County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to the annual Union County Portuguese Flag Raising Ceremony in commemoration of the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Communities. The event will take place on Thursday, May 30^th at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. The event is free for all to attend.

“As we join together to we raise the Portuguese flag, we celebrate the rich cultural heritage and the invaluable contributions of our Portuguese community,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Their hard work and dedication have been instrumental to the diversity and contributions to Union County, and we are honored to recognize and celebrate their enduring legacy.”

The event is being co-sponsored by the Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States (PALCUS). PALCUS is a national non-profit based in the Washington D.C. area with a defined mission to be the national voice that advocates for and promotes the advancement of the Portuguese-American community economically, professionally, culturally and politically.

“New Jersey is home to nearly 80,000 individuals of Portuguese descent, with approximately 20,000 residing in Union County,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados. “As a Commissioner of Portuguese descent, I take great pride in celebrating the significant contributions of this vibrant and industrious community to our county over the years. I am excited to once again raise the Portuguese flag over the County Seat and I look forward to seeing all of our residents and visitors there.”

The flag-raising will include a short speaking program with welcome remarks from Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, an invocation by Father Nuno Rocha from Our Lady of Fatima, and remarks by Commissioner Sergio Granados, Katherine Soares Chair, PALCUS  and Carla Rodrigues DaSilva, Conselheira das Comunidades Portuguesas de NJ. In closing, will be the singing of both National Anthems: “The Star Spangled Banner” as well as “A Portuguesa,” the national anthem of Portugal, sung by Soloist Elyana Barroqueiro of the Academy for Performing Arts in Scotch Plains.

“As the sole national organization representing Portuguese-Americans, PALCUS deeply values local initiatives that celebrate and promote Portuguese culture,” said Katherine S. Soares, Chair, Board of Directors, PALCUS. “We are honored to co-sponsor this annual flag raising once again, as it highlights the contributions and achievements of the Portuguese-American community in Union County. PALCUS wishes a Feliz Dia de Portugal to everyone!”

Stay tuned for more Portugal Day festivities around Union County with:

May 31^st at 7pm – the City of Elizabeth Flag Raising, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ

June 2^nd at 2:00 p.m. – The Elizabeth Portugal Day Parade, starting at Union Square on Elizabeth Avenue & ending at the Portuguese Instructive Social Club on Grove Street in Elizabeth. The parade will feature marching bands, folklore dancing groups & decorated floats.

June 10^th at 7pm –Portuguese American Civic Association (PACA) of Union Flag Raising, Town Hall, 1976 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ

Friday June 28^th from 6pm to 11pm & Saturday, June 29^th from 12pm to 11pm – PACA of Union – Dia de Portugal, located at 1034 Jeanette Avenue in Union

For more information, please contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator at (908) 527-4388 or via email at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is celebrating the successful banding of four recently hatched male peregrine chicks at Union County’s Courthouse Tower, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. These identification bands, along with web cameras installed on the courthouse roof, assist the County and its wildlife preservation partners in carefully tracking the behaviors, whereabouts, and habits of the peregrine falcons, with the hope of better understanding and preserving the species.

“We are delighted to welcome these beautiful new additions to Union County,” said Union County Chairwoman, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “We appreciate the privilege and responsibility of having this endangered species in the state of NJ living and breeding on our grounds.  We proudly continue our partnership with the NJ Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation in our shared commitment to preserving and protecting our precious wildlife.”

On May 20^th, Union County’s Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Vice-Chairwoman Lourdes Leon, and County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, along with personnel from the Trailside Nature and Science Center, judiciary staff, and wildlife preservation partners, NJ Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation, helped place identification bands on four recently-hatched peregrine chicks.

The baby peregrines received a health checkup and were promptly returned to their nest with their attentive parents, Mango and Frida. This adult pair have successfully raised 23 babies on top of the courthouse since 2019.  This brood of falcons will be officially of fledging age in early to mid-June.  

The population of peregrine falcons in the U.S. was severely reduced in the 20th century due to pollutants, including the pesticide DDT. They were added to the federal endangered species list in 1973. As a result of improvements in many parts of the country, the falcons were removed from the federal list in 1999. However, they continue to be an endangered species in New Jersey.  These falcons typically nest on rock cliff ledges; however, peregrine falcons have adapted to use tall buildings in cities such as the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

Union County participated in the restoration effort in 2006, when County personnel, under the guidance of state wildlife experts, affixed a nesting box to the Courthouse Tower roof.

Every year since then, a pair of peregrine falcons has laid eggs in the nesting box. Cameras were installed in 2016 to provide the 24/7 Falcon Cam livestream of the interior and exterior of the nest.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to support efforts to restore and preserve the population of peregrine falcons in our region. To learn more and see the falcons in action, visit Union County’s free “Falcon Cam” livestream at ucnj.org/falcon. 

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that vote by mail ballots are available in her offices in Elizabeth and Westfield for anyone seeking to obtain a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the 2024 Presidential Primary Election.

