Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the Union County Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), providing low-income seniors aged 60 or older with an excellent opportunity to access fresh, locally grown produce through e-benefits. This program not only promotes healthier eating habits among seniors but also strengthens the local agricultural community by supporting USDA approved farmers markets in New Jersey.

“As we continue to see the success of Union County’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, we are so excited to realize how it is positively impacting our seniors in Union County,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “This remarkable initiative not only promotes the health of our seniors through access to fresh fruits and vegetables but also strengthens our community ties and supports our local farmers. As a county, we remain dedicated to prioritizing the happiness and well-being of our seniors, and together, we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring their continued health and satisfaction.”

The SFMNP is designed to enhance the nutritional well-being of senior citizens, ensuring they have access to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. By granting $50.00 in e-benefits to eligible participants, the program empowers seniors to make healthier choices while simultaneously contributing to the growth of local farmers and the thriving agricultural industry.

To be part of this incredible initiative, participants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including meeting income and residency requirements. For the year 2023, qualifying monthly household income limits are set at $2,248 for a household of one (1) and $3,041 for a household of two (2). Eligibility verification will require documentation to establish age, residency, and income.

Age verification can be established through a birth certificate or a valid identification document, while residency can be proven with a valid ID or a utility bill reflecting the participant’s address. Income verification may be provided through documents such as the 2022 income tax return, a Social Security statement, a SNAP ID (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), or a Medicaid ID.

“As stewards of our community’s health and happiness, we encourage all eligible seniors to sign up for this incredible initiative,” said Commissioner Lourdes Leon, Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging. “I would like to thank our Division on Aging for coordinating this program each year and providing healthy options to our residents.”

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited slots available, so interested seniors are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Each participant is eligible for one offer per year.

For a list of participating farmers’ markets or to begin the application process, interested individuals can call the Union County SFMNP team at (908) 527-4870.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in conjunction with the Town of Westfield, invites residents with special needs to participate in Paint by the Pond, on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield.

“I am excited to bring the power of art and inclusivity at this summer’s Paint by the Pond event, said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados, Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “This is a great event where residents of all ages can unleash their creativity and proudly display their talents or simply enjoy a nice day out with friends and family.”

“Paint by the Pond” is hosted by the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs (OPDSN) and welcomes residents with disabilities and special needs of all ages.

This event is free to attend and residents of all ages are welcome to attend, but pre-registration is required. To pre-register, residents should visit ucnj.org/opdsn-reg.

“I am so delighted to partner with the County to bring Paint the Pond back to Westfield this year,” said Westfield Councilwoman Dawn Mackey. “When Commissioner Palmieri-Mouded first approached us in 2019, I knew immediately this would be a gift to the community. It has been joyful to witness the families create these projects and have park visitors enjoy the work of artist Dario Scholis floating in the pond. Mindowaskin is the perfect venue to host this amazing inclusive event.”

For more information about the “Paint by the Pond” program, contact Jasmine Doughty-Whitous, Program Coordinator, at jwhitous@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4781. 

The Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs is a unit of the Division of Individual and Family Support Services, in the Union County Department of Human Services. 

For more information on all programs and services of the Office, visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/opdsn.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners proudly announce that the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools (UCVTS) will receive $33 million in financial investment to expand and improve facilities on their campus. Senate President Nicholas Scutari made the official public announcement at the school’s Board of Education meeting, alongside Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados, Commissioner Vice-Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Commissioners Lourdes Leon and Bette Jane Kowalski, as well as school leaders and students.

“Our commitment to collaborating with Union County Vocational-Technical Schools to make our schools top-notch has always been one of our top priorities when it comes to education,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Now, with this recent allocation of additional funding from the state, we have an unprecedented opportunity to significantly expand the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools. This expansion will not only benefit the faculty but also enrich the educational experience for the students, both now and in the future. On behalf of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, we would like to thank the State of New Jersey, especially Senate President Nick Scutari for their continued support and this allocation.”

The $33 million financial investment marks a historic moment for both the educational institution and the community it serves. The funding secured by Senate President Scutari will allow UCVTS to continue to provide nationally recognized educational opportunities to college bound high school students as well as adults interested in technical skills for a new career, or who want to enhance existing skills.

“I’m proud I was an early supporter of the vision of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, when this beautiful campus we have now was just an empty field. I will continue to support the growth of the schools, and ensure that the best and the brightest students of Union County have the resources they need to reach their potential,” announced Senate President Nick Scutari.

The Scotch Plains campus houses several career academies and technical institutions. All of the schools partner with industry, colleges and universities, as well as government entities to provide real-world experience that can translate into college preparation or support job placement.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to serve our current students, as well as plan for new ways to expand our curriculum and serve the community at-large,” said UCVTS Superintendent of Schools Gwendolyn S. Ryan.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Department of Parks and Recreation are happy to announce the launch of an online ticketing system for the popular Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway and Wheeler Spray Park in Linden.

Starting Wednesday, August 2, 2023, residents and visitors will now have the convenience of purchasing tickets in advance through the user-friendly platform at www.ucnj.org/reserve.

“We are excited to introduce this modern ticketing solution, which will significantly improve the way the public accesses our popular spray park and pool facilities,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “This new initiative is designed to streamline access and enhance the overall visitor experience. Our goal is to simplify the ticket purchasing process and provide our residents and visitors with greater convenience while visiting our recreational sites.”

In response to the growing demand for more accessible and efficient ticketing services, the County Commissioners and the Department of Parks and Recreation will offer the public the opportunity to purchase tickets a week in advance. By adopting a week-by-week basis ticket release model, guests will have the flexibility to plan their visits and secure their spot ahead of time, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable day at the Spray Park and Pool.

To purchase tickets, guests have two convenient options: scan QR Code on signage around the facilities or visit www.ucnj.org/reserve. Follow the easy steps to reserve tickets:

1. Select Location you want admission to on the left side.
2. Select Admission Date.
3. Create a Rec1 account or log in to your existing account.
4. Check off each individuals name who will be attending. If an individual is not listed, please add to your account.
5. Click or Tap “Add To Cart”.
6. Process the transaction.
7. Have your ticket readily available on your phone or printed to show upon entry.

With the implementation of this online ticketing system, visitors can avoid long wait times and gain prompt entry to the spray park and pool areas. Furthermore, online platform ensures a safe and secure transaction process, giving users confidence in their online purchases.

In adherence to our commitment to providing a safe environment, Union County continues to uphold all necessary health and safety protocols. By utilizing online ticketing, we aim to maintain capacity control measures effectively.

For more information about the spray park and pool hours of operation, pricing, and guidelines, please visit the official Union County website at www.ucnj.org/parks-recreation/.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and Town Parks Tuesday morning, July 25, 2023, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.

County Parks:

• Clark – Esposito, Oak Ridge,
• Elizabeth – Mattano, Phil Rizzuto
• Linden – Wheeler
• Mountainside – Echo Lake
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook, Green Brook
• Rahway – Rahway Pk.
• Roselle – Warinanco
• Scotch Plains – Ponderosa
• Union – Lighting Brook

City Parks:

• Clark – Bartell
• Linden – Memorial
• Plainfield – Milt Campbell
• Union – Biertuempfel, Kearse, Zimmerman
• Westfield – Tamaques, Mindowaskin

The Union County Board of County Commissioners announces that Union County students in grades 1-12 are invited to join a 4-H Club this fall and explore popular fields ranging from cooking, sewing, art, archery, robotics and more. Youth in their first year after graduating from high school can also join.

“We are happy to invite all of our Union County students to join us this fall as we begin another year of our wonderful 4-H Clubs,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “This program is a great opportunity for a young person to open their minds, explore a new hobby or passion or meet other likeminded friends. I encourage everyone to join one of the activities and gain new experiences.”

