Category: Public Info

Fireworks & Ammunition Also Will Be Collected

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will sponsor a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on Saturday, August 6, so Union County residents can get rid of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, fireworks, ammunition, mercury thermostats, propane tanks, and automobile tires in an environmentally safe manner. The collection will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, near the John H. Stamler Police Academy.

Residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

“The special household waste recycling program for Union County residents is particularly important as we become more aware of the need for proper disposal of hazardous items that are found around the home,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “The result of our effort is safer homes and a cleaner environment for our families and our neighbors.”

The Union County Police Bomb Squad will be on hand to accept unwanted ammunition and fireworks for disposal. It is particularly important to dispose of old ammunition and fireworks safely because they can be unstable and dangerous.

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their household special waste, fireworks, ammunition, propane tanks, automobile tires, and mercury thermostats. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

“Household special waste” includes oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), blood pressure devices, and mercury switches. Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

Latex (water-based) paint and empty cans will not be accepted. They should be disposed of in with the regular garbage. Leftover latex paint can be air-dried or, to hasten the drying process, kitty litter and/or newspaper can be added to hasten the drying.

“This is a great opportunity to recycle up to eight tires and dispose of old chemical containers that are cluttering up the basement or the garage, or taking up space under the kitchen sink,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Council. “Our homes become safer once they are rid of hazardous and combustible waste.”

There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household. This is a household recycling event. No businesses, please.

Union County, in partnership with Covanta Energy, also includes mercury thermostats in its household waste recycling initiative. The mercury thermostat program complements the County’s efforts to collect household pollutants and divert mercury from the regional waste stream in order to help safeguard our water and air quality. What’s more, residents will receive a $5 gift certificate to Home Depot for turning in a mercury thermostat at the August 6 recycling event.

“Our partnership with Covanta allows us to extend our efforts to pursue environmentally sound methods of waste disposal,” Freeholder Hudak added.

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on August 6 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning web site: www.ucnj.org/recycle

For more information about the August 6 collection of old fireworks and ammunition, please call the Union County Police at 908-654-9800.

The household hazardous waste collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at (908) 654-9889.

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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 .

Registration Deadline Extended to June 29 for
Union County Summer Youth League Baseball –
Boys and Girls, Ages 8-15, Play Weekdays in Warinanco Park

The Union County Baseball Association invites young baseball players – boys and girls – ages 8 to 15, to register for its Summer Youth League baseball teams. The deadline to register for this summer’s baseball activities in Warinanco Park is being extended until Wednesday, June 29, to allow more young players to participate.

Sign-ups for the summer league will be held at the Warinanco Park Boat House in Roselle on Saturday, June 25, plus Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 27-28-29, from 9:00 a.m. to noon each day. All those who register will participate in play.

This annual youth baseball program, which was first organized in 1945, is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Union County Baseball Association, and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal.

“The Summer Youth League provides coaches, umpires, shirts and baseball caps,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Union County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. “All games are played in Warinanco Park, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and the games are coached and supervised by Union County Baseball Association staff.”

Each player is required to bring a $25 registration fee and a birth certificate to the sign-up. Players must be at least 8 years old by June 25 and cannot be 16 before August 1.

The Summer Youth League is divided into three divisions: a Teen League for 13, 14 and 15-year-olds; a Major League for 11 and 12-year-olds; and a Minor League for 8, 9 and 10-year-old players. Registered players will be notified about Team Assignment Day and the first day of play. There will be no refunds after Team Assignment Day.

An awards picnic will be held on Friday, August 5, to mark the end of the Summer Youth Baseball League. All games are played in Warinanco Park. For more information call (908) 789-3686, or visit the Union County Baseball Association Website at www.ucba-nj.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 .

The Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal announces the opening of the county’s two public swimming pools. The Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool located in Rahway River Park, St. George’s Avenue in Rahway, will be open for the season from June 25th through Labor Day, September 5th. The John Russell Wheeler Memorial Pool located in Wheeler Park, West Stimpson Avenue and Route 1 in Linden, will be open from June 27th through August 26th.

