Author: Web Site Administrator

Elizabeth – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders have appointed James Pellettiere, a resident of the City of Rahway and the former Deputy Director of Public Information for Union County, as Clerk of the Board.

Pellettiere will begin his duties as Clerk of the Board effective Wednesday, February1st. The Freeholder Board approved Pellettiere’s appointment on Thursday night.

“I am truly grateful to the Freeholder Board for their vote of confidence,” Pellettiere said. “I hold a great deal of respect for the Office of the Clerk of the Board and I look forward to providing a high level of service to the public and the Freeholder Board.”

As Clerk of the Board, Pellettiere will be responsible for preparing and coordinating the activities of the Freeholder meetings, acting as the depository of vital County documents, acting as the custodian of the official County seal; and providing administrative services for the Board. He will succeed Nicole DiRado, who becomes the Deputy Clerk of Union County on February 1st.

Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella said he was confident the appointment of Pellettiere would represent a seamless transition given his 12 years of experience within the Union County Government; six of which were performed as the Director of Constituent Services within the office of the Clerk of the Board.

“We are looking forward to working with Jim and have the highest confidence in his ability to perform the duties required as Clerk of the Board,” Mirabella said. “During his time as Director of Constituent Services he developed an excellent knowledge of the day-to-day operations of this office, and has gained the respect of his peers and County Administrators.”

County Manager Al Faella agreed, adding Pellettiere should be able to “hit the ground running” in his new position.

“I had the pleasure of working early on with Jim during my days as Director of Community Development,” Faella said. “He has proven himself to have a tireless work ethic and dedication to public service.”

Pellettiere’s tenure with the County began with the Division of Community Development, where he assisted in the monitoring and administration of nearly $2.6 million of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from 1999 through 2002.  In this capacity, Pellettiere assisted in the monitoring of over Facility projects funded through CDBG; including projects such as the Rahway JFK Center Renovation project and the Boys and Girls Club of Union County Facility Renovation project.

Following that, Pellettiere worked within the newly established Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historical Preservation Trust Fund, where he was eventually promoted as Deputy Trust Fund Administrator.  He worked with each of the 21 municipalities in administering over $3 million of Trust Fund grant programs such as “Green the Streets,” “Preserve Union County,” “Greening Union County” and the “Kids Recreation Trust Fund.”

Pellettiere worked for approximately six years for the Freeholder Board as Director of Constituent Services where he supervised the day-to-day activities of the Freeholder legislative staff, drafted resolutions and correspondences on behalf of the board, assisted in the implementation of meetings, and coordinated responses to constituent concerns.

Later as the Deputy Director of the Office of Public Information, where he helped organize press events, write releases and speeches, and supervised the production of all County print material; identifying numerous procedural measures resulting in a cost savings of over $25,000 in 2011.  Pellettiere also served as a primary County Spokesperson during Hurricane Irene in August 2011; coordinating the dissemination of information to the general public, Union County municipal governments and media outlets.

Pellettiere obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University. He graduated with a major in Political Science while minoring in Pre-Law and Public Administration. In May of 2011, he completed his certificate for the Masters of Public Administration from Kean University.

He serves on the Union County Transportation Advisory Board, is a member of the City of Rahway’s Board of Appeals and has served as President of his Condominium Association since 2007.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Means Business networking breakfast series will hold its first session next week with more than 160 local business representatives in attendance, along with State Senator Raymond J. Lesniak (D-20) and State Senator Thomas Kean (D-21), and officials from local and state agencies and business organizations.

The series, an initiative of Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, is designed to bring local business owners, prospective owners and managers in contact with information about grants, loans, social media, employee recruitment, and other resources.

“We are very gratified by the enthusiasm with which the business community has responded to Union County Means Business, and with Senator Lesniak and Senator Kean we hope to underscore just how committed we are to making this a very productive and successful series,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The kickoff session features Caren S. Franzini, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. It will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Kean University STEM Building, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

All sessions are free but pre-registration is required by visiting the Union County website athttps://ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or call 908-527-4200.

