County of Union, New Jersey

Please note: due to inclement weather, the May 12 event at Green Brook Park has been postponed until further notice.

Union County, NJ – If you are looking for a chance to pitch in for the environment, come to a special volunteer event with the Union County Adopt-a-Park program and members of the North Plainfield Shade Tree Advisory Board on Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and help clean up a section of Green Brook Park.

Green Brook is part of the Union County Parks system. It is located in Plainfield and extends into North Plainfield.

Members of the public can meet up with the cleanup team at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Parkview Avenue and Clinton Avenue in North Plainfield, next to the Green Brook Park sign.

This area is tended to regularly by members of the Shade Tree Advisory Board, and extra hands are needed on May 12 to help pick up litter and debris, and clear away invasive species so that native plants have room to grow next spring.

Gloves, bags and tools will be provided and participants should bring an empty bucket if they have one. The cleanup event will be over by noon.

Volunteers should dress to get muddy and/or dirty!

Any individual or group can join Adopt-A-Park and help preserve Union County’s 36 public parks. For more information visit Adopt-A-Park online at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-789-3683.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, 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.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Union County Police Chief Chris Debbie, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Vincent Gagliardi, Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, Linden Fire Chief Joseph Dooley and Bayonne Battalion Chief Robert Seeburger at a cross-state joint training exercise in Linden aimed at enhancing intelligence- and information-sharing between New Jersey and New York.

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), in conjunction with the Jersey City/Newark Urban Areas Security Initiative (USAI), worked with an array of municipal, county and state agencies in a series of drills and exercises to test operational coordination and response to terrorist/mass casualty simulated incidents. 

This exercise is the first of its kind between the two states and will test each state’s information-sharing ability to deliver a coordinated response during a complex attack that impacts both states.

The drill ran for two days and involved the Union County Police Department, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County SWAT and Union County OEM resources, including our County Fire Academy Training Facility in Linden. First responder agencies from several municipalities also participated. The drills involved active shooter, bomb and hazmat situations.

Free app connects residents with recycling information in handy mobile format.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the launch of Recycle Coach, a free app designed to help make recycling and solid waste information more accessible to County residents and engage the public in the principles of “Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.”

Recycle Coach provides accurate, up-to-date information on Union County’s recycling events as well as local recycling schedules in a handy, user-friendly mobile format.

“Recycle Coach is an excellent opportunity for Union County residents to obtain accurate, up-to-date information on both county recycling events and local recycling schedules with the touch of a button,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We look forward to partnering with all 21 Union County municipalities on this exciting new initiative, and pitching in together to boost participation and improve recycling rates countywide.”

The app provides personalized collection schedules based on place of residence. Once a resident downloads Recycle Coach, their calendar will list Union County recycling events along with local curbside garbage and recycling schedules.

The app will advise if there are changes in local collection due to holidays or weather.

Recycle Coach users can also set up recycling reminders and improve their recycling rates through a “What Goes Where?” search tool.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is the first state to purchase the Recycle Coach app and make it available to all New Jersey residents free of charge.

“By improving recycling rates here in Union County, we will also be contributing to our state’s ongoing commitment as a national leader in recycling,” said Chairman Granados.

The Recycle Coach app download is available free of charge on the Google Play and Apple Store Residents can also access the download through the County website at ucnj.org/recycle-coach.

Recycle Coach is part of Chairman Granados’s 2018 Plant A Seed initiative, designed to enable residents to take action to improve community health and well-being, including recycling and educational programs as well as the Union County Kids Dig In and Union County Means Green school and community garden grant programs.

For quick links to all Union County recycling events visit ucnj.org/recycling.

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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 Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of LGBTQ Services, in collaboration with the Union County Performing Arts Center and with support from WellCare Health Plans, is proud to host the first Union County LIGHT UP THE NIGHT – TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) event for LGBTQ and ally high school youth (ages 16-19) on Friday, June 15 from 8:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage located at 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway. Tickets are $25 each and are available online at ucpac.org.

“As prom season is fast approaching, the Freeholder Board is proud to offer LGBTQ and ally teens from throughout Union County an opportunity to experience this high school milestone in a space where all teens are welcome regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, how they dress, or any other reason,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “According to Human Rights Campaign, four out of ten LGBTQ youth say they live in a community that doesn’t accept their sexual orientation. As an elected official, I support all of our residents including our LGBTQ youth – we are proud to host Union County’s first teen Pride alternative prom event for them.”

Light up the Night – wear neon or white to shine all night, glam it up, or come as you are. Union County’s LIGHT UP THE NIGHT – TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) event is an affirming space where every young person can unapologetically be themselves and make memories that last a lifetime. Come on your own, with a date, or with a group of friends to enjoy an inclusive evening of fun, light refreshments, DJ, drag queen emcee, and the crowning of the Rainbow Court!

“Union County’s TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) provides an opportunity for diverse groups of LGBTQ students from different schools throughout Union County to celebrate their individuality together in an environment that affirms who they are,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to lead New Jersey’s County government in supporting the LGBTQ community with programs and services that directly impact quality of life.”

