County of Union, New Jersey

 

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has been formally presented with the national 2016 eRecording All-Star Trailblazer Award, for demonstrating leadership in the use of electronic recording technology.

The competitive award is sponsored by the global business solutions company Corporation Service Company and was presented to Ms. Rajoppi by company representative and National Account Manager Joseph DeLuca at the County Courthouse last week.

“I’d like to thank Corporation Service Company for this honor,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “My office has consistently embraced new technology, to enhance the vital services we provide to thousands of residents and businesses each year.”

Corporation Service Company reviewed 1,200 eligible counties for the 2016 awards. Union County was one of only five counties selected in four different categories.

The Trailblazer award recognizes a recording office that has established itself as a state leader in promoting the use of eRecording.

In 2016 Ms. Rajoppi’s office electronically recorded 9,723 documents, far surpassing the total of 7,425 documents in 2015.

“The growth of eRecording in Union County also reflects the eagerness of our community to take advantage of new technology that offers convenience and 24/7 availability,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

In addition to becoming an early adopter of eRecording, Ms. Rajoppi was the second County Clerk in the country and the first in New Jersey to introduce a free mobile app for voter information, called Union County Votes.

Last fall Ms. Rajoppi also introduced a new website, unioncountyvotes.com, to help ensure that voters and election followers can access information quickly and conveniently.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

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Photo caption: Corporation Service Company National Account Manager Joseph DeLuca presents Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi the national “Trailblazer Award” for her leadership in the eRecording industry. The awards celebrate government recording offices nationwide for advancements in electronic recording, while honoring the work of clerks and recorders who have implemented and promoted the use of eRecording technology. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – A group of Union County Adopt-a-Park volunteers went far, far beyond the call of duty last weekend, when they came together in freezing cold weather to work on a new butterfly meadow in the County’s Watchung Reservation.

The large, half-acre site is located near the grounds of the Trailside Nature and Science Center, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

“Every year hundreds of volunteers work to improve wildlife habitats in our County parks, and this group certainly stands out for their willingness to get the job done even in the middle of a snow storm,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The wintery work was undertaken to ensure that the meadow enjoys a successful first season this year.

For some plants, seeds that are sown on frost-hardened ground and exposed to below-freezing weather are better able to germinate properly. When the ground warms up the seeds fall into cracks that form in the soil, which also helps the meadow get off to an early start.

After spreading the seeds, the volunteers put down a layer of hay to prevent birds from eating the seeds, and to reduce erosion.

“Pollinators play an invaluable role in the environment and in agriculture. The Freeholder Board is very proud that our Union County community is playing a part in creating and preserving our pollinator population, one meadow at a time,” said Bergen.

The new Watchung Reservation butterfly meadow will also become part of the educational programming at Trailside.

Other recent pollinator projects undertaken by Union County include a large meadow along the shores of the lake in Warinanco Park in Roselle, and provisions for pollinator-attracting plants in local community gardens that received grants from Chairman Bergen’s 2016 Community Garden Grants initiative.

The Trailside seeding is the latest step in a long term project organized by a local Girl Scout, Maeve Casey, who had previously worked on installing a butterfly garden at the entrance to the Trailside Nature and Science Center in 2014.

Ms. Casey enlisted fellow Girl Scouts to help begin the new project last fall, when they planted more than 400 milkweed seedlings with County personnel and other volunteers. The Mountainside Fire Department also provided key assistance by trucking water to the site. The seedlings were provided by Monsanto through a grant obtained by Ms. Casey.

Last weekend’s volunteer group included Ms. Casey and family members along with Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail volunteers.

The seeds were purchased from Toadshade Wildflower Farm of Frenchtown with funds donated by the Trailside Museum Association, which provides volunteer and financial support for Trailside and its environs. Bartell Farm & Garden Supplies of Clark donated some of the hay.

Donations of additional hay are welcome by calling the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, 908-789-3683 (hay must be salt hay or clean straw to avoid weed seeds).

Individuals and groups are welcome to join Union County’s Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail volunteer groups for additional work on the new meadow this spring, and other nature conservation projects throughout the year.

To sign up, contact the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-789-3683 or visit online at ucnj.org/adopt-a-park.

For more information about Union County environmental programs and volunteer opportunities 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.

