County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the 2024 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is now on display at the Linden Public Library. This year’s exhibit is a selection of 21 works selected from the 2024 Union County Teen Arts Festival, an annual two-day event celebrating creativity in the literary, performing and visual arts held at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.

“The Teen Arts Festival provides a platform for teenagers in Union County to showcase their artistic talents,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This annual tradition of taking selected works on tour not only celebrates their creativity but also inspires younger artists to pursue their passions and gain confidence in their abilities.”

The Union County Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is currently on display at its first stop – the Linden Public Library, located at 31 East Henry Street, Linden, NJ 07036. Additional locations of the tour, which will travel through early 2025, include the Union County Commissioners Gallery in Elizabeth, as well as public libraries in Cranford, Roselle, Elizabeth & Plainfield. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The 2024 Teen Arts Tour includes the following exhibiting students:

Berkeley Heights

Governor Livingston High School
Sophia Castrovinci

Cranford

Cranford High School
Madison Cardona

Lincoln School CAP Program
Anthony Scherer

Elizabeth

Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy
Valentina Ocampo

Elizabeth High School at Frank J. Cicarell Academy
Angelina Correia

JVJ STEM Academy
Andy Medina

J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy
Maria Galarza

John E. Dwyer Technology Academy
David Mateo Garavito Ariea

Thomas Edison Career & Technical Academy
Halley Lowe Cabreja and Vanessa Ponce

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
Keziah Hanson

Kenilworth

David Brearley High School
Laura Limon

Linden

Linden High School
Lenara Osborn

New Providence

New Providence High School
Ava Cominsky

Plainfield

Plainfield Academy of Arts
Emanuel Perry

Roselle

Abraham Clark High School
Trinity Moore and Carla Torres

Roselle Park

Roselle Park High School
Anna da Silva and Emma Lantiqua

Scotch Plains

Union County Academy of the Performing Arts
Maria Thomas

Union County Vo-Tech High School
Anthony Granados

The Union County Teen Arts Festival & Touring Exhibit is coordinated each year by the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs and Department of Parks & Recreation to highlight the exceptional artistic talent of Union County teens. For information about all Cultural & Heritage Affairs programs and services, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay service users should call 711 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners has partnered with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Township of Cranford to organize a special clean-up event focused on preserving the vegetation at Nomahegan Park, located at 955 Springfield Avenue in Cranford. Cranford residents and friends are welcome to participate at this event on Saturday, July 13th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

“It is through the tireless efforts of our residents, local volunteers, and partners that we are able to successfully uphold the cleanliness, safety, and beauty of our County parks, including our treasured Nomahegan Park,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “We are grateful for the community’s support in preserving the cleanliness of our environment for the enjoyment of not only our children, but future generations. I hope to see you there.”

Participants are asked to meet at the gazebo near the park’s entrance and are welcome to join the clean-up at or after 9:00 a.m. Organizers will provide attendees with free gloves, water, and garbage bags. An ice cream truck will be stationed at the event to reward the volunteers.

The Nomahegan Park clean-up event was organized by a dedicated student from Cranford High School, Caroline Cleaveland, in partnership with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Township of Cranford. The event aims to preserve vegetation and educate residents and children on how to protect and conserve nature.

For more information on the Nomahegan Park clean-up event or any event in the Union County Parks System, please call our Parks and Recreation office at 908-527-4900 or visit our website at www.ucnj.org/parks.   

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that sample ballots for the Special Primary Election are set to be mailed tomorrow, June 28^th,, to voters in the 10^th Congressional District. New Jersey’s 10^th Congressional District includes Cranford, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden (part), Roselle, Roselle Park, and Union Township.

“The mailing of sample ballots marks the beginning of an important process, ensuring every eligible voter has the opportunity to become informed about the election,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi.

The Special Election, being held on July 16^th, is to nominate an individual to replace the late Congressman Donald Payne Jr. The elected nominee will run in a special general election in September.

For more information on voting in Union County elections, please visit www.unioncountyvotes.com or call 908-527-4996.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Controlwill be spraying for Adult mosquitoes Thursday Evening, June 27, 2024, between the hours of  6:00PM to 11:00PM (Weather Permitting). Check below for a list of areas to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.

Berkeley Hts. – Grant St., Garfield St., Mt. Carmel Area, Nancy Pl., Camptown Dr., Kuntz Ave., Industrial Rd., River Rd. Area behind little flower church,

Clark – Cook St., Nassau St., Prospect St. Area

Elizabeth – Essex/Union Joint Meeting, Front St.,

Fanwood – Oat Ct., Elm Ave., Patterson Rd.

Hillside – Cornell Pl., Harvard Ave. Area

Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Area, Lafayette Ave., 

Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Range Rd., Bradford Ave., Lexington Ave., Marion Ave., Cleveland Ave.

Mountainside – Skytop Dr., Coles Ave., Tracy Dr., New Providence Rd.

New Providence – Gales Dr., 5^th St., Bradford St., 4^th St., 2^nd St., Livingston Ave., Marion Ave.

Plainfield – Arlington Ave., Rose St.,

Rahway – Elston St., Randolph Ave., Egolf Dr., Linden Ave., Donald Ave. Area, W. Hazelwood Ave., Jaques Ave.

Scotch Plains – Karen Ct., Frank St., South Ave., North Ave., Hetfield Ave., UC DPW yard

Springfield – Marion Ave., Warner Ave.

Summit – Kent Pl. (Summit Recycling Center)

Union – Hickory Rd., Liberty Ave., Locust Dr., Pinewood Rd., Rahway Rd., Brighton St., Gifford Ct.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to invite seniors and their caregivers to visit their local ‘ASK’ services kiosk this July. These services provide an opportunity for attendees to meet with experienced professionals who can offer expert guidance on senior programs and resources and help with form completion. Bilingual staff will be available at several events to offer support in Spanish.

“As the summer weather intensifies, it’s important for us to check in with our older adult community members to ensure they have access to nutritious meals, home care, transportation, or anything else they may need,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Our Aging Services Kiosk is a free resource that Union County offers to support our senior community year-round. I encourage seniors and caregivers who have not yet done so, to visit one of our ASK kiosks in July for a free and informative consultation.”

ASK, short for Aging Services Kiosk, is a program within the Union County Department of Human Services, specifically operated by the Division on Aging. It offers adults aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, a friendly and convenient avenue to discover valuable programs and services and speak individually with a Division on Aging professional.

Staff at the ASK kiosks can help older adults and caregivers connect with various services including home-delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or caregiver can visit any ASK kiosk, regardless of their hometown.  No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Below are the upcoming ASK events in July:

Tuesday, July 9^th 

(Bilingual staff is available)

Westfield Memorial Library

550 East Broad Street, Westfield

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tuesday, July 16^th

(Bilingual staff is available)

Elizabeth Main Public Library

11 South Broad Street, Elizabeth

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Thursday, July 18^th

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue, Clark

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, July 24^th

(Bilingual staff is available)

Union Public Library

1060 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Wednesday, July 31^st

(Bilingual staff is available)

Cranford Public Library

224 Walnut Avenue, Cranford

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

“We are incredibly thankful for our collaboration with the Division on Aging in this initiative,” said Vice-Chairwoman and Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging, Lourdes Leon. “Together, we will continue to provide essential support to our elderly community through our ASK kiosks, assisting seniors in moving confidently and with dignity,” said Vice-Chairwoman and Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging, Lourdes Leon.

For more information about the ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County, contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-888-280-8226 toll-free or visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all residents to bring old or unwanted metal goods to Union County’s next free scrap metal recycling drop-off date in July. A wide variety of metal items, from unwanted pots and pans to household appliances to unwanted lawnmowers (as long as the fluids are drained), to metal fencing and more, are accepted at two countywide collection sites in Cranford and Rahway, twice a month, from April to November.

“Recycling unwanted scrap metal is a great way to tidy up our homes and yards while conserving resources and protecting the environment from potentially hazardous materials entering our ecosystem,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “The drop-off sites are designed to be simple and convenient for your use. I urge the entire Union County community to take a moment to inspect for any unwanted scrap metals in their homes and visit the nearest drop-off site this July.”

The next scrap metal drop-off will be accepted on Saturday, July 20^th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at two drop-off centers:

• Cranford:  Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive, Rahway off St. Georges Avenue to service yard across from swimming pool)

Please note that due to the Independence Day holiday, there will only be one scrap metal event in July. Customarily, these events occur on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month from April to November.

Scrap metal from residents in any Union County municipality may be brought to either of these sites. Scrap metal events will continue in August also.  The dates for the August events will be August 1^st and August 17^th.  To receive schedule alerts, and to stay up to date with Union County and local recycling programs, residents are invited to download the free Recycle Coach mobile app.

At scrap metal events, residents must remain in their vehicles at all times.  Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed and be easily accessible to staff to remove from vehicle.

Acceptable items for recycling include air conditioners, aluminum scrap, aluminum siding, bicycles, brass, copper, dishwashers, electric fans, fencing (chain/wire), freezers, gutters, irons, lawn furniture, metal cabinets, metal sheds, microwaves, pots and pans, railings, refrigerators, stoves, tire rims, toasters, washers and dryers, window frames (no glass), and wire hangers.

For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.