Group swimming lessons will be held at Ulrich Pool beginning July 5th. Applications are available at either pool office for all ages, beginners through adults. Pre-registration is required. Register early; classes are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Open Swim Sessions for Seniors and for People with Disabilities are held at Ulrich Pool on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. and at Wheeler Pool on Wednesdays from 12 noon-1:00 p.m. Admission to these special sessions is free.

Regular pool hours are as follows:

Walter E Ulrich Pool:

• Monday & Wednesday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

John Russell Wheeler Pool:

• Monday, Wednesday & Friday 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Tuesday & Thursday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday & July 4 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Daily Admission (proof of residency required for Union County resident fee):

Youth (17 & under):

• County Resident: $ 4.00
• Non-County Resident: $ 8.00

Adult (18 & over):

• County Resident: $ 5.00
• Non-County Resident: $10.00

Seniors (62 & over):

• County Resident: $ 4.00
• Non-County Resident: $ 8.00

The Ulrich and Wheeler pools are a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information, visit the Union County website: www.ucnj.org or call the Ulrich Pool (732-381-4045) or the Wheeler Pool (908-862-0977) for recorded information.

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (3rd L) speaks with (from left) Kean University professors John Dobodiewicz and Daniela Shebitz and Kean students Romona Cunha, Christina Bianchi and Christina Zaccariello during the Union County Bio-Blitz in Passaic River Parkway in Berkeley Heights. Bio-Blitz is a 24-hour sampling of the flora and fauna in a particular location with the twin goals of studying the biodiversity of the area and making the public aware of that diversity. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich (R) receives the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award from Sam Calabrese (L) and Frank Miterotonda of the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association during the organization’s 42nd annual conference. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Heather Cajamarca of Roselle Park in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of Cajamarca’s photographs entitled “In Love with New York” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until August 1. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists ensure an inspiring and interesting variety of exhibitions at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display this exhibit of beautiful urban landscape photographs by Heather Cajamarca.”

Ms. Cajamarca had a solo exhibit of her photographs, “New York in
 Black & White,” at the Casano Community Center Art Gallery in Roselle Park and a two-artist exhibit, “Tristate,” at the Scotch Plains Library in 2009. Recent exhibits include: “Stop and Smell the Flowers” at the Cranford Library; “For the Love of Water” in the Gallery on the Boulevard at the Kenilworth Library; “That Summer Feeling” at the Scotch Plains Library; and an exhibit called “Discovering New Jersey” with seven artists at the New Jersey Blood Center in New Brunswick last year.

Heather Cajamarca was born in Wisconsin and raised in a small town north of Green Bay. Six years ago, she and her husband opened a new chapter in their lives by moving to Roselle Park. Photography has always been a part of her life and the purchase of her first DSLR camera made it her true passion. Heather works in New York City and enjoys photographing its landmarks and architecture. She uses black and white photography to capture an unusual perspective of familiar New York scenes.

“I love taking pictures of everything: food, nature, flowers, people, architecture – I love it all!” Ms. Cajamarca said. “I feel that our journeys are represented by the images we capture – and life is worth capturing.”

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 to learn about other programs and services please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, June 25, at the Union County Vo-Tech in Scotch Plains.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents eliminate clutter in their homes and also fight identity theft,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with our other Go Green Initiatives.”

The June 25th shredding event will take place in the parking lot of the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate all participants, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and put through the shredder. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Saturday, August 13, at the Kean University campus, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

Solar Panels to provide 3.4 MW of solar energy
to County and Municipalities; lowering energy costs by 52%.

Union County – The Union County Improvement Authority today announced the Renewable Energy Program is scheduled to begin the installation of 44 solar projects with 16 local government entities: including 7 municipalities, 6 boards of education, the County of Union, Union County College and the Morris-Union Jointure Commission. The solar panels will be installed on schools, libraries, community centers and fire/police stations; providing 3.4 megawatts of clean energy throughout County.

The Union County Renewable Energy Program will be financed by the Union County Improvement Authority through a combination of low interest municipal bonds and an equity contribution from the solar developer.

“In these times of tight budgets for schools and municipal services, Union County’s forward-looking solar program helps us save money, control costs over the long-term and create jobs within the growing clean technology industry,” said Charlotte DeFilippo, Executive Director of the Union County Improvement Authority.

