Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of County Commissioners with funding from Union County and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority have been supporting a study aimed at preparing for an increase in electric vehicle (EV) ownership in the County over the next 10 years. The Public Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 6:30 PM by Zoom to answer questions and get feedback on the results to date.

“To combat rising carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutions brought on by transportation, the County of Union is looking for more charging stations to be installed, especially since the use of electric vehicles are on the rise,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “We want our residents to be able to find somewhere to charge their vehicles locally with ease, so I am looking forward to seeing the results of this study.”

The project page can be found at www.ucnj.org/ev-study, which holds a lot of information on the project and includes more on the subsidizes available to purchase EVs and funding sources for the installation of EV chargers. The growth in EV ownership is anticipated to lead to an increased demand for convenient EV charging sites throughout New Jersey.

In addition to meeting overall demand for convenient EV charging sites, the study aims to place the County in position to have the needed infrastructure with respect to traditionally underserved communities. The study will attempt to address the challenge of sufficient charging equipment locations for residents renting in multifamily residences and larger developments.

New Jersey has set a goal for December 2025 to have 330,000 registered passenger EVs and at least 400 public fast chargers throughout the state. The chargers are to be distributed to no fewer than 200 locations.

There are currently three different EV charging options, depending on the driver’s needs. Drivers who charge their EVs at home can use a Level 1 Charger. These take several hours to fully recharge a battery, but they are relatively inexpensive and can be run on an ordinary household outlet.

The faster Level 2 Chargers are more appropriate for public use. Level 2 Chargers require a heavy-duty outlet, of the type used by refrigerators and other large appliances. The fastest charger currently available is the Level 3, also called Direct Current Fast Charge. This is a purpose-built power source, which cannot be supported by the electrical system of a home.

This Union County study will focus on Level 2 and Level 3 DCFC chargers, which would be publicly accessible. For more information, please contact Project Manager Liza Betz, AICP PP, at ebetz@ucnj.org.

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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 fire danger rating is now at VERY HIGH for all of New Jersey,  The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has imposed Stage 2 campfire restrictions, which include the following.

• All fires within or adjacent to forested areas are prohibited unless in an elevated prepared fireplace, elevated charcoal grill or stove using electricity or a liquid or gas fuel.
• An elevated prepared fireplace must be constructed of steel, stone, brick or concrete with its fire box elevated at least one foot above the ground surface and surrounded by at least a ten feet radius clearance to mineral soil.
• An elevated charcoal grill may be stationary or portable and surrounded by at least a ten feet radius clearance to mineral soil.
• At the Scout Camping Area in the Watchung Reservation, permit holders may use the group charcoal grill in each campsite, but not the fire rings on the ground.  They may use the stone fire altars in the Council Ring.
• At the Amphitheater behind the former Trailside Planetarium, permit holders may have a campfire on the raised fire altar.
• In picnic areas, park users can use our permanent metal charcoal grills or they may use their own if they have metal legs to elevate them at least a foot off of the ground.
  • They may also use propane or liquid gas fueled stoves that are elevated. 
  • Park users may not use stone or masonry fireplaces that are built at ground level, such as at Seeley’s Pond or the David Wright gazebo at Osceola (Winfield Park).

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to enjoy a multi-media show by award-winning author and photographer Marty Essen in celebration of Earth Day 2023. Titled “Around the World in 90 Minutes,” the show features Essen’s high energy and trademark humor along with his favorite photographs from traveling the world for first book, Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents.

The event takes place this Saturday, April 15, at 1:30 p.m. at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Pre-registration is required. To register, follow the link in the “Welcome” section at ucnj.org/trailside.

“The theme for Earth Day 2023 is ‘Invest in Our Planet,’ and we are very proud to welcome Marty Essen to celebrate Earth Day at Trailside,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Trailside began as a volunteer-led exhibit in a garage back in the 1940’s. Since then it has grown into a showcase for environmental education and activities for all ages. Trailside reaches thousands of Union County residents and visitors every year with messages to share about protecting our natural heritage here at home and around the world.”

Marty Essen has presented Around the World in 90 Minutesat colleges, museums, and nature centers across the United States. Charging elephants, howling wolves, deadly snakes, friendly penguins, swimming with piranhas, kayaking in the rainforest, rafting with humpback whales and surviving a hippo attack in Zimbabwe are just some of the highlights.

Marty Essen is an Amazon #1 best-selling author with multiple literary awards to his credit. He is the author of four science fiction novels and three nonfiction books. He will be signing books after the Trailside program.

