Author: corinnefiretto

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the continuation of its 2026 seasonal recycling programs in September, including two mobile paper shredding events and two dates for scrap metal recycling. The County’s final Household Hazardous Waste event of the season will follow in October.

“These free programs make it easier for residents to securely dispose of personal documents and responsibly recycle items that should not enter the regular waste stream,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “We encourage residents to take advantage of the upcoming events and join us in keeping reusable materials out of landfills while protecting our communities and environment.”

Union County will host two free mobile paper shredding events in September, offering residents a convenient and secure way to dispose of sensitive personal documents on-site:

• Friday, September 18: Westfield Pool Parking Lot, 713 Cumberland Street, Westfield
• Saturday, September 26: UCNJ Parking Lots 5A/5B, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford

Both events will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine, or until the shredding trucks reach capacity.

The shredding program is available to Union County residents only and is not open to businesses. There is a limit of four bags or boxes per vehicle, with each bag or box weighing no more than 10 pounds.

Only confidential and sensitive personal documents will be accepted. Magazines, junk mail and other non-sensitive papers should be recycled through residents’ municipal recycling programs. Residents should remove bindings, large plastic or metal clips and other non-paper materials before arriving. Staples are permitted. Pre-shredded, damp or wet paper will not be accepted.

Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program will continue in September, with events scheduled for Thursday, September 3, and Saturday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the following locations:

• Cranford: Emergency Services Complex, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park Service Yard, 3 Parkway Drive

Residents may use either location on either date.

Accepted items include refrigerators and freezers with doors removed, metal cabinets, household appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, air conditioners, microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, metal fencing, tire rims, wire hangers and other eligible metal items.

Union County’s final Household Hazardous Waste event of the 2026 season will be held on Sunday, October 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools’ West Hall/Police Academy parking lot, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

Residents may safely dispose of a variety of household chemicals and materials, including oil-based paints and finishes, motor oil and filters, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs and other accepted hazardous household products.

Latex or water-based paint, medical sharps and pressurized welding gas or oxygen cylinders will not be accepted.

Residents with leftover latex paint should dry it at home using a commercial paint hardener, sand, cat litter or sawdust. Once the paint has hardened completely, it may be disposed of with regular household trash.

All Union County recycling events are contact-free and drive-up only. Residents must remain in their vehicles while staff removes materials from their trunks. The events are funded through Recycling Enhancement Act grants that Union County applies for and receives through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

For a complete schedule and additional information about Union County recycling programs, visit www.ucnj.org/recycling or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Residents may also contact their municipal recycling coordinator for information about programs in their community.

The free Recycle Coach mobile app provides current information about countywide and municipal recycling programs, including accepted materials, curbside schedules and drop-off locations. For more information, visit www.ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

For all Union County programs and services, visit ucnj.org, call the Public Information Line at 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online contact form.

Dr. Cesar DePaço’s latest contribution continues his support of the Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit

Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli announced that Dr. Cesar DePaço has donated $3,800 to provide a ballistic vest for K9 Kona, helping protect the patrol-trained K9 during deployments throughout Union County.

The donation follows Dr. DePaço’s recent visit to the Union County Sheriff’s Office canine facility, where he met K9 Kona and learned more about the work of the K9 Unit. The unit serves all 21 municipalities in Union County and provides mutual aid to law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey.

“We are extremely grateful to Dr. DePaço for once again supporting K9 Kona and the important work of our K9 Unit,” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “His generosity made it possible for us to bring Kona into our agency, and this latest donation will help ensure that Kona is properly protected while serving alongside our officers. This continued commitment to the safety of our K9 partners and the communities they serve is sincerely appreciated.”

Dr. DePaço previously donated $10,500 for the purchase of K9 Kona. After completing months of extensive training and earning certification, K9 Kona was officially placed into service as a member of the Union County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.

The ballistic vest will provide K9 Kona with an additional layer of protection while assisting Sheriff’s Officers during patrol duties and other law enforcement operations.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. DePaço and the DePaço Foundation for their continued generosity, dedication to public safety and support of the officers and K9 partners who serve Union County.

