Category: Public Info

Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski helped celebrate the H yesterday, along with Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Ward 3 Council Member Kevin Kiniery, Groundwork Elizabeth Executive Director Jonathan Phillips and his staff, and a large group of volunteers from the library’s teen program and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County.

The hard-working group spruced up the library’s front lawn by creating a colorful flower bed that spells out “R-E-A-D,” then headed out back to enjoy a lunch featuring fresh produce grown in the library’s teen garden.

The garden is tended by volunteers in the library’s teen program. It was constructed last year with a grant from Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen’s “Union County Means Green” grant initiative, which is also providing funds this year to expand the gardens and install a fence.

A new urban micro-farm and another community garden are also on the grounds of the library.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Linda Carter and Christopher Hudak joined Union County Acting Prosecutor Grace Park, Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations John McCabe, Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran and Union County Police Chief Chris Debbie at the National Night Out event hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders on August 1 in Meisel Park in Springfield. They were joined by Dominic Romeo and Amberly Russomano of the Clark ShopRite, a major support of the event.

National Night Out is a campaign geared toward generating drug and crime awareness and prevention throughout the country.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will sponsor a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on Saturday, August 5 in Scotch Plains to help Union County residents get rid of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats, propane tanks, automobile tires and more in an environmentally safe manner.

The household hazardous waste collection will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“The household hazardous waste program for Union County residents is particularly important as we become more aware of the need for proper disposal of old or unwanted hazardous items that are found around the home,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The result of these efforts is a safer home and a cleaner environment for our families and our neighbors.”

Union County’s household hazardous waste event are for residents only. Proof of residency is required. Business waste is not accepted.

Union County residents participating in the recycling event need only drive up to the site. Workers at the site will unload their vehicles.

The County Police Bomb Squad will also be on hand at this event to accept ammunition and fireworks from residents.  

Residents should note that no latex (water-based) paint will be accepted. Residents who need to dispose of latex paint should let it dry in the can, then place the can in regular household garbage.

 Household hazardous wastes that may be brought to the site include 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), and mercury switches.

Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted. There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household.

For a complete list of accepted items visit ucnj.org/recycle .

Additional information is available by recorded message on the Recycling Hotline, 908-654-9889.

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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.

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Union County’s final free performance of Shakespeare’s outrageously fun comedy The Taming of the Shrew will take the stage at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside this Friday, August 4 at 7:00 P.M.

Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to the park to enjoy The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble’s abridged performance of the zesty, romantic comedy of male chauvinism and women’s rights in the 16th century. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, this free performance is too fun to miss.

“This summer’s tour of Shakespeare’s classic romantic-comedy The Taming of the Shrew in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the clever and compelling language of Shakespeare,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Petruchio, a poverty-stricken gentleman from Verona, journeys to Padua in search of a wealthy wife. There, he encounters the fiery Katharina, a self-willed shrew who engages Petruchio in a humorous battle of wit and insult with Kate as determined to maintain her independence as Petruchio is to “tame” her.

The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors to fully develop abridged productions of classic plays. Come out to Union County parks this summer to the see Next Stage Ensemble’s performance of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.

Company with over 50 stores worldwide opens second store in the U.S. in Elizabeth, NJ

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Think Kitchen, an international retailer of unique and affordable kitchen supplies, will use the County’s Workforce Innovation Business Center to conduct an information session for persons interested in applying for any of 20 full time positions at its new location at The Mills at Jersey Gardens.

The new Think Kitchen store will open in September. The available positions include a Store Manager, two Team Leaders, two Assistant Store Managers/Key Holders, and fifteen Customer Service Associates.

“Think Kitchen is making its mark internationally, and Union County is proud to be selected as the location for one of only two stores in the United States,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The company’s interest in our area is a firm testament to the strength of the Union County economy.”

“Think Kitchen joins a growing roster of leading employers that have partnered with the WIB Center to create more than 2,000 new job opportunities, and the numbers continue to grow,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is in his third year as the Freeholder liaison to the Union County Workforce Development Board. “We continue to break barriers in private and public partnerships to create the greatest amount of employment opportunities for our residents in Union County.”

The information sessions will be held at the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center, at The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth on Thursday August 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

Attendance at the session is mandatory for job seekers to be eligible to apply for a position at Think Kitchen, and registration is required in advance.

To register, job seekers must email their resume to Isaias Rivera at the WIB Center, isaias.rivera@ucc.edu, and include a statement of the position they desire.

After emailing their resume, applicants must call Susan Gomez at 908-355-4444 to reserve a place at the information session.

Candidates interested in applying for positions at Think Kitchen must have supervisory and/or customer service and sales experience.

The WIB Center was established by the Freeholder Board at The Mills in 2014, in partnership with Union County College. It offers a professional staff, programs and facilities designed to help employers in Union County connect with qualified job seekers.

For more details about employer services offered by the WIB Center visit online at hucnj.org/wdb/wib-center or call 908-355-4473.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – A free new class is available to help gardeners learn about harvesting and preparing home grown vegetables. Offered by the Master Gardeners of Union County, the “Harvesting and Food Safety in the Vegetable Garden” class includes a free tour of the Union County Demonstration Garden in Mountainside.

All gardeners are welcome to attend, from beginner to expert.

“This class is a good opportunity to learn how you can get the most out of your harvest, and ensure that fresh produce from your garden is properly stored and preserved,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “It’s another fine example of the many ways in which the Master Gardeners make a difference in our community.”

The Master Gardeners of Union County is a volunteer organization run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

The Harvesting and Food Safety in the Vegetable Garden class and garden tour will be held on Thursday, August 9 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Demonstration Garden, located in the Watchung Reservation by the Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Free parking is located at the site.