Freeholders Carter, Kowalski and Granados Begin New Terms

UNION COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ELIZABETH—Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen has been selected as Chairman of the Board for the second year in a row and announced a series of initiatives for 2017, entitled “Connecting our Community”  that includes new announcements for  youth, seniors, veterans, social services, parks, the environment and the arts. 

Bergen, a lifelong native of Union County who is a resident of Springfield, announced his initiatives at the 160th annual reorganization meeting held in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth on Sunday.  

Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Sergio Granados, were sworn in to new terms. Freeholder Granados was appointed as Freeholder Vice Chairman for the second year in a row. Freeholders also voted to fill numerous positions on County advisory boards and to adopt the Board’s 2017 schedule and procedural rules.

In announcing his “Connecting our Community” initiatives, Bergen noted that while “there has been improvement, these continue to be challenging times” for many in Union County.

Bergen added that the Board would continue to deliver “the services our residents want and deserve in a fiscally prudent manner,” despite pressure from the State to pay for mandated services without adequate funding.

Bergen also added Union County is now entering “uncharted territory” as well at the Federal level with many critical government services across the board facing an uncertain future with new national leadership.

“Here in Union County, we are prepared to stand for our core governing values and to protect the most vulnerable among us, as well as all those who could be impacted in an unfair manner,” Bergen said.  “Union County’s residents—and our immigrants—have the right to be treated with the dignity and respect that all citizens of the planet deserve, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.”

With this in mind, Bergen announced his “Connecting our Community” initiatives for 2017:

• UC LEAP: Learning, Employment and Arts Programs (for youth):
• In the centerpiece program, the County will partner with the Simon Youth Foundation, the Union County Vo-Tech,  the Workforce Development Board and the State Department of Labor to create an Alternative High School for at-risk-youth that will open at the Mills at Jersey Gardens this year. 
• In Summit, the County will partner with Overlook Hospital to co-sponsor the Project Search program, which provides employment and training for youth with disabilities. The hospital is one of only four employers state-wide that was selected to host this program. 
• In Scotch Plains, the Union County Vocational Technical Schools will offer programs designed to train students for the arts, and high-paying legal and technology careers.  This includes the new full time Academy for Law and Justice, opening in September; a Hack-A-thon event, which is a twenty-four hour computer science and engineering competition open to all students of high school age; and a student play at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) in Rahway.
• The Freeholder Board will once again sponsor the American Theater Group’s second Annual Group Drama Festival at the Hamilton Stage in April, and the third annual Union County Advancing Community Theatre (UCACT) program at UC PAC.  Through UCACT, the Freeholder Board sponsors local theatrical groups to bring their productions to the big stage at UCPAC in Rahway.

UC MEANS GREEN II:

• The Freeholders will offer increased funding for another round of grants for local governments, community organizations and non-profits serving hundreds of residents, through the UC Community Gardens grant program which was so successful last year.
• The Department of Public Works will “turn a new leaf” with its composting operations at the Houdaille Quarry, while providing a much needed service to the County’s municipalities.  The leaf and grass collected countywide will be sold as high-end compost to private companies, producing as much as $500,000 a year in revenues.

UCHERO II:

• The Board will partner with local veterans groups, including Operation Rebound and the New Jersey Vets Commission in efforts to strengthen the mental and physical well-being of veterans. 
• The County will establish the first Veterans Success Center, through the Department of Economic Development. Relying on existing resources, the Center will assist veterans with job placement and training, career advisement, and referrals to health resources. 
• The Parks Department will work to refurbish and re-dedicate the existing veterans Memorial Grove in Rahway Park. The Parks Department will replace missing trees, create a new online map, refurbish the area around the memorial marker, and re-dedicate this historic tree grove and marker.

The “Continuum of Care”—a series of social service announcements for 2017:

• The County will fund beds for a minimum of 25 additional residents who require heroin or other opioid addiction treatment in 2017. The treatment will include up to seven days of DeTox treatment, and up to 28 days of inpatient rehabilitation, per person. 
• The Human Services Department will work to create the Union County Nonprofit Consortium Leadership Development program, and fund of a series of management leadership trainings, geared toward top nonprofit management staff.
• The County will explore of the creation of an Office on Volunteer Services.
• The County will continue the “Senior Focus” and “Seniors in Motion” programs. “Senior Focus” funding is being used for equipment for or repairs and rehabilitation of senior center facilities.  The vans awarded by the County to the municipalities for the transport of seniors in the “Seniors in Motion” program have begun to roll out, and will be continuing throughout the year.

