The Echo Lake Dog park will be temporary closed for an installation of a new shade structure from Monday, February 24th to Monday, March 3rd – weather dependent. We will keep you updated when the dog park reopens.
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Author: Web Site Administrator
The County of Union is expected to receive a wintery mix between tonight, Wednesday February 5th and tomorrow, Thursday, February 6th
We would like the opportunity to once again remind all employees that the County of Union offices do not close during major weather or storm events.
As is the County of Union’s practice, if anyone feels they cannot safely travel to work during these possible weather events, please consider using vacation or personal time to stay home. If a State of Emergency affecting the County of Union is declared during a weather event, employees will be permitted to use their available sick, vacation, personal or comp time for their absence as per resolution 2014-481. If no accrued leave time is available, employees may take the day without pay.
To ensure all County of Union employees can easily access information during such weather events, we will utilize all media channels below to ensure redundancy and availability:
- UC-First Alert
- www.ucfirstalert.org
- Register your e-mail address and mobile phone numbers to receive notifications.
- County website
- www.ucnj.org
- Alerts will be posted on the County’s home page. The website can be viewed easily from your computer, mobile and tablet devices.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Union County Employee Announcements
Division of Personnel & Labor Relations
County of Union
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
908-527-4160
How do you see yourself getting around in the future? Would you consider driving an electric vehicle or riding in a self-driving car or shuttle? Are there regional transportation projects that you want prioritized for funding?
These are some of the questions the public will be asked as Union County works with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) on the region’s next long range transportation plan, Connecting Communities. The plan will detail new programs and recommend policies and transportation investments for the next 25 years, including projects in Union County.
“As our communities grow and evolve, so must the ways we move within and between them. Union County residents have a unique opportunity to shape a future that prioritizes sustainability, accessibility, and innovation in transportation,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes Leon. “I encourage everyone to make their voices heard—your input is essential to creating a transportation system that supports the needs and aspirations of our diverse population.”
The NJTPA region includes 13 counties in northern and central New Jersey and is home to 7 million people, with the population expected to hit 7.8 million in 2050. The NJTPA works with local partners and state agencies to provide more than $3 billion in transportation investments annually. In order for the region to be eligible to receive federal transportation funds for programs and projects, the NJTPA must adopt a long-range transportation plan every four years.
“Union County has worked closely with the NJTPA to secure federal funding for infrastructure projects that improve safety, and advance our rails-to-trails efforts,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, who serves as Third Vice Chair of the NJTPA Board of Trustees. “I encourage Union County residents to share their ideas about the future of transportation with the NJTPA so we can continue this important work and create a long-range plan that meets the needs of our diverse communities.”
The NJTPA has approved funding for several projects in Union County, including construction of the recently reopened Gordon Street Bridge in Roselle Park and Roselle Borough. The NJTPA has also approved funding for several local safety projects, including $1.3 million in improvements to three intersections along East Front Street (CR 620) in Plainfield, which is currently under construction; and $11 million for improvements to another four intersections in Plainfield and 10 intersections in New Providence, Summit and Roselle, which are currently in the design phase of work. In addition, the NJTPA approved $1.5 million for the Rahway Valley Rails-to-Trails Project in Kenilworth and Roselle Park. The NJTPA has also funded transportation planning studies, including the Union County Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Study completed in 2023 and the Union County Truck Mobility Study completed in 2021.
Public input plays a critical role in the plan. The feedback the NJTPA gathers through an online survey and events will be considered and incorporated into the plan, which the NJTPA Board of Trustees is expected to adopt in September. Everyone who lives in the NJTPA region is encouraged to participate.
The survey launched today and is available in six languages – English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Chinese and Korean. Virtual public outreach will begin later this month with a Let’s Talk Transportation event on January 28 at 11:30 a.m. focused on creating a safe biking and walking transportation network.
The NJTPA will also be conducting pop-up outreach at events throughout the region this spring. To share your ideas, interests, and concerns about the future of transportation in northern and central New Jersey, please take the NJTPA’s brief survey and sign up for virtual events at the Connecting Communities website: njtpa.org/connecting.
The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 13 northern New Jersey counties. Under federal legislation, MPOs provide a forum where local officials, public transportation providers and state agency representatives can come together and cooperatively plan to meet the region’s current and future transportation needs. It establishes the region’s eligibility to receive federal tax dollars for transportation projects. The NJTPA Board consists of one local elected official from each of the 13 counties in the region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren), and the cities of Newark and Jersey City. The Board also includes a Governor’s Representative, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Executive Director of NJ Transit, the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a Citizen’s Representative appointed by the Governor.
