Author: Web Site Administrator

 “The Union County Board of County Commissioners share our sentiments of sorrow and sadness over yesterday’s unspeakable tragedy in the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. It is extremely difficult to comprehend the horrible and violent actions of people, and even more so when directed at – what should be – a safe space. Violence on this scale at a school is almost impossible to process.

Far too often, we have seen horrific scenes like this play out, places like Newtown, Parkland and Columbine have been etched into our minds. And now, once again, we are left to try to make sense of a senseless act, one that cut short the lives of at least 19 innocent children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School.

We stand with Uvalde, Texas and its community. We are heartbroken. We are frustrated, and we are dispirited as we mourn with their students, parents and staff who face a grief that is unimaginable. As we think about these losses and our shared values in relation to the Uvalde community, we need to also work together to find solutions with compassion and partnerships.

While there is so much more we can do as a country, the County of Union continues to fight for smarter Gun Sense laws with having partnerships in place like Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action. We continue to create initiatives such as the Gun Buyback/Turn-In Programs and mental health programs. As elected officials, we work to do everything in our power to protect our residents, our children and our families from gun violence—and we will continue to remain connected and vigilant.

The Board of Commissioners extend our deepest condolences to all those who have been impacted by this horrific crime. We remain united and County strong. May you keep your loved ones close to you during these unsettled times.”

Earlier this afternoon, Undersheriff Carlo Caparruva was sworn in by Sheriff Peter Corvelli as a Union County Undersheriff at a ceremony held in the courtroom of the Honorable Lisa Miralles Walsh, Assignment Judge of the Union County Vicinage. Undersheriff Caparruva will join current Undersheriffs Dennis Burke and Victor Manata and Director Ronald Charles as the executive management team for Sheriff Corvelli.

“Undersheriff Caparruva’s well rounded career and leadership will help to continue our aligned vision of professional, empathetic and service-focused leadership for the Office,” said Sheriff Peter Corvelli. 

Undersheriff Caparruva has served with the Union County Sheriff’s Office since 1993. Undersheriff Caparruva has had a distinguished career with the Office, working in each of the divisions, to include assignments in the Court Security and Transportation Units in 1996 through 1998. He was assigned to the current Field Services Division in 1998 and has remained there as an investigator and supervisor for the last 24 years. 

Based on his investigative acumen with the Office, Undersheriff Caparruva was the one of the first Union County Sheriff’s Officers to be assigned to the United States Marshal’s Service NY-NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. During his three year tenure, Undersheriff Caparruva and the FTF were responsible for the arrests of some of NJ’s Most Wanted criminals. Upon his return, he was promoted to Sergeant of the Family Violence Unit. Under his supervision, the Unit saw a sixty percent increase in arrests, a trend he continued upon his transfer to the Criminal Investigations Unit.

As a Sergeant and Lieutenant, Caparruva was instrumental in the formation of the Office’s Street Crimes Unit, which assisted the cities of Elizabeth and Plainfield to quell impact crimes and gun violence. Undersheriff Caparruva is the recipient of 7 Commendation awards, 2 Unit Commendation awards, 8 Letters of Commendation, 4 Letters of appreciation, and multiple awards from his service with the USMS FTF to include the United States Marshal’s Service commendation award.

For more information, please contact Undersheriff Dennis Burke at 908-527-4959 or dburke@ucnj.orgor visit www.ucnj.org/sheriff.

Sheriff Peter Corvelli announced the appointment of Carlo Caparruva as Undersheriff of Union County, effective May 20, 2022.

In a resolution passed last week at the Union County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Commissioners designated May as National Mental Health Awareness Month. In recognition of this month, the Department of Human Service’s Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse in partnership with Atlantic Health System will host a free webinar titled, “Mental Health 101: How Do We Talk About Mental Health.”

“Mental and emotional wellbeing is an important component of our overall health, which allows us to have strong relationships with ourselves, our family or friends, colleagues, or neighbors in general,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “My 2022 Chair Initiatives are “Connecting our Community” and one of my main focuses as part of the initiatives is “Making Connections for Mental Health and Wellbeing,” where connecting the community to needed resources is key to access and wellness.”

Since the start of the pandemic, an increasing number of people are talking about mental health and its importance to overall health, but mental health conditions, resources, and conversations can still feel complicated and confusing.

This webinar, which will be hosted by Sharon Kelly, LCSW of Atlantic Behavioral Health & CONCERN EAP, will feature a discussion where residents can learn the basics about mental health and how they can strengthen their own health. “This is a great opportunity to check in with your health and the health of our fellow community members.  More importantly, this is an opportunity to learn where to go if you or someone you know, needs additional support.”

The webinar will take place on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Pre-registration is required and interested residents can register to join the webinar by registering at Webinar Registration – Zoom.

For more information about this webinar, please call Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-579-8573. To learn more about the mental health services the County of Union provides, please visit www.ucnj.org/departments/human-services/mental-health-services/.

Earlier this morning, Union County officials welcomed representatives from Amazon at the Family Success Center in Rahway, NJ, as they donated 10,000 at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to the County of Union.

“We would like to thank Amazon for their generous donation of these COVID-19 at-home tests,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “There is still a demand for these tests and there are many residents who may have trouble accessing them or affording them due to other essential costs. So on behalf of the County Commissioners, I would like to thank Amazon for their continued support to our communities, we are very grateful for your donations.”

Colin Newman, Amazon’s New Jersey Public Policy Director was in attendance to present the donation to Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams, as well as Commissioners Sergio Granados, Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Commissioner James Baker and Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner.

After surveying a number of the County’s nonprofit and senior housing partners to determine their needs, the County of Union will be distributing these test kits to different nonprofits or those in need throughout the County at various locations. Today, the Rahway Family Success Center received 500 of these kits, and following the presentation, Commissioners and officials visited the Neighborhood House, Second Street Youth Center and Mount Olive, all in Plainfield to distribute more kits.

“We’re proud to support the Union County community by providing COVID-19 rapid antigen tests,” said Colin Newman, public policy director at Amazon. “Regular and accessible testing during the pandemic continues to help keep our communities safe and healthy and allows for important services, like those provided by Family Success Centers, to continue.”

Amazon donates these COVID-19 tests to Union County in support of its continued pandemic response to ensure communities across the country have access to reliable at-home COVID-19 testing. In an effort to continue to combat this virus, the County continues to offer COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and booster shots at various locations or mobile units throughout the County.

For more information and updates on all Union County services regarding OVID-19, including free vaccinations, free testing, emergency food distributions and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19.

Earlier this evening at the Union County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Commissioners awarded a total of $1,500,000.00 to the County’s twenty-one municipalities for the 2022 Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grant program.

“As one of the largest counties in the state, keeping the vitality and safety of certain projects such as road or pavement repairs to municipal building improvements are something that is critical to keep up-to-date,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “I am pleased that we are able to assist our cities and towns with the funding they need to make these improvements – continuing to make Union County a great place to live, work or visit.”

Several Mayors and representatives from the municipalities in Union County were present to accept the check. A variety of revitalization projects are expected to be used with the funds – however, road improvements are on the top of the list as most requested for funding.

“Investing in our communities is a key part of our plan to accelerate long-lasting improvements across Union County,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is the 2022 Fiscal Chair. “This grant program continues to have wide-ranging impacts as we emerge from the pandemic, therefore improving the vibrancy and quality of life in our neighborhoods, and making all corners of the County even more attractive and sustainable for investment and opportunity.”

The Infrastructure grant program is aimed to provide assistance that will stimulate the development of public projects of economic, social, transportation and governmental importance to local municipalities. The Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grant is a matching grant and will assist municipalities with projects being undertaken in the 2022 calendar year.

The program was created by Commissioner Christopher Hudak in 2015, developed by the County Commissioner’s Fiscal Committee and administered by the Department of Economic Development.  This year’s Commissioner Fiscal Committee included: Commissioner Sergio Granados, Chair, Commissioner Lourdes Leon

Commissioner Alexander Mirabella and Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded.

Funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital in 2014.

To learn more about this grant or about any other program, please visit www.ucnj.org.

• Township of Berkeley Heights – Miscellaneous Drainage Improvements – $60,000.00
• Township of Clark – Capital Road Improvement Program – $65,000.00
• Township of Cranford – Resurfacing Project – $90,000.00
• City of Elizabeth – Emergency Response Facility Exterior Canopy Project – $145,000.00
• Borough of Fanwood – Glenwood Road Improvements Project – $40,000.00
• Borough of Garwood – Curb Replacements on Sections of South Avenue – $35,000.00
• Township of Hillside – Replacing Gate for Township DPW Yard – $23,650.00
• Borough of Kenilworth – Records Management Scanning, Meeting Streaming Project and Repair & Replacement of Borough Sidewalks – $50,000.00
• City of Linden – Resurfacing of Various Parking Lots – $90,000.00
• Borough of Mountainside – Road Work-Resurfacing of Fernwood Rd & Fox Trail – $40,000.00
• Borough of New Providence – Municipal Roadway Paving Project – $50,000.00
• City of Plainfield – West End Ave/Grant Ave Roadway Improvement Project – $135,000.00
• City of Rahway – Rahway Resurfacing Project – $95,000.00
• Borough of Roselle – Roselle Resurfacing Project – $70,000.00
• Borough of Roselle Park – Improvements to Little League Field Parking Lot – $63,000.00
• Township of Scotch Plains – Roadway Assistance Program 2022 – $100,000.00
• Township of Springfield – Paving Improvements on Various Streets – $60,000.00
• City of Summit – Tulip Street Improvement Project & City Hall Records Storage Improvement Project – $75,000.00
• Township of Union – Reconstruction of Kirkland Place – $98,000.00
• Town of Westfield – Improvement to Elmer Street & Improvement to Barchester Way – $100,000.00
• Township of Winfield – Various Improvements: Municipal Complex Roof, Police Door, Police Computers/Battery Backups/Printers & Fire Department Sign – $15,350.00
• Total Award Amount – $1,500,000.00

The Union County Board of County Commissioners will be holding a Walk-Up Covid-19 thEmergency Food Distribution event on Saturday, April 30^th at 10:00 a.m. in the Elizabeth Board of Education Parking Lot, located at 600 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.

“With residents still in need of assistance, Union County will be hosting this walk-up food distribution, providing fresh produce and the necessary products a person or family will need,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “I would like to thank our staff and volunteers as well as Village Super Market and Gargiulo Produce for their continued partnership in these efforts.”

The food distributions are open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and no registration is required.

The events will take place rain or shine. Residents picking up food at the walk-up event in Elizabeth are highly encouraged to wear masks. Walk-up recipients should bring a cart or be able to carry several food bags at the walk-up area.

“The COVID-19 pandemic recovery and the rising inflation have put a strain on many households throughout Union County, where a lot of families have found some relief in the form of food distributions put together by the County,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “These type of events can help offset some of the struggles residents face and we would never want anyone to go without, so this is our way of making sure our communities are taken care of.”

Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency and indication of how many people reside in their household will have to be provided. Recipients will receive an emergency box of produce, dairy, and shelf stable food, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per recipient at each event.

Free Covid-19 Vaccinations will also be available to any resident that is interested. Union County’s next food distribution will be on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. at Kean University in Union, which will be a drive-thru.

For more information, please call the Department of Human Services Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288 or email dhsaction@ucnj.org. To learn more about Village Super Market, visit: myvillagesupermarket.com. To learn more about Gargiulo Produce, visit: gargiuloproduce.com.

On April 11^th, in a Board meeting at the University Club in New York City, Union County Board Commissioner Al Mirabella was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy.

“I am very pleased to have been invited to join the John Cabot University Board of Trustees,” said Commissioner Al Mirabella. “After seeing the outstanding education my daughter Micayla received, I wanted to do my part working the trustees and President Pavoncello to enhance the already excellent reputation at JCU and work to provide opportunities to this World Class education for students around the world.”  

John Cabot University is an American institution of higher education in Rome, Italy. The mission of the University is to provide an educational experience firmly rooted in the American tradition of the liberal arts and solidly international in orientation. The academic programs are designed to use to the fullest extent the special resources of a multicultural faculty, an international student body and the extraordinarily rich culture and history of Rome and the surrounding region.

In a statement from President of John Cabot University, Franco Pavoncello, Ph.D., he stated: “Since our first meeting several years ago during a John Cabot University presentation I gave in New Jersey, the Mirabella family has been an integral part of the life of John Cabot University.  His daughter, Micayla graduated in 2020, serving as graduation representative of her class, and Alexander and Phyllis have been constant, great supporters of the mission of John Cabot University, singing the praise of our school to prospective students’ families. The Mirabella family’s support, the outstanding human qualities of Commissioner Mirabella and his dedication to the public good of his county, made it natural for me to propose him for election to the Board of Trustees of John Cabot University. The enthusiastic and unanimous vote of his fellow trustees, who immediately sensed his intelligence and empathy, is a great development for the University and for our entire community. Welcome Al! I look forward to our work together.”

