Category: Public Info

Union County property owners with questions about prepaying their property taxes are advised that the Internal Revenue Service has posted official guidance on property tax deductions.

The notice was posted on December 27. It reads in part:

The Internal Revenue Service advised tax professionals and taxpayers today that pre-paying 2018 state and local real property taxes in 2017 may be tax deductible under certain circumstances.

The IRS has received a number of questions from the tax community concerning the deductibility of prepaid real property taxes. In general, whether a taxpayer is allowed a deduction for the prepayment of state or local real property taxes in 2017 depends on whether the taxpayer makes the payment in 2017 and the real property taxes are assessed prior to 2018.  A prepayment of anticipated real property taxes that have not been assessed prior to 2018 are not deductible in 2017.  State or local law determines whether and when a property tax is assessed, which is generally when the taxpayer becomes liable for the property tax imposed.

The full notice is available at irs.gov/newsroom.

For information about their property tax assessments and guidance on prepayments, property owners in Union County can contact the municipality in which the property is located.

The following Union County municipal websites have posted information related property tax deductions:

• Berkeley Heights- http://www.berkeleyheightstwpnj.gov/tax-collector.html
• Clark- http://www.ourclark.com/archives/6718
• Cranford- https://www.cranford.com/event/pre-payment-of-real-estate-taxes-for-2018/?instance_id=641
• Fanwood  http://www.fanwoodnj.org/a-special-message-from-mayor-council-on-the-prepayment-of-taxes-policy-for-2018/
• Garwood http://garwood.org/
• Kenilworth http://www.kenilworthborough.com/page.asp?ID=2672
• Linden http://www.linden-nj.org/Departments/tax-collector
• Mountainside – http://www.mountainside-nj.com/images/fp/2018-tax-prepay.pdf
• New Providence- https://www.newprov.org/tax-collector/
• Plainfield http://plainfieldnj.gov/_readwritedata/_news_images/17179City%20of%20Plainfield%20Announcement-Tax%20Prepayment.pdf
• Rahway   http://www.cityofrahway.org/departments/revenue-finance/tax-collector/
• Roselle   http://www.boroughofroselle.com/departments/Tax-Collector/
• Roselle Park   http://rosellepark.net/tax-collector/
• Scotch Plains   https://www.scotchplainsnj.gov/departments/taxes-finance/
• Springfield  http://springfield-nj.us/departments/finance/tax-collector/
• Summit  https://www.cityofsummit.org/245/Tax-Collection
• Union  http://www.uniontownship.com/137/Tax-Office
• Westfield  http://www.westfieldnj.gov/PayMyTaxes

 

CLARK, NJ—The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series for 2017 will come to a close at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday evening, August 23, with a performance by New York State of Mind, performing the music of Billy Joel. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

New York State of Mind celebrates one of the greatest singer/songwriters of our time. The band’s precise renditions of Joel’s classic songs are certain to move both casual listeners as well as hardcore fans to their feet and have them singing along with all the well known and loved classics.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from Café Gallo and the Good Humor Man.

As always the Union County Get Fit Yoga program will precede the concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. Conducting the yoga program on August 23 will be Hot Yoga Revolution of Cranford.

“This will be the final opportunity for residents to enjoy the great musical entertainment in beautiful Oak Ridge Park, so gather your family and friends and spend an evening in the park,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.
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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.

Union County, NJ – Union County residents in search of a meaningful New Year’s resolution have one at their fingertips: the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program is now being offered in Union County.

“If working to improve the environment in your community is among your New Year’s resolutions, I encourage you to sign up for the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The program is conveniently located in Westfield, and we are looking forward to welcoming Union County’s very first class of Environmental Stewards.”

Environmental Stewards is an award-winning program run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, a division of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

The program aims to provide local residents with an understanding of the science behind the environmental issues impacting their communities. The goal is to enable non-scientists to focus on effective conservation projects and other improvements.

On successfully completing the program, participants earn official certification as Rutgers Environmental Stewards.

“Every year hundreds of Union County residents volunteer to help with conservation projects in Union County parks,” said Bergen. “The Environmental Stewards program provides the tools and know-how to take this volunteer effort to the next level.”

Since the inception of the program in 2005, hundreds of certified Rutgers Environmental Stewards have engaged in projects statewide.

One outstanding example is the rain garden at the Cranford Municipal Building. Planted in 2014, the garden is designed to filter pollutants associated with stormwater runoff. It helps to protect the Rahway River, provides a habitat for valuable pollinators, and beautifies the property with native wildflowers including giant hyssop, cardinal flower and purple coneflower.

The Environmental Stewards program will hold classroom training sessions beginning Friday, January 26 at the Extension offices in Westfield, at the Colleen Fraser Building in the Union County complex, 300 North Avenue East.

