch and Learn programs visit https://go.rutgers.edu/tpgwbih2.  

For more Extension online programs, including environmental topics, yard and garden care, and 4-H clubs for youth, visit the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County online at ucnj.org/rce.

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

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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 Freeholder Board on Thursday night approved its final 2020 budget with a zero percent tax increase that will maintain all essential services, with no layoffs.

It continues the County’s trend of fiscally responsible budgets, and maintains the County’s bond rating which is the highest attainable.

“As I said before, knowing the impact the COVID-19 epidemic is having on our residents and business owners, I instructed Fiscal Chairman Granados and our County Manager to tighten the budget as much as possible and deliver a zero percent tax increase,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This was not an easy task given the pressures that all governing agencies are under, but it was absolutely necessary.”

Freeholder Fiscal Committee Chairman Sergio Granados stated: “We know our residents and businesses have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we worked hard to find a middle ground that allowed us to fund the response, avoid layoffs and hold the bottom line.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a Catch-22 situation for our residents and all governing agencies. Unemployment has surged, revenue sources have been greatly diminished, while funding is needed to respond to the pandemic and assist our residents and business owners,” Granados said. “Through our collaborative efforts, we’ve been able to achieve our goals.”

Both Mirabella and Granados thanked the other Freeholder Fiscal Committee members, Christopher Hudak, Rebecca Williams, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, County Manager Edward T. Oatman, Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner and Finance Director Bibi Taylor and her staff for leading the effort.  Both Freeholders also thanked all the County Directors who were asked to adjust their budgets accordingly.

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is honoring graduates throughout Union County with banners at selected County parks and County roads. In addition, students can use the #UCGraduate hash tag to share graduation photos, which will be collected in a collage and posted on the County website.

Placement of the banners began on Friday, May 22 and will continue into next week.

 “This countywide celebration is a reminder that our most precious resources is the up and coming generation of Union County youth, and it is a reaffirmation of our love and support for every young person with hopes and dreams for the future,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, congratulations to the Class of 2020, and best wishes for success in all your future endeavors.”

“We are extremely proud of our Union County students and want to congratulate them on reaching an important milestone in their life as they graduate,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados. “These are unprecedented times, which makes it difficult for in-person celebrations, so this is just one small gesture where we can celebrate each and every one of our student’s accomplishments. I would like to thank all of the teachers, staff and families who helped contribute to your success. Congratulations, good luck on your future endeavors.”

Graduation banners will be installed along the following County roads, beginning on Friday, May 22:

Clark: Raritan Road

Elizabeth: Morris Avenue (at Phil Rizzuto Park)

Linden: Wood Avenue

Mountainside: Mountain Avenue

New Providence: Springfield Avenue

Springfield: Meisel Avenue (at Meisel Park)

Banners will also be installed at approximately 20 locations in County parks beginning next week. For maps and directions to Union County parks, visit ucnj.org/parks.

Park visitors must observe social distance rules that prohibit gatherings during the COVID-19 outbreaks. Masks are strongly recommended.

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.

Connect with Union County on social media.