County of Union
A water main break has shut down traffic on Elizabethtown Plaza outside of the County Courthouse Annex, Jail and Administration Building. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Pedestrians are advised to use caution due to street flooding.
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Bill Providing Immediate Boost of $400M for TTF Includes Funds for Key Infrastructure Work
Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Nicholas P. Scutari today announced the allocation of transportation funding to advance the Tremley Point Connector, a long-sought infrastructure project that is vital to improving roadway safety and fueling economic development in the region. Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Angel Estrada, Assemblymen Jerry Green and Jim Kennedy, Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, and Linden Mayor Derek Armstead were among those who also participated in the news conference. U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, who has long advocated the project, applauded the result.
Funding for the project is included in the recently-enacted legislation providing an immediate boost of $400 million to the Transportation Trust Fund this year.
“The Tremley Point Connector will keep 18-wheelers that come off the highway out of residential neighborhoods, allow trucking companies to save dollars by reducing the cost of their vehicles sitting in traffic and increase access to land that businesses will be inclined to develop,” said Senator Sweeney. “It’s good for transportation, for the economy and for the quality of life. This is why we renewed the Transportation Trust Fund for eight years and why we increased funding by $400 million this year. This project is ready to go and we now have money in the TTF to pay for it.”
The Tremley Point Connector will create a key access road to remove heavy truck traffic from local roadways and facilitate the flow of commercial services and products with a direct connection from the New Jersey Turnpike to the Tremley Point section of Linden, an industrialized area that is critical to the regional economy.
“We knew that getting transportation dollars out the door immediately was crucial to getting vitally-needed infrastructure projects moving across the state,” said Senator Scutari, who has worked with the state Transportation Department for years to get the project done. “This is significant progress on a project that we have been working on for years and that will benefit the residents of Linden and Union County. We were able to move quickly on this project with the increase to the TTF.”
The immediate allocation will be for $2 million to complete the preliminary engineering work needed to follow through on the project, which will also attract federal funds.
“In 2005, I secured $100 million for the Liberty Corridor—a set of projects to improve northern New Jersey’s mobility, and to ensure that our businesses have the infrastructure they need to bring their goods to market and compete in the global economy,” Senator Menendez said. “The Tremley Point Connector Road is an integral part of this effort, and I’m pleased that through this commitment of state funds secured by Senate President Sweeney, Senator Scutari and all of our county and local partners, we can move towards making this project a reality.”
The Exit 12 access road from the Turnpike now directs traffic through the South Wood Avenue section of the city. The proposed connector will intersect with Industrial Highway in Carteret, traverse the Rahway River and connect at Tremley Point Road in Linden. It would provide direct access between New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 12 via Industrial Highway and the Tremley Point area of Linden.
“This project is important for roadway safety in the local community and for economic activity in the region,” said Sheriff Cryan. “Completion of the connector will address safety concerns in residential areas and create an opportunity for economic benefits by allowing for the efficient flow of traffic and the development of unused property in the area.”
Freeholder Hudak noted the project had been a priority of the County, which had developed plans for it, for many years, but had lacked funding until now.
“The construction of the Tremley Point Connector Road is vital to the economic and public safety interests to the region as a whole and to the residents of the City of Linden, especially those who are impacted by the current truck and industrial traffic to this area,” said Hudak, a resident of Linden. “It will also free up development that could create thousands of jobs. I would like to thank Senators Sweeney and Scutari for making this a reality.”
The transportation funding bill that will immediately pump an additional $400 million into the TTF for infrastructure work includes $140 million for NJ Transit for technology improvements and system safety and $260 million for work on roads and bridges throughout the state.
The funding will be distributed within 100 days for projects identified by the Department of Transportation through the Transportation Trust Fund selection process. The added funding for the 2017 Fiscal Year will boost total spending to $2 billion, the same level that will be sustained over the next eight years under the plan that renewed the TTF.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel, Dr. Thomas M. Ombrello, a biology professor at the college, Bill Emmitt, co-chair of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church Tree Committee, Bernards Township Administrator Bruce McArthur and students at the ceremony marking the removal for relocation of the progeny of the Basking Ridge Oak tree from Union County College’s Historic Tree Grove in Cranford.