For more information about Trailside, visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.

A modest fee applies to special programs at Trailside. The fee for Around the World in 90 Minutes is $5.00 for Union County residents and $6.00 for non-county residents.

The Trailside exhibits are open daily free of charge on a walk-in basis daily except Mondays and holidays.

More information about all activities in Union County parks is available at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit the Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For information and updates on Union County COVID-19 services visit ucnj.org/covid19.

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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 County Commissioners informs residents of the updated schedules for COVID-19 testing clinics run by the County.

“We continue to work to ensure that our residents have the resources they need to protect themselves against the COVID-19 virus, including access COVID-19 tests, vaccines and booster shots,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Sergio Granados. “And, we continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted as the best protection against serious illness.”

The following testing clinic closure will take place in May:

The Union County COVID-19 testing clinic at the Warinanco Sports Center will be closed effective May 19. The last day of operations will be May 18. 

The following COVID-19 testing schedule will be effective in June:

Testing is available on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Union County EMS Building, 545 Laurel Ave in Roselle Park.

Testing is available on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center, 724 Park Ave in Plainfield.

After June 30, Union County brick-and-mortar clinics will not conduct COVID-19 testing. The County’s mobile COVID-19 program will continue to offer at-home test kits when visiting various locations throughout Union County, while supplies last. A schedule of visits for the mobile program is posted at ucnj.org/covid19.

For information and updates on all Union County COVID-19 services visit ucnj.org/covid19.

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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.

In recognition of Arbor Day 2023, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. The contest is held each year to encourage environmental stewardship and tree conservation among students in grades 4-8, in partnership with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board.

“Helping to raise awareness about the role of trees in our environment is a valuable civic service for students, and the Poetry Contest is a wonderful opportunity to practice writing and communicating in a public setting. We congratulate our awardees, who demonstrated exemplary skill and writing ability to earn their winning honors, and we also appreciate the efforts of every student who submitted a poem and shared their creative insights with the community,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

“Each year we look forward to hearing the voices of the young people in our community in the Poetry Contest. They teach us to appreciate our natural heritage, and they encourage us to do our best to preserve and protect the environment that sustains us. Congratulations to all the winners for your beautiful poems,” said Commissioner Lourdes Leon, the Commissioner Board Liaison to the Shade Tree Advisory Board.

An awards ceremony and public presentation for the winners will be held during a regular public meeting of the Commissioner Board on Thursday, April 27.

The awards were conferred on the first, second, and third place winners in each grade:

4^th Grade

1^st Place – Alyssa DeMarco, Henley School, Clark

2^nd Place – Amaya Gonzalez, Mountain Park Elem. School, Berkeley Heights

3^rd Place – Max Keat, Lincoln School, Garwood

5^th Grade

1^st Place – Anna Morozovych, Mountain Park Elem. School, Berkeley Heights

2^nd Place – Tania Alvarado-Valverde, Lincoln School, Garwood

3^rd Place – Julia Ruiz, Mountain Park Elem. School, Berkeley Heights

6^th Grade

1^st Place – Karl Asuncion, Terrill Middle School, Scotch Plains

2^nd Place – Sloane Bienkowski, Lincoln School, Garwood

3^rd Place – Pravens Dauphin, Ola Edwards Community School, Hillside

7^th Grade

1^st Place – Madelynn Knierim, Lincoln School, Garwood

2^nd Place – Julia Pappalardo, Terrill Middle School, Scotch Plains

3^rd Place – Athena Bishop, Terill Middle School, Scotch Plains

8^th Grade

1^st Place -Luke Esmerado, Columbia Middle School, Berkeley Heights

2^nd Place – Courtney Kilmer, Lincoln School, Garwood

3^rd Place – Valerie Cespedes, Kawameeh Middle School, Union

Arbor Day has been a national observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 28.

For more information about the Arbor Day Poetry Contest contact Madeline Brigantino at mbrigantino@ucnj.org or 908-789-3653.

Quick links to all Union County environmental activities and programs are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For information and updates on Union County COVID-19 services visit ucnj.org/covid19.

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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 County Commissioners informs residents of the updated schedules for COVID-19 vaccination clinics run by the County.

“We are expanding our mobile vaccination program to help ensure that unsheltered persons and other vulnerable residents can access the resources they need to protect themselves. The COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots save lives, and they lower the risk of serious, long term illness,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Sergio Granados.

