County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that free scrap metal drop off sites are open in September.  A wide variety of metal goods, from household appliances to gutters and sheds, are included in the program.

“This countywide program helps to fill a service gap in some Union County municipalities that currently have no pickup for scrap metal recycling,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “As a community, we benefit across the board by recycling more and throwing away less waste – and we also stand to gain some revenue from the program.”

Scrap metal drop off will be accepted Thursday, September 5 and Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Scrap metal from any municipality may be brought to either of the following drop-off centers:

• Cranford:  Emergency Services/Traffic Enforcement, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway:  Service Yard in Rahway River Park (near swimming pool), St. Georges Avenue

The scrap metal recycling program is available to residents, commercial establishments, nonprofit agencies and other organizations. It is available the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month, from April through November.

Acceptable items for recycling include aluminum scrap, aluminum cans, aluminum siding, bicycles, brass, copper, dishwashers, electric fans, fencing (chain/wire), freezers, gutters, irons, lawn furniture, metal cabinets, metal sheds, microwaves, pots and pans, railings, refrigerators, stoves, tire rims, toasters, washers and dryers, window frames (no glass), and wire hangers.

The Freeholder Board also reminds residents to download the free Recycle Coach app for the latest news and information on all countywide and local recycling programs. The app can be downloaded at ucnj.org/recycle.

For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

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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 – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next two free mobile paper shredding events of 2019 for personal and confidential documents will be held on September 12 in Linden and September 20 in Westfield.

“Union County’s mobile document shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred your confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with other Green Initiatives in Union County.”

The first shredding event will be on Thursday, September 12 at the Linden Recycling Center, located at 2 Donaldson Place in Linden, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

The second shredding event will be on Friday, September 20^th at the Westfield Memorial Pool, located at 713 Cumberland Street in Westfield. The program will also run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Both shredding events will take place rain or shine. Shredding events will end before 1:00 p.m. if the shredding truck(s) reach capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. It is preferred that you bring your material in paper bags.

Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Please note that paper that is already shredded will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program. 

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then placed onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled via local paper mills. 

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The Freeholder Board also reminds residents to download the free Recycle Coach app for the latest news and information on all countywide and local recycling programs, located at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

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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 Sheriff Peter Corelli, Undersheriffs Dennis Burke, Amilcar Colon and Jonathan Parham and dozens of Union County Sheriff’s Officers joined Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and local volunteers in making sandwiches for the needy as part of the Assemblywoman’s annual “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation” food drive at St. Joseph’s Social Service Center in Elizabeth. The event is in partnership with the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless and the St. Joseph’s Social Service Center. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

In preparation for the beginning of the school year, the Union County Immunization Clinic, located at 40 Parker Road, Elizabeth, will offer extended hours for eligible school children from Monday, August 19 through Friday, August 30.

Children who are at least 2 months old and under age 19 and who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured or underinsured may receive free vaccines at the Immunization Clinic to prevent disease. The clinic offers a series of vaccines suggested by the federal Centers for Disease Control as well as required vaccines for public school admission.

“Vaccines are required for public school admission, and the extended hours will help parents and caregivers access this free service for eligible school children,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The health and safety of children is a top priority for the Freeholder Board.”

The clinic normally operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the extended hours, appointments will be accepted until 6:30 p.m. from August 19 through August 30.

Appointments are recommended, by calling 908-965-3627 or 908-965-3868. Walk-ins for school aged children may also be accepted but must arrive before 6:00 p.m.

To receive vaccinations for a child, parents or guardians are required to provide the eligible child’s birth certificate, current vaccination records, parent or legal guardians ID. Parents must also bring proof of residence such as a lease or utility bill in their name. Legal guardians must also have guardianship papers from the Court. If the child is in school, a referral by a school nurse must be presented.

