Under the terms of the “Open Public Meetings Act P.L. 1975, C. 231 and N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., please be advised that it is necessary for the Union County Board of County Commissioners to hold a Special Meeting on Friday, November, 1 2024 at 5:00 pm at the Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Official action will be taken relative to the following resolutions:
Authorizing the County Manager to include a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in the Bid Specifications for the project entitled: Ice Rink at Warinanco Park project.
Authorizing the County Manager to include a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in the Bid Specifications for the project entitled: Clark Reservoir Improvements project.
James E. Pellettiere Clerk of the Board Union County Board of County Commissioners
The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and caregivers to visit their local Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) during the month of November. The monthly event is an opportunity for residents to engage with experienced professionals and learn about valuable senior programs and resources that are available in Union County. Bilingual staff will be present on all designated dates in November to offer assistance in Spanish.
“Our ‘ASK’ events are designed to offer support and peace of mind to our senior community and their caregivers. We understand that seniors often have questions and can benefit from guidance during this stage of life. Our expert staff is here to provide that support in an easy and convenient way,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “I welcome seniors and caregivers to attend the next ‘ASK’ event near them to learn how this program could benefit them or their loved ones.”
The Aging Services Kiosk is operated explicitly by the Division on Aging, a branch of the Union County Department of Human Services. It offers adults aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, a friendly and convenient avenue to discover valuable programs and services and speak individually with a Division on Aging professional.
Staff at ASK locations can help older adults and caregivers connect with various services, including home-delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or caregiver can visit any ASK kiosk, regardless of their hometown. No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Below are the upcoming ASK events in November:
Thursday, November 7th
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue, Clark
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tuesday, November 12th
Elizabeth Public Library – Main
11 South Broad Street, Elizabeth
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Thursday, November 14th
Cranford Public Library
224 Walnut Avenue, Cranford
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, November 20th
Westfield Memorial Library
550 East Broad St., Westfield
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
“We are proud to support the Division on Aging in this popular program, which has already provided significant benefits for seniors over the years, and look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will continue to have on the senior community in the future,” said Union County Commissioner Vice-Chairwoman Lourdes Leon, Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging.
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 atucnj.org/dhs/aging.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners encourages seniors and caregivers to visit their local Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) this October. These services provide an opportunity for attendees to meet with experienced professionals who can offer expert guidance on senior programs and resources and help with form completion. Bilingual staff will be available at all dates in October to provide support in Spanish.
“Our senior residents are the backbone of our families and the foundation of this country; they deserve nothing less than our steadfast support. This initiative is important to me, as it symbolizes our dedication to ensuring the health and happiness of our senior community as they journey through the later stages of life,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “I encourage seniors, caregivers, and family members to visit our Aging Services Kiosk this October and learn about the resources that are available and could have a significant impact on your or your loved one’s life.”
The Aging Services Kiosk is operated explicitly by the Division on Aging, a branch of the Union County Department of Human Services. It offers adults aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, a friendly and convenient avenue to discover valuable programs and services and speak individually with a Division on Aging professional.
Staff at ASK locations can help older adults and caregivers connect with various services, including home-delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or caregiver can visit any ASK kiosk, regardless of their hometown. No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Below are the upcoming ASK events in October:
Wednesday, October 9th
Garwood Public Library
411 Third Avenue, Garwood
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tuesday, October 15th
Cranford Public Library
224 Walnut Avenue, Cranford
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday, October 17th
Elizabeth Public Library – Main
11 South Broad St., Elizabeth
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday, October 23rd
Westfield Memorial Library
550 East Broad St., Westfield
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday, October 31st
Hillside Library
1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
“We are excited to share that bilingual staff will be available at all of our ‘ASK’ events throughout October,” said Union County Commissioner Vice-Chairwoman Lourdes Leon, Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging. “We recognize that language barriers prevent some members of our senior community from seeking assistance that would benefit them. We want to express our gratitude to the Division on Aging for their efforts in addressing these challenges and ensuring that this service is accessible to a wider range of residents.”
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 atucnj.org/dhs/aging.
Voters in Union Twp Districts 15 & 22 will now vote at the Union Township Senior Center located at 652 Rahway Avenue. Please note, the previous location at Hannah Caldwell School is closed. Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation!
Make sure to share this update with your friends and neighbors to keep our community informed!
The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in coordination with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning, is encouraging all Union County residents to join in and make this traditionally orange holiday season a little greener by participating in the Pumpkin Recycling Program this November. Residents can recycle their post-Halloween Jack o’ Lanterns, decorative pumpkins, and other gourds from Friday, November 1st, through Saturday, November 30th, at seven participating locations throughout the county.
“I am pleased to announce the expansion of our popular Pumpkin Recycling Program to seven additional drop-off locations this season,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This sustainable alternative for disposing of pumpkins aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility, and we are thrilled to bring it back again this year. I encourage all residents to join us in transforming food waste into clean energy by bringing their pumpkins to any of our participating locations this November.”
The Pumpkin Recycling Program will run from Friday, November 1st through Saturday, November 30th at the following locations:
Berkeley Heights
DPW facility located next to town hall | Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to noon
Kenilworth
401 Sheridan Avenue | Fridays from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 7:30 am to noon
Linden
2 Donaldson Place | Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Plainfield
Rock Avenue | Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm (drop-off until 2:45 pm)
Roselle Park
West Webster Avenue | Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm
Union Township
1 Swanstrom Place East | Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Westfield
Lamberts Mill Road | Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Residents from any Union County municipality can use any of the seven locations, regardless of their hometown. Only pumpkins will be accepted at these locations, with candles and decorations removed. Other food waste will not be accepted.
When the Pumpkin Recycling Program concludes, the pumpkins will be sent to the CORe facility in Elizabeth, which is operated by Waste Management. The company’s specialized recycling process converts food waste into organic slurry, which is used to enhance the production of biogas and other renewable products at local wastewater treatment plants.
Food Waste is a global issue that contributes to excess greenhouse gas emissions, placing financial burdens on local governments for waste disposal. Although the world discards approximately 2.5 billion tons of food annually, the United States wastes more food than any country, discarding nearly 60 million tons. This amounts to 120 billion pounds of food each year, which is estimated to be almost 40% of the entire US food supply. This is equivalent to almost $218 billion, or 130 billion meals.
Traditionally, food waste is sent to landfills or burned in waste-to-energy facilities. However, new organic recycling systems offer a more sustainable approach to managing food waste. Residents can also help reduce food waste by using up leftovers and donating unused shelf items before their sell-by date expires. For more information, upcoming dates, and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at www.ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to present a collection of artworks by students from Community Access Unlimited (CAU) currently being displayed in the Commissioners Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza. Gallery hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm, weekdays. The exhibit will be displayed through November 22, 2024.
The exhibit is a part of the Academy of Continuing Education (ACE) offered by CAU. The ACE program provides post-graduate learning opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. CAU is a Union County-based nonprofit committed to supporting people with disabilities and youth at risk in their quest to live their best lives. Beginning with homes in the community that allow them to live with dignity and choice, their comprehensive wraparound suite of services enables the full assimilation of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and youth at risk into society.
The ACE program offers a variety of courses such as reading, math, science, music, theater, visual art, self-help, history, finance and digital art. Students exercise their independence by selecting the groups that interest them. Many take both academic and arts-related courses, and those who have been attending for some time occasionally alter their schedule as their interests change and develop.
“We are proud to showcase the talent and creativity of these artists, who continue to break boundaries and inspire others through their work,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This exhibit is a testament to the power of inclusion, reflecting the commitment of both CAU and Union County to continue creating opportunities for all individuals to express themselves.”
CAU offers a wide range of programs for persons with disabilities and youth at risk. For more information about CAU, please visit www.caunj.org or call (908) 354-3040.
The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, part of the Department of Parks and Recreation, coordinates the exhibits displayed at the Commissioners Gallery. For further information about this and other programs and services related to the arts and history in Union County, contact the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone, 908-558-2550; or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ Relay users may dial 711.
“Escaping the Ordinary” by Hailey Lowe Cabreja of Thomas Edison Academy in Elizabeth.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the 2024 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is currently on digital display at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth. This year’s exhibit is a selection of 21 works selected from the 2024 Union County Teen Arts Festival, an annual two-day event celebrating creativity in the literary, performing, and visual arts held at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.