Under the terms of the “Open Public Meetings Act” P.L. 1975, C. 231 and N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., please be advised that it is necessary for the Union County Board of County Commissioners to hold a Special Meeting on Monday, January, 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Galloping Hill Golf Course Ballroom, 3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033.
Official action will be taken relative to the following resolution:
- Authorizing the County Manager to reject all bids received for the Clark Reservoir Improvement Project.
James E. Pellettiere
Clerk of the Board
Union County Board of County Commissioners
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the 2024 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is currently on view at the Plainfield Public Library located at located at 800 Park Avenue.
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.
“Union County is proud to showcase the incredible talents of our young artists through the Teen Arts Touring Exhibit,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “As a former educator, I have always believed in the power of the arts in education. This program not only highlights the creativity of our students, but also brings communities together to celebrate the arts. I encourage everyone to visit the Plainfield Public Library and experience the works on display.”
The Union County Teen Arts Touring Exhibit, now on display at its final stop the Plainfield Public Library, has made its way across the County, inspiring audiences at each destination. Visitors can enjoy the exhibit in Plainfield through March 7, 2025. Admission 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 the Department of Parks & Recreation. For more information about all Cultural & Heritage Affairs programs and services, please contact the Office at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550; or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ relay users dial 711.
Categories
Green Acre Public Notices
Jake’s Law
- PURPOSE: The County of Union is seeking funding through the State of NJ Green Acres Program for improvements at Unami Park located at 215 Hickory Avenue and 301 Hickory Avenue (Block 614, Lots 20 and 26) in Garwood, New Jersey.
- PROJECT SCOPE: The County of Union proposes to create the following new facilities at Unami Park: a Completely Inclusive Playground to upgrade and improve the existing playground equipment, which may include features such as spinners, slides, climbing structures, swings, sensory play components, and/or overhead elements. Additional play elements may consist of sensory panels, rockers, bouncers, balance equipment, crawl tunnels, bridges, ramps, and/or nature-themed play structures. The project will also encompass the installation of an ADA-accessible pathway, constructed with either pavers or concrete, connecting the parking lot to the playground area. A concept plan showing the proposed changes, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project can be found at: https://ucnj.org/green-acres-grants/.
- PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION: The public is encouraged to attend a public hearing to learn more about the proposal and to ask questions or provide comments on the proposed plan on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 6pm. The meeting will be held in person, as part of the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Written comments on the proposed application may be directed to Victoria Durbin Drake, Director of Parks and Recreation vdurbin@ucnj.org at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, 2nd Floor, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207.
Urban Parks
- PURPOSE: The County of Union is seeking funding through the State of NJ Urban Parks Program and the Green Acres Program for improvements at Wheeler Spray Park located at 248 W Stimpson Avenue (Block 463, Lot 13)in Linden, New Jersey.
- PROJECT SCOPE: The County of Union proposes to create the following new facilities at Wheeler Spray Park: shading structures and a concession area; and/or to renovate the following facilities: replace the surfacing and upgrade existing fencing. A concept plan showing the proposed changes, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project can be found at: https://ucnj.org/green-acres-grants/.
- PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION: The public is encouraged to attend a public hearing to learn more about the proposal and to ask questions or provide comments on the proposed plan on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 6pm. The meeting will be held in person, as part of the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Written comments on the proposed application may be directed to Victoria Durbin Drake, Director of Parks and Recreation vdurbin@ucnj.org at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, 2nd Floor, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207.
Stewardship
- PURPOSE: Union County is seeking funding through the State of NJ Green Acres Program for improvements at Watchung Reservation – Deserted Village located at Glenside Avenue; Block 5001, Lot 1, Block 5004, Lot 1, and Block 5005, Lot 1 in Berkeley Heights, NJ.
- PROJECT SCOPE: Union County proposes the following improvements at Watchung Reservation: Meadow Restoration, including the removal of invasive trees, shrubs, and other plants and introducing new native vegetation; Green Infrastructure, including stormwater storage systems; and Tree Removal, including the removal of about 24 matured trees and restoring the cemetery to an open grassed area and planting Dogwood trees. A concept plan showing the proposed changes, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project can be found at: https://ucnj.org/green-acres-grants/.
- PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION: The public is encouraged to attend a public hearing to learn more about the proposal and to ask questions or provide comments on the proposed plan on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 6pm. The meeting will be held in person, as part of the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Written comments on the proposed application may be directed to Victoria Durbin Drake, Director of Parks and Recreation vdurbin@ucnj.org at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, 2nd Floor, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202.
At the 168th Reorganization Meeting of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, Commissioner Lourdes M. Leon was sworn in as Chairwoman of the Commissioner Board, making history as the first Hispanic woman to lead the Board. Chairwoman Leon announced her initiatives for 2025 under the theme, “Union County 2025: Connecting Communities, Committed to Progress,” emphasizing grassroots engagement, access to resources, and developing opportunities for all residents.
“Union County is a vibrant and diverse community, and our strength lies in the connections between its people and the resources we provide,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “As Chairwoman, my focus is on ensuring that every resident feels supported and empowered. Together, we will continue to build bridges, create opportunities, and create a community where everyone has the tools to succeed. I look forward to a year of connection, innovation, and growth.”
A lifelong resident of Elizabeth, Chairwoman Leon emigrated from Cuba with her family in 1971. She is a dedicated community activist and award-winning educator, serving more than 27 years in the Elizabeth School District, where she rose from a teacher’s aide to Vice Principal and Principal of the Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center. Her achievements include receiving the Donald Stewart “Strive for Excellence” Educator’s Award in 2004-2005.
After retiring in 2013, Chairwoman Leon continued her public service as President of the City of Elizabeth Mayor’s Community Development Advisory Committee and joined the Commissioner Board in 2020. She has played a critical role in initiatives like Union County’s COVID-19 response, which included administering hundreds of thousands of tests and vaccines, and distributing over 10 million meals to residents in need.
Chairwoman Leon’s 2025 initiatives include:
- ACCESS Union County: A centralized initiative unifying critical programs like the Sheriff’s Lifesaver Program, Blue Envelope Program, and the Special Needs Registry to ensure accessibility and emergency support for residents.
- Youth in Government Day: A new program allowing students to shadow county officials, inspiring civic engagement and future leaders.
- Community Resource Access Initiative: Bringing county resources directly to residents through programs like Coffee with a Commissioner and multilingual digital tools.
- Environmental Stewardship: Expanding tree planting programs, recycling initiatives, and community education for a cleaner, greener Union County.
- Expanded Services for Families: Increased physical health services at county clinics, free swim lessons for seniors and children, and enhanced social services resource hubs.
Chairwoman Leon holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Kean University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Her commitment to public service and dedication to Union County’s residents reflect her passion for creating meaningful connections and driving progress.
At the Reorganization meeting, Commissioners Alexander Mirabella, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded were also sworn into their new terms; James E. Baker, Jr. was sworn into his new term prior to the meeting. Commissioner Joseph C. Bodek assumed the role of Vice-Chairman. During the meeting, the Commissioners also voted on appointments to various County advisory boards and approved the Board’s 2025 schedule and procedural rules.
Residents can find the full transcript of Chairwoman Leon’s remarks and learn more about the 2025 initiatives at www.ucnj.org.
Please find the latest update from New Jersey American Water (NJAW) regarding the taste and odor issues affecting drinking water in several communities, including those in Union County.
The towns in Union County currently impacted include Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Garwood, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Union, Vauxhall, and Westfield.
Late on December 17, NJAW began receiving reports of changes in the taste and odor of water in its Raritan System. NJAW immediately launched an investigation, taking water samples from the source, various points in the treatment system at two water treatment plants serving the region, and locations throughout the distribution system. Preliminary sampling results indicate that the water meets primary standards; however, NJAW continues to monitor water quality throughout the system.
Hydrant flushing began last night and will continue today as part of efforts to clear the system. This may result in low water pressure and/or discoloration for customers. If residents experience discolored water, they are advised to run cold water taps at the lowest level of their homes for 3 to 5 minutes until the water runs clear.
Updates can also be found on the Alerts page of NJAW’s website.
Under the terms of the “Open Public Act” P.L.., 1975, C. 231, the 2025 Installation Ceremony and Reorganization Meeting of the Union County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., in the Courtroom of the Honorable Assignment Judge Lisa Miralles Walsh, at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey.
James E. Pellettiere
Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners