Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – April 20, 2022 — Union County’s popular Wild Earth Fest and Touch-a-Truck events are returning to the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside for the first time in two years. Both events will be held on Sunday, May 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. Please note that pets are not permitted at these events.

“Wild Earth Fest is a unique event that combines hands-on fun, games, music and magic with new opportunities to learn and interact with our natural surroundings, helping to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship here in the Union County community and globally, too,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

This year, Wild Earth Fest features up-close experiences with live animals including:

Swift Farms Petting Zoo is bringing a variety of baby chicks, goats, rabbits, calves, lambs and other soft and fluffy animals.

Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant is bringing their traveling “touch tank” stocked with a horseshoe crab, pencil sea urchin, sea star and whelk. 

Falconer Brian Bradley of “Skyhunters in Flight” will present birds of prey at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Unique Creatures will present live reptiles, mammals, birds and insects from all over the world at 2:30 p.m.

Magician Joe Fischer will entertain audiences at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. with “Earth Day, Every Day, The Magic Way,” featuring magical solutions to pollution.

The Spicy Poblanos will also perform live music throughout the day. Featuring Dave Stefanic and Bob Gilmartin, this acoustic band entertains all ages with classic rock, 80’s pop, country, rhythm & blues and more.

Wild Earth Fest offers many other hands-on activities throughout the day:

• Ride down a giant inflatable slide
• Take home a plant to help keep the Earth clean and green
• Discover the art of Gyotaku by creating a colorful fish print.
• Play skee-ball, basketball, volleyball and other games in the “Recycling Olympics”
• New this year: Child’s Play Challenge Course, a portable ninja-style obstacle course designed to challenge agility, coordination, balance, speed and endurance.

Along with the hands-on fun, attendees can peruse exhibitions and information tables from Toadshade Wildflower Farm, the New Jersey State Park Service and Forest Fire Service, Friends of the Great Swamp, Union County Master Gardeners, 4-H Master Tree Stewards, Neshanic Valley Beekeeper, Union County Future Farmers of America and much more.

Green-themed art will be on display and eco-friendly gifts such as candles, homemade soaps, beeswax products and native plants and seeds will be available for purchase.

To round out the festivities, a food truck will be on site all day along with ice cream and kettle corn.

Wild Earth Fest will take place on the grounds of Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Admission is free for ages six and under, and $5.00 for ages seven and up.

Admission to Wild Earth Fest also covers the Touch-a-Truck event, located a short walk away at The Loop playground complex. Please note that horns and sirens will not be sounded during the event, out of consideration for all attendees. A food truck and an ice cream truck will be on site for those wishing to purchase a snack.

For more details about “Wild Earth Fest” or other upcoming programs or events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.

Wild Earth Fest, Touch-a-Truck and Trailside are programs of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information about all activities and programs, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

Quick links to other 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.

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Union County, NJ – April 20, 2022 — Bird watchers and nature fans can now enjoy Union County’s free Falcon Cam livestream on a new website at ucnj.org/falcon. The new site features live inside/outside views of the peregrine falcon nest on the roof of the Courthouse Tower in midtown Elizabeth along with news, updates, factoids and other information about the fierce raptor, known for its high speed dives of more than 240 miles per hour.

The Courthouse Tower nest has been occupied by a pair of peregrine falcons every year since 2006. The pair in residence this year is watching over four eggs, which are expected to hatch one by one in the coming weeks.

“Union County has been part of the peregrine falcon restoration effort for more than 15 years,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “We are very proud to continue partnering with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, to connect our residents with the experience of these magnificent birds and raise awareness about their significance to conservation efforts around the world.”

Along with the free livestream, the new Falcon Cam website includes:

• Educational resources for teachers to download and use in their classrooms.
• Information on how to help this bird of prey, which is still on the New Jersey Endangered Species List.
• A clickable link that enables members of the public to ask questions about peregrine falcons and get answers from a wildlife biologist.
• A behind the scenes look at the installation of new cameras and microphones from the top of the County Courthouse.
• New photos and videos.

Peregrine falcons were common in New Jersey and other states east of the Mississippi River until the 1950’s, when the pesticide DDT began to take its toll. DDT was finally banned in 1973. By then, peregrine falcons had disappeared from New Jersey and the entire eastern region, and they were put on the federal Endangered Species list.

The falcons did not begin to make a comeback in New Jersey until the 1980’s, when conservationists launched a successful reintroduction strategy.

Union County became involved in the conservation effort in 2005, when a pair of peregrine falcons tried to establish a nest on the roof of the Courthouse Tower. They were most likely attracted by the commanding views of the surrounding area, but the attempt was thwarted by windy conditions.