PUBLIC SAFETY:

• The county will be purchasing a Fire Fighting Water Tanker that will bring 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water to a scene for municipal fire fighters, providing an effective means to suppress an active fire in remote areas.
• In an effort to keep first responders in constant communication during a crisis, the County will  expand  upon last year’s “Mutual Aide Radio project,” and assist the 17 agencies who use the Union County Dispatch service with compatible radios to ease communication.
• The Bureau of GIS is working with the UC Prosecutor’s Office to develop an online Crisis Mitigation Plan including the introduction of a Homeland Security program to scan floor plans of key public facilities into the County GIS, to speed emergency response. 

Working with local law enforcement, floor plans for the County’s 230 public and private schools have been added.  The County plans on extending this program to capture as many important public facilities as possible.

Other announcements included:

• A second annual performance by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra— this time at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, with a re-enactment battle of Short Hills which occurred 240 years ago;
• The County will roll out historic signage marking the Crossroads of the Revolution National Heritage Area at revolutionary era sites to raise the public’s awareness of history;
• The County will host the first-ever Family Pride CommUNITY Picnic event at Rahway Park in the summer, celebrating marriage equality;
• Updates throughout the Parks system: developing a new spray park for Wheeler Park in Linden; a new multi-use Astroturf field for Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield; and the opening of the new skating facility at Warinanco Park. The public will also be able to access programs and online tickets to popular parks events including the Pumpkin Sail and Harvest Fest.

Bergen, in closing, thanked all for their support.

“Finally, though it sounds like a cliché, I honestly am humbled and honored by the support of my Freeholder colleagues,” Bergen said.  “I look forward to continuing to work with all of them in the coming year to build on the progress this Board has made over many years, moving Union County forward for all of our residents.  I also want to acknowledge and thank our County Manager, our department heads and the 2,500 or so county employees who work hard every day on behalf of our residents.”

Union County Police today discovered the body of a 52-year-old Cranford man in the shallow waters of the Rahway River off South and Centennial Avenues around 9 a.m. this morning.

The man has been identified as Joseph Dugandzic, 52, of Cranford. Mr., Dugandzic is a popular teacher in the township’s high school and has been described as an active member of the community. An investigation is ongoing into the cause of death. The County Police were assisted by Cranford Police and Fire Departments.

The family of Mr. Dugandzic released the following statement:

“With heartfelt sadness, we announce the untimely passing of our beloved family member, husband, father, teacher, coach, and friend Joseph Dugandzic. Whether you were touched by Joe as a student at Cranford High School, on one of his many youth sports teams, at a charitable event, or as a friend, our community celebrates Joe’s legacy. Everyone has graciously asked our family what they can do during this time. As Joe frequently said, ‘the best thing we can do for our kids is give them the gift of our time.’ While there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support and love from the community, our family respectfully requests privacy at this time.”

 

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reports that revenues for transactions recorded by her office totaled more than $40 million in 2016, the highest since the global financial crash of 2008.

“The robust level of activity in 2016 is further evidence that the Union County economy is on a strong footing,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Under the New Jersey Constitution, the office of the County Clerk is responsible for recording deeds, mortgages and all documents related to land transactions.

“The global financial crisis had an immediate effect on real estate activity in Union County,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “County Clerk revenues dropped from approximately $48 million in 2006 to $45 million in 2007, and then down to $38 million in 2008. Revenues hovered in the $23 million range for the next three years before beginning to pick up in 2011.”

Final revenue figures for 2016 totaled $40,443,756. The Recording Division yielded $39,800,756 in transactions. The Business Division revenue totaled $642,452.

“Even with the increased activity, my office ensures that all documents are recorded on the same day,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Our staff is experienced, professional and dedicated to excellence.”

Ms. Rajoppi’s office provides an online recording service in addition to accepting submissions in person, or via courier service including USPS, UPS, FedEx and NJLS.

“E-recording is by far the most convenient method because it is available 24/7 from any location with an Internet connection,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “We encourage our clients to use e-recording, but our one-day turnaround commitment also applies to walk-ins and mail.”

By law, the majority of County Clerk revenues are remitted to the State of New Jersey. In 2016, Union County retained $8,724, 042 of the total and remitted $32,503,298.

In addition, Union County retained $216,416 for the Union County Homeless Trust Fund.

