Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and Town Parks Tuesday morning, July 25, 2023, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
Pursuant to an announcement by Deana Mesaros, Director of the Union County Paratransit System, notice is hereby given that on August 22, 2023 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 2024 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 5th.Please send correspondence to Deana Mesaros, Director, Union County Paratransit System 10 Elizabethtown Plaza 2nd Fl. Elizabeth, NJ 07207
The Union County Board of County Commissioners announces that Union County students in grades 1-12 are invited to join a 4-H Club this fall and explore popular fields ranging from cooking, sewing, art, archery, robotics and more. Youth in their first year after graduating from high school can also join.
“We are happy to invite all of our Union County students to join us this fall as we begin another year of our wonderful 4-H Clubs,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “This program is a great opportunity for a young person to open their minds, explore a new hobby or passion or meet other likeminded friends. I encourage everyone to join one of the activities and gain new experiences.”
The majority of the clubs meet at Union County’s’ Colleen Fraser Building at 300 North Avenue, East in Westfield on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 4-H Clubs are organized by age and topic. The members meet with an adult club leader on a monthly basis during the school year to plan activities and programs.
Each club emphasizes the ability of students to learn, organize, and communicate with activities appropriate for their age. For the school year 2023 – 2024, the clubs are:
Variety Club (different topics with crafts and show-and-tell), grades 1-3.
Cooking Club (prepare deserts, main courses and more), grades 4-12.
Community Service Club (plant trees, make sandwiches, teach younger youth), grades 8-12.
Sewing Club (learn how to hand sew and use a machine), grades 6-12.
Gardening Club (grow vegetables, fruit and houseplants), grades 4 -12.
Lego Robotics Club (work with NXT kits and Spike) grades 4-12.
Craft Club (have fun with paints, fabrics and more) grades 4 – 12.
Engineering Club (make model cars, bridges, and learn about electric) grades 4-5.
Horse Club (learn about the care of a horse) grades 1 to 12.
Archery Club (learn basics and more advanced techniques) 4-12.
Union County 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Commissioner Board, with offices at the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. The national 4-H youth program is the largest youth development program in the U.S. As a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4-H encourages students to develop expertise in a subject of their own choosing, and share their knowledge to benefit their community.
Participation in 4-H is associated with better grades at school, and a stronger interest in taking science classes, attending college, and contributing to the community. A recent Tufts University study found that as a group, girls who join 4-H clubs are especially likely to demonstrate positive behaviors.
4-H Clubs run from October to June. To sign up for a club, email Tamisha Hopkins, 4H Office Manager, at thopkins@ucnj.org. For more information, contact 4H Agent James Nichnadowicz at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org or call 908-654-9854 ext. 3.
For more information about all Union County Extension programs, including 4-H, Master Tree Stewards and Master Gardeners, visit ucnj.org/rce.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce a new program aimed at addressing the surplus of reusable bags in our communities. As part of Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados’ “Building a Stronger Union County,” theme for 2023, this new environmental initiative is in collaboration with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning, the Town of Westfield and the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) are partnering with GOATote, Inc. to provide a solution to this issue.
“We are delighted to introduce this innovative program, which will address the surplus of reusable bags in our communities,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “The County of Union is taking a proactive step towards sustainability and we aim to make a meaningful impact by repurposing these bags and ensuring they reach those in need. Together, we can create a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible community.”
With the implementation of New Jersey’s Get Past Plastic law, which prohibits businesses from providing single-use plastic bags, many individuals have transitioned to using reusable bags. However, some people occasionally forget to bring their reusable bags to stores, resulting in the purchase of additional bags. Over time, this has led to an accumulation of excess reusable bags in households. Furthermore, grocery delivery services often provide customers with reusable bags, contributing to the surplus.
At the same time, Food Pantries and Food Banks have expressed that they are having difficulty keeping up with the need for reusable bags when distributing groceries to their clients. Since these entities are no longer permitted to use single-use plastic bags when handing out food and supplies, they go through reusable bags very quickly and are frequently in need of more.
Recognizing the need to address this situation, the County Commissioners, in collaboration with Union County’s Recycling Bureau, the Town of Westfield and Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) have established two pilot drop-off points. The first is at the Westfield Conservation Center (1300 Lamberts Mill Road, Westfield). The second is located at Farley Towers (33 Cherry Street, Elizabeth). Residents from any municipality in Union County can bring their gently-used reusable bags to either location. GOATote, Inc. will collect the bags, thoroughly clean and sanitize them, and deliver them to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside. From there, the bags will be distributed to local Food Pantries in need.
The Westfield Conservation Center is open on Thursdays/Fridays from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm and on Saturdays/Sundays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm until October 22.Starting from October 23 until December 21, the center’s hours will be from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, and Saturdays/Sundays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
For more information on the operation of the Conservation Center, please visit the Westfield Conservation Center website at www.westfieldnj.gov/conservation. For the drop off location at 33 Cherry Street in Elizabeth, the drop-off hours will be:
Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The primary goal of this program is to ensure that reusable bags are truly being reused and made available to those who genuinely need them. Please note that the program only accepts bags in usable condition. We kindly request excluding any ripped, damaged, or otherwise unusable bags when making your drop-off.
For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners proudly announces the introduction of innovative Communication Boards aimed at facilitating communication and interaction for non-verbal children, as part of Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados’ theme of “Building a Stronger Union County” for 2023. This initiative, unveiled during the commemoration of Disability Pride Month in July, signifies a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all residents.
“With the installation of these boards we are on a continuous path towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “These communication boards offer benefits that extend beyond individuals with disabilities. They also provide valuable assistance to children learning to speak, individuals who speak different languages within our diverse community, and many others. By creating these spaces where individuals feel heard and safe, our aim is to have a lasting positive impact on children and their families, enabling them to communicate, connect, and actively participate in our community. These boards exemplify Union County’s solid commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that values every resident, regardless of their abilities.”
The first Communication Board was unveiled at Warinanco Park on Monday, July 17, 2023. In line with Union County’s vision for widespread accessibility, multiple Communication Boards will be placed in parks across the county over the course of the year. In the upcoming weeks, specifically, three additional boards will be installed at Mattano Park in Elizabeth, Ponderosa Park in Scotch Plains, and Nomahegan Park in Cranford.
Communication boards are used to help people with limited language skills express themselves. They can also help develop better language skills, more autonomy, and positive social interactions. Communication boards provide a more inclusive means of expression by offering visual images as an alternative to spoken language. They are particularly beneficial for individuals who may face challenges in verbalizing their thoughts. Additionally, these boards facilitate a better understanding of the needs and thoughts of nonspeaking or minimally verbal individuals, fostering greater communication and empathy among others.
Designed specifically for non-verbal children, these Communication Boards employ a range of symbols, pictures, and words to enable individuals to express their thoughts, needs, and desires. By providing a visual communication tool, these boards offer a platform for effective interaction, encouraging engagement, and enhancing the overall quality of life for non-verbal children.
Union County aims to foster a community that values and supports individuals of all abilities, recognizing their unique perspectives and contributions. By championing initiatives like the Communication Boards, Union County aims to strengthen social bonds, foster understanding, and promote a culture of inclusivity.
For more information about these boards or any other resources available, please contact Manuel Ramirez from the Union County Bureau of ADA Compliance at 908-527-4432 or mramirez@ucnj.org.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and their caregivers to come to Union County’s ASK community events in August, and meet in person with professional staff for expert guidance on senior programs and resources. Help with filling out forms is also provided and bilingual staff will be present at all of these events to offer assistance in Spanish.
“Our Division on Aging, works hard to ensure that Union County residents can effortlessly navigate a vast range of information designed to improve the lives of our seniors,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “With the presence of our knowledgeable staff at local public libraries and community centers, accessing vital information has never been easier.”
ASK stands for Aging Services Kiosk, a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60-plus and their caregivers.
The ASK program provides Union County residents with a friendly, convenient way to find out about helpful programs and services for seniors and caregivers. The program brings professional staff from the Division on Aging to local public libraries and other community centers.
Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown.
No appointment or pre-registration is needed. The upcoming ASK events in June all include bilingual assistance in Spanish:
Thursday, August 3rd Union Public Library 1060 Stuyvesant Avenue Union, 07083 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Monday, August 7th Westfield Memorial Library 550 E. Broad Street Westfield, 07090 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, August 9th Garwood Public Library 411 Third Avenue Garwood, 07027 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Monday, August 14th Clark Public Library 303 Westfield Avenue Clark, 07066 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, August 16th Elizabeth Public Library – Main 11 S. Broad Street Elizabeth, 07202 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Friday, August 25th Roselle Library 129 Chestnut Street Roselle, 07203 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
For more information about the ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County, contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-888-280-8226 toll free or visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.
Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and City Parks Tuesday morning, July 18, 2023, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Thursday evening, July 13, 2023, between the hours of 5:00PM to 10:00PM (Weather Permitting). Check below for a list of areas to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
Clark – Blake Dr., Featherbed La., France Dr., Lefferts Ln., Linda La., Madison Hill Rd., Old Raritan Rd., Parkway Dr., Sycamore Rd., Terhune Rd., Wendell Pl., Valley Rd.
Cranford – Blvd. between Springfield Ave. and County Police yard, Crane Pkwy., Hillside Ave., Wall St.
Elizabeth – Amboy Ave., S. Front St., S. First St.
Hillside – Columbia Ave., Cornell Pl., Harvard Ave., John St., Locus Ave., McMichael Ave., Rutgers Ave.
Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Epping Dr., Water Co. Rd.
Linden – Bradford Av., Grisselli Ave., Lexington Ave., Lower Rd., Madison St., Main St., Marion Ave., Marsh’s Dock Rd., Parkway Ave., Range Rd., , Tremley Pt. Rd., Walter St.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners announced that they are seeking residents who would like to apply to volunteer with the Union County Rape Crisis Center. Volunteers at the Rape Crisis Center provide guidance and support for victims of sexual violence.
“We are seeking compassionate individuals in Union County who are willing to volunteer their time and support survivors of sexual violence through the Union County Rape Crisis Center,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our dedicated volunteers provide crucial guidance and empathy to those in need, offering vital support during a difficult time, where the victim might not have anywhere else to turn. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of survivors and foster a community that stands against sexual violence.”
The fall training dates will take place from September 12, 2023 to November 2, 2023 (subject to change) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Bilingual volunteers are also welcomed and encouraged to register.
While no previous experience in counseling is required, all those interested must:
Be a Union County Resident
Be at least 18 years of age
Have personal mode of transportation (own car)
Have a valid driver’s license
Undergo a personal interview
Participate in a 40+ hour, state mandated training program
Once trained, Rape Crisis Center volunteers answer calls to the Rape Crisis Center hotline as certified Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates. They also provide medical or legal guidance in person by accompanying victims at hospitals, police departments, courtrooms and other locations related to the aftermath of sexual violence.
Training sessions are held at the Rape Crisis Center offices, located in the Colleen Fraser Building at the Union County complex, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.
The Rape Crisis Center is a program of the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Individual & Family Support Services and has been serving Union County residents since 1984. All volunteers are trained, mentored and supported by professional Union County staff.
If interested and for more information about the volunteer experience, please contact the Union County Rape Crisis Center at (908) 233-7273 or via email rcc@ucnj.org by: August 25, 2023.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the Union County Police Chiefs Associations are partnering with Union County Crime Stoppers to reduce car thefts and burglaries in Union County. The partnership will allow members of the public to anonymously report tips about these crimes. Union County Crime Stoppers will offer rewards of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.
“We want to send a message to criminals that car thefts and burglaries will not be tolerated in our community,” said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel. “By working with Union County Crime Stoppers, we are giving people a safe and anonymous way to report crime and holding those who commit these and all crimes accountable.”
Union County Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $10,000 for information resulting in the arrest and indictment of criminal offenders. Tipsters never need to reveal their names, whether they call the twenty-four-hour hotline number or submit a tip via Union County Crime Stoppers website.
The Union County Police, in cooperation with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and Union County Police Chiefs Association, receive and coordinate all tips submitted to the Union County Crime Stoppers program.
Anyone with information about a car theft, burglary, or any crime is urged to call Union County Crime Stoppers at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip via the website UCtip.org. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
