Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to announce that the County of Union will now operate the first monkeypox vaccination clinic for Union County, beginning next week. Union County’s Office of Health Management is hosting the clinic at the Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Roselle, beginning Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“We are proud to work in collaboration with the State of New Jersey to bring all these free vaccine clinics to Union County and push back on the monkeypox virus,” said Union County Chair Rebecca Williams. “This new site will make it easier for eligible residents to have a vaccine appointment close to home and stay protected.”

As of mid-August, Union County has had a total of 55 reported monkeypox cases.  At the clinic, the Union County Office of Health Management will be administering the Jynneos vaccine to eligible and high-risk residents ages 1-17 and 18 years and older. A limited supply was allocated by the NJ Department of Health.

The Jynneos vaccine is a two-dose series, given 28 days apart. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends receiving both doses of the vaccine, as the level of protection for one dose is unknown. Residents who have been vaccinated against monkeypox by the Union County Office of Health Management will automatically be scheduled for a second dose appointment.

First Dose Appointments:

• September 14, 2022: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• September 15, 2022: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• September 16, 2022: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Second Dose Appointments:

• October 12, 2022: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• October 13, 2022: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• October 14, 2022: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Attended an event where known monkeypox (HMPVX) exposure happened within the past 14 days.
• Had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in areas where monkeypox (hMPXV) has been reported.
• Persons who are at continued risk for occupational exposure.

Appointments are strongly recommended

They can be scheduled at https://ucnj.org/monkeypox/ until all available slots are filled. Residents can click that link and follow the prompts to make an appointment for your monkeypox vaccination. Select ‘Jynneos 1-17’ or ‘Jynneos 18+’ from the drop-down menu.

What You Need to Know

• Monkeypox (also known as hMPXV or MPXV) is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
• It can cause a rash that can look like pimples or blisters and can also cause a flu-like sickness (fever, cough, headache, body aches, chills, feeling very tired, etc.).
• Monkeypox can spread to any person – most likely through close, skin-to-skin contact with someone with monkeypox, or through saliva or other body fluids.
• It can also spread through touching things or surfaces, especially clothes, bedding, and towels that have been used by someone with monkeypox and not disinfected.
• Symptoms start within 3 weeks of being exposed to the virus.
• If you start having flu-like symptoms, a rash will usually come 1-4 days later.
• The rash can be on the face, inside the mouth, chest, hands, feet, genitals, or anus and starts as small, reddish spots. It then develops into blisters that fill with pus (liquid from infected tissue).
• Monkeypox can spread from the time a rash starts to the time a rash has fully healed with a new layer of skin.
• This usually takes two to four weeks.

Residents may also call the County of Union Vaccination hotline if they need assistance in making and managing appointments at 908-613-7VAX (7829).

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

Pursuant to an announcement by Deana Mesaros, Director of the Union County Paratransit System, notice is hereby given that on September 13, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Union County Administration Building at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza 6th Floor, Elizabeth, NJ the COUNTY OF UNION, Department of Human Services Paratransit, will hold a Hearing accepting input concerning the 2023 Application to New Jersey Transit for funding under the Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance Program, at which time and place all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard. To assure that all members of the public are given an opportunity to be heard, initial presentations will be limited to five (5) minutes.

In order to encourage full participation in this Hearing, please submit any requests for accommodation of people with disabilities to the Union County Paratransit 10 Elizabethtown Plaza 2nd Fl., Elizabeth, NJ 07207 no later than five (5) business days prior to the public hearing. People who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or speech impaired should access this service by contacting New Jersey Relay Service TTY/TDD 1-800-852-7899.

For those residents unable to attend the Hearing, please know that written comments and/or testimony will be accepted through September 6th. Please send correspondence to Deana Mesaros, Director, Union County Paratransit System 10 Elizabethtown Plaza 2nd Fl. Elizabeth, NJ 07207

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, August 18, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control: 908-654-9873

• Clark – Jupitor St., Dorset Dr., Kennedy Dr., Ridge Rd.
• Elizabeth – Front St.
• Hillside – Hillside Ave., Aldine St. Area, Munn Ave., Westminster Area
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Rd., Blvd (County Yard). Epping Dr., Commonwealth Rd.
• Linden – Tremley Point Area, E. Curtis St. Area, Union St., McCandless St.
• New Providence – Charmwood Rd., Gales Dr.
• Rahway – Elston St., Leesville Ave. Area
• Summit – New Providence Rd.,
• Union – Allen St. Area
• Westfield – Prospect St. Area
• Winfield – U.C. Parkway Dr

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, August 11, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control: 908-654-9873

• Berkeley Heights – Roger’s Ave., Ralph Pl., Apple tree Row, Hilltop Ave., Emerson Ln., Brookside Ln.
  Cedar Ln., Water Ln. Beechwood Ln., Elm Pl., Janet Ln. Area, Archer Ln., Green brook Rd., Fern way
• Clark – Conger Way, Schwinn Dr., Stonehedge Ter., Sweet Briar Dr.
• Cranford – Arnet Pl., Park Ave., Waverly Pl.
• Fanwood – Russell Rd., Willougby Rd.
• Hillside – Hillside Ave.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Rd., Blvd (County Yard). Epping Dr.
• Linden – Tremley Point Area, E. Curtis St. Area, Union St., McCandless St.
• New Providence – Division Ave.
• Plainfield – Berkeley Ter., E. Second St., Jefferson Ave., Rock Ave.
• Rahway – Elston St., Leesville Ave., Lakeside Dr., Milton Blvd., Midwood Dr., Randolph Ave. Area
• Scotch Plains – Frank St., Ashbrook Dr.
• Summit – New Providence Rd.,
• Union – Warwick Ct.
• Westfield – Overhill Rd., Prospect St., Livingston St., Myrtle Ave.
• Winfield Park – U.C. Parkway

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, July 28, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control: 908-654-9873

• Berkeley Heights – Roger’s Ave., Ralph Pl., Apple tree Row, Hilltop Av., Emerson La., Brookside La.
  Cedar La., Water La. Beechwood La. Janet La. Area
• Clark – Lefferts Ln., Terhune Rd., Whitley Ter., Carolina St., Georgia St., Emerald Pl., Kennedy Dr., Ridge Rd., Hilltop Av., Oak Ridge RD.,
• Cranford – Wadsworth Ter.
• Hillside – Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., John St.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Rd., Blvd (County Yard). Epping Dr.
• Linden – Tremley Point Area, Range Rd., Minor Ter. E. Henry St., Harrison Pl., E. Elm St.,
• New Providence – Mountain Ave., Gail’s Dr., Charmwood Rd., Union Ave.
• Rahway – Central Ave., Milton Blvd., Lakeside Dr., Crescent Dr. Area
• Roselle – Chandler Ave., E. 1st Ave., E.2nd Ave., Poplar St.
• Roselle Park – Maplewood Ave., W. Webster Ave., Amsterdam Ave., Seaton Ave.
• Scotch Plains – Frank St., Martine Extension, Jacobs La.
• Springfield – Waverly Ave., Oakland Ave., S. Springfield Ave., Evergreen Ave., Brown Ave.,
  Bernadette Ct., Smithfield Dr.
• Summit – New Providence Rd., Water Co. Rd.
• Westfield – Lamberts mill Rd.

County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge Pk.
• Cranford – Nomahegan Pk.
• Hillside – Rutgers Pk.
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook Pk., Green Brook Pk.

Municipality Parks

• Plainfield – Milt Campbell Pk.
• Westfield – Tamaques Pk.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Mosquitoes tonight, Friday, July 22, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control: 908-654-9873

• Clark – Lefferts Ln., Terhune Rd., Whitley Ter., Kennedy Dr., Hilltop Ave., Ridge Rd., 
• Cranford – Union County College
• Garwood – Hickory Av., Lexington Ave.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Rd., Blvd (County Yard). Epping Dr.
• New Providence – Fairmont Rd. Area
• Plainfield – Jefferson Av., First Av.,
• Roselle – Pine St., Woodland Dr. area, W.5^th St., w. 6^th St., Oakley St., Locust St.
• Roselle Park – E. Colfax Ave. Area, Walking Trail between Galloping Hill Rd. and Chestnut St.

County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge
• Garwood – Unami
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook, Green Brook

Municipality Parks  

• Westfield – Mindowaskin

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to participate in the 2022 “Choose Your Cover” program, which is a free statewide skin cancer screening, awareness and educational initiative taking place on Saturday, August 13^th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool located in the Rahway River Park, St. George Avenue in Rahway.

“Everyone wants to be outside once the summer season hits, but residents need to take the proper precautions in order to prevent them from overexposure to the sun,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and it is usually curable when detected and treated early, so it is so important to get checked and follow all of the ways to reduce your risk for sun damage.”

This free event is open to all, but a pre-screening survey is required to schedule a skin cancer screening. To promote sun safety and help reduce the risk of skin cancer, personnel from the Union County Office of Health Management, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Summit Health Cares will be on site for the August 13^th event to provide free skin cancer screenings and help residents learn about the “Choose Your Cover” message.

Overexposure to the sun is a health risk for people of all ages, races and skin tones. Before heading outdoors, a few simple precautions can protect your skin and lower your risk.

People who work or play outdoors, fair skinned people who sunburn easily, and those with a family history of melanoma are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer – the most common form of cancer in the United States.

“This is the perfect opportunity to get any concerning skin changes checked out for no cost to residents,” said Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, who is the Chair of Public Safety. “This short screening could be a potentially life-saving decision and I would like to thank the Union County Office of Health Management for being proactive in educating our residents and offering this program.”

The Choose Your Cover program offers these tips:

• Covering up exposed skin with long sleeve shirts and long pants in tightly woven fabrics can offer effective protection from the sun.
• Opt for a wide-brimmed hat over a baseball cap for better protection of your head, ears and neck.
•  Wear sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB absorption to protect the eyes from sun damage.
•  Look for shady areas or avoid the sun, if possible, during the middle of the day when UV rays are the strongest.
•  Remember to liberally apply a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and reapply frequently.
•  Steer clear of indoor tanning beds. They are proven to increase risk for skin cancer.

To  schedule  a  free  skin  cancer  screening  call  the  Union  County  Office  of  Health Management at 908-518-5622.