Category: Public Info

Residents will be eligible to receive up to 15 months of rental assistance

UNION COUNTY – The Union County Board of County Commissioners are excited to announce that the Union County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), will be re-opening. Eligible residents adversely impacted by COVID-19 can apply for assistance beginning Monday March 7th, 2022.

Starting March 7th at 9:00 a.m. qualifying residents can submit their application online: ucnj.org/rental-assistance/.

Under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, eligible tenants can receive up to 12 months of assistance for unpaid back rent/utility bills and 3 months of forthcoming assistance. The funds will be awarded directly to landlords and utility providers on behalf of tenants who are approved for the grant.

“The Union County Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing temporary rental and utility assistance” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “The Commissioner Board is committed to doing all that we can to continue to assist those in need, and the rental assistance program is an important part of those efforts.”

Assistance is available to all qualifying Union County residents regardless of immigration status.

If any applicant needs additional assistance submitting their application or is experiencing technical difficulties, please reach out to any of our Community Partners:

Family Promise Union County – (908) 289-7300

Urban League of Union County – (908) 351-7200

United Way of Greater Union County – (908) 353-7171

Staff will inform applicants of all required documentation to bring to the appointment. Once staff has a complete application with all required documentation, the application will be reviewed and submitted. Applicants will be provided with documented proof of their filed rental assistance application for their landlord.

Eligibility requirements for applicants are as follows:

• Must be a tenant residing in Union County
• Household Income is at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI);
• Household income loss must be due to Covid-19;
• Must provide a current lease agreement or rental document.

For answers to additional questions please contact NJ Shares at 1-866-657-4273, text HELP to 64405 or via email unionerap@njshares.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services regarding COVID-19, including guidance for testing and vaccination, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Union County, NJ – March 3, 2022 – The Union County Board of Commissioners invites residents to enjoy a sensory friendly production of music, dance and humor presented by the well-known performance group Artrageous. The show will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 at the Union County Performing Arts Center, located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.

The performance is part of the Sensory Friendly Theatre series sponsored by the Commissioner Board. All tickets are $8.00 per person and must be purchased in advance. To buy tickets online visit ucpac.org; do not use any other website.  Attendees can also call the box office at 732-499-8226 to buy tickets in advance.

“Sensory Friendly Theatre has brought the inclusive, enriching experience of live performance to thousands of Union County residents since we first began the series in 2012, and we are very happy to welcome Artrageous to our community,” said Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca Williams.

Artrageous is a troupe of artists, singers, dancers and musicians from the high desert of New Mexico, with high energy to match. Their unique, dynamic approach to performance combines art, music, song, dance and humor with a powerful message about art and the human experience.

COVID-19 safety regulations are in effect for all performances at UCPAC. For details visit ucpac.org/covid-19. Those reserving tickets are advised to check for updates prior to arriving at the theatre.

The Sensory Friendly Theatre series showcases exciting live performances in a welcoming, judgement-free environment for children with autism and other sensory sensitivities. Audiences can expect relaxed lighting and sound along with other adjustments and supportive services during the performance. For complete details visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

Upcoming shows in the series include Pete the Cat on April 24 in partnership with Rahway Mayor Ray Giacobbe and the City of Rahway, and the classic ballet Cinderella on May 7.

To see a list of additional recreation activities for persons with disabilities and special needs sponsored by Union County, and to sign up for programs, visit the secure registration page at ucnj.org/reserve.

To contact the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs use the online form at ucnj.org/dhs or call 908-527-4807.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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.

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Union County, NJ – March 3, 2022 – The Union County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Trailside Nature and Science Center will offer a new, three-day, spring break nature camp this April, with one group for children ages 7-9 and another for ages 10-12. To register, visit ucnj.org/trailside and follow the link to Union County’s secure online registration page.

Trailside is located in the Watchung Reservation at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

“Trailside’s programs offer young people the opportunity to experience fun activities outdoors while exploring our natural heritage in the Watchung Reservation,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

Two sessions are available, April 12-14 and April 19-21. Both sessions are small group, half-day camps taking place in the morning, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Participants will join Trailside Park Naturalists to explore early spring life in the Watchung Reservation, hike the trails and investigate aquatic life including sunfish, tadpoles and salamanders.

Campers will also learn to identify local wildlife through sight, sound and the signs they leave behind, meet live snakes and turtles from Trailside’s collection, and observe the activity of peregrine falcons through Union County’s Falcon Cam.