“We are proud to continue showcasing the exceptional artwork created by our students in this traveling exhibition. Their pieces have sparked conversations and inspired visitors at previous stops throughout Union County, demonstrating that artistic expression is a positive experience everyone can enjoy,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “As we bring this showcase to Trinitas Hospital, we are hopeful that hospital staff, residents, and visitors alike will join us in visiting the exhibit and celebrating the creativity and artistry our students have conveyed through their pieces.”
As one of the sponsors of the Teen Arts Festival, Trinitas Regional Medical Center is happy to have the digital exhibit on display in their main lobby, located at 225 Williamson Street in Elizabeth.
“We’re so proud to celebrate this year’s talented teen artists of Union County,” said Nancy DiLiegro, PhD, FACHE, President and CEO of Trinitas Regional Medical Center. “Their dynamic work is now being displayed on the screen in the lobby of Trinitas, where visitors, patients, community members and employees will be able to enjoy it.”
The 2024 Teen Arts Tour includes the following exhibiting students:
Berkeley Heights
Governor Livingston High School
Sophia Castrovinci
Cranford
Cranford High School
Madison Cardona
Lincoln School CAP Program
Anthony Scherer
Elizabeth
Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy
Valentina Ocampo
Elizabeth High School at Frank J. Cicarell Academy
Angelina Correia
JVJ STEM Academy
Andy Medina
J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy
Maria Galarza
John E. Dwyer Technology Academy
David Mateo Garavito Ariea
Thomas Edison Career & Technical Academy
Hailey Lowe Cabreja and Vanessa Ponce
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
Keziah Hanson
Kenilworth
David Brearley High School
Laura Limon
Linden
Linden High School
Lenara Osborn
New Providence
New Providence High School
Ava Cominsky
Plainfield
Plainfield Academy of Arts
Emanuel Perry
Roselle
Abraham Clark High School
Trinity Moore and Carla Torres
Roselle Park
Roselle Park High School
Anna da Silva and Emma Lantiqua
Scotch Plains
Union County Academy of the Performing Arts
Maria Thomas
Union County Vo-Tech High School
Anthony Granados
The Union County Teen Arts Festival & Touring Exhibit is coordinated each year by the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks & Recreation.
For information about all Cultural & Heritage Affairs programs and services, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay service users should call 711 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all Union County residents to participate in the final Household Hazardous Waste event of the 2024 season. The free event will be held on Sunday, October 27th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Vo-Tech Campus in Scotch Plains.
“Our Household Hazardous Waste events provide residents with the opportunity to responsibly eliminate unwanted chemicals and other potentially hazardous items from their homes and yards, ensuring their safe and proper disposal,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “By taking part, you are not only safeguarding your own living space but also championing the well-being of our entire community and ecosystem. I encourage all residents to participate in our Household Hazardous waste event before we close for the season.”
Household Hazardous Waste events provide Union County residents with a free and environmentally safe way to dispose of obsolete or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, and many other items such as oil-based paint (no latex paint) and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs (intact), mercury switches, and more. The Union County Police Department will also be on-site to handle the proper disposal of fireworks and ammunition that residents may have.
Union County Household Hazardous Waste events are contactless. Participants must remain in their vehicles while site staff unload their waste items. Only materials in original or labeled packaging will be accepted. Containers larger than five gallons will not be accepted.
Car, bicycle and motorcycle tires will also be accepted at this event. There is a limit of 8 tires (without rims) per household.
Please note that latex (water-based) wall paint is NOT accepted at household hazardous waste events. Residents who wish to dispose of latex paint are encouraged to use it, donate it, or dry the paint in the can and dispose of it in regular household trash without the lid. To help dry the paint, add kitty litter, newspaper, or a product called a residual paint hardener (which can be purchased at paint or home improvement stores).
The Household Hazardous Waste collection event will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only, not businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.
Enjoy seasonal and historical activities for all ages at the Deserted Village of Feltville in Union County
Revolutionary War soldier John Willcocks is one of five former residents of the Deserted Village of Feltville that you can meet during the Four Centuries in a Weekend program.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners announces thatthe Deserted Village of Feltville will once again host an annual open house featuring old-fashioned children’s games, apple cider pressing, an archaeological activity, and guided tours as part of Union County’s Four Centuries in a Weekend event this Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, from noon to 5:00 p.m. each day.