The Basking Ridge White Oak tree, believed to be one of the oldest trees in North America, is estimated to be at least 600 years old and is located at the Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge. Last year the tree was determined to be dead.
Dr. Ombrello collected acorns from the old tree in 2001and created a sapling that was planted in the tree grove in Cranford. The new 16-year-old, 20-foot-tall oak will be transported to the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church to continue growing in a spot near its predecessor.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of giclée fine art prints of paintings by Gina Minichino of Westfield in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “Junk Food Mania 2017” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through June 9. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are delighted to display colorful fine art prints of Gina Minichino’s entertaining paintings.”
“I grew up with a pencil, pen or marker in my hand. After graduating from Westfield High School, I knew I wanted to go to art school in New York to learn to draw cartoons,” Minichino said. “At the School of Visual Arts I studied with great cartoonists like Harvey Kurzman, Will Eisner and Sam Viviano. After graduation, I took a
painting class and found a new passion.”
“I loved exploring light and color and learning how it all worked,” Gina added. “I continue to paint things that fascinate me…like people…and junk food.”
In 2016, Ms. Minichino had a solo exhibit at the George Billis Gallery, NYC. In 2014 her work was in Jersey Women Artists Now: Contemporary Visions, George Segal Gallery, Montclair. She exhibited in the 25th International Juried Show at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, and in many other venues around throughout the USA.
Ms. Minichino is an accomplished realist painter. She draws on her technical ability as a painter to create miniatures of classic American food. In addition, Minichino has been drawing caricatures at events for over 20 years. These days she teaches private art classes in her Westfield studio. Her varied and interesting artwork can be seen at www.ginaminichino.com
Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.
With the winter weather that has just passed, potholes are a frequent issue for drivers. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders would like you to know there are resources you can use to report them to the proper agency.
“We certainly encourage drivers and commuters to report any pothole they encounter on roads throughout Union County to the responsible authority,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “A pothole lives on until reported.”
To report a pothole or any other issue with a county road, use an online form available through the Union County Department of Public Works and Facilities Management at https://ucnj.org/pot-hole/
The online form lists only County roads.
Persons without Internet access can report potholes on Union County roads by calling 908-789-3660.
For potholes on state highways, call the New Jersey Department of Transportation at 1-800-POTHOLE or use the online form at http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/potholeform.shtm
For local roads, contact the municipality in which the road is located.
To plan a commute around major road projects that may disrupt traffic patterns in Union County, visit the “Road Construction Update” page at https://ucnj.org/traffic
For all mass transit information, visit Union County ConneXions at https://ucnj.org/connect
Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Union County Surrogate James LaCorte congratulate the top winners of the 2017 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers.
The top winners of the contest are (from 2nd left): Sofia Ortiz (1st place) from the Sherman School in Roselle Park, Madisyn Brunson (2nd place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary in Clark, Ying Chow (3rd place) from the Sherman School in Roselle Park and Addison Heuck (4th place) from Holy Trinity Interparochial School in Westfield.
More than 200 fourth grade students from schools throughout Union County entered the contest.
(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Christopher Hudak, Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park, Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan and Executive Director of the YWCA of Union County Janice C. Lilien attend the 4th annual Union County C.A.R.E.S. (Community, Action, Response, Education, Safety) Domestic Violence Symposium at Kean University in Union. They were joined by David Fletcher, President of the Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation and Shavar Jeffries, a partner with the law firm Lowenstein Sandler, LLP. Mr. Jeffries was the keynote speaker.
Symposium was sponsored by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, YWCA Union County, Kean University, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Elizabeth-based Family and Children’s Services, Iris House, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, and the Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation.
The Symposium was scheduled to coincide with the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crimes Victims’ Rights Week, held this year from April 2 to 8 (for more information, go online to https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw).
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite families with children of all ages and adults to celebrate wildlife and embrace environmental conservation at a fun and educational event at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Sunday, April 30, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, rain or shine.
“The Wild Earth Fest event is an entertaining way for families to celebrate the Earth,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, “People of all ages can learn to become eco-friendly and increase their awareness of wildlife conservation.”
Among the events taking place will be live animal demonstrations, educational displays, live music, giveaways and vendors. Children’s activities include a bounce house and slide; face painting, Recycling Olympics, casting contests and Eco-Art. This year, visitors will have the opportunity to meet “Curby,” Union County’s new, interactive Recycling Robot. Discover how you can become more environmentally aware and help prevent litter. Curby is a fully animated robot that moves, speaks, listens and plays music.
The winners of the Wildlife Photography Contest and Environmental Hero Awards will be announced during the event. There is still plenty of time to nominate an Environmental Hero in your community or participate in the Wildlife Photography Contest. Visit www.ucnj.org/trailside for detailed information.
Featured this year, Dominic Rizzo, of “Rizzo’s Reptile Discovery” will entertain and inform as he presents a host of live reptiles. Meet live turtles, snakes and a gator as you learn about the characteristics of these cold-blooded creatures. Shows are at 12 noon and 3:00 p.m. Join Cyril the Sorcerer as he tells the tale of monsters, magic and too much trash during his magical, interactive performance entitled, “Recycling is Magic” at 1:00 pm and again at 4:00 p.m.
Glen “Wreckin Ball” Waldeck and his band, Full Deck, will delight the audience on a musical journey that touches on an array of topics and encourages participation through singing, dancing and other antics. Glen’s songs have been heard on NBC, PBS, CNN and the Discovery Channel.
Back by popular demand, Vinnie Reo and his wolves from Wolf Visions, will dispel the myths of the “Big Bad Wolf” and explain their role in keeping a balanced ecosystem.
Visit many educational table displays including: New Jersey Audubon Society, Union County Bureau of Recycling, Native Plant Society, Toad Shade Wildflower Farm, Newark Bait and Fly Casting Club, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Rizzo’s Wildlife World, USDA Wildlife Services, AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador, NJ State Park Service, Friends of the Great Swamp, Union County Master Gardeners, 4-H Master Tree Stewards, Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center and more. Vendors will be on hand selling wildlife related items, green-themed art and gifts will be available for purchase.
Admission is $4 per person; children 6 years and younger are free. Admission includes entrance to the “Touch A Truck” event being held concurrently in the Watchung Reservation lower loop parking lot. No pets will be permitted to these events. There is something for everyone at these special events. Throughout the day, food and beverages will be available.
For more information about Wild Earth Fest and Touch a Truck or any upcoming programs or events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen announced today that Union County is prepared for the hundreds of anglers who descend on the County’s parks and waterways for the opening day of trout season, scheduled for Saturday, April 8 at 8 a.m.
According to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Union County rivers and lakes are scheduled to be stocked with 10,920 rainbow trout this spring. The trout are among approximately 570,000 rainbow trout raised this season at the Division’s Pequest Trout Hatchery in Hackettstown.
The following County waterbodies and the number of trout they are receiving are as follows:
“Fishing in Union County parks is a tradition that dates back generations,” said Bergen. “It is a fun, affordable activity that residents of any age may enjoy. Our parks are easily accessible and we are excited to continue this Spring ritual with the cooperation of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.”
To fish for trout or salmon, a valid annual New Jersey fishing license and trout stamp are both required for residents at least 16 years and less than 70 years of age plus all non-residents 16 years and older. Only one daily creel limit of trout may be in possession. Once the creel limit is reached, an angler may continue to fish provided any additional trout caught are immediately returned to the water unharmed. When fishing from the shoreline, no more than three fishing rods, hand lines or combination thereof may be used. Separate stringers or buckets must be used for each angler’s catch. Containers in boats may hold only the combined daily creel limit for each legal angler on board.
For more information on New Jersey’s Spring Trout Season, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo.htm or call the Trout Hotline at (609) 633-6765.
Please note that the Oral Cancer Screening, sponsored through Union County Office of Health Management scheduled for this Saturday at Shop Rite in Clark has been canceled due to a last second issue on behalf of the provider.
The participating Doctor, Dr. Krause, has been called up for reserve duty.
The event will be held again next year, and not rescheduled.