Union County’s Immunization Clinic, in operation since 1995, is part of the federal CDC Vaccines for Children program and is part of each state’s Medicaid plan. The Immunization Center provides information about available health services to families in need, in addition to screenings and immunizations for eligible children.

For more information on the Union County Immunization Clinic, to schedule an appointment, or to determine if a child qualifies for services call 908-965-3627/3868.

For personal assistance with any service provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, call the UCDHS Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

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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 — Hey Bulldog, an all-New Jersey group of musicians, will gather to play the songs of the Beatles at Union County’s free, Summer Arts Concert Series at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday, August 21.

“This should be a great concert. Hey Bulldog’s performance of some of the Beatles’ greatest hits will be a treat for residents of all ages,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is proud to sponsor this concert event as part of our free Summer Arts Concert Series.”

Playing the music of the Beatles since 2004, Hey Bulldog is a diverse group of musicians from the New Brunswick area who joined together for an open jam to play Beatles songs on John Lennon’s birthday, and have been playing together ever since. Members stay true to their individual style, playing some of the best songs ever written with creativity, passion, and originality.

The concert will take place at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. It is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, towel or yoga mat for UC Fit Yoga, led by Satsang Yoga of Westfield, beginning at 6:30 pm. The concert will begin promptly at 7:30 pm. A food truck and an ice cream truck will be present.

For more details on the Summer Arts Concert Series and more summer activities in Union County Parks visit ucnj.org/calendar or call the Parks Department at 908-527-4900.

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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.

EVENT INCLUDES INFORMATION FOR LGBTQ+

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board and the Office of Veteran Services will present the “Know Your Military Benefits Expo,” a comprehensive presentation of benefits and services on Wednesday, August 21 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Warinanco Sports Center, at 1 Park Drive in Roselle.

“The Expo is designed to provide military veterans and their families with access to reliable, up to date information on their military benefits,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It is part of the Freeholder Board’s efforts to honor their service to our country, and to assist those who need a helping hand.”

This year’s edition of the expo will include information and a special presentation for LGBTQ+ Military Personnel.

The Expo is part of the County’s UC HERO initiative, launched by the Freeholder Board in 2016. The program builds on Union County’s longstanding services for veterans by working to enhance opportunities for education, employment and well-being for eligible veterans, active duty service members and their families.

For more information about Office of Veteran Services programs, visit online at ucnj.org/uc-hero or contact Janna Williams, Coordinator, at 908-527-4918 or jwilliams@ucnj.org. 

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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 – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds seniors and other residents to be aware of phone scamming reported in the area by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

“Phone scamming is unfortunately one of the most common kinds of fraud committed on senior citizens today,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “To avoid getting scammed, never give out personal information over the phone, and always check to confirm that you are not being targeted by a scammer.”

Persons who receive phone calls involving money or personal information are advised to hang up and call the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs hotline at 800-242-5846 to confirm if the call is genuine or a scam.

As one common example, fraudsters contact their victims by phone and claim to be their grandchild, muffling their voice while claiming to be in serious trouble. The scammer may claim to be stranded on a trip or vacation, out of money, or about to be arrested, and begs the victim to send money immediately without notifying their parents.

“If you get such a call, write down the phone number and hang up. Stay calm and contact family members to check if the call is genuine or a scam,” said Freeholder Chair Kowalski.

Another recent scam involves calls allegedly coming from a government employee on behalf of Medicare or Medicaid, who will ask questions about a claim or replacement of an insurance card. The scammer will ask for personal information or data that can be used to file false reports, and steal the victim’s identity and money.

Residents who receive calls regarding an IRS lawsuit should also hang up immediately. IRS scams can be reported to the Treasury Department by using the online fraud reporting system at treasury.gov.

Freeholder Chair Kowalski also advised residents that a consumer complaint has been filed against several New Jersey companies for selling wireless alert systems to seniors that failed to work or were never delivered.

For more information about consumer frauds and how to avoid them, visit the Anti-Fraud Toolkit, an online information hub created by the Division of Consumer Affairs at FightingFraud.nj.gov.