Effective May 19, the Union County COVID-19 clinic at the Warinanco Sports Center will be closed. The last day of operation will be May 18. 

Union County will continue to provide vaccinations at Plainfield High School at 950 Park Avenue in Plainfield, on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The mobile vaccination program will also continue to visit various locations in Union County, including a partnership with Union County’s Fresh Start mobile personal hygiene and resource program for those in need. A schedule of locations is available on the Union County website at ucnj.org/covid19.

For information and updates on all Union County COVID-19 services visit ucnj.org/covid19.

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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.

April 2023 is Second Chance Month and the Union County Board of County Commissioners with the American Job Center, would like to announce a free Expungement Clinic and Job Fair on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Warinanco Sports Center in Warinanco Park, located at 1 Park Drive in Roselle.

“The entire expungement process can be overwhelming and there is a lot that goes into removing a conviction, so as part of my Second Chance initiative, through my Chairman’s “Building a Stronger Union County” initiatives for 2023, for the first time ever, we are hosting this expungement clinic to help our residents looking for clean slate,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Too often, even minor convictions can prevent someone from getting hired, obtaining a loan or finding somewhere to live and this event is designed to help those who want a fresh start, learn the different resources out there to help transition them back into the community. I firmly believe in second chances and I am looking forward to attending this event and us helping individuals across our County with not only expungements, but also employment opportunities.”

The event will have volunteer attorneys on site to meet with individuals to obtain free expungement. Employers will be present who are willing to hire second chance individuals. Various positions are available with employers, such as: PepsiCo, NJ Transit, Amazon, Wakefern, ShopRite, FedEx, Newark Airport and the Port Authority of NJ & NY. VET4U will assist with discharge upgrades.

While the event is free, pre-registration is required at www.ucnj.org/job-fair. Walk-ins are welcome, but all attendees must register on site prior to entering the event.

For more information or to register for this expungement and job fair, please visit www.ucnj.org/job-fair or call Carolina Marin at 908-380-6237.

In celebration of National Poetry Month 2023, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to present a talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and poet Tina Kelley, on the intersection of journalism and poetry. The event will take place at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center Carriage House at 135 Watson Road in Fanwood on Tuesday, April 18, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The event is free of charge but pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/tinakelley23.

“We are very proud to bring Ms. Kelley to the Union County community. This is a wonderful opportunity for poets of all ages and levels of experience to gain new insights into the creative process, and to hone their skills in communicating through the power of poetry,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

Tina Kelley has published four full-length volumes of poetry along with two non-fiction books. Her career in journalism has spanned The New York Times, The Star-Ledger, and New Jersey Monthly among other publications. She was co-awarded the Pulitzer Prize for covering the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

As both poet and journalist, Ms. Kelley encourages her audiences to explore how journalism inspires creative writing, and how the skills of finding new and engaging topics, choosing key details, weaving narratives, revising and making deadlines are helpful in both fields. 

Tina Kelley’s most recent poetry collection, Rise Wildly, appeared in 2020 from CavanKerry Press, joining Abloom & Awry, Precise, and The Gospel of Galore, a Washington State Book Award winner. Her poems have appeared in Poetry East, Southwest Review, Prairie Schooner, and The Best American Poetry 2009.

Ms. Kelley also co-authored Breaking Barriers: How P-TECH Schools Create a Pathway from High School to College to Career and Almost Home: Helping Kids Move from Homelessness to Hope.

She is currently the senior education reporter nj.com.

Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives. For more information about National Poetry Month visit poets.org/national-poetry-month.

The National Poetry Month program is presented by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation, and is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

For more information about this event and other activities and programs of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit ucnj.org/cultural, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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 County Commissioners is pleased to announce that a total of 94 school and community gardens have been awarded funding through the Union County Plant a Seed initiative, which supports nutrition, sustainability, civic service and STEM education, and helps to build community connections and improve access to fresh produce as well as social opportunities and outdoor recreation.

“Studies show that when children engage in gardening programs as a part of their school curriculum, health outcomes are improved, school performance is increased, pro-environmental attitudes evolve, and social and emotional interactions benefit. When you connect kids to gardens and allow them to dig in, it helps them begin to think holistically about their food, their schools, their larger communities, and the health of our planet.” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Community gardens also help to bring together residents to build new relationships with each other, through growing fresh produce and tending to the health of the garden and the community, too.”

