County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Students from the Kean University Center for Leadership and Service spent a chilly winter morning last weekend spreading seeds and straw alongside a stream bed in Warinanco Park, in hopes of sprouting a colorful burst of native wildflowers and grasses this spring. They also removed litter and debris from the area. The “hard frost” seeding will help ensure that the seeds germinate properly when temperatures warm up, resulting in a lush, healthy habitat for butterflies and other pollinators. The Kean group is a regular participant in the Union County Adopt-a-Park program. Any individual or group is welcome to join Adopt-a-Park. For more information call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-789-3683 or visit online at ucnj.org/parks.

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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 first significant winter storm of 2017 is expected to hit the New York-New Jersey region early tomorrow morning, bringing 6 to 12 inches of heavy wet snow and high winds throughout the day.  To deal with the upcoming weather event, the Port Authority has taken significant measures to ensure safe, efficient operations at its airports, tunnels, bridges and PATH system.

The National Weather Service currently forecasts the heaviest snow beginning shortly before the morning rush hour on Thursday and continuing until mid-afternoon.

In advance of the first snowflakes, the Port Authority has made extensive preparations for personnel and equipment at all of its facilities.  Operations personnel will work 12-hour shifts to ensure that facilities can be operated safely. The airports, bridges, tunnels and PATH also have snow desks where key personnel analyze weather reports and deploy staff and equipment.

The Port Authority also is in contact with the states of New York and New Jersey, as well as other local and federal officials and agencies to coordinate response to the winter weather event

With a storm of this magnitude, airlines sometimes cancel flights in advance, so travelers should check with their carriers to make sure their flight will be taking off before going to the airport. If warranted, the Port Authority also has supplies of cots and other essential items ready to accommodate ticketed passengers who may become stranded at the airports.

The Port Authority also urges bus travelers to check with their carriers before going to the bus terminals since many public and private carriers may cancel or delay service if conditions warrant. The agency also may impose speed restrictions on its crossings, or close them entirely based on weather conditions.

All terminals in the Port of New York and New Jersey will be closed tomorrow due to the impending weather conditions.

The Port Authority has the following winter weather equipment and supplies ready at its major transportation facilities:

Hundreds of pieces of snow equipment at its airports, including melters that can liquefy up to 500 tons of snow an hour and plows that can clear snow at 40 mph; • Dozens of pieces of snow equipment at its bridges and tunnels; •  Thousands of tons of salt and sand for airport roads and parking lots, plus thousands of tons of salt for the bridges and tunnels; •  Hundreds of thousands of gallons of liquid anti-icer chemicals at the airports, which prevent snow and ice from bonding to runways and taxiways, plus thousands of tons of solid de-icers, which break up snow and ice already on the ground; •  Plow-equipped trains, liquid snow-melting agent trains and a “jet engine” plow to remove snow from PATH tracks, and snow blowers, plows and spreaders to clear station entrances, roads that serve PATH’s 13 stations, and various support facilities.

For up-to-the-minute updates on Port Authority crossings, airports and the PATH system, travelers are encouraged to sign up for Port Authority alerts at http://www.paalerts.com/. Travelers may also call 511 or visit http://511ny.org or http://511nj.org for further information on highway conditions.

511NY | New York Traffic | Commuter Information | Road Conditions http://511ny.org Provides up to the minute traffic and transit information for New York state. View the real time traffic map with travel times, traffic accident details, traffic cameras and other road conditions. Plan your trip and get the fastest route taking into account current traffic conditions.

 

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak take part in the Jewish Federation of Metro West’s 3rd Annual Community Challah Bake at the Community Food Bank of NJ in Hillside. There are joined by Senator Thomas Kean and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano.

The event’s mission was to help feed the needy and raise awareness of the hunger crisis in New Jersey. Highlights of the day included braiding and baking 800 challahs for local clients and helping with projects for the Community Food Bank of NJ.

