Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds military veterans who have filed their DD-214 papers that they can obtain free proof of service ID cards from the County Clerk’s main office in midtown Elizabeth or the annex office in Westfield. Veterans who have not yet filed their DD-214 papers can do so by bringing the original to the Elizabeth or Westfield office. There is no charge for either service.

“Streamlining access to ID cards and discharge certificates is an important first step that helps  military veterans obtain benefits and resources without incurring additional costs or delay,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “My office is honored to assist veterans in obtaining these documents as quickly and conveniently as possible.”

“Throughout the year we appreciate the service our veterans have given, and in November it is all the more important to recognize their contributions to the Union County community and to our country,” Ms. Rajoppi added.

Veterans can call the County Clerk at 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a free military discharge documentation identification card. The card is available to any veteran who has filed an Honorable Discharge form DD-214. The card bears a book and page number confirming the honorable discharge.

Veterans can also call 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a copy of their Honorable Discharge form DD-214 free of charge.

Other County Clerk services for veterans include a free Veteran Peddlers Licenses. For more information on these licenses, call the County Clerk at 908-527-4967.

An online directory of discounts for goods and services offered to veterans by Union County businesses is available at the County Clerk’s Veteran Discounts page, ucnj.org/county-clerk/veteran-discounts.

“We always welcome new businesses to join the directory, as a demonstration of their interest in supporting veterans and their families,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Businesses interested in joining the directory can fill out an online form at ucnj.org/county-clerk/veteran-discounts, in the “Add Service/Business” tab.

Quick links for additional veterans services and programs in Union County are available online at ucnj.org/uc-hero.

For all County Clerk services, office hours and locations visit ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the new Watchung Reservation Trails website. The new site features an interactive map designed to help visitors navigate the nearly 2,000 acre Watchung Reservation, the largest of the County’s 36 parks.

“With over 47 miles of trails, the Watchung Reservation offers hiking experiences for every skill level, from amateur to expert”, said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The new website will help all of our visitors explore and enjoy the natural beauty of this treasured public resource.”

The new Watchung Reservation Trails website was created in-house by the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities.

The new website is mobile friendly, and its features can be easily accessed from mobile devices. The features include:

• Geolocation (GPS) to help hikers determine their location within the park on their mobile devices
• Color-coded hiking trails for ease of navigation
• Routes can be shared with fellow hikers and friends
• Favorite paths and trails can be saved for future enjoyment
• Bathroom and park facilities locator
• Detailed information on trail elevation and topography

Built-in reporting features also enable hikers to use the new website to report fallen trees and other trail issues on the spot, including photos and geo-location, and to receive a notification once the condition has been addressed.

To access the interactive map, visit the County website at ucnj.org/watchung-reservation-trails.

For more information about the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Electric

PSE&G
1-800-436-7734
Outages: Report Map

Jersey Central Power & Light
1-800-662-3115
Outages: Report Map

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Gas

Elizabethtown Gas
1-800-242-5830 Website

PSE&G
1-800-436-7734 Website
Report gas leak 1-800-436-7734

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Water

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Cable / Phone

Cablevision
1-866-575-8000 Website

Comcast
1-800-266-2278 Website

Verizon FiOS
1-888-438-3467 Website

Verizon
1-800-827-4966 Website

Time Warner
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Union County, NJ – Some of the most treasured historic sites in Union County will receive a total of $300,000 in matching grants toward restoration work and other upgrades, through the Preserve Union County program. The grant program is funded by the Freeholder Board through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

“As a community that can trace its roots across four centuries, we in Union County place great value on sharing our history and preserving noteworthy sites for the next generation,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who chairs the Trust Fund. “With assistance from the Preserve Union County program, our local historic preservation organizations and municipalities can groups can ensure that important restoration work continues.”

“Preserve Union County enables our local communities to focus on sites that are most important to them, and the result is an enriching, diverse range of restoration projects,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, the Board’s liaison to the County’s Cultural and Heritage advisory board.

This is the eighth round of funding for the Preserve Union County program. It covers 11 historic sites in 10 different municipalities.

Since its inception in 2003, Preserve Union County has awarded more than $3 million in matching grants to various historic restoration and preservation projects throughout the County.

The Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund was approved overwhelmingly by popular referendum in 2000. Since then it has preserved well over 300 acres of land for public parks, acquired and restored historic sites, and provided matching grants to municipalities and nonprofits for many local historic preservation projects.

The projects approved for the 2017 round of funding included exterior and interior restoration, needed to prevent water damage and preserve the buildings. Funding also went to the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit to replace the hot water boiler and gas heater, the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth to repair walkways, air conditioning, and security system, and the Garden State Community Bank in Elizabeth to repair and reattach the historic clock to the structure.

The 2017 Preserve Union County awardees are:

Berkeley Heights

Little-Lord Farmstead: Restoration of wooden exterior trim elements on half of the house (Township of Berkeley Heights and Historical Society), $10,000.00

Elizabeth

Snyder Academy of Elizabethtown/Mid-town Historic District, 1^st Presbyterian Church: Church building, walkway repairs, grounds lighting, academy air conditioning, academy security system (First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth), $43,320.00

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Garden State Community Bank: Repair historic clock/reattach clock to the structure (Garden State Community Bank), $43,320.00

Fanwood

Fanwood Railroad Station Complex: Exterior restoration/barrier-free access to train station (Borough of Fanwood), $10,000.00

Kenilworth

Oswald J. Nitschke House: Attic restoration and rehabilitation, install an HVAC system in the attic (Oswald J. Nitschke House), $10,000.00

Plainfield

George A. Strong Residence: Complete the restoration of the front porch of the original house (duCret School of Arts), $25,000.00

Rahway

Merchants & Drovers Tavern: Exterior restoration Phase 2 (Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum Association), $25,000.00

Scotch Plains

Frazee House: Exterior restoration (Frazee House, Inc.), $43,320.00

Summit

Reeves-Reed Arboretum: Exterior wood repairs to Wisner House, replace hot water boiler and gas heater (Reeves-Reed Arboretum), $10,000.00

Union

Caldwell Parsonage: Paint/repair two ceilings, replace barn doors (Union Township Historical Society), $3,400.00

Westfield

Reeve House: Constructing Reeve History and Cultural Resource Center (Westfield Historical Society), $43,320.00

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Photo caption: The historic Garden State Community Bank in Elizabeth is one of 11 sites receiving Preserve Union County grants from the Freeholder Board this year. Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen (far l.) presented the award to (l-r) City of Elizabeth Recreation Director Paul Addessa, Union County Open Space Public Advisory Board member Michael Yesenko and Maira Santana of the Elizabeth Development Company, with Freeholder Angel Estrada and Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, chair of the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Photo credit: Jim Lowney/County of Union.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Leo Osorio of Elizabeth in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of his work entitled “New Jersey & Beyond” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until December 29. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Osorio’s remarkable photographs on display,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The exhibit showcases Mr. Osorio’s skills as a fine photographer of nature and architecture.”

Mr. Osorio says of his work, “I am self-taught in photography and have always enjoyed it. Every year that goes by I learn new techniques, sharpening & defining my style. I enjoy photographing the outdoors, nature in all aspects from Cherry Blooms to the way nature takes over an abandoned house to historic graveyards. I personally love historic homes and the architecture these homes have to offer.”

Leo Osorio has been a photographer since 2002 and has exhibited his work extensively. 2017 exhibits include: A Photographic View of Elizabeth and Beyond, Elizabeth Public Library; October 5^th, Elizabeth Public Library Historic Buildings of Elizabeth; the Snyder Academy, Elizabeth, October 15^th, Gone, But Not Forgotten: Cemetery Tomb Stone Photography. Leo Osorio’s Photography can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/LeoOsorioPhotography/.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

The  Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented matching grants to municipalities throughout Union County for upgrades to playgrounds and youth athletic facilities through the Kids Recreation Trust Fund. Several municipalities also received matching grants for street trees under the Greening Union County program. Funding for both programs is provided by the Union County Open Space, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Freeholder Board announced designs for the construction of a new state-of-the-art spray park with 33 attractions at John Russell Wheeler Park in Linden.

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen said: “The spray park will provide yet another recreational component to Wheeler Park that our residents, especially the youngest ones, can enjoy. This is the latest in a series of investments in all our parks that are aimed at both modernizing our amenities while maximizing the recreational benefits in each facility.”