The majority of the clubs meet at Union County’s’ Colleen Fraser Building at 300 North Avenue, East in Westfield on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 4-H Clubs are organized by age and topic. The members meet with an adult club leader on a monthly basis during the school year to plan activities and programs.

Each club emphasizes the ability of students to learn, organize, and communicate with activities appropriate for their age. For the school year 2023 – 2024, the clubs are:

• Variety Club (different topics with crafts and show-and-tell), grades 1-3.
• Cooking Club (prepare deserts, main courses and more), grades 4-12.
• Community Service Club (plant trees, make sandwiches, teach younger youth), grades 8-12.
• Sewing Club (learn how to hand sew and use a machine), grades 6-12.
• Gardening Club (grow vegetables, fruit and houseplants), grades 4 -12.
• Lego Robotics Club (work with NXT kits and Spike) grades 4-12.
• Craft Club (have fun with paints, fabrics and more) grades 4 – 12.
• Engineering Club (make model cars, bridges, and learn about electric) grades 4-5.
• Horse Club (learn about the care of a horse) grades 1 to 12.
• Archery Club (learn basics and more advanced techniques) 4-12.

Union County 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Commissioner Board, with offices at the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. The national 4-H youth program is the largest youth development program in the U.S. As a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4-H encourages students to develop expertise in a subject of their own choosing, and share their knowledge to benefit their community.

Participation in 4-H is associated with better grades at school, and a stronger interest in taking science classes, attending college, and contributing to the community. A recent Tufts University study found that as a group, girls who join 4-H clubs are especially likely to demonstrate positive behaviors.

4-H Clubs run from October to June. To sign up for a club, email Tamisha Hopkins, 4H Office Manager, at thopkins@ucnj.org. For more information, contact 4H Agent James Nichnadowicz at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org or call 908-654-9854 ext. 3.

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

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce a new program aimed at addressing the surplus of reusable bags in our communities. As part of Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados’ “Building a Stronger Union County,” theme for 2023, this new environmental initiative is in collaboration with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning, the Town of Westfield and the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) are partnering with GOATote, Inc. to provide a solution to this issue.

“We are delighted to introduce this innovative program, which will address the surplus of reusable bags in our communities,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “The County of Union is taking a proactive step towards sustainability and we aim to make a meaningful impact by repurposing these bags and ensuring they reach those in need. Together, we can create a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible community.”

With the implementation of New Jersey’s Get Past Plastic law, which prohibits businesses from providing single-use plastic bags, many individuals have transitioned to using reusable bags. However, some people occasionally forget to bring their reusable bags to stores, resulting in the purchase of additional bags. Over time, this has led to an accumulation of excess reusable bags in households. Furthermore, grocery delivery services often provide customers with reusable bags, contributing to the surplus.

At the same time, Food Pantries and Food Banks have expressed that they are having difficulty keeping up with the need for reusable bags when distributing groceries to their clients.  Since these entities are no longer permitted to use single-use plastic bags when handing out food and supplies, they go through reusable bags very quickly and are frequently in need of more.

Recognizing the need to address this situation, the County Commissioners, in collaboration with Union County’s Recycling Bureau, the Town of Westfield and Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) have established two pilot drop-off points. The first is at the Westfield Conservation Center (1300 Lamberts Mill Road, Westfield). The second is located at Farley Towers (33 Cherry Street, Elizabeth).  Residents from any municipality in Union County can bring their gently-used reusable bags to either location. GOATote, Inc. will collect the bags, thoroughly clean and sanitize them, and deliver them to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside. From there, the bags will be distributed to local Food Pantries in need.

The Westfield Conservation Center is open on Thursdays/Fridays from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm and on Saturdays/Sundays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm until October 22.Starting from October 23 until December 21, the center’s hours will be from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, and Saturdays/Sundays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

For more information on the operation of the Conservation Center, please visit the Westfield Conservation Center website at www.westfieldnj.gov/conservation.  For the drop off location at 33 Cherry Street in Elizabeth, the drop-off hours will be:

Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

The primary goal of this program is to ensure that reusable bags are truly being reused and made available to those who genuinely need them. Please note that the program only accepts bags in usable condition. We kindly request excluding any ripped, damaged, or otherwise unusable bags when making your drop-off.

For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners proudly announces the introduction of innovative Communication Boards aimed at facilitating communication and interaction for non-verbal children, as part of Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados’ theme of “Building a Stronger Union County” for 2023. This initiative, unveiled during the commemoration of Disability Pride Month in July, signifies a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all residents.

“With the installation of these boards we are on a continuous path towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “These communication boards offer benefits that extend beyond individuals with disabilities. They also provide valuable assistance to children learning to speak, individuals who speak different languages within our diverse community, and many others. By creating these spaces where individuals feel heard and safe, our aim is to have a lasting positive impact on children and their families, enabling them to communicate, connect, and actively participate in our community. These boards exemplify Union County’s solid commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that values every resident, regardless of their abilities.”

The first Communication Board was unveiled at Warinanco Park on Monday, July 17, 2023. In line with Union County’s vision for widespread accessibility, multiple Communication Boards will be placed in parks across the county over the course of the year. In the upcoming weeks, specifically, three additional boards will be installed at Mattano Park in Elizabeth, Ponderosa Park in Scotch Plains, and Nomahegan Park in Cranford.

Communication boards are used to help people with limited language skills express themselves. They can also help develop better language skills, more autonomy, and positive social interactions. Communication boards provide a more inclusive means of expression by offering visual images as an alternative to spoken language. They are particularly beneficial for individuals who may face challenges in verbalizing their thoughts. Additionally, these boards facilitate a better understanding of the needs and thoughts of nonspeaking or minimally verbal individuals, fostering greater communication and empathy among others.

Designed specifically for non-verbal children, these Communication Boards employ a range of symbols, pictures, and words to enable individuals to express their thoughts, needs, and desires. By providing a visual communication tool, these boards offer a platform for effective interaction, encouraging engagement, and enhancing the overall quality of life for non-verbal children.

Union County aims to foster a community that values and supports individuals of all abilities, recognizing their unique perspectives and contributions. By championing initiatives like the Communication Boards, Union County aims to strengthen social bonds, foster understanding, and promote a culture of inclusivity.

For more information about these boards or any other resources available, please contact Manuel Ramirez from the Union County Bureau of ADA Compliance at 908-527-4432 or mramirez@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and their caregivers to come to Union County’s ASK community events in August, and meet in person with professional staff for expert guidance on senior programs and resources. Help with filling out forms is also provided and bilingual staff will be present at all of these events to offer assistance in Spanish.

“Our Division on Aging, works hard to ensure that Union County residents can effortlessly navigate a vast range of information designed to improve the lives of our seniors,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “With the presence of our knowledgeable staff at local public libraries and community centers, accessing vital information has never been easier.”

ASK stands for Aging Services Kiosk, a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60-plus and their caregivers.

The ASK program provides Union County residents with a friendly, convenient way to find out about helpful programs and services for seniors and caregivers. The program brings professional staff from the Division on Aging to local public libraries and other community centers.

Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown.

No appointment or pre-registration is needed. The upcoming ASK events in June all include bilingual assistance in Spanish:

Thursday, August 3rd
Union Public Library
1060 Stuyvesant Avenue
Union, 07083
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Monday, August 7th
Westfield Memorial Library
550 E. Broad Street
Westfield, 07090
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, August 9th
Garwood Public Library
411 Third Avenue
Garwood, 07027
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Monday, August 14th
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, August 16th
Elizabeth Public Library – Main
11 S. Broad Street
Elizabeth, 07202
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Friday, August 25th
Roselle Library
129 Chestnut Street
Roselle, 07203
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

For more information about the ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County, contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-888-280-8226 toll free or visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.