 

Bring the entire family to Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series’ dynamic, uniquely funny and interactive Bubble Trouble live performance at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Available now, all tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center at ucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to present the sensory-friendly performance series, designed to increase access to the arts for children and adults with sensory sensitivities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Families are sure to enjoy experiencing the wonders of bubble science in Jeff Boyer’s creative and entertaining live performance – all while participating in the creation of art.”

With a bubble volcano, bubble roller coaster, a kid in a bubble, Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza. It’s the craziest, most creative bubble show around. Jeff juggles bubbles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, makes fog-filled bubbles and more. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, he engages and delights audiences of all ages. A hit at performing arts centers, festivals…anywhere there’s air.

For each of the performances in Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre environment at the Union County Performing Arts Center is adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families.

Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the sensory-friendly performances. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.

For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4781 or visit ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite children and adults with disabilities to enjoy an afternoon of ice skating at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center, located on Thompson Avenue in Roselle, on Sunday, March 5, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“Lace Up Your Skates” is a program developed through the Recreation Department’s Office for Programs for People with Disabilities Division. There will be skate guards on duty throughout the event, and skate-walkers will be available for those needing assistance.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for both youngsters and adults with disabilities to enjoy the ice at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center in a fun and safe atmosphere for all,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

There is an $8 registration fee, which can be paid on line when registering at www.ucnj.org/parks-reg/.

For answers to any questions you might have on this program or any other programs offered for people with disabilities please call 908-527-4781. And for a complete list of Programs for People with Disabilities you can go to https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/recreation-for-people-with-disabilities/.

 

 

 

Union County, NJ – Model railroad fans and friends are welcome to come to the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center in Union Township this Saturday, February 11 and learn how to use the latest electronic equipment to operate trains.

“Model railroading is a traditional craft that has embraced 21^st technology, and this workshop is a good opportunity to see how a digital control system can add to the enjoyment of a popular pastime,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The workshop, “DCC for Beginners,” is the first in a series on Digital Command Control offered by The Model Railroad Club, a non-profit organization that runs the Railroad Center. The Railroad Center is located in a mixed-use area of Union County’s Lenape Park and is supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

DCC for Beginners is free with admission to the Railroad Center, which is open to the public every Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $6.00 per adult 18 and older, $5.00 per teen 12-17, and $4.00 for children 5-12. Children under age 5 are welcome, and are free.

“Digital Command Control, or DCC, lets railroaders operate multiple trains independently on the same track without having to set up and wire different sections,” said Railroad Club president Tim McCollum. “It takes a bit of getting used to and we’re happy to share our knowledge with the railroading community.”

All visitors to the Railroad Center are welcome to attend the workshop as observers or participants. Railroaders who already have a throttle and instruction manual should bring them.

DCC for Beginners will cover:

• What is DCC
• Setting up your system.
• Programming your throttle
• Basic operation
• Trouble shooting

 

The workshop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 11 at the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center in Union Township, conveniently located behind the Home Depot off Route 22 East (enter the parking lot and go to the garden center at the far end; turn left and follow the small sign to a road behind the Home Depot — the Mallery Center is at the end of the road).

For more information visit the Railroad Center online at tmrci.org call 908-964-9724 or connect on Facebook.

For more events and activities in and around Union County Parks visit online at 52 Great Things to Do in Union County This Year.

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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.

Unique Program seeking Union County youths with disabilities for internship that provides employment training and life skills

The Union County Board of Freeholders today announced it is co-sponsoring the Project Se program that assists youth with disabilities to obtain a unique, life-changing school-to-work internship that provides them with employment training and with independent living skills.

“Overlook is only one of four locations statewide that hosts Project Search, and we are proud to  be co-sponsoring this program for our residents,” Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen said. “Project Search provides teens with the opportunity to become self-sufficient and transition into the work force, which is a very worthwhile goal.”

The announcement is one of Bergen’s Freeholder initiatives for 2017. Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who spoke at last year’s kick-off for Project Search, concurred with Bergen.

“We look forward to working with our partners in ensuring the Union County program is the leader and a model for all other Project Search programs to follow across the state,” Granados said. “We’re happy to be part of an initiative that helps others; and we are committed to making it grow.”

The Freeholder Board would like interested candidates to know that the Project SEARCH-Overlook Medical Center program is currently recruiting for the school year, 2017-18 student cohort.

Project SEARCH-Overlook is looking for students who meet the following criteria:

• Must be 18-20 years old and plan to still be in high school next school year;
• Diagnosed with a developmental or intellectual disability including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder;
• Basic and effective communication skills (verbal or supported by technology);
• Ability to take direction and change behavior if necessary;
• Desire to work competitively in the community.

An informational session and tour will be held on Tuesday March 1^st,  7 pm at the Overlook Medical Center in Summit. Please feel free to share with families you know who may have a child that would benefit from applying to Project SEARCH. Click here to register.

Chris Debbie, 29-year veteran, to assume top cop spot

Union County—County Manager Alfred J. Faella today announced he has appointed James Christopher Debbie, a 29-year veteran of the County Police Division, as its Police Chief.

Debbie becomes the County’s 10th Police Chief in the Police Division’s history, and has served as the Officer in Charge since 2015. He will be responsible for supervising a police force of 73 sworn officers and 25 civilians. His appointment is effective immediately.

“I would like to thank the Freeholder Board and County Manager for their support and confidence,” Debbie said. “In this era, the County faces a complex set of security concerns and the County Police have evolved to become a lead agency in providing public safety and homeland security services to the region. I look forward to working with our various partners in meeting these challenges, protecting the public and providing our services.”

Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen congratulated Debbie on his appointment.

“Chris has led a lengthy, distinguished career in our County Police Department, and is an excellent choice to lead this vital agency,” Bergen said.  “We wish him well on his appointment and look forward to working with him.”

Debbie succeeds Daniel Vaniska, who retired in 2015 after serving as the division’s Police Chief for 13 years.

Debbie joined the County Police Department in 1988, became a Detective in 1997, a Sergeant in 2003, Lieutenant in 2007 and Captain in 2013. Along the way, he supervised detectives, Special Investigations/Narcotics, criminal investigations, internal affairs, and other high profile functions of the departments. He was also assigned to the Essex-Union Auto Theft task Force, and supervised and conducted plainclothes street narcotics operations.

As Officer in Charge for the past two years, he was the Executive Officer of County Police, and responsible for the day to day operations, answering to Department Director Andrew Moran.

The County Police division falls under the Department of Public Safety, and provides a wide variety of services to the County as a whole and the region, including:

• Cost-saving Dispatch Services for twelve EMS agencies, six fire departments and three law enforcement agencies;
• The Union County Ballistic Unit, a state-of-the-art operation that comprehensively analyzes weapons evidence, including bullets, shell casings and firearms, and provides real-time actionable intelligence to investigators and agencies;
• UC MARINE 1 and 2 which patrols County and regional waterways—including the Arthur Kill–to provide regional Homeland Security services;
• Arson Squad—important investigatory service to Fire agencies;
• Bomb Squad—-vital homeland security service, recently featured in the response to the terrorist/bomb incident in Elizabeth;
• County Police—including all their functions—patrol, traffic, enforcement, etc.
• Investigative Division;
• Special Operations Unit—emergency response team.
• Child Safety Seat operations.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2017 Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program is now accepting applications for matching grants to start a community garden, or to expand or improve an existing community garden in Union County.

The new round of funding follows on the success of the 2016 Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program, an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

“The Community Garden Grants program was introduced for the first time last year, and it received an enthusiastic response,” said Bergen. “We provided funding for 19 different garden projects in 10 different municipalities and we are looking forward to another successful season.”

The Community Garden Grants program is funded by the Freeholder Board with the goal of enabling more County residents to enjoy the benefits of growing fresh produce garden in their neighborhoods.