The fee is $100 for Union County residents and $115 for non-county residents. Programs are rain or shine, outdoors and indoors.

For more information about the spring break nature camps and other upcoming activities at Trailside, visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, including the Falcon Cam, visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccinations, free testing, emergency food distribution 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.

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During tonight’s Union County Board of Commissioners meeting it was announced by Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is the Chair for the Fiscal Committee, that there will be a zero percent increase in Union County’s 2022 Budget for the 3rd year in a row.

“I would like to recognize that while it is not easy to always get there – our Union County team were once again able to provide all of the services, programs and help our residents need, while maintaining this zero percent tax increase another year in a row,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “Our residents will always be a top priority for us and I am looking forward to expanding our initiatives for an even better Union County.”

Since the pandemic began, the County of Union has prioritized its efforts to strengthen the safety and services for its residents and this year’s budget continues to reflect those essential services. It was also announced by Commissioner Granados that the County of Union continues to maintain their Aaa credit rating, which is the highest a county government can obtain, further demonstrating their strong fiscal footing.

Some of the essential services that were funded include:

• COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Centers at various locations throughout Union County – including stationary sites, mobile units, pop-up locations, registration and call-in center operations.
• Opening of the new federally certified campus lab in conjunction with Kean University for diagnostic testing and critical public health research during the pandemic.
• Emergency COVID-19 food distributions, which included 45 distribution events throughout Union County, providing over 4.1 million meals to approximately 35,000 households.
• Assisted over 71 families and 257 individuals residing throughout the County who were impacted by Hurricane Ida by providing emergency housing, meals, and support services.
• Thousands of Senior Citizens throughout the County received a variety of cultural, educational, nutritional, medical, health related and recreational programs.

“Still impacted from the effects of the pandemic and Hurricane Ida, residents across our county are still facing various issues such as unemployment and food hardships to needing property tax or rental assistance,” said Commissioner Granados. “As Commissioners, we knew that we needed to keep the tax increase at zero percent to further help our constituents and it was through the vision and advisement of the County Commissioners, as well as the planning & execution by County Manager Ed Oatman, who worked with his Department Heads to ensure we were able to come to this result.”

This budget also funds the Chair’s “Connecting Our Community,” initiatives for 2022, which include technology and infrastructure improvements, mental health and educational programs and upgrades to our parks and recreational facilities.

“Today’s budget is a result of a collaborative effort, the culmination of months of planning, community outreach, and hard work,” said Ed Oatman, County Manager. “I want to thank our Board of County Commissioners for their vision and our Directors for working together in crafting this budget. We will continue the progress we have made, providing a high quality of life for all residents in Union County.”

In the coming weeks, the County of Union will be holding Special Fiscal Committee Meetings, which will be open to the public. If any resident of Union County would like to attend these meetings and hear about the many things each Department has done as well as new initiatives, they can attend the meetings at the County Administration Building, located at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16th and Wednesday, March 23rd.

The meetings are between the Fiscal Committee and the County Departments and there will be no public commentary. The purpose of these meetings are to review and craft a final document for passage. Officials will review all of the documents submitted and the budget will be introduced on April 7th. Members of the public will have a chance to speak in regards to the budget on May 12th before it is adopted.

Union County, NJ – March 4, 2022 – In recognition of Arbor Day 2022, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is once again partnering with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board to provide free trees for local schools.

“We are very proud to support teachers in their efforts to provide a valuable hands-on learning experience to their students,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “The tree giveaway has always received an enthusiastic response from schools in Union County, and we are looking forward to another successful season.”

Studies have shown that trees improve property values and provide many other civic and environmental benefits, such as absorbing airborne pollutants, keeping neighborhoods cool in the summer, preventing soil erosion, and helping to alleviate flooding.

In addition to the tree giveaway, the Commissioner Board also sponsors an annual Arbor Day poetry contest, provides municipalities with tree-for-tree matching grants, and supports the Master Tree Stewards volunteer tree conservation program.

This year’s free Arbor Day tree is a tree native to the northeast, the American Flowering Dogwood. They are about five feet tall and weigh about 20 pounds. When fully grown they will be about 15-20 feet tall.

The trees are available to schools on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last.

The deadline for free tree requests is March 18. Schools may contact Madeline Brigantino, Assistant to the Director, Union County Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities Management, mbrigantino@ucnj.org or 908-789-3653 to request a tree.

For schools that receive a tree, free sessions in tree planting and care are available to students, teachers, and parent volunteers through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Steward Program. The tree care sessions will be held at Williams Nursery in Westfield on Tuesday, April 5 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Arbor Day has been a National Observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees.  This year Arbor Day falls on Friday, April 29.

The U.S. Forestry Service, the Arbor Day Foundation and other partners have developed free, user-friendly software to calculate the dollar value of trees in urban communities. For more information visit iTreeTools.org.

To find out more about 4-H and the Master Tree Steward program, contact Jim Nichnadowicz, Rutgers 4-H agent, 908-654-9854 or jnichdadowicz@ucnj.org. No experience is needed to join the Tree Steward program. A training course is held each year, featuring guided walks in area parks and nature preserves.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension is supported in part by the Commissioner Board and is headquartered in the Colleen Frasier Building at the Union County complex in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. For information on all Extension programs, including Master Tree Stewards, Master Gardeners, Environmental Stewards, and the 4-H youth development program visit ucnj.org/rce.

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

Image credit: via Creative Commons (By Eric Hunt – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0).

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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.

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Union County, NJ — March 8, 2022 — Union County residents are invited to help clear litter and debris from parks along Green Brook on Saturday, March 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Green Brook is a tributary of the Raritan River that flows through Plainfield and 10 other municipalities.

“If you are looking for a way to make a real difference in our local environment, please come and join the clean-up project. Removing litter in and around Green Brook will help improve water quality and enable our natural open spaces to support more biodiversity,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

The March 19 cleanup is hosted by the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, NJ AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program, Central Jersey Stream Team, Union County Clean Communities Program, and the municipalities of Dunellen, Plainfield, Green Brook, North Plainfield, and Middlesex Township.

Registration is requested in advance. To register, visit the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership at lowerraritanwatershed.org.

Volunteers can join any of four groups participating in the cleanup:

Plainfield and North Plainfield — meet near the playground at Green Brook Park, on Park Drive in Plainfield. Drivers can park on Park Drive.

Dunellen group — meet at the picnic tables at McCoy Park on 4^th Street.

Green Brook Township — meet at Green Brook Regional Center, 275 Greenbrook Road (park in the right side parking lot)

Middlesex Township — meet at Mountainview Park, 300 John F. Kennedy Drive (use the Mountainview Park parking lot next to the high school).

Each group will provide their volunteers with supplies including gloves, grabbers, and bags.

Volunteers should bring their own water bottle, sun screen and bug repellent, dress in long clothing (shirts, socks, and pants) to protect against scratches, and wear comfortable shoes or boots (no sandals or flip-flops). Please be aware that shoes and clothing will most likely become dirtied during the project.

Schools and organizations in Union County can connect with a Watershed Ambassador to schedule an educational visit, arrange a volunteer activity, or assist with planning events related to water resources and conservation. Contact Cassidy Attanasio at wma7.njwap@gmail.com or 908-654-9855, or Ginny Rockey at wm9.njwap@gmail.com or 908-730-0270, ex. 224.

For more information about the Union County parks system, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

Quick links to all environmental activities and programs hosted by Union County are available at 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, emergency food distribution 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.

Union County, NJ – March 8, 2022— The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with Union County College, the American Job Center, Union County Workforce Development Board and Walgreens will host a Walgreens job fair for Union County residents on Wednesday, March 30^th.

“We would like to encourage all residents who are looking for employment to come to this job fair, speak in-person with representatives from Walgreens Pharmacy and learn about all of the open positions they have to offer,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m., the job fair will be held at the Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park. Various positions are available, which include Pharmacy Techs, Inventory Specialists, Beauty Consultants, Shift Leads and Customer Service Specialists.

“In the past, Union County’s job placement programs have been successful in matching thousands of qualified candidates with new careers and good paying jobs,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, liaison to the Workforce Development Board. “The benefit for residents to attend this job fair is to seize the opportunity to talk to Walgreens recruiters and understand the true aspect of these positions. I hope to see a lot of our community in attendance.”

While this is a free event, registration is required. To sign up for this event, residents can visit http://ucnj.org/job-fair.

For more information about employment services offered by Union County, please visit the Union County Works online portal at ucajc.org.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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.

Union County, NJ – March 10, 2022 – In celebration of Autism Acceptance month, the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs are pleased to invite special needs residents and their families to a “Day Out with the Red Bulls” on Saturday, April 9th at 4:00 p.m. at Red Bull Arena.