We aim to ensure a safe experience for everyone. Security will uphold a strict no tolerance for drugs and alcohol policy. Bags will be checked upon arrival. High School Student ID, with parental consent and photo release is required to be admitted with each ticket.

This year’s Union County PRIDE events are organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services. Established as part of Chairman Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, is the first County government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey. It provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, serving as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.

ELIZABETH, NJ–The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite youngsters ages 4 to 12 years old to participate in “Paint by the Pond.” This will be the third year for this interactive art project which will take place on Saturday, May 12 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the pond in Warinanco Park. The pond is located near the snack bar and basketball courts. This event will allow children to paint cardboard model houses and create art on poster board.

The “Paint by the Pond” project will teach families about the importance of recycling while encouraging children to paint on cardboard, creating art from materials usually thrown away.

There will also be miniature houses made with the cardboard boxes floating in the pond at Warinanco Park during the event.

“This year we will be back at the pond at Warinanco Park where young artists will be able to capture the glorious colors of spring,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

For more information on this exciting event, please call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900.

Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (center) thanked students from George Washington School in Hillside who participated in the Union County’s annual Arbor Day Tree Planting event. Along with their teacher Daniel Jamieson (left), the students visited Williams Nursery in Westfield last week and received instruction on successful tree planting and care from nursery owner Dave Williams (right). Every year the Freeholder Board distributes free trees for schools, in cooperation with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board and the 4-H youth development program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The Arbor Day program includes tree planting guidance hosted by Williams Nursery. For more information about 4-H clubs and activities in Union County visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

Photo credit: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.

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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 Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the opening of a new senior café in Scotch Plains on Tuesday, May 1 at the Shady Rest Clubhouse at the Scotch Hills Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road. The historic site is a meeting place for Scotch Plains seniors, and is currently owned by the Township of Scotch Plains. Built in the 1920’s, it was the first African-American owned golf course in the United States. 

Seniors are invited to come to the opening of the café on Tuesday, May 1 for lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. Food will be served until at approximately 12:15 p.m. The lunches will then continue to be served once a week—weekly on Tuesdays, during the same time span.

“This is the 24^th group meal site for senior adults, age 60 and older, in Union County and it is open to seniors from any of the 21 municipalities in the County,” stated Sergio Granados, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “We are pleased to offer new places for our seniors to meet and share lunch together. A nutritionally balanced lunch will be served with the help of local volunteers.”

Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith said, “As Mayor, and on behalf of the entire Council, I am proud to continue our commitment to serve all seniors with well-rounded programming to address their needs. The Senior Café is a wonderful addition to the programing provided through the Township for seniors. I look forward to attending some of the lunches myself!”

Freeholder Al Mirabella, also Scotch Plains Municipal Manager, noted: “The Township of Scotch Plains is always looking for ways to expand our programming for our Senior Citizens. This weekly nutrition program, held in the newly refurbished Shady Rest, is a wonderful opportunity for our seniors to meet, socialize and share a meal.” 

The program will be run by Scotch Plains, under the supervision of County officials. The meals, which are paid through Federal grant funds, consist of a hot protein entre, vegetable or salad, potato, pasta or rice, bread, milk, and soup or juice.

The suggested donation is $1.75 per meal.  If one person in a couple is under age 60, the suggested donation is $4.00.

Countywide in 2017, the Union County Division on Aging delivered 166,835 group meals at 23 senior sites. Another 224,337 “Meals on Wheels” meals were delivered to the homes of the frail elderly, for a total of 391,172 meals.

A nutritionist in the Division on Aging designs meals that meet healthy nutrient requirements, also known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance. In addition, the nutritionist provides health and wellness presentations about food choices, physical activity, and seasonal produce.

For further information about nutrition programs offered by the Division on Aging, contact Kathleen Malkiewicz by phone at 908-527-4877 or by email at kmalkiewicz@ucnj.org.

For information about all services and programs for seniors and their families visit ucnj.org/aging.

Union County, NJ – Union County residents seeking information about services available for senior adults age 60 and up can visit the Aging Service Kiosk (ASK) at five locations in May to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging.

Staff will be present at public libraries in Linden, Mountainside, Clark, Fanwood and Union.

“The ASK program brings our experienced staff to local communities, where they are more accessible to seniors, family members and caregivers who are looking for helpful resources and programs,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Through the ASK program, staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection travel throughout Union County providing information about home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care support services for caregivers and more.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

Any Union County resident, family member or caregiver, can visit any ASK event. The May 2018 dates and locations are:

Wednesday, May 9

Linden Public Library

31 E. Henry Street

Linden, 07036

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

Friday, May 11

Mountainside Public Library

Constitution Plaza

Mountainside, 07092

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 

Monday, May 14

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, 07066

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, May 23

Fanwood Public Library

5 Forest Road

Fanwood, 07023

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

Tuesday, May 29

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, 07083

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

 

All Union County residents are welcome to attend the ASK events.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

Dates and locations of upcoming ASK program stops are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, call 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4858, or visit online at 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.

Connect with Union County on social media.