County of Union, New Jersey

New Open Space Grant program to fund gardens at 32 schools at Pre K to 12^th grade schools throughout Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ—For the first time ever, The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced it has awarded “Union County Kids Dig In!” grants to 32 schools in 12 County municipalities. The grant assistance covers establishing/building of gardens, garden boxes and/or tools and equipment. It is aimed at educating students about gardening and fostering the growth and creation of community gardens at the schools.

“Our goal is to teach children how food is grown, to educate them about nutrition, and to make them think about the environment and the world around them, including their own communities,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who thought of the program and worked to create it this year as the Chairman of the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. “This is a great way to get everyone involved in community gardening—not only the children, but also their parents, the teachers and local residents.”

Granados noted that the grant requires the donation of a portion of what is grown for community donation, teaching children about charity.

“Studies also show that when children are engaged in gardening programs, their school performances improve and health outcomes improve,” Granados noted.

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen agreed.

“New Jersey is the Garden State and we have a rich tradition and history of horticulture in the state even with all the changes in density over the years,” Bergen said. “This is a great way to instill the benefits of gardening in our future citizens at a young age.”

The County presented the Union County Kids Dig In! grant program to each school district through its Open Space Trust Fund, offering a total of just under $40,000 in grant assistance through revenues from golf fees administered through the fund.

The grant program covers produce gardens including vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, herbs and spices, pollinator-attracting plants and plants for pest management. It does not cover ornamental plants or non-producing gardens.

Gardens must agree to set aside 30% of their harvest for community donation and enroll in Come Grow With Us!, a free countywide information and resource sharing network for community gardens.

Those applying for grants were given four options, 1.) to apply for tools and equipment; 2.) to apply for establishing a garden with four raised beds with soil, irrigation, soil amendments, seedlings and provisions for educational programs; 3.)  to apply directly for ten (10) Earthboxes with soil, tools, soil amendments, seedlings and provisions for educational programs; and 4.) To apply for funding covering other garden types including rooftop, hydroponic and any others.

The following is a list of schools that applied and will receive assistance through the Kids Dig In! program:

 

Clark

• Frank K. Hehnly School

Cranford

• Walnut Avenue School
• Lincoln School
• Hillside Avenue School
• Calvary Nursery School & Child Care        

                  

Elizabeth

• Mabel G. Holmes Annex No. 5
• Jerome Dunn Academy School No. 9                                            
• John Marshall School # 20
• Abraham Lincoln School 14
• Albert Einstein Academy School #29
• Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy
• Winfield Scott School #2
• Victor Mravlag School #21
• Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
• Juan Pablo Duarte- Jose Julian Marti School No. 28
• Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Kenilworth

• Saint Theresa School

Linden

• Myles J. Mcmanus Middle School

New Providence

• Morris-Union Jointure Commission
• New Providence High School

Plainfield

• College Achieve Central Charter School                 

Rahway

• Madison School
• Rahway High School

Roselle

• Harrison Elementary School
• Washington Elementary School      

Scotch Plains

1. Ackerman Coles Elementary School
2. William J. Mcginn Elementary School
3. JCC of Central NJ- Brody Family Early Learning Center

Union

• The Deron School Of New Jersey, Inc.

Westfield

• Wesley Hall Preschool & Kindergarten
• Mckinley Elementary School
• Tamaques Elementary School

The program is the second community gardening initiative the County has initiated in the past two years. Last year, Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen announced the Union County Means Green Community Gardening grant program to community gardening organizations. The program will also be renewed this year.

 Photo credit: Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County.

Assemblyman Jamel Holley led the groundbreaking and was joined by Union County Freeholders Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Vernell Wright and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano at the site of Roselle’s “Mind and Body Complex,” a multi-use facility that will house a new public library, a pre-K and Kindergarten and a recreation center. Also in attendance were Borough Council and Board of Education members, library officials and representatives of the Union County Improvement Authority.

The $56 million project, located between Harrison and Chandler Avenues, has undergone nearly three years of careful planning and community vetting and has been lauded for its cross-agency planning and financing that includes Roselle, Roselle Public Schools, the Union County Improvement Authority and the County of Union.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite families with children of all ages and adults alike to climb aboard a variety of public safety vehicles at this year’s “Touch A Truck” event on Sunday afternoon, April 30. The event will run from 11:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., rain or shine in the Lower Loop Parking Lot of the Watchung Reservation. There will also be a quiet hour, from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. where children sensitive to noise will be able to enjoy the vehicles on display.

“We are once again happy to host Touch A Truck at the Loop in the Watchung Reservation to give youngsters an opportunity to not only see these magnificent machines, but to actually climb aboard and experience the excitement of being behind the wheel,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Hazmat will offer its big rig, and the Union County Department of Public Works will return with its mammoth white milling machine which is used to strip the top off of roads to prepare them for paving. The companion vehicle, the paver, will also be there, along with a bucket truck used for high tree trimming.

