Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the first annual Plein Air Painting Event at the historic Deserted Village of Feltville in Berkeley Heights, on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Artists of all levels are invited to bring their easels and capture the unique beauty and history of the Deserted Village.

“The Deserted Village is one of Union County’s most treasured landmarks, and this event is a wonderful way to connect art, history, and the outdoors,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Lourdes M. Leon. “We are excited to welcome artists from across the region to share their perspectives and showcase the charm of this historic site.”

Located at 9 Cataract Hollow Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922, the Deserted Village is a nationally recognized historic site nestled in the Watchung Reservation, offering a rare blend of preserved 19th-century architecture and scenic natural landscapes. This will be the first event of its kind to take place in Union County.

Plein air painting is the process of creating a work of art outdoors, with the subject in full view of the artist. The term comes from the French phrase “en plein air,” meaning “in the open air,” and refers to capturing a subject in natural light through direct observation.

As an introduction, the County will host a public Zoom session on Tuesday, September 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to explain what plein air painting is and what participants can expect during the September 27 event. This virtual session will provide an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the process.

“This program is a unique opportunity to experience one of Union County’s historic treasures in a completely new way,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs. “We encourage both seasoned artists and beginners to join us, explore the Deserted Village, and let their creativity flow in the fresh air.”

To register for the Zoom session and/or the Plein Air Painting Event, visit www.ucnj.org/pleinair. For questions or assistance, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org or call (908) 558-2550.

This event is coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs. To learn more about its programs and services, visit www.ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/. 

The Union County Board of County Commissioners announced today that services at the Union County Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) will be transitioned at the end of calendar year 2025 to a new vendor contracted by the Department of Children and Families’ Division on Women.  The transition will enable broader reach and enhanced supports for impacted residents, while ensuring high quality and effective counsel and coordination. 

Services will continue at the CRCC’s current location in the Colleen Fraser Building at the Union County Complex in Westfield through December. The 24-hour hotline—908-233-RAPE (7273)—will remain active throughout the transition period.

“This transition reflects a shared commitment to strengthening and evolving how we support survivors in our community,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “By working with the State, we are ensuring that these essential services not only continue without disruption, but do so under a model that is sustainable, responsive, and reflective of the changing needs of survivors and their families.”

Founded in 1984, the UCRCC has provided confidential, trauma-informed support to survivors of sexual violence across Union County. The Center offers a 24-hour hotline, in-person accompaniment during medical and legal proceedings, bilingual advocacy, and community education—all free of charge. It also leads countywide outreach during Sexual Assault Awareness Month and trains volunteers to become Certified Sexual Violence Advocates (CSVAs).

In 2024 alone, the UCRCC responded to more than 970 crisis calls, facilitated over 70 in-person accompaniments, and engaged hundreds of residents through awareness campaigns and prevention efforts.

“As Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council, I’ve seen firsthand the impact this program has had on the lives of so many,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados. “This transition is about expanding that impact—ensuring that survivors will now be served by a provider with the capacity and focus to continue this work long into the future. It’s not just about preserving what exists, but improving access, deepening support, and continuing to fight for a world free from sexual violence.”

The County is working closely with the state Department of Children and Families’ Division on Women, which funds the services, to ensure a smooth and compassionate handoff to the incoming provider, which will carry forward the UCRCC’s legacy of advocacy and healing. Volunteer support services, bilingual access, and prevention education will remain core to the program.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the State of New Jersey remain united in their mission to support survivors of sexual violence with dignity, continuity, and care. For updates and information about services in 2026 and beyond, visit the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Division on Women: https://www.nj.gov/dcf/about/divisions/dow.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the grand openings of two new state-of-the-art Fitness Courts®, made possible through a partnership with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon) and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC).

“We are thrilled to partner with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the National Fitness Campaign to bring inclusive, accessible fitness opportunities to our residents,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Lourdes M. Leon. “These Fitness Courts are part of our larger mission to promote community health, equity, and wellness in every corner of Union County. We invite everyone to come out, get active, and experience these fantastic new resources.”

Residents are invited to join Union County officials, project partners, and local leaders for two ribbon-cutting ceremonies celebrating these new, free outdoor fitness spaces:

Wednesday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m.
Rahway River Park in Rahway

Thursday, August 28 at 10:00 a.m.
Phil Rizzuto Park in Union

“Investing in Fitness Courts is another way Horizon is working to empower our members to achieve their best health, while partnering with community organizations to build a healthier New Jersey,” said Gary D. St. Hilaire, Horizon’s President and CEO. “As New Jersey’s hometown health insurer, we’re focused on making good health more affordable and more accessible. The opportunities created by our partnership with National Fitness Campaign builds on Horizon’s ninety year history of supporting local organizations and improving the health of New Jersey’s communities.”

“We are excited to have Union Countyjoin us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long-lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the outdoor Fitness Courts, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the community.”

These Fitness Courts® are open-air wellness centers designed to bring free, high-quality workouts to people of all abilities, ages 14 and up. The user-friendly circuit features seven full-body stations that allow users to leverage their own body weight at their own pace. Participants can also download the Fitness Court® App to receive guided workouts and coaching for an enhanced experience.

Union County is one of the first counties in New Jersey to introduce multiple NFC Fitness Courts through this public-private initiative. The installations are designed to provide equitable access to exercise and support healthier lifestyles across the region.

For more information on the Fitness Court® and Union County’s health and wellness initiatives, visit ucnj.org/fitness. To learn more about the National Fitness Campaign and Horizon’s support across New Jersey, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/newjersey.

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s leading health solutions company, and its affiliates provide a wide array of medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that more closely tie the payments that doctors and hospitals receive to the results they deliver for our members. Learn more at: www.HorizonBlue.com Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving approximately 3.5 million members.

About National Fitness Campaign

Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court^®– the world’s best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750^th healthy community in 2025, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court^® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.  Learn more about National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Under the terms of the “Open Public Meetings Act P.L. 1975, C. 231, and pursuant to requirements of N.J.S.A 10: 4-10 of the Open Public Meetings Act, please be advised that circumstances necessitate amending the 2025 Meeting Schedule of the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

The Board has a need to cancel both the Agenda Setting Session and the Regular Meeting held on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Both the Agenda Setting Session and the Regular Meeting will be rescheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2025.  The Agenda Setting Session will commence at 6:00 P.M.  The Regular Meeting will commence as soon as possible following the Agenda Setting Session.

As a result of these changes, please note the Public Hearing and Final Adoption of Ordinance Number 858-2025 and Ordinance Number 859-2025, originally scheduled to be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025 will now be heard on this new meeting date of Wednesday, August 20, 2025. A separate legal notice of said Public Hearing will be published in accordance to the law and shall reflect this new date and time.

For reference, Ordinance Number 858-2025 is entitled: BOND ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY, NEW ADDITIONAL FURNISHINGS, NEW COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT, NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND NEW AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, INCLUDING ORIGINAL APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT, IN, BY AND FOR THE COUNTY OF UNION, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $58,443,808 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF, TO APPROPRIATE STATE GRANTS, TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF $43,186,098 OF BONDS TO FINANCE SUCH APPROPRIATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF $43,186,098 OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS. 

For further reference, Ordinance Number 859-2025 is entitled: CAPITAL ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF UNION, NEW JERSEY AUTHORIZING THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN, BY AND FOR THE COUNTY, APPROPRIATING THEREFOR THE SUM OF $10,000,000 AND PROVIDING THAT SUCH SUM SO APPROPRIATED SHALL BE RAISED FROM CAPITAL SURPLUS OF THE COUNTY. 

James E. Pellettiere, Clerk of the Board

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Thursday August 14, 2025, between the hours of 6:00PM to 11:00PM ((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.

Berkeley Hts. – Grant St. Area, Garfield St., Kuntz Ave., Camptown Dr., La Secla Pl.

Clark – Jupiter St., Dorset Dr., Surry Rd., Byron Pl., Eton Pl., Kennedy Dr., Avon Rd. Brentwood Rd., Frances Dr., Featherbed Ln., Blake Dr., Parkway Dr., Highland Pl.

Cranford – Kenilworth Blvd., Riverside Dr., Ludlow Av.

Kenilworth – Dorset Dr. Area, Water Co. Rd., N.20^th St., N.21 St.

Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Range Rd.

Mountainside – Dogwood Way, Longview Dr., Rt.22, 1400 Block

New Providence – High St., Providence St., Westview Ave.

Plainfield – Jefferson Ave., 1^st St., Rock Ave., Bradford St., Adams Circle

Rahway – Elston St., Randolph Ave., Leesville Av., Wall St., Lakeside Dr., Crescent Dr., Midwood Dr. Area

Roselle Park – W. Grant St., Hawthorne St., Meadow St.,

Scotch Plains – Church Ave., Portland Ave., South and North Ave. between Hetfield Ave. and Crossway

Springfield – Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., Cottage Ln.,

Westfield – Westfield Armory Westfield Ave., Codding Rd.

Winfield Park – U.C. Parkway, Seafoam Ave., Wavecrest Ave.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying county and municipal parks Wednesday morning, August 13, 2025, 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.