“Throughout the years, the Commissioner Board has supported and encouraged residents of all ages in appreciating our outdoor spaces, engaging with conservation and environmental preservation topics, and enjoying a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. We are very proud to extend this support to school and community gardens, which reach hundreds of students and gardeners of all ages each year,” said Commissioner Lourdes Leon. Commissioner Leon, Chair of the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

The Plant a Seed program garden grant program began in 2018. It is funded by the Chairman Initiatives and administered through the Trust Fund. It includes the Union County Kids Dig In grant program for schools, and the Union County Means Green community garden grant program. For information on both programs visit ucnj.org/plant-a-seed-garden-grants.

Eligible sites for funding through Plant a Seed are for growing vegetables. Fruits, nuts, berries, herbs, spices, and pollinator-attracting plants are also covered, as well as plants that provide natural pest control. Ornamental plants and non-producing gardens are not covered.

With the inclusion of Roselle Park and Summit for the first time in 2023, Kids Dig In has now funded school gardens in all 21 municipalities of Union County.

The 2023 Kids Dig In program awarded grants to the following 69 school gardens:

Municipality	Organization	Option	Awarded Amount
Berkeley Heights	Columbia Middle School	$500	Garden enhancement
Berkeley Heights	Mountain Park Elementary School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Clark	ALJ High School	$750	Raised Bed
Clark	Mother Seton Regional High School	$750	Raised Bed
Clark	Valley Road School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Cranford	Livingston Avenue School	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Winfield Scott School No. 2	$850	Earthbox Garden
Elizabeth	Joseph Battin 4 Annex	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Joseph Battin 4 Main	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Mabel G. Holmes School No. 5	$850	Earthbox Garden
Elizabeth	Toussaint L’ouverture School No. 6	$850	Earthbox Garden
Elizabeth	JVJ STEM Academy	$850	Earthbox Garden
Elizabeth	Jerome Dunn Academy School No. 9	$500	Garden Enhancement
Elizabeth	Elmora School No. 12	$750	Pollinator Garden
Elizabeth	J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy	$500	Garden Enhancement
Elizabeth	Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Abraham Lincoln School	$850	Earthbox Garden
Elizabeth	Terence C. Reilly	$750	Pollinator Garden
Elizabeth	Victor Mravlag	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Madison Monroe School No. 16	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Robert Morris School No. 18	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Woodrow Wilson School No. 19	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	John Marshall School No. 20	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Nicholas M. Butler School No. 23	$850	Earthbox Garden
Elizabeth	Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29	$500	Garden Enhancement
Elizabeth	Admiral William Halsey Technology Academy	$750	Pollinator Garden
Elizabeth	John E. Dwyer	$750	Pollinator Garden
Elizabeth	Dr. Orlando Edreira Academy School No. 26	$750	Pollinator Garden
Elizabeth	Dr. Antonia Pantoja School No. 27	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Juan Pablo Duarte School 28	$500	Garden Enhancement
Elizabeth	William Halloran	$500	Garden Enhancement
Elizabeth	Dr. MLK Jr. School No. 52	$750	Raised Bed
Elizabeth	Frances C. Smith School 50	$500	Garden Enhancement
Hillside	A.P. Morris Early Childhood Center	$750	Pollinator Garden
Hillside	Deanna G. Taylor Academy	$500	Garden Enhancement
Hillside	Hurden Looker School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Hillside	Hillside High School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Hillside	Hillside Innovation Academy	$750	Raised Bed
Hillside	Walter O Krumbiegel Middle School	$850	Earthbox Garden
Hillside	Ola Edwards Community School	$750	Raised Bed
Kenilworth	St. Theresa School	$750	Pollinator Garden
Kenilworth	David Brearley Middle & High School	$850	Earthbox Garden
Linden	Sprouts Academy	$850	Earthbox Garden
Linden	School No. 4	$500	Garden Enhancement
Linden	School No. 2	$500	Garden Enhancement
Linden	School No. 5	$750	Raised Bed
New Providence	New Providence High School & Middle School	$750	Pollinator Garden
New Providence	Morris Union Jointure Commission- Developmental Learning Center	$850	Earthbox Garden
New Providence	The Academy of Our Lady of Peace	$750	Raised Bed
Plainfield	Emerson Community Elementary School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Roselle	Grace Wilday Junior High School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Roselle	Washington Elementary School	$750	Raised Bed
Roselle Park	EJF Aldene School	$850	Earthbox Garden
Roselle Park	Roselle Park High School	$850	Earthbox Garden
Roselle Park	Robert Gordon Elementary	$750	Pollinator Garden
Roselle Park	Sherman Elementary School	$850	Earthbox Garden
Roselle Park	Roselle Park Middle School	$750	Pollinator Garden
Scotch Plains	Union County Vo-Tech High School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Scotch Plains	Union Catholic High School	$750	Pollinator Garden
Summit	Summit High School	$850	Earthbox Garden
Union	Franklin Elementary	$750	Raised Bed
Union	Battle Hill Elementary School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Union	Livingston Elementary School	$750	Pollinator Garden
Union	Kawameeh Middle School	$850	Earthbox Garden
Westfield	Crossroads School	$750	Raised Bed
Westfield	McKinley Elementary School	$750	Pollinator Garden
Westfield	Jefferson Elementary School	$500	Garden Enhancement
Westfield	Westlake School	$750	Raised Bed
Winfield	Winfield School	$500	Garden enhancement