To help ensure success if the falcons tried again, Union County worked with the Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Conserve Wildlife Foundation to install a nesting box at the same location.

Two falcons did take up residence in the nesting box in 2006, but activity inside the nest remained a mystery until 2016, when Union County worked with its two partners to install web cams and set up free livestreams on the County website.

Since then, keeping watch for a new clutch of eggs to hatch has become a rite of spring for Union County residents of all ages, and visitors from all over the world.

For information about other nature education programs offered by Union County, visit the Trailside Nature and Science Center online at ucnj.org/trailside.

For more information about Conserve Wildlife Foundation visit conservewildlifenj.org.

Quick links to all environmental programs and activities 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.

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Union County, NJ – April 19, 2022 — Union County residents who are interested in native plants, energy efficiency, climate change and other environmental topics can tune into a series of free webinars offered through the Environmental Stewards program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

“The Environmental Stewards do wonderful hands-on work in our communities, and the webinars provide new opportunities to learn from their expert guidance during Earth Month in April and beyond,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

The Environmental Stewards program is supported in part by the Commissioner Board through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The program trains local Environmental Steward volunteers to create environmentally beneficial initiatives and activities in their communities.

The program also offers the “Earth Day, Every Day” webinar series, bringing the latest research and information about sustainability-related topics to a wide audience.

Union County residents can visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu/earth-day-every-day to sign up for any of the hour-long webinars, free of charge.

For the 2022 series, residents can view four archived webinars at their convenience:

Starting a Native Plant Garden: Learn how to plant a hardy, low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly garden habitat.

RU Ready for NJ’s New Plastic Pollution Reduction Law?: How to prepare for New Jersey’s new plastic pollution law, which takes effect on May 4.

What’s an Energy Audit and Do You Need One?: How energy efficiency assessments save money, improve personal comfort, and increase the value of your home.

Food Systems and Climate Change: Hear from Xenia Morin, Associate Professor with the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health to learn how our food systems are connected to climate change, and how you can help.

The spring 2022 series also includes a special presentation on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. by Professor Bob Kopp, a lead author of the 2021 Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Chance.

Titled “The Cost of Climate Change,” the live discussion will focus on the economic effects of climate change in New Jersey and worldwide, and on strategies for managing climate-related risks.

For additional information and insights about environmental topics all year long, members of the public can read the Environmental Stewards Earth Day, Every Day newsletter online or sign up to receive it by email.

Environmental Stewards volunteers undergo a hands-on training course that focuses on the concrete steps needed to plan, organize, and implement a program or activity that benefits the local environment. No previous experience is needed. For more information about the next training series visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu.

For information about all Rutgers Cooperative Extension volunteer programs supported in part by the Commissioner Board, including Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards, and 4-H youth clubs, visit ucnj.org/rce.

Quick links to all environmental activities and programs in 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.

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Union County, NJ – April 14, 2022 – Union County residents seeking a convenient way to dispose of old or unwanted metal gutters, fencing, cabinets, lawn furniture, tools, appliances, cookware, wire hangers, and many other kinds of household scrap metal can bring them to a free drop-off site this Saturday, April 16.

The April 16 event is part of a monthly series of free drop-off events for scrap metal, hosted by Union County each year.

“Many different household metal products can be recycled instead of going into landfills and incinerators. We encourage all residents to take advantage of this opportunity to help conserve useful resources while removing unwanted items from their homes,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

Scrap metal drop-off will be accepted on Saturday, April 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the following two locations:

• Cranford:  Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive to the service yard, across from the swimming pool)

Residents from any Union County municipality can bring their scrap metal to either of these two events.

For safety reasons, participants must remain in their vehicles.  Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed and be easily accessible for staff to remove.

The next free scrap metal drop-off events will take place on Thursday, May 5 and Saturday, May 21. For a complete schedule of the 2022 program visit ucnj.org/recycling/scrap-metal.

For more details about all Union County drop-off recycling programs, including free personal paper shredding and household hazardous waste disposal, visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning at uncj.org/recycling.

For additional questions and information about Union County’s recycling programs, use the online form at ucnj.org/recycling or call 908-654-9890.

Download the free Recycle Coach mobile app to stay up to date on local recycling programs tailored to the user’s home town. Recycle Coach also includes information on countywide programs.

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

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.

Summer Jobs Available – Lifeguards Wanted

Ulrich Pool at the Rahway River Park

Current American Red Cross Certification preferred, but will train if needed. Weekends are mandatory.

Text or leave message at 908-868-2725

Union County, NJ – April 11, 2022  — Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that ballot position drawing for the June 7 2022 Primary Election will be both in-person and live-streamed on Facebook. The drawing will be held on Thursday, April 14 at 3:00 p.m. as designated by a recent law which moved it one day earlier due to Good Friday. A link will be posted prior to the drawing.

“My office will continue to make use of the technology at hand to ensure that the mandated steps occur according to schedule, while utilizing every available access to the public;” said Ms. Rajoppi.

In-person voting will be available on June 7, as well as Vote-by-Mail ballot, which voters can apply for if they are not already on the permeant list.

Early voting will take place from Friday June 3 to Sunday June 5.  Early voting polling locations are posted on unioncountyvotes.com.

For more information on voting in Union County elections, including applying for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, visit the County Clerk’s Elections Division online at unioncountyvotes.com or call 908-527-4996.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

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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Union County, NJ – April 8, 2022 — The Union County Board of County Commissioners celebrates and commemorates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first African-American woman to be nominated and confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice in the 233-year history of the Court, marking Thursday, April 7^th, as a unique and powerful moment in American history.

The Commissioner Board stated: The nomination and confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is a history-making milestone in the progress our nation has made towards realizing the ideal of equality articulated by our nation’s founders.

The Union County town of Hillside has itself become a symbol of that progress, as demonstrated on Monday, April 4^th, when U.S. Senator Robert Menendez chose Hillside as the first and only site in New Jersey for a press conference in support of Judge Jackson’s nomination.

The nomination and confirmation of Judge Jackson is especially meaningful for those of us in New Jersey, who aspire to serve the public in elected office.

Just two years ago, every County Commissioner, no matter what race or gender, was burdened with the colonial-era title of Freeholder, a continuing symbol of the power of white, male American citizens to own property, including slaves.

The Freeholder title stood for centuries as a discouragement to the public service aspirations of young African-American women and other people of color. Finally, it is no more.

We are proud to represent the people of Union County community as a diverse, majority-woman Commissioner Board, and we are proud that the “NJ Nineteen” group of African-American legislators, who are credited with rallying support for the new title, includes Commissioner Dr. Angela R. Garretson among its members.

And, on this historic occasion, we renew our commitment to the people of Union County, who trust us to continue working in the cause of equal dignity, equal respect, and equal rights for all.

“At last night’s Commissioner’s meeting, I made mention of celebrating one of the most moving and powerful moments in American history — the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “In achieving this position, Judge Jackson is all of us, no matter what ethnicity, skin color, sexual orientation, gender, creed, or ability. She is everyone who builds a vision of their future, from one step to the next.”

“On Monday, I was honored to join with Senator Bob Menendez in my home town of Hillside, along with the Reverend Dr. Christopher Michael Jones and other representatives of the community, to celebrate and support the nomination of Judge Jackson,” said Commissioner Dr. Angela Garretson. “So many people have had to overcome obstacles, and Judge Jackson’s appointment proves that if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can do anything or be anything you want to be.”

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Two drive-thru events in Union and one walk-up event in Elizabeth to provide residents with food in the upcoming weeks

Union County, NJ – April 4, 2022 – The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents of the emergency food distribution events for Union County residents in April  and May to aid those affected by COVID-19.

Saturday, April 9, 2022 – Holiday Distribution

• 8:00 a.m. – KEAN University in Union
• Drive-Thru

Saturday, April 30, 2022

• 10:00 a.m. – Elizabeth High School Parking Lot (across from 600 Pearl Street) in Elizabeth
• Walk-Up

Saturday, May 14, 2022

• 8:00 a.m. – KEAN University in Union
• Drive-Thru

The food distributions are open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and no registration is required. The events will take place rain or shine.

“Union County has held approximately 80 food distributions since the start of the pandemic,” said Union County Commissioner, Chair Rebecca L. Williams. We are proud to have provided assistance to nearly 35,000 households within Union County as they continue to deal with food insecurity as a result of the pandemic.”

“Over 16 million pounds of food has been distributed by Union County over the last two years, translating into approximately 14 million meals,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “We thank Village Super Market and Gargiulo Produce for their continued partnership.”

Residents wishing to pick up food at the drive-up distribution events at Kean University must arrive in a vehicle. Walk-ups will not be accommodated in Union.

All drive-up recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up when possible. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.

Residents picking up food at the walk-up event in Elizabeth are highly encouraged to wear masks. Walk-up recipients should bring a cart or be able to carry several food bags at the walk-up area.

Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency and indication of how many people reside in their household will have to be provided. Recipients will receive an emergency box of produce, dairy, and shelf stable food, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per recipient at each event.

To learn more about Village Super Market, visit: https://www.myvillagesupermarket.com.

To learn more about Gargiulo Produce, visit: http://www.gargiuloproduce.com.

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.

