The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders would like to remind you of several free recycling events coming up in June.
Union County will host three (3) Mobile Paper Shredding Events in June. The first is on Saturday, June 3rdat Union County College in Cranford located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford. On Wednesday,June 7th at Clark Public Works located at 315 Westfield Avenue and then on Saturday, June 17th at the Union County Vocational Technical School (Votech) located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. All events will run from 9 am to 1 pm or until the truck(s) get filled. Residents can bring up to four bags of confidential documents for shredding.
On Saturday, June 10th, there will be a Household Hazardous Waste Program at Union County College in Cranford, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue. The event will be held from 9 am to 2pm. Items for drop off include old pesticides & herbicides, pool chemicals, gasoline, oil-based paints, deck stain, fluorescent bulbs and propane tanks.
Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling program also continues in June. The events are the first Thursday and Third Saturday of each month so Thursday, June 1st and Saturday, June 17th.
There are two (2) locations in Union County for residents to drop off their metal for recycling, one in Cranford and Rahway. All locations will be open from 9 am to 12 pm. Residents can drop off old appliances, microwaves, air conditioners, and metal lawn furniture to name a few.
Union County residents seeking information about services for seniors age 60 and older can attend any of six Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) events in April 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, Mountainside, Linden, and Union.
“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 June 2017 dates and locations will be:
Wednesday, June 7
Linden Public Library
31 E. Henry Street
Linden, 07036
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Monday, June 12
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Thursday, June 15
Westfield Community Center
558 West Broad Street
Westfield 07090
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Monday, June 19
Mountainside Municipal Building
1385 Route 22 East
Mountainside, 07092
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Wednesday, June 21
Fanwood Public Library
5 Forest Road
Fanwood, 07023
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Thursday, June 22
Berkeley Heights Public Library
290 Plainfield Avenue
Berkeley Heights, 07922
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Tuesday, June 27
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
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.
Please note that Somerset County will be closing New Providence Road to all traffic between Union Ave. and Valley Rd., on June 6th, 7th and 8th, from 9am to 3pm for various road repairs. This portion of the roadway adjoins the Watchung Reservation and is an approach also to and from Route 78 that many Union County residents use. During this period of closure, please consider alternative routes.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a selection of prize-winning art work by Union County employees and their family members is on display through July 11 in the Freeholders Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza at Rahway Avenue, in Elizabeth. The gallery is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.
The art display presents a select sampling of 17 pieces from among the 133 creations judged at the recent 16th annual “National Arts Program Exhibit and Contest for Union County Employees and Their Families.” The exhibit and contest is a result of a partnership with the National Arts Program Foundation which provides prize money and valuable support to display the work of talented artists of all ages.
“The artistic talent of our Union County employees, retired County employees, County program volunteers and their family members is very impressive,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We have artists who excel in painting, photography and other visual arts, and we are proud to put their work on display. We thank the National Arts Program Foundation and Elizabethtown Gas Company for hosting the May 3rd awards reception and providing space for Union County employees and their families to display their talent in the original exhibit.”
Listed alphabetically by town are all the award-winning employee artists (or their family members) and the awards they won at the original exhibit and contest. Not all of the award-winning pieces are able to be displayed at the Freeholders Gallery exhibit.
Clark: Ryan Frees (First Place, Amateur); Tegan Frees (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Lucas Origliato (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Olivia Origliato (First Place, Youth 12 and Under). Cranford: Christina Barlik (Second Place, Teen 13-18); Spencer Hargiss (First Place, Amateur); Elizabeth Illing (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Betty Ann Kelly (Honorable Mention, Intermediate). Elizabeth: Brianna & Elianna Borga (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Emil Bustamante (Honorable Mention, Amateur); and Dario Scholis (First Place, Professional). Freeland: Ali McKittrick (Third Place, Intermediate); Seyona McKittrick (Third Place, Teen 13-18). Garwood: Sophia Malcolm (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Kelly Sullivan (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Georgetown: Judith Gault (Honorable Mention, Amateur) and Tatiana Gault (Art Education Award, Teen 13-18). Hillside: Abraham H. Feria (Honorable Mention, Amateur) and Femi Muftau (Third Place, Youth 12 and Under). Kenilworth: Maria Anderson (Honorable Mention, Intermediate). Leonardo: Eryn Knapp (First Place, Teen 13-18). Linden: Charisse Cosby-Hurling (Second Place, Youth 12 and Under) and Christine Marti-Millward (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Manalapan: Alyssa & Bianco Capolupo (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Monroe: Richa Wadhawan (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). North Bergen: Gabriella Marino (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Old Bridge: Allana McQueen (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Piscataway: Shelley Morgan (Second Place, Amateur). Rahway: Donna Farrell (Third Place, Amateur); Gabriella Lynch (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Danni Newbury (Second Place, Intermediate); Christina Wilson (Second Place, Professional); and Eleanor Wilson-Newbury (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Scotch Plains: Charles Rubin (Best in Show, Intermediate). Summit: Agnieszka Solawa (Honorable Mention, Professional). Towson: Molly McGuire (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Westfield: Mary K. Bannworth (Honorable Mention, Intermediate); Gina Minichino (Third Place, Professional); Angelo Paparella (Honorable Mention, Professional) and Mary Paynter (Honorable Mention, Professional).
Additional support for this event was provided by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Exhibits at the Freeholders Gallery are coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.
For more information about this exhibit and other programs and services related to the arts and Union County history, 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. Or send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grants to all 21 municipalities on Thursday. Council Members Robert Sadowski and Michelle Yamakaitis received a grant for the City of Linden from Freeholder Christopher Hudak (far l.) and Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen (far r.). Photo: James Lowney/County of Union.
Total of $1.5 million in grants awarded third year in a row under grant program initiated in 2015
Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced the third annual Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid matching grants have been awarded to all 21 municipalities for a total of $1.5 million, mainly targeting road resurfacing.
“Union County is a key transportation hub in the New York-New Jersey metro region, so this County funding benefits our local residents and businesses as well as commuters, visitors and shipping companies,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Heavy rains this spring have exacerbated the damage normally incurred during a typical winter, making it all the more imperative to ensure that road repair continues apace this year.”
The Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid program was conceived by Freeholder Christopher Hudak in 2015 and developed through the County Freeholder Fiscal Committee. It is designed to stimulate the development of projects of economic, social, transportation and governmental importance to local municipalities.
The program is administered by the Department of Economic Development. This year’s Fiscal Committee is chaired by Freeholder Alexander Mirabella and includes Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, and Freeholders Lind Carter and Mohamed Jalloh.
As part of his Chairman’s initiatives for 2016, Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen asked grant applicants to focus on road improvements, given the toll on local roads over the past several winters. This year, 19 of the 21 grants involve road improvements.
“The end result of several bad winters and tight municipal budgets during a time of shrinking state and federal funding have placed a strain on local roads,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak. “Our goal is to leverage County dollars to help our municipalities cover the funding gap and focus on the urgent need for repaving.”
The matching grant initiative makes available approximately $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2017. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital in 2014.
The following matching grants have been awarded through the Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid program:
Township of Berkeley Heights: $50,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Clark: $50,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Cranford: $90,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
City of Elizabeth: $105,000.00
Installation of Traffic Signals
Borough of Fanwood: $55,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of Garwood $55,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Hillside: $55,000.00
Roadway & Facilities Improvement Projects
Borough of Kenilworth: $75,000.00
Rehabilitation of Facilities, Housing Master Plan, Traffic Signal Study
City of Linden: $100,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of Mountainside: $50,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of New Providence: $55,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
City of Plainfield: $100,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
City of Rahway: $65,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of Roselle: $60,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of Roselle Park: $55,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Scotch Plains: $90,000.00
Park Facilities and Road Improvement Projects
Township of Springfield: $75,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
City of Summit: $100,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Union: $100,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Town of Westfield: $100,000.00
Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Winfield: $15,000.00
Facility Improvements: Municipal Building & Police Department
Residents and other travelers are advised to check with their municipality regarding improvement projects on local roads.
For information on scheduled improvements to Union County roads (identified by their blue signs and three-digit route numbers) visit the interactive map on at ucnj.org/traffic.
A list of contacts is available on the County website, ucnj.org, for reporting potholes on local, County and State roads.
For links to all forms of transportation in and around Union County visit Union County ConneXions at ucnj.org/connect.
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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.
Union County Freeholders Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella present a resolution and a check to students and educators from Union County Vocational-Technical Schools (UCVTS) in Scotch Plains in honor of the school winning the 2017 Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) challenge.
UCVTS collected the most food donations during the “Kans 4 Kids” food drive under the annual UC STEP youth leadership program and won the $1,000 Start Now grant.
Roselle Park High School, Linden High School, Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights and Union County Teams Charter School in Plainfield received honorable mention grants of $250 each.