Classes are held on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for 20 weeks. Experts from Rutgers University and non-profit organizations will guide the participants through topics including energy conservation, climate change, invasive species, open space management, soil health, water resource pollution, environmental policy, protecting pollinators, and habitat conservation.

Applications are available online at envirostewards.rutgers.edu. A fee of $250.00 applies.

For more information, contact Michele Bakacs at bakacs@njaes.rutgers.edu or 732-398-5274.

For information on all Extension programs offered in Union County, including 4-H, Master Gardeners and Master Tree Stewards, visit ucnj.org/rce.

Visit the Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection for all Union County environmental programs and activities.

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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.

Union County, NJ – A group of student volunteers took to the water to help pitch in for the environment. As part of Union County’s Adopt-a-Park Program, earlier this fall the group rowed out to spruce up a “floating wetlands” demonstration project at Surprise Lake in the county’s Watchung Reservation, and they also helped repair a section of trail.

“The wetlands project shows how native plants can provide natural filtration for pollutants that enter the lake. It also contributes to biodiversity and provides sustenance for hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Thanks to these volunteers, the project can continue to inform our efforts to foster a healthy environment in our County parks.”

The volunteer group consisted of teens participating in the Mitzvah Mania youth community service program of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey.

The wetlands project consists of two floating islands planted with swamp loosestrife, cardinal flower, blue flag iris, swamp hibiscus and other native species. Working from a rowboat, the students removed debris from the islands and replaced plants that were dead or missing.

“Native plants that like to get their ‘feet’ wet are ideal for natural filtration, but they don’t thrive when planted in the bed of the lake,” explained Bergen. “By floating them in pots on the surface, we allow the roots to grow in the water.”

 

The floating wetlands project in Lake Surprise was funded through the Union County Adopt-a-Park program. Three addition lakes and ponds in County parks are slated to receive floating wetlands.

Any individual or group can volunteer with Adopt-a-Park. Union County has 36 parks totaling almost 6,200 acres, and there are many ways to help out. To find out how to volunteer, and to learn more about Union County’s environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.

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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 held a set of open public hearing dates in February and March for the review.

• 2017 Executive Budget, click here. 
• 2017 Budget as Introduced, click here. 
• 2017 Adopted Budget, click here.

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While there are no public comments at these meetings, the public was welcome to attend and listen to the discussion. The Freeholder Board will conduct their review before voting to introducing the budget later this year.

Union County, NJ — Union County residents seeking information about services for seniors can visit the traveling “ASK” Aging Services Kiosk program. Five ASK sessions are scheduled for five different locations in January.

The ASK program visits libraries and other public facilities in communities throughout Union County. Each ASK session is staffed by experienced personnel from the Union County Department of Human Services Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection.

“The ASK program enables residents to speak with an expert and ask questions in person at a convenient location,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, the Freeholder Board liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “ASK has become an important part of our community outreach efforts, helping to ensure that every senior can connect with the resources and services available to them.”

Seniors and caregivers can come to an ASK session for information about home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and other services.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

Any Union County resident or caregiver can visit any of the ASK sessions. The dates and locations for ASK sessions in January are:

Wednesday, January 10

Linden Public Library

31 E. Henry Street

Linden, 07036

10:00 – 12:00

 

Monday, January 22

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, 07066

10:00 – 12:00

 

Wednesday, January 24

Fanwood Public Library

5 Forest Road

Fanwood, 07023

10:00 – 12:00

 

Monday, January 29

Summit Public Library

75 Maple Street

Summit, 07901

10:30 – 12:30

 

Tuesday, January 30

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, 07083

12:00 – 2:00

The mission of the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division has printed information available in English and Spanish.

For more information call 888-280-8226 toll-free, or 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4858, or visit the Union County website at 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.

Expect bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills through the week

When outdoors, be sure to wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Check on your neighbors, friends, and relatives, especially the elderly and those with disabilities. People most likely to be exposed to dangerous cold include those who lack shelter, work outdoors and/or live in homes with malfunctioning or inadequate heat. Seniors, infants, people with chronic cardiovascular or lung conditions, those using alcohol or drugs, and people with cognitive impairments (like dementia, serious mental illness or developmental disability) are at increased risk.

Health problems resulting from prolonged exposure to cold include hypothermia, frostbite, and exacerbation of chronic heart and lung conditions. If you suspect a person is suffering from frostbite or hypothermia, call 9-1-1 to get medical help.

Union County, NJ — The Union County Department of Parks and Recreation has released details of its annual Deer Management Program, which will begin on Monday morning, January 8 in six County parks and one municipal park.  The program will operate in the Watchung Reservation, the Summit portion of Passaic River Park, Ash Brook Reservation, Lenape Park, Nomahegan Park, Oak Ridge Park and the Hawk Rise Sanctuary.

