County of Union, New Jersey

Today the Union County Freeholder Board, Sheriff Peter Corvelli and his officers assisted in the distribution of 14 pallets of fresh and shelf-safe food in partnership with United Way of Greater Union County. The food, donated by Amazon Logistics, was provided to United Way and transferred to  20 local social service agencies that will give it to individuals and families in need throughout Union County.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I thank Amazon, United Way, and our local partners for working together to bring relief to families who are struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The need is great, and I hope this generous donation inspires other acts of giving in our community.”

“Today’s effort builds on our longstanding, collaborative efforts with business leaders, nonprofits and local relief agencies. Thanks to Amazon and United Way, we are able to redouble our efforts to provide assistance to our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who organized the distribution with Freeholder Angela R. Garretson.

“The invaluable partnership with the United Way of Greater Union County and our local municipalities benefit from so many acts of kindness.  The Amazon donations are greatly appreciated, as each substantially advances support for individuals and families in Union County,” said Freeholder Garretson.

“This is a very important milestone in our charge to ensure Union County residents continue to have access to food during this time of the pandemic. Thanks to the continued support of Amazon Logistics, the partnership with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and our community partners, we will be able to help alleviate some of those barriers families face as result of the Coronavirus,” said James W. Horne, Jr., President and CEO of United Way of Greater Union County.

Organizations and businesses and that wish to donate food in Union County can contact Nathalie Hernandez, coordinator of the Union County Office of Diversity and Community Engagement, at nhernandez@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak,  including guidance on 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.

The Union County Freeholder Board is set to introduce the 2020 budget with a zero percent tax increase this Thursday at its regular Freeholder meeting that will be broadcast on the County’s website, beginning at 5 p.m.

The 2020 budget 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.

“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 are announcing a zero percent increase in Union County’s 2020 budget. 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.

Residents looking to make a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to help support babies in need within local communities by donating to a non profit organization of their choice, through Union County’s Project Hope.

“Project Hope is an opportunity for everyone in Union County to pitch in and help those who need it the most,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Project Hope is organized by the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity. It provides an online platform for connecting donors with local organizations providing assistance to babies. 

Donors have the option to either provide a monetary donation directly to the nonprofit of their choosing, or mail items such as diapers, baby formula, and baby wipes directly to the nonprofit, with the addresses provided on the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity. 

To learn more or donate please visit the Office of Community Engagement & Diversity webpage: http://ucnj.org/community-engagement-and-diversity

For more information please contact Nathalie Hernandez, Office of Community Engagement & Diversity, nahernandez@ucnj.org, 908-527-4880.

For more 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.

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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 — In an effort to ensure the Union County electorate is informed and the election process is transparent, the Union County Election Board is reminding voters of recent changes to the 2020 Presidential Primary Election calendar effectuated by Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 120.
 
The Presidential Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.  The deadline for a change of party affiliation is May 13, 2020.  The deadline to register to vote in the Primary Election is June 16, 2020.

The entire primary election calendar can be found on the Election Board’s website at ucnj.org/ucboe.  Residents are advised to mail their forms as soon as possible to ensure delivery via the U.S. Postal Service.
 
“I encourage Union County residents to use our website as a tool to stay informed on election changes, download forms and review legal advertisements relative to the 2020 Primary election,” said Nicole DiRado, Administrator, Union County Election Board. “The Election Board will continue to advise residents on any further updates as we work together with Governor Murphy to ensure the integrity of our elections while protecting the health and safety of the public.”
 
Election Board staff is working remotely during the COVID-19 public health crisis, and is continuing to return calls, answer emails, and process forms. 

To contact the Board of Elections visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe, call and leave a message at 908-527-4123 or 908-527-4121, or email ucboe@ucnj.org.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on 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.

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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 explore backyard science activities, observe peregrine falcons in the wild, learn about sustainable gardening, and participate in many more free environmental programs online as the 50th anniversary of Earth Day approaches on April 22.

“The message of Earth Day continues to be one of hope for the future,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “As we work through the COVID-19 crisis together, we renew our pledge to protect and preserve our natural heritage for future generations.”

For Earth Day, the Freeholder Board offers family-friendly online programs including nature activities recommended by Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center.