The Anti-Fraud Toolkit includes downloadable tip sheets in English and Spanish on avoiding consumer fraud, with a focus on scams that target seniors.

It also includes the new Real-Time Fraud Alerts email network, which delivers quick, accurate information about new scams.

Union County residents are also encouraged to report possible frauds and scams to the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs. To file a complaint online visit ucnj.org/public-safety or call 908-654-9840.

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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 seeking reliable information about services for adults age 60 and older can come to convenient locations throughout the County and speak in person with experienced staff from the Union County Aging and Disability Resource Connection, a division of the Department of Human Services.

The community visits are scheduled every month through Union County’s ASK (Aging Services Kiosk) program. In September, the ASK program will come to public libraries in Elizabeth, Clark, Cranford, Garwood, Mountainside, Plainfield, Summit and Union, and to the Rahway Senior Center.

“Our goal is to help senior residents access the resources they need to stay connected with their communities,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The ASK program helps seniors, their families, and their caregivers get expert guidance in person, in a comfortable setting close to home.”

Guidance offered through the ASK program includes home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any ASK event. The dates and locations for August are:

 

Monday, September 9

Elizabeth Library – LaCorte branch

418 Palmer Street

Elizabeth, NJ 07202

10:00 am – 12 noon

 

Wednesday, September 11

Cranford Public Library

224 Walnut Avenue

Cranford, NJ 07016

10:00 am – 12 noon

 

Thursday, September 12

Rahway Senior Center

1306 Esterbrook Avenue

Rahway, NJ  07065

10:00 am – 12:00 noon

 

Friday, September 13

Plainfield Public Library

800 Park Avenue

Plainfield, NJ 07060

10:00 am – 12 noon

 

Monday, September 16

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, NJ 07066

10:00 am – 12:00 noon

 

Thursday, September 19

Garwood Public Library

411 Third Avenue

Garwood, NJ 07027

10:00 am – 12:00 noon

 

Friday, September 20

Mountainside Public Library

Constitution Plaza

Mountainside, NJ 07092

10:00 am – 12 Noon

 

Monday, September 23

Summit Public Library

75 Maple Street

Summit, NJ 07901

10:30 am – 12:30 pm

 

Tuesday, September 24

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, NJ 07083

11:30 am to 1:30 pm

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is modeled on a national initiative aimed at promoting wellness, independence, dignity and choice. In addition to ASK and other outreach events, printed information is available in English and Spanish.

For more information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, visit the Department of Human Services online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services or call 888-280-8226 (toll free), 908-527-4870, or 908-527-4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863. 

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 – As the summer activity season winds down, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and visitors that there is still time to enjoy free outdoor movies and music in County parks.

Union County’s final Family Flix free outdoor movie of the summer is Incredibles 2, showing on Monday, August 12 at Tamaques Park in Westfield.

An encore screening of Incredibles 2 will also be held on Tuesday, August 13 at Warinanco Park in Roselle.

All Family Flix movies begin at dusk. Early arrivals can participate in free children’s fitness activities through the UC Get Fit initiative of the Freeholder Board.

The County’s Summer Arts Festival of free outdoor music has three performances left, all at Oak Ridge Park in Clark:

• Aug 14 – Rob Paparozzi Juke Joint
• Aug 21 – Hey Bulldog (Beatles tribute)
• Aug 28 – We May Be Right (Billy Joel Experience)

All Summer Arts events begin with a free UC Fit Yoga session beginning at 6:30 p.m. (bring your own yoga mat or towel). The concerts begin promptly at 7:30.

The Family Flix and Summer Arts series are subject to weather-related cancellations. For updates, follow Union County on social media, visit the County website at ucnj.org, or call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 on the day of the event.

For more information on activities in Union County Parks, including events this fall, visit ucnj.org/calendar or call the Parks Department at 908-527-4900.

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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.