Freeholder Christopher Hudak, a resident of Linden, said:  “The spray park will be a regional attraction for our residents and their children who want to enjoy the warmer weather days outdoors. We have continued to make upgrades to Wheeler Park that is making it one of the finest recreational parks in the County.”

The spray park will replace the existing pool, which is slated for demolition in the next few weeks. The pool, which was built in 1931, had witnessed a decline in usage over the past 15 years, and had developed costly maintenance issues. Spray parks, which are in heavy demand throughout the County, are generally less costly to maintain and do not require life guards.

The spray park was designed by USA Architects of Somerville, NJ. The facility is anticipated to contain the following items, once a construction contract is finalized:

• Demolition of the existing pool, which will be filled in and built over;
• Demolition of the existing pool house and construction of a new field house, which will consist of locker rooms for the nearby turf fields, and changing rooms for the spray park as well as new rest rooms;
• The existing concession stand will be renovated;
• Construction of a spray park with 33 above-ground attractions including water cannons, slides, dump buckets, a dragon, spray bus, pirate ship and surf shack;
• The spray park will also feature 26 surface sprays including water tunnels, water jets and geysers;
• The parking lot will be redone with new lights added;
• The walking path (macadam) around the area will also be renovated.

As Freeholder Hudak noted, the spray park announcement is among the latest in a series of high-profile improvements at the park in recent years, including the opening of a new skate park, new softball and soccer turf fields with lights, and a new playground.  The park was also enabled for Wi-Fi in 2014.

Wheeler Park, which borders Routes 1 and 9 in Linden, was developed in 1925 by the Union County Park Commission, and was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the noted engineering firm that designed a series of historic landmark parks in urban areas. Their list of projects includes Central Park in New York City and five others in the Union County parks system—Cedar Brook Park, Warinanco Park, Echo Lake Park, Green Brook Park and the Watchung Reservation.

Wheeler park contains a playground, three athletic fields, a skate park and walking paths. The park is named after John Russell Wheeler, the first Linden man killed in action during World War I.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders proudly announces the grand re-opening of the Warinanco Sports Center on November 4, 2017, and invites the community to see the facility’s newest remodel and updated amenities. The grand opening event will include appearances from the Cranford Hockey Club, general open skate sessions, Union County Department of Parks and Recreation exposition, and the county famous Union County Battle of the Badges hockey game.

The recent renovation project will cater to local residents in a whole new way by providing an 11,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the county park, complete with meeting spaces for events, a café for visitors as well as catering services, and a brand-new ice rink floor. These are just a few of the notable updates, with all components truly capturing the original title of the rink as “The First Public Artificial Ice Staking Rink in Union County.”

“The new Warinanco Sports Center is a place where families will continue to make great memories,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is also the Freeholder Board’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board liaison. “We’ve completed an imaginative re-creation of the historic landmark for residents of Union County and surrounding areas.”

One of the great aspects of the two-phase project is the multipurpose use of the facility during the Spring and Summer months versus the Fall and Winter months. When the ice is removed from the rink floor in early Spring, field turf will be laid down to cater to the prominent baseball and softball community. This will allow the facility to be used as a year-round sports venue, in addition to the new amenities that will allow the facility to be used for far more than just sport.

The community grand opening event is open to the general public on November 4^th, with events beginning at 7:00am EST going into the evening. The Warinanco Sports Center staff encourages everyone to bring family and friends to visit the brand-new facility, meet the Parks and Recreation department, and watch the Union County Police force battle the hockey rink against the Union County fire department teams. The Warinanco Café will also be open all day serving dishes such as signature burgers, fresh salads, and specialty plates made fresh to order.

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Warinanco Sports Center has been a landmark for Union County skaters since 1961, and recently received an extensive $7 million modernization and renovation doubling the complex space and transforming it into a year-round venue for sports such as ice skating, hockey, baseball, and softball. In addition to a sports venue, the facility will also double as a meeting and events space for luncheons, cocktail parties, and corporate occasions.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Leon Grebla at (908) 298-7849 or email at warinancopark@gmail.com.