Participants can start a nature journal, join a citizen-scientist campaign, share their backyard nature photographs with Trailside, and share their observations with other scientists around the country. Worksheets, weekly bird-themed activities, zoo cams and science experiments for preschoolers are included on the list. Visit Trailside online at ucnj.org/trailside for more information.

The Union County Falcon Cam continues to stream live from the peregrine falcon nest on the roof of the County Courthouse in midtown Elizabeth, at ucnj.org/falcon. For additional wildlife cams, podcasts, videos and more, visit the County’s falcon education partner, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

Union County’s “Make One Change UC” campaign encourages residents to make simple, everyday choices that help reduce single-use plastic waste, in support of the statewide Choose to Reuse initiative. Learn more about single-use plastic bag recycling by watching a PBS News Hour video hosted by the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning at ucnj.org/recycling.

Residents can explore the Recycle Coach app, a free download that provides up-to-date news and information about recycling in every Union County community. Available for all mobile devices, Recycle Coach includes interactive animated videos and more.

The Freeholder Board supports the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County as part of the statewide Rutgers Cooperative Extension network. The Extension is offering online programs for youth through its 4-H from Home program, including STEAM activities and community service.

The Extension has also created a new “Earth Day at Home” interactive webinar series to help residents learn about environmentally yard and garden care and related topics. The series will take place each Monday evening at 6:30, beginning on April 20.

The first six episodes are:

April 20 — Refresh your lawn by correcting soil compaction.

April 27 — Cut down on harmful lawn and yard care chemicals by putting the right plants in the right place.

May 5 — Create a backyard nature preserve.

May 11 — Grow your own vegetables: starting seeds, planting and spacing, managing pests, and more.

May 18 — Conserving resources, part 1: Common sense tips for reducing food waste.

May 26 — Conserving resources, part 2: How to reduce plastic waste in the home.

For more information about all Extension programs in Union County, visit ucnj.org/rce.

Union County’s ongoing environmental programs include open space preservation, nature education, tree planting, pollinator habitats, community gardening and more. For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit ucnj.org/green-connect. Please note that in-person activities are limited at this time due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

To join a worldwide online celebration of Earth Day, visit earthday.org.

For more 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.

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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.

As of this weekend, the Union County COVID-19 Drive-Thru Center has surpassed 7,000 tests to Union County residents, emergency responders and medical personnel from more than 180 municipalities in New Jersey. The first responders and medical personnel have come from as far south as Cape May County and as far north as Sussex County.

The drive-thru is currently serving Union County residents, but is also open to emergency personnel and medical workers from outside Union County. Testing is free.

“Besides serving Union County residents, our Union County COVID-19 test facility has also been a great benefit to first responders and medical workers across the state,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This is a credit to the many major public and private partners throughout Union County we’ve marshalled in the effort to create and run this potentially life-saving service. We are proud that our Union County COVID-19 center has become one of the best run facilities in the state, and that we are able to share it with those in need.”

Union County residents from all 21 municipalities have received tests at the facility, as well as first responders and medical personnel from more than 180 municipalities outside the County.    

The testing center in Union County has been regarded as a model around the state, outpacing FEMA sites with the largest volume of tests performed, highest clinical standards and most efficient burn rate for personal protective equipment in New Jersey.

The Kean site has been built on a clinical model that has patients in contact with a clinician at the front end and back end of the testing to ensure that individuals who need the test are receiving it.

With a positive rate of 59% at the site, 10% higher than the state average,  data shows that the Union County COVID-19 Center is identifying the right individuals who are in the CDC defined high risk category.

Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, who is supervising the facility, thanked the efforts of the medical workers, volunteers, staff and the Army New Jersey National Guard.

“Without their efforts, the drive-through would not be possible,” said Moran. “We have worked collaboratively to create a system that maximizes the efficient use of hard-to-find resources, and one that treats our patients efficiently and with compassion.”

About 48 percent of the patients are coming into the testing site through a physician which allows the county health office to follow up with doctors with results. This allows a greater continuity of care with those that have tested positive and may be experiencing symptoms.

The Union County Covid-19 Test Center has expanded its operations since opening several weeks ago, and has been open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The center is available to Union County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. First responders and front-line health workers who are experiencing symptoms can also contact the center, regardless of their place of residence.

Union County residents with COVID-19 symptoms who wish to be tested should call 908-214-7107. First responders and front-line health workers may also call 908-373-5105. 

For the safety, health and security of the volunteers at the site, the testing location does not allow patients without vehicles to enter the campus. If you do not have your own transportation, please discuss with your healthcare provider before scheduling an appointment.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, 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/cd/topics/covid2019.  If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, there is a self-assessment tool that you should use that has been developed by the State of New Jersey. This tool will assist you to determine what actions you can take to protect you and your loved ones’ health and help determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19, and can be accessed at https://self.covid19.nj.gov/

The Union County COVID 19 drive-through facility is being run by the County through a partnership with the Overlook Medical Center (Atlantic Health System) in Summit, the Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ Barnabas Health) in Rahway. The Freeholder Board, County Manager and his staff worked with State Senators Joseph P. Cryan, Nicholas P. Scutari, Governor Phil Murphy’s office, Kean University, and the New Jersey State Department of Health in bringing the facility online.

Union County, NJ — Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds residents that essential services, including property transactions as well as duties related to the 2020 elections, have continued during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“This is a matter of providing residents and businesses in Union County with certainty as to their financial transactions and their right to vote,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

“My staff is continuing to provide services essential to the Union County economy and to the election process, and I would like to thank the public for their cooperation during this trying time,” Ms. Rajoppi added.

In New Jersey, County Clerks are required to record real estate property within two days and provide a public index of property within the same period.

“In March, my office recorded over 8,200 transactions, or 400 documents a day,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “It was actually our busiest month ever.”

Property recordings for the month of March provided Union County with $743,207 in revenue, for a total of $2.48 million for the first three months of 2020.

The County Clerk is not accepting property submissions in person during the COVID-19 outbreak. To help law offices and other frequent property filers make the adjustment, last month she advised the use of e-filing services, as an additional option to mail and messenger services.”

The County Clerk has employed rotating staff shifts in the office and other strategies to keep essential services running during the pandemic while observing the recommended precautions against COVID-19.

Election activities of the County Clerk have also continued during the COVID-19 outbreak, including receiving nominating petitions, designing ballots for machines and mail, and processing more than 30,000 vote by mail applications in preparation for the presidential primary election.

“I strongly advise all Union County voters to use a Vote-by-Mail ballot, which can be obtained without needing a personal visit to my office,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

For information on applying for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, by phone, mail, and email visit the County Clerk’s elections website, UnionCountyVotes.com, email ucvote@ucnj.org, or call the Elections Division during regular business hours at 908-527-4996.

Information on all County Clerk services is available online at ucnj.org/county-clerk, including service adjustments and updates related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

For information and updates on all Union County essential services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on 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.

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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 is on track to outpace the state and national average for responding to the 2020 Census, even though the COVID-19 crisis has prevented census takers from conducting the traditional door-to-door count.

The Census count has a direct impact on funding for education, roads, and health care in Union County.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella credited strong community partnerships, word of mouth, and the use of mail, phone, and Internet for the high response rate.

“We are so proud of everyone in Union County who took a few minutes to respond to the 2020 Census,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “As we work through this trying time together, it is important to keep looking to the future, and that’s what the Census is all about.”

Individuals and households who have already responded to the 2020 Census can help boost Union County’s participation by
reminding their family, friends and neighbors to respond.

For tips on using social media and other outreach to help raise awareness about the 2020 census, visit the Census Bureau at 2020census.gov/en/how-to-help.

Individuals and households in Union County who have not yet responded to the 2020 Census can do so by mail, phone, or online.

The Census Bureau also provides the ability to respond in Spanish and 12 other major languages.

In addition, the Census Bureau has guides available in 59 non-English languages including Braille and American Sign Language.

The U.S. Census is a constitutionally mandated count of every person in the country, conducted every 10 year, including all non-citizens.

States and local communities receive their share of federal funding based on their Census response. Representation in Congress is also based on the Census.

As of April 11, 50.1% of Union County residents completed the 2020 Census, compared to 49.0% of New Jersey residents and 47.9% of households across the country.

For more help with responding to the U.S. Census, Union County residents can complete an online survey on the County website at  ucnj.org/census.

For additional information and assistance on responding, visit the U.S. Census Bureau at 2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond, or call 844-330-2020. Phone help is available from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on 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.

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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.