 

The Union County Means Business partnership also includes the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corporation, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Mountainside, NJ – Families enjoyed making big bubbles, little bubbles and bubble bunches at the “Bubblemania” class last year as part of Trailside Nature & Science Center’s Friday Family summer series of programs. Family and evening programs provide an excellent opportunity for parents with children of all ages to enjoy the scenic Watchung Reservation. Evening theme hikes, campfires with sing-alongs, and scavenger hunts are just a sample of the numerous activities that families can look forward to this summer at Trailside. Half and full-day camps are offered for children in the pre-first through ninth grade. Registration for residents of Union County for summer camps and family programs will be held on Saturday, March 3. In order to register, a lottery ticket must be drawn between Feb. 11-24; proof of residency is required. Please call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/trailside for more information.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce a new and exciting season of summer camps and family programs at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.

“Trailside summer programs offer adults and children a great opportunity to explore the outdoors while learning about nature,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Each Trailside camp and family program is filled with hands-on, educational activities that encourage a child’s natural curiosity. Theme hikes, games and crafts are all part of the Trailside experience.”

 

Due to the popularity of Trailside’s summer programs, a lottery system will be used beginning Saturday, February 11, and continuing through Friday, February 24, or until all numbers have been drawn. Union County residents may visit Trailside to draw a lottery number from noon to 5:00 p.m. daily. There are more than 500 numbers. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, will be required to draw a number. Only one number may be drawn per family/address.

Registrants must pick their own lottery ticket for their family and each registrant’s name, address, lottery number and arrival time will be recorded when the lottery number is chosen.  The number drawn in the lottery will indicate the registrant’s position on line and time of arrival for registration day, scheduled for Saturday, March 3.

Summer Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on March 3 for Union County residents who have drawn a lottery ticket.  Registrants must bring their ticket with them to register and must be present when their number is called or their position in line will be forfeited. Each ticket holder may only register their child/family. If a registrant arrives after their number is called, but within their designated registration hour indicated on their lottery ticket, they may register at the end of the one-hour time block. If the registrant misses their one hour time block entirely, they may return at 4:30 p.m. to register. No exceptions will be made.

Registration for out-of-county residents will begin Monday, March 5, from noon – 4:45 p.m. Lottery tickets will not be required and registration will continue until all programs are filled.

Children, ages 4-5 can investigate popular topics like dinosaurs, Native Americans, turtles, birds and kitchen chemistry in several half-day camp programs. Half and full-day camps are offered to children entering the first through ninth grades. Children entering first and second grades will delight to travel “Around the World in Five Days” to learn about wildlife inhabiting five different continents or they can use their imaginations to find out about “Mythical Creatures of Fields and Forests.”  The “Junior Naturalist “ program allows children entering the third and fourth grades an opportunity to learn about wetlands; while “Trailside Treks” will teach them to navigate the many hiking trails in the Watchung Reservation with a map and compass.

Visiting Sandy Hook to collect and identify fish, crabs, snails and other ocean creatures is a highlight of the “Ocean Wonders” camp for children entering fifth and sixth grades. Children entering seventh through ninth grades will have fun learning about various natural habitats in the Watchung Reservation in “Nature Treks.”

For a description of Trailside’s 2012 Summer Camps, including registration procedures, please call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Summer brochures and registration cards will be distributed during the February lottery. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Ave.) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella recently visited and spoke about County Government and his responsibilities as an elected official before members of the Teen Action Service Corp of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains. The high school students, under the supervision of Lindsay Napchen of the JCC, perform between 30-40 hours per year of community service, have leadership meetings, and examine aspects of Jewish identity and youth issues.  PHOTO: Freeholder Mirabella (Center right, red tie), Lindsay Napchen (holding papers (right, front row), surrounded by student participants in program.

Students: Back row – Zach More, Jonathan Belfer, Jordan Bernstein, Andrew Wheeler, Scott Flanzman, Mike Rosenheck, Alyssa Leyden, Derek Weisman, Hannah Nizri, Nick Verderamo, Rachel Armus, Mitch Naveh

Front Row – Abbie Goldring, Julie Queller, Maddie Rosenberg, Alex Ehrenthal, Haley Needle, Alyssa Hartstein.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Watchung Stable and the SHOW program (School Horses of Watchung) would like to congratulate “Tax Cut” on his recent adoption by the Joralemon Family of Summit (pictured from left to right: Chris, Briana, Caden and Quinn) on January 1, 2012. Tax Cut is the 13th school horse placed for adoption through the efforts of volunteers dedicated to SHOW’s mission “to provide dignified, healthy and comfortable retirement for the school horses of Watchung Stable.” Tax Cut is wished a long, healthy and happy retirement! Watchung Stable is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal administered by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information about riding classes and other programs offered at Watchung Stable, please call (908) 789-3665, or e-mail questions tostablequestions@ucnj.org.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Families can enjoy Saturday mornings in the beautiful wooded Watchung Reservation and learn about wildlife, animal habitats and the  environment during Trailside’s Saturday Outdoor Adventures. Programs begin at 10 a.m. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. For information about the Saturday Outdoor Adventures, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside (at Coles Ave.) and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal invite families with children of all ages to take part in theme hikes and nature related talks during several upcoming Saturday Outdoor Adventures programs at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. These informative and invigorating outdoor programs are led by Trailside’s knowledgeable naturalists. Programs begin at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center and last approximately 45 minutes. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated.

“The Saturday Outdoor Adventures program at Trailside is a great opportunity for families to enjoy a morning together,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “You’ll discover the wooded landscape of the mountains and trails of the beautiful Watchung Reservation and learn new and interesting facts about wildlife and our environment.”

On Saturday, Feb. 4, families can explore the Watchung Reservation and learn how to identify trees without their leaves during “Winter Seasonal.” Participants will hike the nursery trails to search for deer paths, rabbit tracks and other animal signs.

During “Wetland Habitats” on Feb. 25, families can investigate Trailside’s state-of-the-art exhibits to learn about vernal pools, rivers, lakes and ponds. Discover some of the animals that live in these important areas and meet live turtles from Trailside’s reptile collection.

On March 10, families can join a Trailside naturalist to learn about the wildlife in the Watchung Reservation during the Saturday Outdoor Adventure Program, “Watchable Wildlife.”

Trailside invites families to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day during the “Green Trail Hike” on Saturday, March 17. We will hike the Green Trail to search for budding leaves, evergreen trees, ferns, moss and other greenery.

On March 31, as spring arrives in the Watchung Reservation, join a Trailside park naturalist for a hike around Lake Surprise to investigate the variety of life found living near the largest body of water in the Watchung Reservation during “Headwaters Hike.” This is a great opportunity to listen for spring peepers, look for wildflowers and discover the wonders of wetlands. This Saturday Outdoor Adventure meets at the Lake Surprise Parking Lot.

For more information on the Saturday Outdoor Adventures program or on any other upcoming events, call 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County, NJ – The Union County Foreclosure Task Force is reminding residents whose homes were undergoing a foreclosure process in 2009 and 2010 that they may be eligible for a free, comprehensive review of their case.

“If you were unfairly exposed to foreclosure in 2009 or 2010, Federal agencies have arranged a process that could help you seek redress,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “I urge you to take this opportunity to find out if your case can be reviewed.”

The free review process is the result of an enforcement action against more than a dozen mortgage servicing companies and vendors undertaken last spring by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Under the terms of the enforcement action, those companies are required to engage independent consultants to review cases that were in a foreclosure process in 2009 and 2010.

The review is designed to reveal whether borrowers suffered financial injury through errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in the process, and to determine appropriate remediation for those customers.

To be eligible for a review, the mortgage must have been active in the foreclosure process between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010. In addition, the property securing the loan must have been the primary residence, and the mortgage must have been serviced by one of the following mortgage servicers:

 

• America’s Servicing Company
• Aurora Loan Services
• Bank of America
• Beneficial
• Chase
• Citibank
• CitiFinancial
• CitiMortgage
• Countrywide
• EMC
• Everbank/Everhome
• Freedom Financial
• GMAC Mortgage
• HFC
• HSBC
• IndyMac Mortgage Services
• Metlife Bank
• National City
• PNC
• Sovereign Bank
• SunTrust Mortgage
• U.S. Bank
• Wachovia
• Washington Mutual
• Wells Fargo

 

The companies were required to send informational mailings to their customers, with instructions on how to apply for a review.

“If you have not received a mailing you may still be entitled to a review,” said Mirabella. “If you have any questions about your eligibility, don’t hesitate to call the federal hotline for more information at 1-888-952-9105.”

Persons seeking information on their eligibility can call the Independent Foreclosure Review toll free, 1-888-952-9105, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information is also available online at IndependentForeclosureReview.com.

All requests for review must be received by April 30, 2012.

For Union County residents who are not eligible for the Independent Foreclosure Review process, the Union County Foreclosure Task Force has free, reliable information and guidance that can help homeowners avoid foreclosure, or can help them cope with a foreclosure more effectively. Information for tenants is also available.