“I urge residents to exercise their right to vote in the Primary Election. This year, not only are there local races in many municipalities, but there are crucial races on the ballot, including those for U.S. President, US Senate and Congress positions, as well as Union County Commissioners,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Your vote is your voice, and it matters in shaping the future of our community and our nation.”

Voters who use the County Clerk’s One-Stop service can come to the Elizabeth or Westfield office, apply for their ballot, receive it, fill it out, and deposit it in a secure drop-box on site, all in the same visit. Privacy booths are located at the offices for voters to fill out their ballot.

The office locations and hours are:

Union County Courthouse

• Located at 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth
• Regular hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Open on Saturday, June 3, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm for Vote-by-Mail

Colleen Fraser Building

• Located at 300 North Avenue East (Union County services complex), Westfield
• Regular hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00am – 7:30pm; Saturday, 9:00am – 1:00pm

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that vote by mail ballots are available in her offices in Elizabeth and Westfield for anyone seeking to obtain a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the 2024 Presidential Primary Election.

“I urge residents to exercise their right to vote in the Primary Election. This year, not only are there local races in many municipalities, but there are crucial races on the ballot, including those for U.S. President, US Senate and Congress positions, as well as Union County Commissioners,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Your vote is your voice, and it matters in shaping the future of our community and our nation.”

Voters who use the County Clerk’s One-Stop service can come to the Elizabeth or Westfield office, apply for their ballot, receive it, fill it out, and deposit it in a secure drop-box on site, all in the same visit. Privacy booths are located at the offices for voters to fill out their ballot.

The office locations and hours are:

Union County Courthouse

• Located at 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth
• Regular hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Open on Saturday, June 3, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm for Vote-by-Mail

Colleen Fraser Building

• Located at 300 North Avenue East (Union County Services Complex), Westfield
• Regular hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00am – 7:30pm; Saturday, 9:00am – 1:00pm

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

Who: Union County Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded & the Union County Board of County Commissioners
Senate President Nicholas Scutari
Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter, District 22
Wanda Green and Family

What: Designation of Jerry Green Memorial Highway

The State of New Jersey has enacted legislation to designate a portion of State Highway Route 27 in Union County as the “Jerry Green Memorial Highway” to honor the late Assemblyman Jerry Green for his extensive public service and contributions to the state. Born in Roselle, NJ, Green dedicated his life to serving his community and the state. He held various public offices in Union County, including positions on the Union County Planning Board, Union County Utilities Authority, and Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Green was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1991, where he served until his death in 2018, making him the longest-serving member of the Assembly at that time. He passed away on April 18, 2018, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service.

When: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
11:00 a.m.

Where: Near the entrance of Warinanco Park
Intersection of Park Avenue and St. Georges Avenue
Linden, NJ

Contact: Kelly Martins, 908-527-4419
Director, Office of Communications & Public Information

The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite all middle and high schools to participate in the 2024 Fairy House Art Contest. This contest is part of Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded’s 2024 “Growing Together in Union County” initiatives. This unique contest invites students from 6th to 12th grade throughout Union County to design and create magical fairy houses, with a special prize awarded to the winning entry.

“This initiative supports our goal of growing together as a community, bringing creativity and ingenuity to our parks,” said Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “The Fairy House contest not only challenges students to use their imagination, but also promotes environmental consciousness by requiring the use of natural materials. Union County residents of all ages can enjoy these displays of originality.”

Participating schools are asked to submit one fairy house, which will be evaluated by a panel of professional judges and displayed in one of Union County’s parks. Fairy houses must be constructed from all-natural, biodegradable materials. Acceptable items include small stones, pebbles, acorns, dried reeds, grasses, small sticks, twigs, seashells, dried flowers, pine cones, small tree cookies, dried moss, native vines, and tree bark. If paint is used, it must be eco-friendly and biodegradable. No plastic, glitter, metals, or other non-natural materials are allowed.

The progression of the project must be submitted through the following link provided in the application: https://ucnj.org/fairy-house-updates/. Participating students must also fill out and sign a media release. Most importantly, students are asked to use their imagination! Schools must submit their registration by Friday, May 31, 2024, no later than 5:00pm. The project must be completed by Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Details on how the project will be picked up will be announced closer to the project deadline.

For more information on how to register and participate, please visit https://ucnj.org/fairy-trail-application. For information on the services provided by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, please visit https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/.

The Union County Board of Commissioners is happy to inform residents that the next free Household Hazardous Waste event of the 2024 season will be held on Sunday, June 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the UCNJ- Union College of Union County NJ, which is located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford. The event will take place in the parking lots 5A and 5B on campus. The event will be held in conjunction with Union County’s “Beyond the Bin” recycling event, which will also be held at the same site. There will be ample signage onsite to guide residents to the proper location of each event on location.

“Union County’s Household Hazardous Waste events provide a free, convenient opportunity for residents to remove unwanted chemicals and other potentially hazardous items from their homes and yards, and dispose of them safely,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “It is a great way to make a real difference and help keep harmful substances out of the environment. By participating, you are not just safeguarding your own household but also contributing to the well-being of our entire community and ecosystem.”