Tioga Energy, a leading provider of renewable energy services, was selected as the company to provide the solar energy. Under the terms of the program, the Union County Improvement Authority arranges financing for the solar energy installations. They are built without cost to the participating local governments. Any necessary maintenance or repairs are covered by Tioga Energy.

Energy provided by the proposed solar projects will provide for a portion of each local government’s energy needs at a lower rate. The Union County Renewable Energy Program estimates a 52% overall reduction in energy costs for the facilities participating in the program.

The Union County Renewable Energy Program was unanimously endorsed and approved by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “We are doing everything we can to find creative ways to reduce the cost of doing business. This renewable energy program guarantees just that,” stated Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “This program will significantly reduce energy costs for not only the County, but for many municipalities and school boards.”

Participants include: Township of Cranford, Township of Hillside, City of Linden, City of Plainfield, City of Rahway, Borough of Roselle, Township of Springfield, Hillside Board of Education, Winfield Board of Education, Roselle Board of Education, Garwood Board of Education, New Providence Board of Education, Roselle Park Board of Education, Union County, Union County College and the Morris-Union Jointure Commission.

Preconstruction meetings with various participants have already been held and groundbreaking is expected to occur over the summer. The terms of the agreement with Tioga require all installation to be completed by May of 2012.

Enjoy Music by Local Band “Alter the Ending” Before the Movie!

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal are happy to announce the schedule of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer outdoor entertainment and film series that gives families a chance to catch a movie under the stars in a Union County park.

“Family Fun and Flix begins at dusk, but come early to the park to enjoy interesting preview activities at 7:30 p.m. that are fun for the whole family,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “Bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn or save a seat in the bleachers – either way, the early birds are sure to like the preview activity before each movie.”

The opening film this summer will be the documentary/concert film, “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never,” the first G-rated movie from MTV Films. The movie follows pop star Justin Bieber on tour in the days leading up to his Madison Square Garden concert in 2010. “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” will be shown outdoors, free of charge at Briant Park in Summit on Friday, June 24.

Before the showing of “Never Say Never” on June 24, the popular young pop/rock/alternative band “Alter the Ending” will perform a set of their songs for the early birds at Briant Park. Alter the Ending is a local band from Berkeley Heights, consisting of singer/guitarist Andrew Pacheco, 14, guitarist Billy Manning, 14, Bassist Dylan Quesada, 13, and drummer Luke Blecker, 14. The group has performed throughout the tri-state area, including at the Stone Pony, the Starland Ballroom and at the Bamboozle Festival in the Meadowlands.

The other dates and locations for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix are:

• Tuesday, July 12 at Warinanco Park in Roselle/Elizabeth: the whole family will enjoy experimenting with Mad Science before the screening of “Despicable Me.”

• Tuesday, July 19 at Warinanco Park: there will be Basketball Fun and Games followed by the animated feature film, “Space Jam.”

• Tuesday, July 26 at Warinanco Park: see if you can Kung Fu your way to self defense before watching the original “Kung Fu Panda.”

• Tuesday, August 2 at Meisel Park in Springfield: Take part in National Night Out, sponsored by PBA Local #73, before viewing “G-Force.”

• Tuesday, August 9 at Meisel Park in Springfield: Make a fishy craft project before the showing of “Finding Nemo.”

• Friday, August 19 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside: Enjoy a classic car show by G-Wiz Auto Entertainment and the Garden State Chevelles before the animated adventure comedy, “Cars.”

All movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

“Alter the Ending” – the popular young musicians from Berkeley Heights – will perform a set of their songs on Friday, June 24, at Briant Park in Summit before the free showing of the film “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.” The live music starts at 7:30 p.m. and the movie follows at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the show.

Union County Sheriff’s Officers and Union County Corrections Officers participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey on June 10 in Elizabeth. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a statewide campaign coordinated and managed by the Law Enforcement Community to raise funds for the Special Olympics Movement, serving the athletes of New Jersey. For more information about Special Olympics New Jersey, visit www.sonj.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)