County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge
• Cranford – Nomahegan
• Garwood – Unami
• Hillside – Conant
• Mountainside – Echo Lake
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook
• Rahway – Rahway
• Roselle – Warinanco
• Scotch Plains – Ponderosa, Brookside
• Springfield – Meisel

Municipal Parks

• Plainfield – Milt Campbell
• Union – Biertuempful, Kearse
• Westfield – Tamaqus

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that mail-in ballots for the upcoming Special School Election in Clark will be available beginning Monday, August 11th at the Clerk’s Westfield Office during regular business hours. The Special school election will be held on September 16th, 2025.

Voters are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to vote early and ensure their voices are heard in this important local election. Business hours of the Union County Clerk’s Westfield Office, located at 300 North Avenue East, are below:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8:00am to 4:00pm

Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:00am to 7:30pm

Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm

For more information about mail-in ballots, early voting, or election deadlines, visit www.unioncountyvotes.com or contact the office at 908-527-4996 or email ucvote@ucnj.org.

Thinking about becoming a substitute teacher? Join us at Kean University on August 20, 2025 for a hands-on workshop that walks you through the entire certification process — no education major required! Learn the steps, meet the experts, and enjoy a pizza lunch while you get closer to the classroom.

• Kean University, Hennings Hall 113 | 11 AM – 1 PM
• Register here: forms.office.com/r/Pj2Mrg0rzZ

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites students to join a 4-H club  this coming fall and explore popular fields ranging from cooking, sewing, photography, archery, robotics, and more. Youth in 1^st grade through their first year after graduating from high school can join 4-H Clubs. In a 4-H Club, students can explore a new hobby, meet like-minded friends, and learn leadership skills.

“4-H clubs provide a fantastic opportunity for our youth to make friends, learn new skills, and boost their self-confidence,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “As they explore their individual abilities throughout the year, each student gains a deeper understanding of themselves, what they enjoy, and what they are capable of achieving. It’s truly a rewarding experience for participants. I encourage all interested students to join a 4-H club before classes fill up.”

The majority of the clubs meet at Union County’s Colleen Fraser Building, located 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 2025 – 2026, the clubs and their meeting times are listed below;

• Variety Club (different topics with crafts and show-and-tell), grades 1-3. 2^nd Sunday; 4 to 5 p.m.
• Cooking Clubs (prepare deserts, main courses and more), grades 7-12;3rd Friday; 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Grades 4^th through 6^th; 1^st Friday, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Community Service Club (plant trees, works at food bank, teach younger youth), grades 8-12. 1^st and 3^rd Sat. 1 to 3 p.m.
• Sewing Club (learn how to hand sew and use a machine), grades 6-12. 2^nd Sat;10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Lego Robotics Club (work with NXT kits and Spike) grades 4-7^th; 1^st. Sat. ;11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Craft Club (have fun with paints, fabrics and more) grades 4 – 12. 2^nd Friday;7:30 to 9 p.m.
• Engineering Club (make model cars, bridges, and learn about electric) grades 4-12; 3^rd Sat.;9:30 to 11 a.m.
• Archery Club (learn basics and more advanced techniques) grades 4-12; 1^st and 3^rd Sat,; 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
• Photography Club ( learn basics of using a camera) grades 4-12; 3^rd Sunday; 1 to 3 p.m.
• Garden Club( How to start plants from seeds) grades 4-12; 1^st and 3^rd Sat.;10 a.m. to noon.
• 4-H Dog Care Club ( Basics of grooming, feeding, and play) 2^nd Sunday; 2 to 3:30 p.m.  

“As a former 4-H club member, I can say this experience is invaluable for students. They learn to see the bigger picture, understanding that the skills and abilities they develop are not only important for their own futures, but also for the future of our community,” said Union County Commissioner and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Liaison, Bette Jane Kowalski.

Union County 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Union County Commissioner Board, with offices at 151 Grant St, Berkley Heights. 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.

4-H Clubs run from October to June. To sign up for a club or more details , please email James Nichnadowicz Union County  4H Youth Development Agent at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org or call 908-654-9854 ext. 3. Also see the website

For more information about all Union County Extension programs, including 4-H, Master Tree Stewards and Master Gardeners, visit ucnj.org/rce.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and Municipal Parks Friday morning, August 8, 2025, 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.

County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge
• Cranford – Nomahegan, Mohawk
• Garwood – Unami
• Hillside – Conant
• Mountainside – Echo Lake, Watchung Res. Loop Area, Science Center
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook, Green Brook
• Roselle – Warinanco
• Springfield – Meisel

Municipal Parks

• Plainfield – Milt Campbell
• Union – Biertuempful, Kearse