Any Union County resident may participate, regardless of their home town. The Household Hazardous Waste events provide Union County residents with a free, environmentally safe way to dispose of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, and many other items such as oil-based paint (no latex paint) and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), mercury switches, and more. The Union County Police Department will also be onsite to handle the proper disposal of fireworks and ammunition that residents may have.

Union County’s Household Hazardous Waste events are contact-free. Participants must remain in their vehicles while personnel at the site unload their waste items. Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

Tires are also accepted at these events. There is a limit of eight automobile (car) without rims, bicycle, or motorcycle tires, per household.

For a list of the materials that will be accepted on June 2nd, please go to https://ucnj.org/recycling/household-special-waste. For information regarding other Union County recycling programs, please visit https://ucnj.org/recycling/.

Please note that latex paint (water-based) wall paint is NOT accepted at the household hazardous waste events. Residents wishing to dispose of latex paint are advised to use it, donate it, or dry the paint in the can and discard it in regular household garbage with the lid off. To help dry out paint, add kitty litter, newspaper or a product called waste paint hardener (which can be purchased at home improvement or paint stores) to the paint.

The Household Hazardous Waste collection event will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only, not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. For quick links to all environmental programs and activities in Union County visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

In Conjunction With Household Hazardous Waste Event

In light of the success that Union County had last fall with the first Beyond the Bin event, the Union County Board of County Commissioners will be holding another Beyond the Bin event this spring.  This event will be held on Sunday, June 2^nd from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.at UCNJ, Union College of Union County NJ, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford.  This event will be held in conjunction with Union County’s next Household Hazardous Waste event.

“As we continue our commitment to sustainability and waste reduction, Union County is proud to announce our second Beyond the Bin event,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly-Palmieri-Mouded. “Building on the success of last fall’s initiative, we are expanding our efforts to address challenges in recycling and provide residents with convenient solutions. Together, we can turn waste into opportunities for a greener, more vibrant community.”

The County of Union understands that several challenges within the current recycling program still exist. Some residents may be unaware that certain items, like plastic film that packages paper towels or water bottles, an old fax machine or broken computer for instance, or unused or discarded vegetables and other food products can be recycled.  Others are unsure of where to take items to be recycled, and may end up throwing them in the trash. Furthermore, with New Jersey’s highly successful ban of single use plastic bags well underway, we now have a surplus of reusable cloth bags piling up in homes, cars, and garages that residents just don’t know what to do with.

On average, the US alone has been noted to discard upwards of 34 billions of pounds of textile waste each year (Lundberg and Devoy, 2022). That is around 100 pounds of waste per person each year! Instead of throwing this material in the trash, residents can now give it a second life at this event. 

Furthermore, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that in 2019, 66 million tons of wasted food was generated in the food retail, food service, and residential sectors, and most of this waste (about 60%) was sent to landfills (https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data).  Union County is making an effort, through this event, to help curtail this food waste trend and send the food to the Waste Management CORe facility in Elizabeth (www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/food-waste-recycling-law/wm_core_overview.pdf), where it will be used to make renewable energy from the food waste collected. 

Union County’s Beyond the Bin recycling event has partnered with the organizations MRM http://www.mrmrecycling.com, Helpsy www.helpsy.co, Waste Management www.wm.com/ and GoaTote Inc. https://goatote.com/ in the collection of the following items:

Covered Electronic Devices

Desktop or personal computers, computer monitors, portable computers, desktop fax machines, monitors, printers, tablets/e-readers, and televisions

Plastic Film

Clean, dry plastic bags, bubble wrap, Ziplock bags, dry-cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, produce bags, case overwrap (i.e. a case of bottled water)

Clothing/ Textiles

All textiles in any condition.  Stains, rips, tears are okay as long as they are dry and odorless.  Textiles includes all shirts, pants, skirts, sweaters, pajamas, jackets, winter coats, rain coats, shoes, accessories, handbags, backpacks, household linens, towels, sneakers, boots, etc

Reusable Shopping Bags (non-plastic)

Cloth, canvas, cotton, #5 woven and non-woven shopping bags

Food Waste Recycling

Produce; Meat, Fish and Poultry, Dairy; Bread, Pasta, Rice, Grains; Coffee Grounds

Styrofoam

For residents interested in composting at home, we have partnered with BrandBuilders LLC in making backyard composters, rain barrels, and more available for purchase online and pick up at the event. For more information on composting materials for your home or to make a purchase, please visit us at www.union.compostersale.com/

For a complete list of all acceptable items and materials for this event, please visit www.ucnj.org/recycling/. Union County’s Beyond the Bin recycling initiative is brought to you by the Union County Board of Commissioners, in collaboration with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning and the Union County Department of Public Works.

If you have any additional questions or would like more information regarding this and other recycling events and services in Union County, please call 908-654-9890 or visit www.ucnj.org/recycling/.