In addition to joining this Board, Mirabella has served the residents of Union County since 1998 and is also a proud member of the Board of Directors of Wenzhou Kean University. He and his wife, Phyllis, have a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Micayla.

For more information on John Cabot University, please visit: www.johncabot.edu/.

If you would like to learn more about Commissioner Mirabella, please visit the Union County website under the Commissioner’s section at www.ucnj.org.

As Union County moved into 2022, residents were still feeling the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to anyone who was recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Now, in April, residents are dealing with inflation, which is on the rise. As of February, inflation in the United States surged to a new 40-year high of 7.9%, driven by the surging costs for gas, food and housing.

“There are so many people in the community that are still looking for support and the County of Union is working hard to provide the necessary services and programs they may need,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “I would like our residents to know that the Commissioner Board is committed to helping those who need it, where we can, to alleviate any additional hardships they may be facing – from rental assistance to food distributions and employment opportunities.”

Beginning with the announcement of a zero percent tax increase in this year’s 2022 budget in March, the County of Union has been promoting their efforts in assisting residents of Union County in many different areas.

Last month, they announced the Union County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which provides significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental and utility arrears assistance. Assistance is still available, residents can visit www.ucnj.org/rental-assitance to apply or for more information.

Since the start of the pandemic, Union County has held approximately 80 food distributions, providing assistance to nearly 35,000 households within Union County as they continue to deal with food insecurity. After a successful holiday food distribution last week, there will be another one for residents on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Elizabeth Board of Education Parking Lot (across from 600 Pearl Street) in Elizabeth. This is a walk-up site. In addition, on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. at Kean University in Union. This event is a drive-thru and residents must arrive in a vehicle.

“For most people, the high rise in inflation is making it harder for them to afford necessities like food, gas and rent and it is important that our residents in Union County know about all of the available resources and services there are in place to help them,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, 2022 Fiscal Chair & Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “Knowing that many people in our community are still struggling, it was really important to the County Commissioners that we have a zero percent tax increase for the third year in a row. After working with the County Manager and Department heads, we did just that. Even with a continuous no increase in taxes, the County of Union continues to maintain and strengthen the services our residents need and deserve. I hope all in our community look into these programs and initiatives and take advantage of them. We are here to help.”

Last week, the Union County Board of County Commissioners announced the launch of the “Empowering Our Youth” Summer Employment Program. Now open to applicants, this program is run by the Union County Division of Youth Services and is offered to County residents 16 through 24 years old.

This employment program is offering both full-time and part-time positions at various locations at $15 an hour. The “Empowering Our Youth” Summer Employment Program can provide uniforms, transportation, and childcare to those looking for summer jobs. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 19, 2022. Applicants looking to view eligibility requirements or wishing to apply can do so by visiting ucnj.org/youth. Information can also be found by visiting the following locations in person at DYS Youth Forward, located at 1143-1145 E. Jersey St, 4th Floor in Elizabeth, the One-Stop Center at 921 Elizabeth Avenue in Elizabeth and the American Job Center at 200 W. 2nd St # 4 in Plainfield. For more information or if you have any questions regarding the “Empowering Our Youth” Summer Employment Program, please call Jasmine Sowah at 908-558-2523.

Also this month, the Union County Office on Aging and Disability Services resumed the Senior Nutrition Program at various locations throughout the county.  The Congregate Nutrition Program provides participants with the opportunity to enjoy a balanced, nutritious lunch in the company of their friends and neighbors. For more information, please call the Union County Division on Aging/Nutrition Program at 908-527-4877 or 908-558-2297.

Meals on Wheels Union County is also being offered to residents who are homebound, such as elderly individuals or couples unable to prepare a nutritious, well balanced meal; individuals recovering from recent hospitalization or illness or any person 60 years of age or older, or anyone married to a person 60 years of age or older. This program is supported by a grant from Union County Division on Aging, client contributions, and donations from the general public and private organizations. For more information or to register for this program, please visit www.mowuc.org/ or call 908-486-5100.

The Division of Paratransit is also back up and running and provides transportation services for individual passengers for several trips including Route 22 Shuttle Bus, medical, shopping, employment, education or training, prescription pick-ups and other essential services. All reservations are limited to availability on a first come first served basis and transportation will be provided with limited passengers on each vehicle. Residents interested should call 908-241-8300 (Option 1) to make a reservation and schedule their trip.

To learn more about the different services, programs or events being held throughout all of the Departments and Divisions in Union County, please visit www.ucnj.org.