Attendees can also see multiple trucks with snow plows, payloaders, and hook/flatbed tow. And of course, fire department truck equipment from the Mountainside Fire Department is also planned for display.

This year’s Touch A Truck event will feature a special display from the Fire Museum, a 1974 Piece Custom pumper, retired from Mine Hill Fire Department.

Admission to the Touch A Truck event is $4 per person, with children 6 years old and under admitted free. The price of admission also includes admission to Wild Earth Fest.

The Loop Area is located just off Tracy Drive in Mountainside, in between Glenside Avenue and Summit Road. It features a very popular playground area for kids, and the concession stand will be open. Visitors may also visit the Watchung Stable and the Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park. Also, Lake Surprise is just a short walk where residents can see the new dam.

For more information on Touch A Truck, or any event in the Union County Parks System, please visit our website at ucnj.org/parks.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 5^th annual Union County Women Mean Business networking seminar. The popular series brings has brought together Union County businesswomen with experts on hot topics and role models for success every year since 2013.

The special guest speaker for the 2017 Union County Women Mean Business event is Janice Huff, Chief Meteorologist for NBC 4.

“Ms. Huff has gained nationwide recognition for her many contributions to journalism and meteorology, her work on behalf of children in foster care, and her leadership as a mentor in her field,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “She offers a wealth of insights and guidance to everyone who strives for excellence.”

This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at The Clubhouse at Galloping Hill, at Union County’s Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.

The event includes a choice of two breakout sessions helping women to sharpen their communication and networking skills.

Session 1:

• Changing Perceptions: New View, New You
• Powerful Presence: Communicate with Clarity & Confidence
• Tales from the Front Lines: How Local Women Business Owners Continue to Beat the Odds

Session 2:

• Be Decisive: Commit to Financial Success
• From Reactive to Proactive: Are you hirable?
• He Said/She Said: Rock & “Link In” Your Networking Opportunities

The registration fee of $40.00 includes lunch, program, networking cocktail hour (cash bar) and a chance to win prizes including round trip airline tickets.

To register online visit ucnj.org/ucmeansbusiness. For additional information contact Deana Mesaros, dmesaros@ucnj.org or call 908-659-7412.

The 2017 Union County Women Mean Business is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and its partners, with the generous support of Diamond Sponsor ConnectOne Bank, Gold Sponsor KemperSports, Silver Sponsor Winning Strategies Washing, and Bronze Sponsors Southwest and Suplee, Clooney & Company.

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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.

Please note that due to last week’s cancellation, the regular meeting of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will be held this Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 7 p.m.  The following Thursday, April 27, 2017 will be a double meeting (agenda meeting and regular meeting.) Also, please note that proposed resolution 2017-329 regarding the Watchung Reservation Trails master Plan has been pulled from the agenda and will not be voted on Thursday, April 20, 2017.

Due to potential health and public safety issues caused by a water main break on Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth, tonight’s Union County Freeholder meeting has been canceled. The rescheduled date will be announced on Monday.

A water main break has shut down traffic on Elizabethtown Plaza outside of the County Courthouse Annex, Jail and Administration Building. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Pedestrians are advised to use caution due to street flooding.

This alert has since expired.

 

Bill Providing Immediate Boost of $400M for TTF Includes Funds for Key Infrastructure Work

Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Nicholas P. Scutari today announced the allocation of transportation funding to advance the Tremley Point Connector, a long-sought infrastructure project that is vital to improving roadway safety and fueling economic development in the region. Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Angel Estrada, Assemblymen Jerry Green and Jim Kennedy, Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, and Linden Mayor Derek Armstead were among those who also participated in the news conference. U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, who has long advocated the project, applauded the result.

Funding for the project is included in the recently-enacted legislation providing an immediate boost of $400 million to the Transportation Trust Fund this year.

“The Tremley Point Connector will keep 18-wheelers that come off the highway out of residential neighborhoods, allow trucking companies to save dollars by reducing the cost of their vehicles sitting in traffic and increase access to land that businesses will be inclined to develop,” said Senator Sweeney. “It’s good for transportation, for the economy and for the quality of life. This is why we renewed the Transportation Trust Fund for eight years and why we increased funding by $400 million this year. This project is ready to go and we now have money in the TTF to pay for it.”

The Tremley Point Connector will create a key access road to remove heavy truck traffic from local roadways and facilitate the flow of commercial services and products with a direct connection from the New Jersey Turnpike to the Tremley Point section of Linden, an industrialized area that is critical to the regional economy.

“We knew that getting transportation dollars out the door immediately was crucial to getting vitally-needed infrastructure projects moving across the state,” said Senator Scutari, who has worked with the state Transportation Department for years to get the project done. “This is significant progress on a project that we have been working on for years and that will benefit the residents of Linden and Union County. We were able to move quickly on this project with the increase to the TTF.”

The immediate allocation will be for $2 million to complete the preliminary engineering work needed to follow through on the project, which will also attract federal funds.

“In 2005, I secured $100 million for the Liberty Corridor—a set of projects to improve northern New Jersey’s mobility, and to ensure that our businesses have the infrastructure they need to bring their goods to market and compete in the global economy,” Senator Menendez said.  “The Tremley Point Connector Road is an integral part of this effort, and I’m pleased that through this commitment of state funds secured by Senate President Sweeney, Senator Scutari and all of our county and local partners, we can move towards making this project a reality.”

The Exit 12 access road from the Turnpike now directs traffic through the South Wood Avenue section of the city. The proposed connector will intersect with Industrial Highway in Carteret, traverse the Rahway River and connect at Tremley Point Road in Linden. It would provide direct access between New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 12 via Industrial Highway and the Tremley Point area of Linden.

“This project is important for roadway safety in the local community and for economic activity in the region,” said Sheriff Cryan. “Completion of the connector will address safety concerns in residential areas and create an opportunity for economic benefits by allowing for the efficient flow of traffic and the development of unused property in the area.”

Freeholder Hudak noted the project had been a priority of the County, which had developed plans for it, for many years, but had lacked funding until now.

“The construction of the Tremley Point Connector Road is vital to the economic and public safety interests to the region as a whole and to the residents of the City of Linden, especially those who are impacted by the current truck and industrial traffic to this area,” said Hudak, a resident of Linden. “It will also free up development that could create thousands of jobs. I would like to thank Senators Sweeney and Scutari for making this a reality.”

The transportation funding bill that will immediately pump an additional $400 million into the TTF for infrastructure work includes $140 million for NJ Transit for technology improvements and system safety and $260 million for work on roads and bridges throughout the state.

The funding will be distributed within 100 days for projects identified by the Department of Transportation through the Transportation Trust Fund selection process. The added funding for the 2017 Fiscal Year will boost total spending to $2 billion, the same level that will be sustained over the next eight years under the plan that renewed the TTF.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that 34 Union County arts organizations will receive a total of $64,000 in grants from the Union County Local Arts Grant Program for the funding year 2017.

“This new round of funding demonstrates that our local arts community has earned a reputation for delivering programs that make significant contributions to the quality of life in Union County, and throughout New Jersey,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I wish our awardees all the best for a successful and productive season.”

The 34 grants are made possible through funding provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner organization of the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant program is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

“A little goes a long way, and this new round of funding will reach thousands of Union County residents with programs and activities that enrich and educate,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Liaison to the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts has designated the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs as one of the “anchor institutions that make significant contributions to the quality of life in New Jersey, and has recognized its “solid history of service excellence, substantial activity and broad public service.”

The $64,000 in grants represents part of a larger $144,000 Council on the Arts award for Union County.

The balance of the grant will be matched by the Freeholder Board, enabling the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs to present the Teen Arts Program, the Senior Citizen Art Exhibit, Music in the Mills and gallery exhibits as well as technical assistance workshops and other services for Union County artists, cultural organizations and residents.

The 2017 Local Arts Grantees are:

• Afternoon Music, Inc.
• American Theater Group
• Bridgeway
• CDC Community Theatre
• Celebration Singers
• Chinese American Music Ensemble
• Choral Art Society of New Jersey, Inc.
• City of Plainfield Senior Citizens Center
• Community Access Unlimited
• Community Educational & Cultural Association, Inc.
• Community Players of Westfield
• Concord Singers
• Connection for Women and Families
• Continuo Arts Foundation
• Elizabeth Public Library
• First United Methodist Church
• Friends of Springfield Library
• Gateway Family – YMCA of Eastern Union County
• Ivy Visions Charitable Arm/Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
• Jewish Community Center of Central NJ
• Kenilworth Public Library
• King’s Daughter’s Day School
• Life Drawing Studio Group
• Linden Public Library
• New Jersey Workshop for the Arts
• Plainfield Public Library
• Plainfield Symphony Orchestra
• Rahway Valley Jerseyaires
• Summit Chorale
• Summit Public Library
• Summit Symphony Orchestra
• The August Symphony Orchestra
• United Way of Greater Union County
• YWCA of Eastern Union County

 

For more information about Union County arts grant programs or to learn about other programs, services and volunteer opportunities through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, call 908-558-2550 (NJ Relay users dial 711), email culturalinfo@ucnj.org or visit during regular business hours at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.

 

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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.