Visit the Task Force online at www.ucnj.org or call the toll free hotline at The Home Ownership Preservation Foundation, a Task Force partner, 888-995-HOPE (4673).

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

 

 

 

 

Tina Casey

Deputy Director

Union County Office of Public Information

908-527-4346

tcasey@ucnj.org

Men and women who enjoy the game of softball can be a part of the game by becoming certified Amateur Softball Association (ASA) softball umpires. The Greater Union County ASA Softball Umpires Association, in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, will conduct its annual softball umpires training program beginning Monday, February 27.

The training classes will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday evenings from Feb. 27 through April 2 at the Union County Administration Building in Elizabeth. The cost of this six-week umpiring course is $150. The classes are open to men and women, 18 years of age and older, who are interested in umpiring softball games.

For more information and registration details, please contact the Union County, New Jersey, Amateur Softball Association office of  Keith Benovengo at (908) 313-0983, email: commissioner@asasoftballucnj.org; or Bill Smith at (908) 259-0154, email: willsmith43@comcast.net; or visit: www.asasoftballucnj.org.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce a new series of programs for adults at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. “Audubon Lecture: Owls of New Jersey” is the first of the Winter 2012 Adult Program Series. This lecture, for adults 18 and older, will run on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 7-9 p.m. The fee is $8 per person for Union County residents and $10 per person for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is required.

“Trailside’s Winter Adult Program Series offers a unique opportunity for residents to learn new and interesting facts on a myriad of nature-related and historical topics,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Audubon Lecture: Owls of New Jersey, the first topic in the series, is sure to be an informative and engaging program.”

Owls are among our most fascinating wildlife. There are eight species of these raptors living in New Jersey, four of which commonly nest in the Watchung Reservation. Dorothy Smullen, teacher/naturalist with the New Jersey Audubon Society will present an illustrated program that explains the adaptations that make these birds successful hunters. The audience will have an opportunity to view mounted specimens, listen to owl calls and learn to identify their pellets.

For additional information about the Audubon Lecture: Owls of New Jersey, or other programs for adults or special events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

A Barred Owl is one of the owls that will be discussed during the program for adults, “Audubon Lecture: Owls of New Jersey” at Trailside Nature & Science Center on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 7-9 p.m. The fee for this program is $8/person for Union County residents and $10/person for out-of-county residents. Pre-registration is required. For information on this lecture, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

 

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

As county and local governments continue to explore shared services and other avenues to reduce spending, I would like to highlight a program from the Union County Sheriff’s Office that has been saving taxpayers money every year while benefiting towns and charities throughout the county.

The Union County Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) is essentially a supervised public work program for people who have received mandatory sentences in municipal and superior courts. Non-violent criminal offenders work off their sentences instead of serving costly jail time. The participants are carefully screened and must meet stringent eligibility requirements in order to take part in the program.

Since 1993, Sheriff’s Officers have directed SLAP details in all 21 Union County municipalities that have involved roadside cleanup, park maintenance, painting of municipal buildings and other community oriented projects. Last year was no different.

SLAP crews assisted the Township of Cranford in clean-up efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Immediately after the flooding, the crews helped remove files from the municipal building. During the weeks that followed, SLAP workers were also involved in removing debris from neighborhoods throughout Cranford.

In November, SLAP workers cleaned out the Winfield Municipal Building so repairs and waterproofing could be done after the building was damaged by Hurricane Irene and the October snow storm. They also provided cleaning services to the Winfield Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Squad.

Last year SLAP details cleared debris from parks and roads in Fanwood and Linden as well as helped with the clean-up after festivals in Westfield and Cranford. Crews also assisted the Fanwood Department of Public work with curb painting last summer.

SLAP continued to provide services to county facilities such as the Union County Courthouse Complex in Elizabeth and the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains as well as being active throughout the Union County Parks System.

Several charities and civic organizations continued to benefit from the SLAP program during 2011. Crews worked cleaning building and grounds for several groups including the Knights of Columbus, the American Cancer Society, the Lupus Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.

While towns and other groups received valuable services, the offenders also benefitted because they were able to keep their jobs and remain at home with family instead of experiencing an unproductive period of incarceration. The experience also serves as a deterrent to future criminal behavior.

The violator pays his or her debt to society while doing a productive job for our community rather than being jailed at the taxpayers’ expense. It is a win/win program that will continue to benefit the people of Union County.

Ralph Froehlich
Union County Sheriff

 

 

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj