Author: Web Site Administrator

For the second year in a row, the Union County Board of Commissioners has passed a budget with a zero percent tax increase.

The 2021 budget was passed at tonight’s meeting and will maintain all essential services. It continues the County’s trend of fiscally responsible budgets, and maintains the County’s bond rating which is the highest attainable.

“I am pleased to announce that we have again adopted a budget with a zero percent tax increase for the second year in a row,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Despite the pandemic that is persisting this year, our fiscal outlook remains strong. We continue to offer our high quality governmental services, and our commitment to assisting our constituents.”

Commissioner Fiscal Committee Chairman Christopher Hudak said: “As we continue to face the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are mindful of its profound impact on all residents. We worked hard with our County Manager and our Finance Director to build a budget that would fund the response to COVID-19, our safety net and normal services.”

Both Mirabella and Hudak thanked their colleagues on the Fiscal Committee for their work in crafting the budget, including Vice Chair Rebecca Williams and Commissioners Sergio Granados, and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. They also thanked County Manager Ed Oatman, and gave special thanks to Finance Director Bibi Taylor, and her staff for their effort in bringing the budget all together from start to finish.  

Finally, both Mirabella and Hudak thanked Union County’s family of directors and employees for their tremendous effort in responding to the pandemic this past year.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

• The 2021 budget provides for the County’s COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts. More than 140,000 residents have been tested since the start. It will also continue to fund the County’s vaccination centers at Kean University, Plainfield, FEMA clinic in Elizabeth and mobile efforts.
• This budget also funds the County’s online vaccination appointment portal system, and call-in center.
• To date, the County has administered over 78,000 doses of vaccinations.
• The budget also helps fund a revolutionary partnership with Kean University, where the county and Kean established a laboratory that is capable of testing residents, processing their samples, gene sequencing for variant strain research–all in coordination with the County’s contact tracing program. This effort is the first of its kind in the entire nation and will also act as a source of revenue for decades to come.
• The budget provides for weekly food distributions (the County has served over 3.6 million meals), and the distribution of more than 100,000 masks throughout Union County to all 21 municipalities.    
• This budget also funds the Chairman’s “Union County Rising” initiatives for 2021, which include public safety improvements, support for businesses, the LGBTQ community, upgrades to parks and recreation facilities, and support for recreational programming.

COVID-19 precautions will be observed at this event.

Union County, NJ – In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, Union County residents of all ages are invited to participate in Paint in the Park, on Tuesday, April 27, at Mattano Park, located at 360-484 5^th Avenue in Elizabeth. This event is completely free and is sponsored by The Union County Board of County Commissioners, through the Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs in the Department of Human Services.

“Paint in the Park is an enriching outdoor event that brings awareness to Autism, while giving our residents the opportunity the express themselves creatively,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Paint in the Park encourages participants to express what Autism means to them by painting on a t-shirt. Participants will also be able to take the shirt home to wear all year long.

Paint in the Park will begin at 5:30pm and end at 7:30pm.

Pre-registration is required. To register, visit www.ucnj.org/opdsn-reg.

Masks are required and must be worn by all participants, and social distancing guidelines must be observed.

This event is partnered by the Elizabeth Education Association, Elizabeth Parent Support Group, Elizabeth Strong, and Union County Spectrum All Stars.

For more information, please contact the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs by phone at (908) 527-4781.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, 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.

Press Release from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office

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Registration link: zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LzXp8vujQfu-iK6yYkpHhQ

The Seventh Annual Union County C.A.R.E.S. (Community, Action, Response, Education, Safety) Domestic Violence Symposium is scheduled to take place later this week, and those working in fields dedicated to serving victims are being encouraged to register and learn from a host of subject-matter expert speakers.

A joint presentation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and YWCA Union County, along with supporting partner organizations including the Union County Board of Commissioners, the Union County Office of Victim/Witness Advocacy, the Union County Family Justice Center, and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, the Symposium is being held virtually for the first time, and will begin at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 22 via Zoom. Attendance is free of charge, and registration, which is open to the public, is available online at zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LzXp8vujQfu-iK6yYkpHhQ.

The first six symposiums were held annually in person at Kean University, until the 2020 version was postponed due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The topic of the 2021 Symposium will focus on precisely that – how the most significant public health crisis in multiple generations has affected domestic violence response and mitigation, and what innovative solutions have been implemented to meet the related unique challenges.

The 2021 Symposium will consist of a brief series of welcoming remarks by acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, Union County Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella, and YWCA Board of Directors President Tina Earley, followed by three panel discussions, each moderated by YWCA Union County Assistant Executive Director for Core Services Adela Caceres. The panels, consisting of established leaders in local law enforcement, healthcare, and victims’ services, include the following speakers, each of whom volunteered their time, energy, and expertise:

• Elizabeth Police Department Chief Giacomo Sacca
• Prosecutor’s Office Domestic Violence Unit Supervisor/Assistant Prosecutor Theresa Hilton
• Saint Peter’s University Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Pediatrician Julia DeBellis, MD
• Trinitas Regional Medical Center V.P. of Behavioral Health & Psychiatry James McCreath, Ph.D.
• YWCA Union County PALS (Peace: A Learned Solution) Director Alejandra Londono
• Partners for Women and Justice Policy Counsel Trish Perlmutter, Esq.

As with previous iterations of the Symposium, all participants are invited to interact in real time via live tweeting using the hashtag #UCCARES.

“Improving and streamlining the method in which incidents of domestic violence are investigated and prosecuted has been a top priority for my administration, and our efforts to keep local professionals and members of the public informed about something that impacts so many in our community via the Symposium is an extension of our commitment,” Prosecutor Ruotolo said. “I am so grateful to our extraordinary roster of partner organizations and all of our dedicated speakers, both for their remarks today, and their efforts every day, to ensure that survivors receive the services, dignity, and justice they deserve.”

“While many of us stayed at home during this pandemic in order to stay safe, the home of a domestic violence victim may not be a safe space. Providing care and supportive services took on a new meaning this past year,” YWCA Board President Earley said. “YWCA Union County values working with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and our co-sponsoring partners to shed light on how this pandemic has affected victims of domestic violence, and the challenges related to providing much-needed services in a mostly virtual environment.”

“The New Jersey State Bar Foundation is proud to co-sponsor this important symposium on this crucial topic,” added Foundation President Norberto Garcia, Esq. “The pandemic brought to the forefront the reality faced everyday by those affected by domestic violence. We are pleased to play a part in conveying this valuable knowledge to those facing these challenges.”

Domestic violence impacts 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men in their lifetimes worldwide, and cuts across all racial, economic, religious, ethnic, and other community lines, bearing an annual monetary cost in the United States approaching an estimated $10 billion in lost work productivity and earnings, and medical and mental health costs.

For information on resources available to victims of domestic violence in Union County, go online to ucnj.org/prosecutor/departments/victimwitness-unit/resources/. For general information about the legal definition of domestic violence in New Jersey, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and resources for victims available statewide, go to njsp.org/division/operations/domestic-violence-info.shtml.

To learn more about the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and its mission, go online to njsbf.org/.

By Alexander Mirabella

Chairman, Union County Board of Commissioners

As Earth Day approaches, many Union County residents and visitors look for ways in which to commemorate the event.

Picking up litter, planting trees, and producing educational programs are among the many traditional Earth Day activities supported by the Board of Commissioners.

We also recognize that our everyday habits can have an impact on the environment, and we encourage the whole Union County community to learn new ways in which we can all make a difference, every day.

One good place to start is the statewide Choose to Reuse NJ campaign. The campaign aims to encourage shoppers to bring reusable bags when shopping, to help cut down on single-use bag.

In particular, single-use plastic bags have become notorious symbols of environmental damage. When disposed improperly, plastic bags easily become windblown litter that can harm wildlife in our County parks. They can also blow into local waterways and travel to the ocean, where they impact marine life.

To help prevent this damage, a new state law will ban single-use paper and plastic grocery bags effective in May of 2022. Visitors to Union County parks can help prepare for the change by using sturdy tote bags or backpacks to carry picnic items and other gear, instead of relying on single-use bags.

Used or broken fishing line is another form of plastic waste that can harm wildlife. Visitors to County parks can help prevent birds, turtles and other local wildlife from getting tangled up, by depositing used or broken fishing line in the “Reel in and Recycle” bins now located at several popular fishing spots throughout the County parks system.

Visitors to our parks can also pitch in this year by keeping an eye out for the spotted lanternfly. This invasive pest threatens our native trees and other plants, and they should be destroyed on site.

We also continue our free countywide recycling events, and we recently introduced the Recycle Coach mobile app to help our residents keep up-to-date on news and schedules for their local recycling programs as well as countywide events.

More information about Recycle Coach and all Union County recycling programs is available online at ucnj.org/recycle.

This year we are also continuing our traditional Arbor Day activities, aimed encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. Earlier this month, we provided free trees for tree-planting activities at local schools and we are now reviewing submissions to our annual Arbor Day poetry contest for students.

Another ongoing program supported by the Board of Commissioners is the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The Extension continues to run environmental programs for adults and students, and they have introduced new online activities, too. More information is available at ucnj.org/rce.

And finally, I am very happy to report that Union County will host a special Earth Day celebration this year, on Saturday, April 24, on the grounds of our Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

We are delighted to bring back this annual event. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet live animals, celebrate wildlife, and embrace environmental conservation in our community. Visitors can stroll the grounds or sign up in advance for scheduled activities. For more information, visit ucnj.org/trailside.

For quick links to all environmental programs and activities in Union County, visit ucnj.org/green-connection.

Let us all celebrate this Earth Day, every day.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, 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.

Union County, NJ – Union County residents who are looking for a summer job can apply now for lifeguard positions at Union County’s public swimming pool, the Walter Ulrich Memorial Pool, which is located at Rahway River Park in Rahway.

“The Ulrich pool provides our residents with a rewarding work environment and valuable experience such as management, emergency response and interpersonal skills every year,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Lifeguard positions are available to Union County residents age 16 and up. Training is available for applicants who are not certified. To apply for a lifeguard position, please call or text 908-868-2725.

Please keep in mind that these positions are seasonal (Memorial Day to Labor Day).

For more information about Ulrich Pool, Rahway River Park and all Union County recreation facilities visit online at ucnj.org/parks.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, 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.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners invites residents to join an interactive online discussion of grief and loss as experienced by women, titled Grief and Loss. The program will be held on Zoom on Thursday, April 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Grief and Loss is presented by the Board of Commissioners through the Union County Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse in the Department of Human Services, and the Office on Women in the Department of Economic Development.

“This program provides women in Union County with a forum to share their insights, and learn about resources for coping with grief and loss during these unprecedented times,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Grief and Loss will be hosted by Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and feature Monica Indart, Psy.D, Consultant, Disaster and Terrorism Branch, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Associate Clinical/Teaching Professor, Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology.

The focus will be on defining grief and loss, and providing information about the psychological and emotional impact that loss has on women during this time.

Additionally, the event will provide participants with an opportunity to engage with each other, the presenter and local health and human service providers.

Links to resources and services to help will be provided. Attendees should be prepared to ask questions.

To pre-register and receive the Zoom link, visit https://bit.ly/2PyQasE.

For more information on Grief and Loss contact, Jennifer Erdos, Union County Office on Women at jerdos@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, 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.

Mobile Vaccine Operation At Warinanco Park in Roselle Will Run From 1-8 p.m.

The Union County Board of Commissioners today announced the County will hold a mobile clinic to vaccinate educators and school personnel on Tuesday, April 6^th from 1-8 p.m. at Warinanco Park in Roselle.

Any educator or school personnel wishing to receive a vaccination must pre-register now   at www.ucnjvaccine.org Teachers, all staff and school administration officials who work in Union County are eligible. All must bring employment identification. Please note that walkups will not be accepted. The County will be offering the Johnson and Johnson (Jansen) one-shot vaccination at this mobile clinic.