The 2023 Union County Means Green program awarded grants to the following 25 community gardens:

Municipality	Organization	Option	Awarded Amount
Elizabeth	Jewish Family Services	2- Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Elizabeth	Trinitas Hospital	2- Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Elizabeth	Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless	2- Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Elizabeth	Elmora Community Garden	2 Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Elizabeth	Prevention Links	2 Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Elizabeth	Josephine’s Place	2-Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Elizabeth	Stephen Samson Center	2-Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Elizabeth	HACE	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Elizabeth	Elmora Public Library	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Elizabeth	PISC	2-Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Elizabeth	Peterstown Senior Center	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Hillside	Township of Hillside	2 Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Linden	CIC Youth and Family Engagement Community Garden	1- Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Plainfield	Richmond Towers Resident Association	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Plainfield	Joanne Hollis Gardens	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Rahway	The Gateway Family YMCA-Rahway	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Rahway	Friendship Baptist Church	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Roselle	Borough of Roselle	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Roselle Park	Roselle Park Environmental Commission	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Scotch Plains	Rotary Frazee House	2-Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Springfield	Springfield Free Public Library	1- Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Summit	Reeves Reed Arboretum	2-Garden Enhancement	$500.00
Union	Township of Union	1 Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Union	Township of Union-Vauxhall Garden	1-Raised Bed Garden	$750.00
Union	The Gateway Family YMCA	2-Garden Enhancement	$500.00

The Commissioner Board will host a kickoff event for the 2023 Plant a Seed awardees at Kean University on April 24. The event will include the announcement of awards, garden workshops for those educators needing continuing education credits, and a light lunch.

For quick links to all environmental programs and activities hosted by the Commissioner Board visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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 County Commissioners invites local municipalities, including police and fire departments, to participate in the new Film Ready New Jersey workshop on Friday, April 14, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union Township. The workshop is a certification and marketing initiative of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), in partnership with the Commissioner Board and the Union County Motion Picture & Television Advisory Board.

Representatives from the 21 municipalities of Union County are invited to attend, along with Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties.

“The Film Ready New Jersey program offers Union County the opportunity to grow our presence in the dynamic motion picture and television industry, while learning from the best practices and effective market strategies developed by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “This is a significant economic development opportunity for Union County and the surrounding area. We thank the NJMPTVC for collaborating with us on this project, and we encourage our 21 municipalities to participate.”

To register for the workshop visit eventbrite.com/e/film-ready-workshop.

To learn more about the Union County Motion Picture & Television Advisory Board, visit ucnj.org/ucfilmtv.

The Film Ready New Jersey program is a five-step certification and marketing program that enables cities and towns to effectively accommodate on-location filming and market their communities as filming destinations.

The April 14 workshop is the first step towards certification. At the workshop, participants will learn about the economic benefits of hosting on-location filming. Training and guidance will be provided by industry professionals as well as local mayors and NJMPTVC commissioners.

The workshop will cover ordinances, permitting, opportunities for small businesses and other elements related to on-location filming.

Participants will walk away with a toolkit to attract and welcome productions to their community and learn about the necessary steps required to become a certified Film Ready Community.

The NJMPTVC launched the Film Ready program as a pilot program in 2022, in Somerset County. The program sets basic standards for attracting film makers, and positions the state as a top production destination.

The Film Ready designation provides certified communities with an elevated platform to promote themselves as filming destinations. The Film Ready program also connects film and TV professionals with skilled and knowledgeable liaisons across the state, who can provide local expertise and support to streamline access to nearby resources and location information.

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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.