Browsing for food by large numbers of deer has caused a loss of forest understory in park areas throughout the northeastern United States.  The overpopulation of deer threatens the survival of the plant and animal communities that are important to the ecology of these parks.

Forest ecologists recommend a density of 20 per square mile in a healthy hardwood forest and as low as 5 per square mile in a forest that has been heavily damaged by browsing.  Spotlight counts conducted by the County in April, 2017 suggested 2017-2018 overwintering densities of about 58 deer per square mile in the Watchung Reservation, 84 per square mile in and around Ash Brook Reservation and Oak Ridge Park, 87 deer per square mile in the Hawk Rise Sanctuary, and 150 per square mile in and around Lenape and Nomahegan Parks. 

An analysis completed by the County in 2011 showed that roads bordering Lenape and Nomahegan Parks had some of the highest numbers of deer-car collisions in the County.  And in Hawk Rise Sanctuary in Linden, overbrowsing by deer is threatening the survival of hundreds of native plants that were planted in conjunction with the construction of a boardwalk.

Since 1995, marksmen in the County of Union’s state-regulated deer management program have reduced the population of white-tailed deer in the Watchung Reservation substantially.  In 2006, hunting was initiated in Ash Brook Reservation and in 2002 in portions of Passaic River Park in Summit.  Five years ago, hunters harvested deer from Lenape Park for the first time.  Three years ago, the County began to conduct deer management in Nomahegan Park and in Linden’s Hawk Rise Sanctuary. And Oak Ridge Park was added to the list of sites in 2016.

The Watchung Reservation spans over 2,000 acres in Springfield, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Summit, Berkeley Heights and Watchung.  Passaic River Park spans 287 acres in Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit.  Lenape Park covers 403 acres of land in Cranford, Kenilworth, Union, Springfield and Westfield.  The Ash Brook Reservation encompasses 667 acres in Scotch Plains and Clark.  The Hawk Rise Sanctuary includes about 45 acres of forest in the City of Linden. And Oak Ridge Park consists of 90 acres of land in Clark and Edison.

The Union County Deer Management Program will operate on Mondays from January 8 to February 5. When there is a holiday on a Monday (Dr. M.L. King Day), the program moves to Wednesday.  In the event of inclement weather on any other Monday, the hunting activity will be moved to Wednesday that week.  If Wednesday brings inclement weather, the hunting will be moved to Friday.  Hunters will be in the parks from 5:30 a.m. until after dark, but shooting may occur only during daylight hours. 

Forty marksmen have been chosen by the County from among experienced, licensed hunters.  Eighty-five percent of the hunters have previously participated in Union County’s program, and all are serving on a voluntary basis. The hunters will be wearing orange hats or vests and will hunt the deer from elevated positions, at least 20 feet up in the trees, over baited sites. 

The hunters may keep any deer carcasses that they harvest.  Many of the deer will be processed at a State-approved butcher and the venison will be donated to the needy and homeless through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

The deer management program will be supervised by the Union County Police and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.  Anyone found hunting on any County park property outside the terms of this program will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  Citizens observing any such illegal activity are urged to immediately contact the Union County Police at 908-654-9800.

The public should note that these parks will not be closed during the deer management program; however, portions of some roadways inside the park may be closed for short periods if necessary. Park patrons are urged to stay on the marked hiking, walking and bridle trails.  Park users also are urged to adhere to the County ordinance that requires that pets be restrained on a leash.

For further information, go to the County’s website at https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/wildlife-management/deer/  or contact the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900.  Hunters interested in joining this program in a future year can get onto a mailing list for applications through the website.

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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 “Species on the Edge Art and Essay Contest,” sponsored by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey for 5^th graders, announced a winner from each county in the state.  Students create artwork and write essays about NJ’s rare wildlife.    The charming art work and essays currently on display at Trailside Nature and Science Center represent a variety of threatened and endangered species.  The art work not only captivates the viewer, but raises awareness of the diversity and beauty of these diminishing species in our state. The Humpback Whale, Short-eared Owl, Bobcat, Long-tailed Salamander, Piping Plover, Atlantic Hawksbill Turtle and many others are creatively depicted.  “This delightful exhibit educates young people and adults about the many animals in peril living in our state,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.    

Each accompanying essay tells the story of a different endangered species.   The winner in Union County, Olivia Wang of Thomas P. Hughes Elementary School in Berkeley Heights, depicts the Northern Harrier.  Her essay, told from the perspective of a male harrier, expresses the bird’s delight in the beauty of his young with a plea for human care and awareness.  She concludes, “Every person makes a difference”.  The exhibit, now on display, is in itself is one step towards making a difference.

For more information about this exhibit or activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.    Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, County Manager Alfred Faella and County Council Robert Barry thank Chairman Bruce H. Bergen for an outstanding year at the helm of County Government with a plaque in honor of his “Connecting our Community” initiatives for 2017. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)