More than 100 students from 14 high schools participated in the friendly competition collecting 5,120 pounds of food for donation to the Community Food Bank in Hillside.
UC STEP was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop a countywide community service around a topic they feel is important, while teaching them leadership and personal growth skills and responsibility within their communities.
Total of $1.5 million in grants awarded third year in a row under grant program initiated in 2015
Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced the third annual Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid matching grants have been awarded to all 21 municipalities for a total of $1.5 million, mainly targeting road resurfacing.
“Union County is a key transportation hub in the New York-New Jersey metro region, so this County funding benefits our local residents and businesses as well as commuters, visitors and shipping companies,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Heavy rains this spring have exacerbated the damage normally incurred during a typical winter, making it all the more imperative to ensure that road repair continues apace this year.”
The Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid program was conceived by Freeholder Christopher Hudak in 2015 and developed through the County Freeholder Fiscal Committee. It is designed to stimulate the development of projects of economic, social, transportation and governmental importance to local municipalities.
The program is administered by the Department of Economic Development. This year’s Fiscal Committee is chaired by Freeholder Alexander Mirabella and includes Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, and Freeholders Lind Carter and Mohamed Jalloh.
As part of his Chairman’s initiatives for 2016, Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen asked grant applicants to focus on road improvements, given the toll on local roads over the past several winters. This year, 19 of the 21 grants involve road improvements.
“The end result of several bad winters and tight municipal budgets during a time of shrinking state and federal funding have placed a strain on local roads,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak. “Our goal is to leverage County dollars to help our municipalities cover the funding gap and focus on the urgent need for repaving.”
The matching grant initiative makes available approximately $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2017. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital in 2014.
The following matching grants have been awarded through the Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid program:
Township of Berkeley Heights: $50,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Clark: $50,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Cranford: $90,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
City of Elizabeth: $105,000.00 Installation of Traffic Signals
Borough of Fanwood: $55,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of Garwood $55,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Hillside: $55,000.00 Roadway & Facilities Improvement Projects
Borough of Kenilworth: $75,000.00 Rehabilitation of Facilities, Housing Master Plan, Traffic Signal Study
City of Linden: $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of Mountainside: $50,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of New Providence: $55,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
City of Plainfield: $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
City of Rahway: $65,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of Roselle: $60,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Borough of Roselle Park: $55,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Scotch Plains: $90,000.00 Park Facilities and Road Improvement Projects
Township of Springfield: $75,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
City of Summit: $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Union: $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Town of Westfield: $100,000.00 Roadway Improvement Project
Township of Winfield: $15,000.00 Facility Improvements: Municipal Building & Police Department
Residents and other travelers are advised to check with their municipality regarding improvement projects on local roads. For information on scheduled improvements to Union County roads (identified by their blue signs and three-digit route numbers) visit the interactive map on at ucnj.org/traffic. A list of contacts is available on the County website, ucnj.org, for reporting potholes on local, County and State roads. For links to all forms of transportation in and around Union County visit Union County ConneXions at ucnj.org/connect.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented “Senior Focus” grants to representatives from 18 municipalities during last night’s meeting. Designed to support the well-being, safety and quality of life for senior adults in Union County, “Senior Focus” funding may be used for repairs and rehabilitation of senior center facilities or equipment for the centers.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright welcomed Janice Huff, Chief Meteorologist for NBC 4 New York, to the fifth annual Union County Women Mean Business (UCWMB) Summit at the Clubhouse at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. They were joined by Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi.
Huff delivered the keynote address at the event that was designed to help women grow their business networks and build critical skills. UCWMB is an initiative of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invites everyone to come out to the newly renovated Watchung Stable to enjoy the 84th Annual Spring Troop Show this coming weekend.
The event is scheduled for Friday, May 26 beginning at 4:00 pm, and Saturday, May 27 and Sunday May 28, both of those days beginning at 8:30 am. The Spring Troop Show features riding competition events throughout the weekend, with trophies awarded to the best in a number of equestrian categories. Competition will take place for pre-teens, teenagers and adults.
“We look forward to each spring and fall to watching the participants display the riding skills they’ve learned at the Watchung Stable,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “It’s always an enjoyable experience to attend the competition and root on all the riders.”
Admission to the Spring Troop Show is free, however, no dogs will allowed on the premises during the show.
Watchung Stable is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. The facility is run by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.
For more information about riding lessons or equestrian programs call Watchung Stable at 908-789-3665, or e-mail questions to stablequestions@ucnj.org.
