Month: September 2022

Free, secure paper shredding events to be held in Cranford and Westfield

Union County residents can bring their personal documents and sensitive papers to the next free paper shredding event sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. The documents are shredded onsite, and the shredded paper is recycled.

“We encourage residents to use our free shredding program to help guard against identity theft, in addition to helping to support recycling in our community,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

Union County holds a series of free shredding events each year. Each event begins at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. The events may finish early if the shredding trucks fill up to capacity.

The locations for September are:

• Saturday, September 17: Union County College, Parking Lots 5A and 5B, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford
• Friday, September 23: Westfield Memorial Pool, 713 Cumberland Street, Westfield

Any Union County resident can bring their sensitive documents to either event, regardless of their home town.

Union County’s paper shredding events are drive-up only and contact-free. Drivers must remain in their cars while staff unloads their papers. A mobile shredding truck will securely shred the papers on site.

All documents must be clean and dry. No pre-shredded paper will be accepted. Bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia should be removed.

As a reminder, Union County’s paper shredding events are for sensitive, personal documents only. No businesses are allowed to participate. Magazines, junk mail and other waste paper should be recycled through a municipal recycling program.

Two additional free paper shredding events are scheduled for October, after which the program will go on winter hiatus.

For the complete 2022 paper shredding schedule, and for information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, visit ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

For the latest news and updates on all municipal and countywide recycling programs in Union County in a handy mobile format, download the free Recycle Coach app. More information is available at ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at ucnj.org/green-connection.

The mobile paper shredding program is paid for through Recycling Enhancement Act Grant funds, which are applied for by Union County and received from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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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Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will host a Notary Public Training Seminar at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains on Friday, October 7, from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be Union County First Deputy County Counsel Moshood Muftau, Esq.

“Recent legislation requiring new processes for notaries will be discussed at the seminar, to update experienced notaries as well as instruct new or prospective notaries,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “The notary training seminar is designed to enable all the Notaries Public in our community to perform their duties with skill and confidence.”

Ms. Joanne Rajoppi will make opening remarks and review the application process.  Mr. Muftau will speak about the legal aspects of the functions of notaries public.

The seminar will cover the Notary Public application process and new legal requirements and responsibilities.

It will also cover the steps for proper notarization and other topics, including how to complete a notary journal and how to examine identification documents.

“We are very proud to renew our series of notary seminars after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “We offer this opportunity as a professional course that benefits the whole community, and all are welcome.”

To register, use the downloadable form on the County Clerk website, ucnj.org/county-clerk. For additional information contact Gloria Ford, 908-527-4999 or gloria.ford@ucnj.org.

Space is limited to the first 50 registrants. The registration deadline is Friday, September 30.

A registration fee of $10.00 includes a light breakfast and is required in advance to secure registration.

Attendees should note that the Business Casual dress code at the John J. Stamler Police Academy is strictly enforced. Jeans and sneakers are not permitted, and men must wear shirts with collars.

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

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Union County families can ring in the fall season with the Hayrides & Campfires series of fun activities hosted by the Union County Commissioner Board at Warinanco Park in Roselle and the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

Each event in the series includes a hayride along with music, hot chocolate, and marshmallows to toast over a campfire.

“Our hayride and campfire events have become a family favorite tradition to celebrate the fall season, and it’s a real pleasure to bring them back this year,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

All tickets must be purchased in advance. There are no ticket sales on site. Ticket sales will begin online at ucnj.org/ticket beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6.

Residents and visitors without Internet access can purchase tickets in person beginning at 9:00 a.m. on September 6, at the following locations:

Trailside Nature and Science Center

452 New Providence Road, Mountainside

Open Tuesday through Sunday (except holidays), 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Trailside Info: 908-789-3670

Parks Reservation Desk

Union County Administration Building

10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth

Open Monday – Friday (except holidays), 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Reservation Info: 908-527-4900

The 2022 Hayrides & Campfires series includes two events starting at 3:30 p.m. in order to accommodate earlier bed-times. The other three events start at 6:30 p.m. Each event lasts for approximately three hours.

The first event will take place on Sunday, October 2 at the Warinanco Park Sports Center in Warinanco Park, at One Park Drive in Roselle (3:30 start).

