County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is seeing a record increase in property transactions and revenues this year, reflecting continued improvement in the Union County economy and the housing market. The County Clerk’s Office is one of a handful of county offices that generates significant revenue, and the County portion of the revenues generated is dedicated to offset the county tax rate. Additionally, thanks to a change in state law several years ago, the increased revenue will also result in more funding for homeless services in Union County.

“The financial crisis of 2008 decimated the housing market, with a consequent drop in our revenues from transaction fees. Now that the crisis is behind us, the activity in our Recording Division reflects a much brighter outlook for the Union County,” said Rajoppi.

County Clerk and Recorder offices in all 21 New Jersey counties are mandated to record property transactions, and to collect fees for each transaction. A 2009 state law permits a surcharge of $3.00 per transaction to be set aside in a Homeless Trust Fund for each county.

“While we are still not back to our pre-crash levels, this year marks a significant turning point based on a comparison of the first five months of activity,” said Rajoppi.

Rajoppi’s Recording Division collected revenues of more than $15.4 million from January through May 2008, the year of the stock market crash. Collections for that five-month period sank to a low of $7.5 million in 2009 and never recovered to their previous high.

From January through May 2015, the Recording Division collected $13.2 million, beating the next-highest mark of $11.3 million in 2012, and far surpassing the 2014 total of $8.4 million.

The Business Division, which primarily handles passport and notary transactions, also reflects an improved economy. Its 2015 January – May revenues totaled $270,606. That already beats the Division’s 2008 high of $263,616 for the same period, as well as its next-highest mark of $226,236 in 2014.

“While a strong housing market is great news for property owners, many Union County households continue to struggle, including seniors and families with small children,” said Rajoppi. “My office worked with the Freeholder Board to ensure that Union County could participate in the Homeless Trust Fund program, and the result is that we have additional funding to help those in need.”

Rajoppi’s office began collecting Trust Fund surcharges in May 2010. As of May 2015, over $730,000 has been collected.

“As one of the very few county-based agencies which generate significant revenues, the Clerk’s office is in a unique position to assist with critical public service programs. When state law enabled the creation of the Homeless Trust Fund, we could not pass up this opportunity to help those in need,” said Rajoppi.

Programs approved for funding through the Trust Fund include rental vouchers designed to help at-risk families weather a temporary financial crisis without losing their homes. Funding also goes to support services to prevent homelessness, and to help homeless families obtain a home.

“While the total amount collected is relatively modest, the Trust Fund goes a long way toward ensuring that every child in Union County has the chance to grow up in a safe, healthy environment,” said Rajoppi. “I’m very proud that my office can play a role in that endeavor.”

For information on all County Clerk programs and services visit ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Warinanco track and field, Oak Ridge archery range to close during the competition.

Union County, NJ  –  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and visitors that the National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) are coming to three county parks, from July 16 to July 24.

“We are thrilled to welcome visitors and athletes from all over the country to our Union County parks,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board has worked to enhance our public recreation resources and provide a more welcoming environment for all, and it is wonderful to see these efforts bear fruit in a way that will help so many young people showcase their abilities on a national stage.”

Union County residents and visitors are encouraged to attend the events and cheer for top young athletes from all across the country. To ensure the safety of the competitors and the general public, the following facilities are reserved for use by NJDC participants for the duration of the event:

• The Warinanco Park track and field will be closed to the general public all day July 16-17 and 21-24.
• The Oak Ridge Park archery range will be closed all day from 3:00 p.m. on July 18 through Monday July 20.

The NJDC will include a swimming event, but no special closure for this facility is needed. It will take place at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway River Park, during hours when the pool is normally not in use by the public.

The 2015 National Junior Disability Championships™ (NJDC)^TM is presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Children’s Specialized Hospital and the NJDC2015NJ Local Organizing Committee. The annual competition celebrates athletes who have physical disabilities and either use wheelchairs, walkers or crutches, who wear orthotics or leg braces, or who may have difficulties with physical coordination.

The 2015 NJDC event will feature over 250 physically disabled athletes from across the country, including athletes from two New Jersey teams, the Children’s Lightning Wheels and the North Jersey Navigators.

The qualifying athletes, ranging in age from 7 to 22, will compete in Paralympic style events including track, field, pentathlon, swimming, powerlifting and archery.

For more information about the 2015 NJDC, including the games event schedule, sponsorship opportunities, and information on volunteering, visit NJDC2015NJ.com or email info@NJDC2015NJ.com.  

The County will be closing the Irving Street Bridge in Rahway (over the Robinson Branch of the Rahway River) for repairs from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays, beginning Wednesday July 15^th, and lasting approximately two weeks. 

We are still accepting submissions for artwork for the countywide public art project Art Outside The Box sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Artwork will be applied to the exterior of select Traffic Control Boxes (TCB) around the County. Be part of this exciting initiative! Submit your art today to be considered. For details, and to submit your artwork online, visit https://ucnj.org/artoutsidethebox/

Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for adult mosquitoes tonight between 7:30pm and 11:30pm. The spraying will be predicated on the weather conditions; rain and high winds will cancel the operation. The areas to be sprayed are as follows:

• Berkeley Hts.– Shadow La., Bolton St., Mt Carmel area, DPW yard area
• Clark–   Conger Way,  Frances Dr., St. Agnes church rear lot, Colonial Dr., Bartell Pl., King Street
• Cranford– Mohawk Dr.,  South Union Ave., Birchwood Ave., Cranford Ave.
• Elizabeth– Clarkson Ave.,
• Fanwood– Fanwood Place
• Garwood– Hickory Ave.
• Hillside– Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., Aldine St., Westminster area
• Kenilworth– Dorsett Dr., Water Co. Rd.
• Linden– Tremeley Pt., Bradford Ave., Marion Ave., Lexington Ave.,
• New Providence– Gales Dr., Grove St.
• Plainfield- Reeves Terrace, Wiley Ave., Knollwood Ct.,  Terrill Rd., Cushing Rd.
• Rahway– Leesville Ave., Main St., Central Ave., Church St., New Church St., River Rd. (Walking Path), Whittier St., Elizabeth Ave., Donald Ave., West Scott Ave.
• Roselle– Chestnut St., Franklin St., West Brook Woods Condos
• Roselle Park– Chestnut St., Galloping Hill Rd.
• Springfield– Diven St., Layng Terr., Marion Ave.
• Summit– Stockton St., Ascot Way, Kent Place
• Union– Sinclair Ave., Elaine Terrace, Rahway Ave, Brighton St., Gifford Ct.
• Westfield– Euclid Ave
• Municipal Parks
  • Clark: Bartell Pk
  • Westfield: Tamaques Park, Mindowaskin Park
  • Linden: Memorial Park
• County Parks– Cranford: County Park Dr
  • Elizabeth: Mattano Pk., Warinanco Pk.
  • Garwood: Unami Pk.
  • Clark: Union County Parkway (Valley Rd Side), Oak Ridge Park
  • Plainfield: Milt Campbell Park
  • Rahway: Rahway Park

 

Union County, NJ – If you can take a series of guided visits to nearby nature preserves, then you have what it takes to join the Master Tree Stewards of Union County. Members of this all-volunteer organization spend the fall season learning about the critical role that trees play in our environment, and each spring they share their knowledge with hundreds of fourth grade students throughout the County.

“Urban and suburban trees are proven to provide many benefits. They reduce airborne pollutants, prevent storm runoff, and help keep neighborhoods cool in the summer,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that gets you in touch with nature and children while helping to improve our Union County environment, the Master Tree Stewards is the place for you.”

Studies have also linked urban trees to improved public health and safety as well as economic growth.

The Master Tree Stewards is a free program run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, and supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The Extension offices are located in the Colleen Frasier County Services building in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

No previous experience with trees or teaching is necessary.

To become a certified Master Tree Steward, prospective members partake in a series of guided visits to nature preserves starting in September. They learn how to communicate with children about the role that trees play in the environment, and how to plant and care for trees.

After completing the training program, the newly minted Master Tree Stewards receive a teaching kit and supplies, and they visit fourth grade classrooms to present fun-and-games lessons about trees.

Master Tree Stewards can also engage in other tree-related community service projects throughout the year.

To receive an application and more details, contact Extension Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or nichnadowicz@ucnj.org. Don’t delay – training starts on September 9.

For more information about the Master Tree Stewards, 4-H Clubs, and other Extension programs for all ages, visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

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Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen presents a resolution to Aaron and Laura Cohen of Garwood recognizing them for their dedication and hard work in raising funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and congratulating them on being named the Walk MS 2015 Ambassadors by the New Jersey Metro Chapter. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Laura and Aaron, who has been living with MS for many years, and their dedicated team have raised $633,000 over 15 years for the National MS Society through Walk MS. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union

to r. Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, liaison to the Workforce Investment Board, Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, also a liaison to the Workforce Investment Board, join with Whole Foods Market executives,  Rahana Gittens, Executive Director of Team Member Services for Whole Foods Market, and Scott Skonieczny, Associate Director, Team Member Services, Whole Foods Market, in welcoming a group of applicants for the new Whole Foods Market scheduled to open in Clark later this Summer.

The photo was taken at Union County’s Workforce Innovation Center at the Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth.  The Workforce Innovation Center is funded in part through the County of Union.

As part of his initiatives for 2015, Chairman Jalloh announced an expansion of the Workforce Innovation Center to provide jobs and placements, programs assisting entrepreneurs, small business owners and more. Whole Foods has committed to hiring for 150-200 positions at its store in Clark, and other regional markets it has.

(Photo by James Lowney, Office of Public Information)