Participants will be attending the Red Bulls game against CF Montreal. The Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs will be providing a limited amount of tickets for the event. Tickets cost $30.00 per person and will include a $10.00 food voucher to be used at the venue. Union County residents can purchase their tickets online through the Union County secure registration website, ucnj.org/opdsn-reg or https://secure.rec1.com/NJ/union-county-nj/catalog.

“In 2022, Union County will continue to make every effort to support our initiatives geared towards connecting our communities and to that end, the Commissioner Board is proud to support the ‘Day Out with the Red Bulls,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “The Red Bulls are known for creating inclusive spaces, and we hope a strong contingent of Union County fans will be present in the stands to cheer for our local team on April 9.”

“This event is always a family fun outing, even allowing for some attendees the opportunity to walk onto the field,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados. “Union County is excited to provide our residents with an inclusive and exciting community activity in a welcoming environment. We encourage residents to connect with the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs to find out about other programs and activities that reflect our values as an inclusive community.”

Red Bull Arena is located at 600 Cape May Street in Harrison, New Jersey. The April 9^th match will see the Red Bulls face the CF Montreal.

The Commissioner Board’s support for Autism Acceptance Month is organized through the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. For more information, residents can reach out to Jasmine Doughty-Whitous, Program Coordinator at jwhitous@ucnj.org or 908-527-4781.

The Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs is the first such office in New Jersey, established in 2018 in the Department of Human Services. The Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs hosts a variety of events and programs including special sessions at several Union County facilities.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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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Union County, NJ – March 10, 2022 – Union County residents can bring their personal documents and sensitive papers to the first two free paper shredding events of 2022, sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. The events will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

Please note that the events may close earlier than 1:00 p.m. if the shredding trucks are filled to capacity.

“The free shredding service makes it easy and convenient for Union County residents to help prevent identity theft, while also supporting our countywide recycling efforts. We encourage everyone who needs to dispose of sensitive, personal documents to participate as we kick off our 2022 recycling program,” said Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca Williams.

The two shredding events are drive-up only. Drivers can follow the signs from the Raritan Road entrance to the shredding site at the rear of the campus.

Drivers must remain in their cars while staff unloads their papers, which will be shredded on site in a mobile shredding truck.

Participants are reminded pre-shredded paper is not accepted at these events. Damp or wet paper will not be accepted.

Bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia should be removed.

For the complete schedule and more information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, visit ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

Union County’s free shedding events are for personal, sensitive documents only. Residents can recycle magazines, junk mail and other waste paper with their municipal recycling program. For local information, contact a municipal recycling coordinator.

For the latest news and updates on all municipal and countywide recycling programs in Union County, download the free Recycle Coach app. More information is available at ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

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

The mobile paper shredding program is paid for through Recycling Enhancement Act Grant funds, which are applied for by Union County and received from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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.

Union County, NJ – March 10, 2022 – With gas prices on the rise, the Union County Board of Commissioners advises residents on simple ways to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, without paying for additives or special products that may not work as claimed.

“When gas prices go up, it is common to see advertisements for additives or products that supposedly boost fuel efficiency. Don’t fall for a scam. Drivers can make a substantial improvement in their miles per gallon by observing a few common sense rules of the road,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

A shift in driving habits can potentially increase fuel efficiency by double digits for gas or diesel vehicles, depending on the driver’s previous practices.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that just three basic habits make the biggest difference in the fuel efficiency of gas or diesel cars:

1. Follow the posted speed limit
2. Avoid sudden starts and stops
3. Never idle the engine when parked

EPA also advises these helpful measures:

• Minimize excess weight by removing unnecessary items from the trunk or cargo area
• If available, use the cruise control or “eco” settings
• Use the AC and other accessories only when needed

Keeping up with the vehicle’s routine maintenance schedule and checking the tires for proper inflation can also help with fuel conservation.

Drivers who can use alternative modes of transportation can trim their fuel costs by carpooling or sharing rides for shopping and other errands, shopping locally, using mass transit, and walking or biking when possible.

Taking advantage of local opportunities for recreation, entertainment and cultural appreciation can also help. Visit ucnj.org to see a season-by-season, week-by-week list of activities and programs in Union County parks and other venues in Union County.

For an overview of all transportation modes in Union County visit The ConneXion at ucnj.org/connect.

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

For more details about fuel-saving habits for drivers, visit the U.S. Department of Energy at  https://afdc.energy.gov.

The EPA also provides additional guidance on maximizing the mileage for hybrid and all-electric vehicles at epa.gov/greenvehicles.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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.