Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Community gardens still have time to apply for funding from the 2017 Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program. Sponsored by the Freeholder Board, this matching grant program is designed to help start new gardens and improve existing gardens, providing local neighborhoods with fresh produce and new opportunities for recreation, education, civic service and social activities. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7. More details and downloadable application forms are available on the County website, at ucnj.org/garden-grants.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite children and adults with disabilities to enjoy an afternoon of ice skating at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center, located on Thompson Avenue in Roselle, on Sunday, March 5.

There will be two sessions offered, the first from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. With a second session added from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The event is open to people with disabilities, their families and friends, free of charge. All those wishing to participate must register in advance at www.ucnj.org/parks-reg/.

“Lace Up Your Skates” is a program developed through the Recreation Department’s Office for Programs for People with Disabilities Division. There will be skate guards on duty throughout the event, and skate-walkers will be available for those needing assistance.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for both youngsters and adults with disabilities to enjoy the ice at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center in a fun and safe atmosphere for all,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

For answers to any questions you might have on this program or any other programs offered for people with disabilities please call 908-527-4781. And for a complete list of Programs for People with Disabilities you can go to https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/recreation-for-people-with-disabilities/.

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Vernell Wright present Linden Mayor Derek Armstead and Councilman Robert Sadowski, Councilwoman Gretchen Hickey and Councilwoman Rhashonna Cosby-Hurling with a new 12-passenger van that will provide free transport for senior citizens. The vans are being awarded to a total of 18 municipalities this year through Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Seniors in Motion” initiative to assist seniors with free, local transport. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Vernell Wright present Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman with a new 15-passenger van that will provide free transport for senior citizens. The vans are being awarded to a total of 18 municipalities this year through Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Seniors in Motion” initiative to assist seniors with free, local transport. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Citing the County’s continued economic strength and manageable debt levels,  Moody’s has assigned Aaa bond rating to Union County—the highest attainable.

This rating affirms the County’s strong financial standing, with Moody’s citing Union County as having “a very strong management team that has pushed hard to turn around the County’s finances.”

“The bond rating is an affirmation of our sound fiscal management,” Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen said. “The County Manager, the Freeholder’s Fiscal Committee and the Department of Finance have worked hard to keep the County’s fiscal house in top condition during a challenging economic period in our history.”

The achievements are all the more significant as they have occurred during a period of fiscal instability in the State of New Jersey, which has experienced a record ten credit downgrades since 2009.

“This is good news for the County and our taxpayers as a whole,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, who is also the Fiscal Committee Chairman. “We will continue our progress this year in building upon this foundation of fiscal responsibility.”

Moody’s noted that “the upgrade to Aaa rating reflects the county’s large, diverse tax base with above-average wealth levels and it’s strong and improved financial position reflecting sound management and budgeting practices.”

Among the benefits, the ratings increase means the County could borrow money at lower interest rates, saving tax dollars.

The ratings agency also noted the County’s “tax base has actually grown in each of the past two years, indicating a potential turnaround. There are ongoing development projects throughout the county including new hotels, residential units, warehousing, luxury, senior living communities, mall expansions, and pharmaceutical expansions,” throughout Union County.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Laura O’Brien and Kathleen Laczynski of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America supporting and recognizing the group’s BeSmart Campaign to take action to promote responsible gun ownership and reduce child gun deaths and responsible children gun storage. There are joined by Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Peter Capodice, National Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor and horticulture instructor Bonnie Baldasare and FFA members Aaron Etienne and Colleen Clark designating the week of February 18, 2017 through February 25, 2017 as National Future Farmers of America Week in Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Peter Capodice and UCVTS students and faculty designating February 2017 as National Career and Technical Education Month in Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada present resolutions to the 2017 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Joe Nolan, General Chairman Harry Capko and Parade Adjutant Debbie Sully congratulating them on the 21^stannual parade. The 2017 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 11 on Morris Avenue in Union.

For more information please visit www.unioncountystpatricksdayparade.com.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Mountainside, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce that residents of Union County can register online at www.ucnj.org/trailside for Trailside’s popular summer camp and family programs beginning Saturday, March 4^th at 9:00 a.m.

“Trailside summer programs offer adults and children a great opportunity to explore the outdoors while learning about nature,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, “Through the variety of camp and family programs, Trailside has something for everyone this summer.”

Half-day and full-day camps are offered this summer for children pre-first through sixth grade from the end of June through August.  Each day campers spend time outdoors exploring nature through interactive and engaging activities that foster a love for the natural environment.  Parents have commented that the summer programs offer a unique combination of fun activities and educational content.  Children come home each day eager to share what they have learned at Trailside camp. 

Additionally, families can spend quality time together learning about nature.  Fridays are packed full of fun activities for the whole family; including, Bubblemania, Stream Stroll, Pond Search and more.   Enjoy evenings with your family discovering the world of bats and catching tadpoles and crayfish at Seeley’s pond.  Participate in a sing-a-long with interactive, silly skits around a campfire or try an over-night camp-out for beginners.

As of January 1, 2017, a new online registration system, designed to make access to our Parks and Recreation services easy and convenient, has been adopted.   Register online at www.ucnj.org/trailside and create a new account and password.  Please make sure all of your family members are listed in your new account with correct ages.  If you would like to register in-person, the Visitor Center will be open on March 4^th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Cash and credit cards are accepted.  Trailside is unable to accept personal checks as of January 1, 2017. 

For additional information about summer camps and family programs, including camp descriptions and registration policies, please 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.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.