The remaining four events will take place at the Trailside Nature and Science Center at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside on Friday, October 7 (6:30 start), Sunday, October 9 (3:30 start), Friday, October 14 (6:30 start), and Friday, October 28 (6:30 start).

Tickets are priced at $6.00 for Union County residents and $12.00 for non-residents. Group sales are limited to 15 tickets. Please note there are no refunds or exchanges.

For information about all events in and activities in Union County parks visit ucnj.org/parks.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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 Union County Board of Elections advises Kenilworth residents that Thursday, September 15^th is the deadline for voter registration for the October 6^th Kenilworth Special School Board Election. 

“We encourage all eligible Kenilworth residents to register to vote for the upcoming special election,” said Nicole DiRado, Administrator of the Union County Board of Elections. “Special Elections are just as important as a primary or general election, so it is important that anyone who can, exercises their right to vote.”

Election Day voting will take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The poll location for the election is the David Brearley High School, 401 Monroe Avenue (Back Gym).  

In addition to Election Day voting, the following secure ballot drop boxes are open for Kenilworth voters who wish to return their mail in ballot in the drop box:

• Kenilworth Recreation Center, 575 Boulevard
• The Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield
• Union County Administration Building Complex, Corner of Rahway Avenue and Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth
• Union County Board of Elections, 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4123.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, September 1, 2022, between the hours of 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below and see if your city is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control at 908-654-9873

• Clark – Featherbed Ln., Frances Dr., Lefferts Ln., Terhune Rd., Whitley Ter., Shetland Dr., Wendell Pl.
• Elizabeth – Union Ave.
• Hillside – Westminster Area, Kean U.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Rd., Blvd (County Yard). Epping Dr., 14^th St., Commonwealth Rd.
• Linden – Tremley Point Area, Range Rd., Bradford Ave., Lexington Ave., Marion Ave.
• New Providence – Gales Dr., Fairmont Rd., Maple Ave.,
• Plainfield – Jefferson Ave., First St., Berkley Ter., Reeves Ter., Wiley Ave.
• Rahway – Elston St., Leesville Ave. Area, Donald Ave. Price St., Allen St., Jones Pl., Scott Ave., Whitter St., Elizabeth Ave., Randolph Ave., New Brunswick Ave.
• Roselle – 3^rd. Ave., 4^th Ave., Pine St., Woodland Ave.
• Springfield – Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., S. Springfield Ave., Cottage Ln.
• Summit – New Providence Rd., Summit recycling center
• Union – Dean Ter., Whitewood Rd., Livingston Ave., Lehigh Ave., Cranbury Rd.
• Winfield – U.C. Parkway Dr

“Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community”

The Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds residents that September is National Recovery Month. To celebrate the strides made by those living in recovery and to raise awareness, the Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse (OBHSA) acknowledges the focus and re-adoption of the 2021 theme by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).

The 2022 National Recovery Month theme, Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community, emphasizes that resilience in the path to recovery is possible for all, with the strength and support of a thriving and educated community.

“The Commissioner Board is committed to empowering those around us by providing education about the various options for treatment and services available within Union County,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “Treatment is effective and people can and do recover. We encourage residents to seek assistance if they need to address behavioral health or substance abuse issues.”

National Recovery Month (Recovery Month), which started in 1989, is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.

Along with the Union County Board of County Commissioners, OBHSA will join the NAADAC, in declaring September 20, 2022 as National Addiction Professionals Day. Started by NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals in 1992, the day was established to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication that addiction professionals provide to supporting our fellow residents to recovery.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with a substance abuse disorder, call the central line for NJ residents at 1-844-732-2465. It is available 24/7, and offers free, confidential, and live assistance. The trained staff will provide screening and quickly identify the caller’s needs to connect them to local treatment providers.

The OBHSA is a part of the Department of Human Services and is available provide resources to address well-being. For specific information about services for Mental Health, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, or prevention efforts, please visit: https://ucnj.org/dhs/individual-and-family-services/.

To contact the Union County Department of Human Services, residents can use the online contact form at ucnj.org/dhs, email the DHS Action Line at DHSaction@ucnj.org, or call the Action Line at 888-558-2288.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.