County of Union, New JerseyDefault category for all normal press releases
Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada congratulates Mother Seton High School alumni Jatinder Dhami (L) and Anudeep Grewal (2nd L) and their advisor Melissa Larson on their contributions toward the award-winning “Driftwood” publication at the Clark High School. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
UNION–Union County Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon announced today the County will resurface 12 miles of roadway as part of a $4 million New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) funded project.
“The project, to begin this Summer, will include but not be limited to County roads in Elizabeth, Rahway, Springfield, Union, Scotch Plains, Plainfield, New Providence and Mountainside,” said Chairman Scanlon. “It is important that we provide the necessary maintenance to keep our roads safe and ensure the smooth flow of transportation.”
The following roadways will be resurfaced as part of the NJDOT project:
• Vauxhall Road in Union, from Millburn Township line to Salem Road.
• Springfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights, from Morris County line to Constantine Place.
• Springfield Avenue in Westfield, from Mill Lane to Kenilworth Boulevard.
• Kenilworth Boulevard in Kenilworth, from Springfield Ave to Dorset Drive.
• W. Inman Avenue in Rahway, from St. Georges Avenue to Jefferson Avenue
• Passaic Street in New Providence, from Springfield Avenue to the Morris County Line.
• New Providence Road in Mountainside, from Partridge Road to US Rt.22.
• North Broad Street in Elizabeth, from North Avenue to Newark Avenue.
• Martine Avenue in Fanwood, from King Street to Portland Avenue.
• Central Avenue in Westfield, from Broad Street to North Avenue.
The Union County Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities will be overseeing the project. Notices of resurfacing will be posted on the County website, as well as through signage posted within the area to be paved.
Union County, NJ – A new Union County emergency medical service is already running at its anticipated call volume since it began operating on June 1. The new service is a one-year pilot project initiated by the Freeholder Board. The project was developed in response to mayors and other local officials who expressed an overwhelming need for additional EMS service in Union County.
“When we asked local governments how the County could help them provide vital services more efficiently, they said EMS was a top priority,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “We communicated closely with local officials so they knew exactly when County EMS was ready to roll, and it’s gratifying to see the program get off to such a fast start.”
The Countywide EMS pilot project is designed to assist municipalities when local crews are unavailable. It consists of one ambulance and crew based at the county’s Public Safety Building in Westfield. The service will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will respond to any municipality in Union County.
“Hospital closings and budget cuts have strained local resources, resulting in longer response times. This situation cannot be sustained without putting the health and safety of Union County residents at risk,” said Freeholder Linda Carter. “We hope that the County EMS pilot project leads to an effective long term solution.”
The pilot project was developed with input from local governments. Based on their needs, Union County public safety officials anticipated that the service would respond to about 4-5 calls daily after an initial startup period of several weeks. The program has already approached that mark. In its first five days of operation, County EMS responded to a total of 18 calls for service by nine municipalities: Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Linden, Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Springfield, and Union. As of Thursday June 9, there were 29 calls and an additional municipality, Hillside, used the service.
The need for a countywide backup EMS system has become clear over the past several years. In the past, local dispatchers could rely on other municipalities for mutual aid. As municipal resources have dwindled, this system has frayed. Dispatchers are finding it more difficult to send their crews out of town when their own residents may be in need.
Startup expenses for the pilot project have been kept to a minimum. The Rahway Emergency Squad donated two ambulances, and in exchange Union County bought and installed communications equipment for the squad’s new ambulance. The total cost to the County was only $2,500 compared to approximately $140,000 for a new ambulance. The second ambulance is needed as a backup when the first needs repair or maintenance.
In addition to answering immediate emergency calls, Countywide EMS is also available as a standby precaution at fires and public events. When the pilot concludes, the program will be evaluated for overall effectiveness. Other County departments can use the ambulances if the program does not continue.
The total estimated cost of the one year pilot is $212,980 including staffing and one-time startup expenses. The actual cost is expected to be far lower, since insurance companies will be billed for services when applicable.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds County to take advantage of programs and strategies for staying cool and healthy during extreme hot weather.
During extreme heat people are generally advised to stay indoors and keep activity to a low level. If there is no cooling available at home, residents can visit a library, mall, or other cooled public space where seating is available.
Union County spray parks are open today for children at Warinanco Park in Elizabeth, Phil Rizzuto Park in Union, and Snyder Park in Berkeley Heights. They will be closed on Friday and over the weekend, as cooler temperatures are expected.
Seniors citizens can visit their local senior center for relief. The following have advised the Freeholder Board that they have extended hours during the hot weather:
For more information on resources for senior citizens, contact the Union County Division on Aging toll-free, 888-280-8226.
Rating is highest attainable
Elizabeth— Citing the County’s continued economic strength and manageable debt levels, Fitch assigned AAA bond rating to Union County and declared its rating outlook as stable.
Fitch noted the ‘aaa’ rating—the highest attainable—reflects “the diverse local economy benefits from Union County’s extensive multi-modal transportation network and its proximity to New York City.”
“The highest bond rating attainable is an affirmation of our prudent fiscal practices and entrepreneurial management,” Freeholder Chairwoman Deborah P. Scanlon said. “We have implemented a number of fiscal reforms over the past several years since the national economic downturn that have stabilized County finances.”
Fitch’s statement further noted: “overall debt levels are manageable even when including self-supporting contingent obligations; debt amortization is rapid and capital needs are modest with limited additional debt plans. …New management has demonstrated knowledge of the county’s financial pressures and a willingness to address them.”
Fitch Ratings assigns a ‘AAA’ rating to $80 million of
Union County, New Jersey (the county) general obligation (GO) bonds. The bonds consist of:
–$65,565,000 of general improvement bonds of 2011,
–$10,280,000 of county vocational-technical school bonds of 2011 (New Jersey School Bond
Reserve Act);
–$3,000,000 of redevelopment bonds of 2011;
–$1,155,000 of county college bonds of 2011.
The bonds are scheduled for competitive sale on June 21, 2011. The bonds are being issued to currently refund of a portion of the county’s outstanding bond anticipation notes that were issued for general government, county vocational-technical school and county college improvements.
In addition, Fitch affirms the ratings for the following county bonds at ‘AAA’:
–$260.1 million GO bonds;
–$58.4 million Union County Utilities Authority 1998 County Deficiency Agreement guaranteed bonds;
–$28.1 million Union County Improvement Authority bonds.
Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski congratulates Mel Holston of Plainfield on winning professional best in show and first place in the professional drawing category at the 2011 Union County Senior Art Show during the opening reception for the exhibit at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The exhibit will be on display until July 16 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski congratulates Rafael Alexander Illanes of Linden on winning first place in the professional sculpture category at the 2011 Union County Senior Art Show during the opening reception for the exhibit at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The exhibit will be on display until July 16 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (L) congratulates Rosalia Verdun of Roselle Park on winning first place in the professional oil category at the 2011 Union County Senior Art Show during the opening reception for the exhibit at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The exhibit will be on display until July 16 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (L) congratulates Millicent Brody of Westfield on winning first place in the professional photography category at the 2011 Union County Senior Art Show during the opening reception for the exhibit at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The exhibit will be on display until July 16 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski congratulates Joseph Leonard of Elizabeth on winning first place in the non-professional photography category at the 2011 Union County Senior Art Show during the opening reception for the exhibit at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The exhibit will be on display until July 16 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)