“Along with improved nutrition, community gardens offer many new opportunities for education, recreation, community service and social activities for all ages,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados. “Interest in community gardening has been growing rapidly in Union County and across the country, and the Freeholder Board is very proud to support this important movement.”

A minimum grant request of $800.00 and a maximum of $3,000.00 are suggested. Pre-budgeted grant packages are also available.

“The pre-budgeted grant packages were a popular part of last year’s grant program,” said Bergen. “They helped take the guesswork out of ordering supplies and constructing new beds.”

All applicants must be prepared to match their award with an equivalent amount from other sources, in cash or in the value of supplies, equipment or professional labor.

Funding from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program is available to non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, and to municipal departments or entities including public libraries, senior centers and community centers.

Other volunteer groups may apply for a grant by partnering with their local municipality or a 501(c)(3) organization. The grant partner will accept the award on behalf of the garden and ensure that the funds are disbursed in accordance with the grant guidelines.

Only gardens that grow produce are eligible for grants.

Gardens that applied for a grant in 2016 are welcome to apply for a 2017 grant.

Applications for a 2017 grant are due by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7. Union County will notify grant recipients no later than Thursday, March 16.

More details and downloadable application forms are available on the County website, at ucnj.org/garden-grants.

To view the 2016 Community Garden Grants recipients, visit ucnj.org/green-connection.

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 a special matinee performance during the Presidents’ Day holiday from the Grand Falloons entitled “Professor W’s Earth Science Circus” as part of Trailside’s February Festivities on Monday, February 20 at 1:30 p.m. 

“This laugh-out-loud assembly, with guaranteed audience participation, is a fun way for the entire family to learn about the importance of recycling,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. 

Sponsored by Union County Clean Communities, Professor W.’s Earth Science Circus promises magic, juggling and exciting circus fun.  Members of the audience will be asked to assist Professor W. on a unique and lively exploration of “our earth.”   The program is recommended for children four and up.  Space is limited and tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 20 at the Visitor Service Desk.  No strollers please.  The fee is $5.00 per person and $4.00 for seniors. 

In addition to the matinee on February 20, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to meet “Curby,” Union County’s new, fun and interactive Recycling Robot from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. in Trailside’s lobby.  Curby is a fully animated robot that moves, speaks, listens and plays music!  Enjoy learning how you and your family can become more environmentally aware and help to prevent litter.

Trailside offers additional programming for this special holiday weekend. The Journey of Sap to Syrup meets 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18 or Monday, February 20.  Learn the process of how 100% real maple syrup is made from the sap of the sugar maple tree.   Find out what equipment is needed to collect sap and take a walk to see a tapped sugar maple tree.  Take part in a taste test to see if you can identify the real thing. 

Animal Clue Winter Walk and Campfire, is offered 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18 or Monday, February 20.  Have fun learning to identify birds and other animals at the Backyard Wildlife Habitat feeders.  Challenge your natural history skills on a winter walk in search of animal tracks, nibbled twigs and other signs that tell us our animal neighbors have visited.  Conclude your outdoor investigation around a warm campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Featured on Saturday, February 18 from 1:30 p.m.to 2:30 p.m. is a Kindling Kit workshop. Keeping warm by an open fire has a lot of appeal, but getting the blaze going can be tough.  Participants will learn how to start a fire blazing with tinder and kindling.  Work with your family to gather sticks, twigs, holly, evergreen sprigs and pine cones to create a kit that is both decorative and useful to get a fire started. 

The fee for each program, The Journey of Sap to Syrup, Animal Clue Winter Walk and Kindling Kits is $5/person for residents of Union County and $6/person for out-of-county residents.  For additional information about programs offered during February Festivities, winter workshops and special events, please call 908-789-3670. 

A new online registration system designed to make access to our Parks and Recreation services easy and convenient has been adopted.  Register for Trailside’s programs online at www.ucnj.org/trailside and create an account and password.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.