Established in 2010 under a State law, the Trust Fund is financed with a $3.00 fee on each transaction handled by the County Clerk.

“I’m proud to say that Union County was among the first counties in New Jersey to establish a Homeless Trust Fund,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The funds have made a great deal of difference in the lives of Union County residents who struggle with housing issues.”

To date, the Homeless Trust Fund has collected $973,546. The funds go to homelessness prevention services as well as affordable housing and rental assistance vouchers.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Freeholders encourages residents to attend two informational meetings in Cranford and Rahway hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Rahway River Flood Risk Management Study.

The meetings are part of a 45-day public comment period for the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (DIFR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rahway River Flood Risk Management Study, from December 9, 2016 to January 23, 2017.

“The Freeholder Board strongly supports this flood control project, which has been many years in development,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “These two meetings provide an excellent opportunity to stay informed about this significant addition to our regional infrastructure.”

“Our colleagues on the Freeholder Board, our local officials on the Mayors Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control, and our state and federal legislators are to be commended for working diligently to ensure that the planning process keeps moving forward,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “I encourage members of the public to register their views by attending the upcoming meetings, and by submitting comments online before the January 23 deadline.”

Residents may attend either or both of the two meetings, at the following locations:

Wednesday, January 11, Roy Smith Theater at the Union County College Cranford Campus, 1033 Springfield Avenue.

Thursday, January 12, Rahway Public Library, 2 City Hall Plaza.

Both meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. and conclude at 9:00. They will include formal presentations and information exchange sessions.

The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and EIS, and instructions for submitting comments are available online from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at nan.usace.army.mil/Rahway.

General questions regarding the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study can be directed to Ms. Rifat Salim, Project Manager, Rifat.Salim@usace.army.mil, 917-790-8215.

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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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Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza.

Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series explores the wonders of science in the dynamic and uniquely funny live performance of Bubble Trouble on stage 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. “Bring the entire family to experience this uniquely interactive sensory-friendly performance where the audience participates in the creation of art.”

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 is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Mary Kooi of Summit in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “County Clare to Cuenca” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through March 31. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Ms. Kooi’s beautiful landscape paintings.”

Mary is originally from the Chicago area, and transplanted to Summit in 2000.  She works in textile and furniture as an outside sales representative at Thibaut/Duralee in the D&D building in NYC servicing the interior design community.

Mary has been a student of art most of her life, minoring in Art at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana, and earning a BFA in Textiles from the Art Institute of Chicago.  Mary continues her studies under the instruction of Valeri Larko at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit.  Mary has had the opportunity to travel to Monhegan Island, Maine, Maryland, the Cape, Delaware, Ireland, Italy and Spain with fellow artists to find inspiration for canvases like those displayed in this exhibit.

Mary’s painting reflects her love of light and color, particularly as reflected in outdoor scenes. Her work has been exhibited extensively in one-woman and group shows including: the Papermill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ; Edward Hopper House, Member’s Show, Nyack, NY; the Springfield, New Providence, Summit and Bernardsville Libraries; Visual Art Center of NJ, Summit; and other venues.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Union County Government will hold its annual reorganization at the County Courthouse on Sunday, January 8th, which begins at 12 p.m.

Those scheduled to be sworn into new terms include: Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Sergio Granados. Freeholder Bruce Bergen is expected to be appointed Chairman for a second-straight year, and Freeholder Granados is expected to be appointed, also for a second-straight year, as Vice Chairman.

Freeholders will also vote to fill numerous positions on county advisory boards and to adopt the board’s 2017 schedule and more.

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Union County, NJ – Union County residents who are looking for ways to go green in 2017 now have a handy online tool to help out: the new Union County Green Connection. The Green Connection provides quick links to Union County programs related to environmental conservation, including volunteer opportunities, recycling events, educational programs, alternative transportation and much more.

The Green Connection is available on the Union County website at ucnj.org/green-connection.

“The Green Connection is a colorful, user-friendly experience that can be enjoyed by all ages,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you are looking for ways to make a difference in your community, exploring the Green Connection is a good way to start.”

The Green Connection is part of Chairman Bergen’s “Union County Means Green” initiatives for 2016, which also included a seminar for local businesses, a series of recycling programs for elementary school students, and a Community Garden Grants program that provided matching funds for 19 gardens in 10 municipalities.

In addition to services run by Union County offices, the Green Connection provides links to municipal websites and local organizations that offer programs related to sustainability and the environment.

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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.