“With this announcement, we mark the beginning of a significant step toward our overall goal of herd immunity,” said Alexander Mirabella, Chairman of the Union County Board of County Commissioners. “Educators and school personnel deserve the protection they need to conduct their essential work, and the vaccination will protect them and all those they come in to contact with during the performance of their duties.”

Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is the Chairman of the County’s Public Safety Committee added:  “The health and safety of our educators as well as support staff should be one of our top priorities. When Governor Murphy expanded eligibility in allowing teachers to get vaccinated, I knew we had to move quick to get this done. Our educators throughout Union County are among the best the State of New Jersey has to offer, so bringing them back in person to continue to help shape the mind of our students is vital.”  

To date, more than 229,000 vaccinations in all have been administered to Union County residents. More than 149,000 residents have one vaccination does, and 85,707 are fully vaccinated.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, 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.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners invites residents of all ages to take a look at the County’s Falcon Cam, which provides a live stream of the action in and around the peregrine falcon nest located on the roof of the County Courthouse.

“Peregrine falcons are listed as an endangered species and Union County is very proud to assist in ensuring the survival of these remarkable birds in New Jersey,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This live feed helps builds an appreciation for preserving our natural heritage, and provides an enriching experience for County residents and observes from all over the world.”

The Falcon Cam has chronicled the activity of multiple pairs of adult peregrine falcons throughout the years. The pairs have been nesting on the roof of the historic tower of the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in midtown Elizabeth.

Falcons have been nesting on the courthouse every year since 2005. After the first falcon couple was unsuccessful at building their nest due to weather conditions, Union County staff stepped in to help. With an assist from the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife zoologists, the County installed a repurposed igloo-style dog house and cameras inside and outside of the nest.

The cameras provide schools, researchers and birding enthusiasts with new learning opportunities and last year, the nest cam was equipped with audio.

The pair currently at the nest site is named Frida and Mango. Zoologists generally shy away from naming wildlife but in this case, since the pair are not banded and cannot be referred to by their band numbers, officials gave them names that would help observers tell them apart.  The female is named after the South American artist, Frida Kahlo because of the wide marking or “unibrow” between her eyes. The male, Mango, is named for his bright yellow-orange bill and feet.

This nesting season, Frida has laid four eggs and the pair has begun incubating consistently.  The eggs are due to hatch between April 26 and April 29.

To watch them tend to their eggs, and later care for their chicks or eyases, visit the Union County Falcon Cam at ucnj.org/falcon or ucnj.org/falcon-mobile-page.

Union County provides nature and environmental programs throughout the year, and is offering additional online resources for all ages online during the COVID-19 outbreak.

For more information quick links to all environmental programs and activities hosted by Union County, visit the Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, 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.

Union County, NJ – In recognition of Arbor Day, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is once again providing free trees to schools for Arbor Day.

“The tree giveaway has always received an enthusiastic response from schools in Union County. We are very proud to support teachers in their efforts to provide a valuable hands-on learning experience to their students,” said County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski.

Studies have shown that trees improve property values and provide many other civic and environmental benefits, such as absorbing airborne pollutants, keeping neighborhoods cool in the summer, preventing soil erosion, and helping to alleviate flooding.

This year’s free Arbor Day tree is a tree native to the northeast, the American Flowering Dogwood. They are about five feet tall and weigh about 20 pounds. Each tree comes with a protective cage. When fully grown they will be about 15-20 feet tall.

The trees are available to schools on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. To reserve a tree for your school, please see the mailing that was sent to your school’s principal or you may contact Madeline Brigantino, Union County Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities Management at mbrigantino@ucnj.org or 908-789-3653. The deadline for free tree requests has been extended to April 10, 2021.

Schools may also contact James Nichnadowicz, Union County 4-H Agent at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at 908-654-9854 ext. 3 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org for more information.

For schools that receive a tree, free sessions in tree planting and care are available to students, teachers, and parent volunteers through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Steward Program. The tree care sessions will be held virtually in early April.

Arbor Day has been a national observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 30.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, 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.