The program is free but pre-registration is required at tinyurl.com/Rutgers-Vegetable-Series.

For more information about the Vegetable Garden Series, or to find out how to join the Master Gardeners, call the Extension at 908-654-9854 (option 4).

For more details about the Master Gardeners and all Extension Programs visit ucnj.org/rce.

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The Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

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.

Bayonne Bridge to remain open this weekend, providing alternate route for shore-bound traffic

The Port Authority will continue measures it implemented earlier this month to improve traffic flow at its Staten Island Bridges to minimize congestion from summer shore travelers who use the three crossings.

This weekend, the Bayonne Bridge will not close, providing travelers with an alternate crossing if traveling between New York and New Jersey. In addition, all other construction work – other than emergency repairs – will be suspended no later than 3 p.m. Sunday at all three Staten Island crossings.

The Port Authority also will have a full complement of toll collectors on duty on Sunday to expedite the flow of traffic through its toll plazas, and a full complement of police officers will be stationed at the crossings to respond immediately to accidents or disabled vehicles that may impede the flow of traffic.

The Port Authority also is planning the following lane closings and/or full closures for the Bayonne Bridge, George Washington Bridge and the Holland Tunnel this weekend and/or next week for ongoing construction and repair projects.

Holland Tunnel:

• One westbound lane in the Holland Tunnel will close during overnight hours on Sunday, July 30, through Thursday August 3 from 11:59 p.m. each night through 5:30 a.m. the following morning.  These closures are necessary for ongoing tunnel repairs.
• One eastbound lane in the Holland Tunnel will close during overnight hours on Sunday, July 30, through Thursday August 3 from 11 p.m. each night through 5 a.m.the following morning.  These closures are necessary for ongoing tunnel repairs.

Bayonne Bridge:

• The bridge will remain open this weekend.
• The bridge will be closed Monday through Thursday nights, July 31 through August 3, from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following morning.  On the morning of Friday, August 4, the bridge will reopen by 4:30 a.m. instead of 5 a.m. to accommodate 4:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. traffic holds at the Goethals Bridge.

George Washington Bridge:

• From 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday, July 29, the bridge’s lower level eastbound lanes will be closed for ongoing construction work.  This work is weather dependent and could get moved to 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, July 30. 
• From 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, and on Sunday, July 30, two lanes on the bridge’s upper level westbound side will be closed for ongoing construction work. 

To receive real time traffic updates, travelers should register for Bridge and Tunnel Alerts at www.paalerts.com, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org or www.511NJ.org.

For Information about Senior Services in Union County,
Just “ASK”
Union County residents seeking information about services for seniors age 60 and older can attend any of five Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) events in August to speak with experienced staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging. The ASK events will be held in Clark, Westfield, Fanwood, Linden, Union and Elizabeth.
“The ASK program brings our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff to convenient locations throughout Union County, to reach more residents with helpful resources,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Board liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.
The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is based in Elizabeth.
The ASK community outreach program provides for members of the staff to travel throughout Union County to help connect residents with information about services such as home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.
The ASK program also enables residents to obtain assistance with completing applications and forms at convenient locations.
The August 2017 dates and locations will be:
Wednesday, August 9
Linden Public Library
31 E. Henry Street
Linden, 07036
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Monday, August 14
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Wednesday, August 23
Fanwood Public Library
5 Forest Road
Fanwood, 07023
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Tuesday, August 29
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

Wednesday, August 30
Elizabeth Public Library
11 South Broad Street
Elizabeth, 07202
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
All Union County residents are welcome to attend any of these ASK events.
The mission of the Union County 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 information printed in both English and Spanish.
“The ADRC model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled,” said Chairman Bergen. “These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities.”
Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.
For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: -1-888-280-8226 or 908-527- 4870 or 4858 or visit the Union County government website at www.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.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will host a Notary Training Seminar for New Jersey Notaries Public at the John H. Stamler Police Academy at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains on Friday, September 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Union County Surrogate James LaCorte, Esq. will present the legal aspects of the Notaries Public.  Ms. Rajoppi will outline the application process.

“The notary training seminar is designed to provide notaries with insights and information from experienced, knowledgeable professionals in the community,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The course covers all aspects of being a Notary.”

“The seminar is also popular with current notaries who wish to ensure that they are up to date on issues affecting Union County,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “We offer this opportunity as a professional courtesy that benefits the whole community, and all are welcome.”

To register, use the downloadable registration form on the County Clerk website, ucnj.org/county-clerk or contact Donna Connell at 908-527-4999 or dconnell@ucnj.org.

Space is limited to the first 50 registrants.

A registration fee of $5.00 includes a light breakfast and is required in advance to secure registration.

Attendees should note that the Business Casual dress code at the John J. Stamler Police Academy is strictly enforced. Jeans and sneakers are not permitted, and men must wear shirts with collars.

For more information about programs and services of the Union County Clerk visit ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-572-4787.

Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

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The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday evening, August 2, featuring Dead Space. The group will feature a Grateful Dead Experience. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Dead Space is New Jersey’s premier Grateful Dead Tribute Band, playing an authentic mix of Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band and more. Each performance presents an original interpretation of music that Deadheads have loved and listened to for decades.

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 2 will be Ohmies Coffee Bar and Yoga Studio of Roselle.

“As we head into August and shift our concerts to Oak Ridge Park, we hope everyone will find some time to join their neighbors and friends for a great night of music under the stars,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series is presented on Wednesday evenings at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Below are the remaining shows:

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• August 2nd Dead Space (The Grateful Dead Experience
• August 9th American Rapture
• August 16th Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute)
• August 23th New York State of Mind (Tribute to Billy Joel)