Appointments Are Available for Children From Pre-k Through Age 18; Registration Closes September 11

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, through the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Health Management and the Department of Human Services’ Division of Social Services, is partnering with RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Department of Health to offer back-to-school children’s vaccinations and school physicals on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Union County Family Clinic, located at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth.

The clinic will offer all recommended childhood vaccines and school physicals to children from pre-K through age 18. Pre-registration is required, and walk-ins will not be accepted.

Please note that the Union County Family Clinic will be closed during its regular operating hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on September 21. The clinic will open only for the scheduled event from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

“Making sure children begin the school year healthy and prepared is one of the most important things we can do for our families,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Joseph C. Bodek. “By bringing vaccinations, physicals and helpful community resources together in one convenient location, we are making it easier for parents and caregivers to access the support their children need. I encourage families to register before the deadline and take advantage of this valuable opportunity.”

Registered attendees will receive a lunch box filled with nutrition information, healthy recipes, nutritious snack items and fresh produce, while supplies last.

RWJBarnabas Health Community Health Workers and SNAP navigators will also be available during the event to connect families with community resources and provide guidance on accessing available health and social services.

Pre-registration is required. To register, call the Union County Family Clinic at 908-965-3627, extension 3868, or email UCclinic@ucnj.org.

For additional information about Union County programs and services, visit www.ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to enjoy two additional evenings of outdoor movies at Warinanco Park following weather-related cancellations earlier this summer.

The updated Family Fun & Flix schedule is:

• Tuesday, August 25: GOAT
• Tuesday, September 8: A Minecraft Movie

Both movies will be shown at dusk on the Cricket Field at Warinanco Park in Roselle and Kids’ Fun begins at 7:00 p.m.

“While the weather may have disrupted our original plans, we are pleased to give families another opportunity to enjoy these movies together at Warinanco Park,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “We hope residents will join us for two more evenings of outdoor entertainment as we bring this year’s Family Fun & Flix series to a close.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. In the event of inclement weather, residents should check Union County’s website and social media pages for updates before traveling to the park.

For the latest information about Union County’s summer programs, visit www.ucnj.org/summer.

For more information about Union County parks and recreational programs, visit ucnj.org/parks or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

The Union County Police Department has charged two individuals following investigations into separate illegal dumping incidents at Green Brook Park and Warinanco Park.

On August 1, Union County Police were notified that mattresses, furniture and other items had been dumped in a wooded area of Green Brook Park in Plainfield. Officers Mascitelli and Gray of the Investigations Division identified a white Ford Transit van used to transport the items and subsequently charged Silvia Estrada, 29, of Plainfield with illegal disposal. She was also issued a summons for dumping on County property. Her case is pending in Plainfield Municipal Court.

On August 2, a Union County Police patrol officer discovered furniture, garbage bags and other household items dumped in and around a dumpster near the Warinanco Sports Complex in Roselle. Officers Mascitelli and Gray identified a red Dodge Ram used to transport the materials and subsequently charged Juan Xopa, 20, of Elizabeth with illegal disposal. He was also issued a summons for dumping on County property. His case is pending in Roselle Municipal Court.

“Illegal dumping is not only disrespectful to our parks and the residents who use them, but it also places an unnecessary burden on County resources and taxpayers,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Joseph C. Bodek. “We appreciate the diligent work of the Union County Police officers who investigated these incidents and identified those allegedly responsible. We will continue to take illegal dumping seriously and hold violators accountable.”

A first conviction for illegal disposal under state law carries a fine of at least $2,500, community service and responsibility for applicable cleanup and disposal costs. A conviction under the County ordinance carries an additional $500 fine.

The Union County Police Department remains committed to keeping County parks clean and free from illegal dumping. Anyone with information about illegal dumping within the Union County park system is asked to call 908-654-9800 and select the Investigative Division.

All charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The Union County Clerk’s Office will host a Notary Public Training Seminar at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be Union County First Deputy County Counsel Moshood Muftau, Esq.

Space is limited to the first 50 registrants. The registration deadline is Tuesday, September 1, 2026 or until the openings are filled. 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.

Deputy County Clerk Clara C. Fernández will make opening remarks and 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.

To register, use the downloadable form on the County Clerk’s website, https://ucnj.org/county-clerk/new-jersey-notary-training/. For additional information contact Anna Lima at 908-527-4787.

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