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Union County, NJ – April 26, 2022 — In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Union County Board of County Commissioners invites poetry lovers and American history enthusiasts to attend “Women Poets of the Revolution,” a free lecture on the works of Annis Boudinot Stockton and Phillis Wheatly hosted by Dr. Mary McAleer Balkun, Professor of English at Seton Hall University, at the New Providence Memorial Library at 377 Elkwood Avenue in New Providence on Tuesday, April 26, at 6:00 p.m.

The event is presented free of charge by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required to reserve a seat at ucnj.org/cultural.

“National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, and we are very proud to provide the Union County community with an opportunity to participate and learn about the contributions of two important women poets in American history,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

The early American poets Annis Boudinot Stockton and Phillis Wheatley came from starkly different backgrounds to offer their own unique, eyewitness perspectives on the American Revolution, during a period in history when women literary figures were all but invisible.

Stockton was born into the privileged, elite social circle of Princeton, New Jersey. Unlike many women of her time, she had both the opportunity and the inclination to apply herself to the art of writing. She was producing sophisticated poetry by age 16. At age 21 she married the lawyer Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. When the Revolutionary War broke out, Annis Stockton supported the Continental Army with funds raised from publishing her poetry, in which she documented key episodes in the war and memorialized the leadership of George Washington.

Wheatley was kidnapped from her home in Africa and brought to the Colonies as an enslaved child in 1761. By age 14 she was an accomplished student of the Greek and Roman classics, as well as British literature, astronomy, and geography. By 1770 she was an acclaimed poet. When her first collection of poems was published in 1773, she was one of the first two women in America to have a book of poetry in print, and she was the first Black woman to have a book of any kind published in America.

Dr. Balkun is a Professor of English and Director of Faculty Development at Seton Hall University in South Orange. She earned her PhD. from New York University, and has an M.A. from Seton Hall University and a B.A. from Jersey City University. Her accomplishments include the 2017 Steven J. Rosen Mentor Award of the New Jersey College English Association, and the 2016 Bernard J. McQuaid Medal for Distinguished Service from Seton Hall University.

National Poetry Month is a project of the Academy of American Poets. Since its inception in April 1996, National Poetry Month has grown into an event celebrated by tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families and poets each year, signifying the importance of poetry in human life across the world. For more details visit poets.org/national-poetry-month.

Women Poets of the Revolution is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. For more information about other history events presented by Union County, contact John Prescott, History Program Coordinator at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-436-2912 or by email jprescott@ucnj.org.

The Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is an office of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information on all programs of the Office, visit ucnj.org/cultural, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550.

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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Innovative COVID-19 Safety Measures, ADA Accessibility Aided by Federal Funding

The Union County Board of County Commissioners are pleased to announce that Union County became first county in the state to provide residents with interview pods, which have the ability to conduct interviews for public assistance via video conferencing,  in an isolated, sound proof, multi-functional enclosure.

The new service is administered under the Department of Human Services, who received funding from the CARES Act from the State Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development.

“Union County has been a pioneer in embracing and providing the most update technology and thanks to federal funding from the CARES Act, we are at the forefront in using these pods to provide essential services, all while keeping our residents safe,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “I had a chance to take a tour of the pods, and I am happy to see we are meeting the needs of Union County families, the safest, best way we can.”

Union County Board of County Commissioners including Chair Rebecca Williams as well as Commissioners Sergio Granados, James Baker, Lourdes Leon and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, had a chance to recently tour the Social Services office and see these new pods in action.

“Being the first in the State of New Jersey to provide our residents and case workers with the ability to conduct interviews for public assistance via video conferencing is a great accomplishment,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “These pods are an innovative approach in assisting individuals or families with the services they need, while maintaining full privacy and discretion and maximizing public health safety measures for not only our clients, but our staff as well.”

The Department has as many as 20 interview pods, ranging from multiple sizes including a single person, family-size, and handicap-accessible. Upon entering the pod, clients are greeted by a case worker who is located in their own offices. The client is able to see and speak to a case worker, who in turn, is able to see and respond to the consumer via a CISCO DX-80 Monitor using WEBEX conferencing software. The pods have LED lighting and all of the air inside the pod is completely turned over to refresh every 70 to 100 seconds. As a result, each new user will be met with refreshed air every time they enter the pod.

While the current pods are located in the Social Services building at 342 Westminster Avenue in Elizabeth, they are fully mobile for use in multiple spaces. The Department of Human Services will also be transferring pods to their Plainfield location, located at 200 West Second Street, to assist the needs of residents on the other side of the County.

Union County is commencing the next phase of this innovative program, working with an ADA compliant hearing loop induction company to install infrared hearing links to transmit an assistive listening audio signals into the handicap accessible pods.