“The Deserted Village is a historic gem in Union County and a key part of our “Four Centuries” weekend events. Over 100,000 people visit this site throughout the year with their families, friends, and pets,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Our Commissioner Board and I are looking forward to completing several projects aimed at further preserving the historic buildings and improving the overall visitor experience. We welcome you to visit this weekend, take part in the activities, and see the progress we have achieved so far.”
All activities for the Four Centuries weekend are rain or shine, and most are free of charge. Enter the Deserted Village from Cataract Hollow Road, off of Glenside Avenue (use GPS address 1 Cataract Hollow Road, Berkeley Heights). Free parking is available at the entrance to the site. A hay wagon provides barrier-free access to key sites within the 130-acre historic district.
Visitors can pick up a free self-tour guidebook at the parking lot, or use their cell phones to take an audio tour. A list of activities will be available at the reception table.
The Deserted Village of Feltville is located in Union County’s Watchung Reservation. It was established in 1845 by entrepreneur David Felt, who built a printing mill, housing for his workers, and other buildings for communal use by Feltville’s 175 residents. As part of the weekend’s festivities, the “ghost” of David Felt will stroll the grounds of the Deserted Village and converse with visitors, telling tales of the factory town he built and recounting memories of the people who worked in his mill, on his farm, and in his store and school. At 12:30 pm each day, Mr. Felt will also offer a 30-minute long armchair tour from the porch of his general store, with an interactive opportunity for children.
Other activities for children will include old-fashioned games on the Deserted Village’s grass tennis court, writing with a quill pen and ink, and searching for artifacts at the site of David Felt’s house. A small apple orchard has been recreated along Cataract Hollow Road to recall the 600-acre farm established by Mr. Felt to provide food for the villagers. A hands-on demonstration of apples being pressed into cider by Boy Scout Troop 23 of Elizabeth will continue throughout the Four Centuries weekend.
Visitors of all ages can also bring their “Passport to Your National Parks” to the general store and get stamped, thanks to Union County’s inclusion in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. While at the General Store, visitors are invited to view exhibits of artifacts, photographs and maps depicting the history of the Deserted Village across four centuries. A bas-relief wood carving, sculpted by Nicaraguan artist Roberto de la Selva in 1927, will be on display. Nostalgic candy, snacks, toys and games will be sold at the store. Families are also invited to pack a picnic and use one of the nearby picnic tables.
The beautifully restored circa-1882 Masker’s Barn carriage house will be open for the weekend. Visitors can tour the building and then linger outside to roast marshmallows around a campfire with the ghost of Annie Malloy, wife of an early caretaker.
Moving even farther back in time, visitors can take a short walk to a small family graveyard on a hillside just beyond the church and general store. John Willcocks, a New Jersey militia soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War along with General George Washington’s regular army, will greet visitors. He and Eagle Scout Michael Ondrey will explain how the discovery of a human tooth started a quest to find the unmarked graves of two dozen members of the Willcocks and Badgley families. Archival research and non-invasive archaeological investigation revealed the site of the missing cemetery, which has been cleared and marked.
The Deserted Village has seen many changes since its origin as David Felt’s business enterprise. Over the years it has been used as a farm for fancy cattle, a summer resort, relief housing during the Great Depression, and an outdoor education center. By the 1970’s, the Deserted Village was all but forgotten. Fortunately, restoration work has been ongoing since 1992. Felt’s general store building now serves as a visitor center. The resort-era carriage house known as Masker’s Barn is a rental venue that hosts 100 events each year. The Union County Board of County Commissioners has authorized five new projects, with $1.1 million allocated for new roofs, building restoration work, museum exhibits, and an eco-friendly parking area.
Special programming on the Four Centuries weekend will be provided by historian Priscilla Hayes. Each day at 1:00 p.m., visitors can “Meet the Historian” in Masker’s Barn. Ms. Hayes inherited her lifelong love of this area from her grandfather – historian and genealogist Edwin Baldwin of Summit – who took her and her siblings there as children. She has been using her skills as a freelance writer and retired attorney to author booklets describing how this one small village illuminates nearly all of New Jersey history. In 2022, she launched a website at www.feltvillefeatures.com, where each month she writes about some facet of Deserted Village history.
At 2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, Priscilla Hayes will present an illustrated program in Masker’s Barn about a king who wanted to expand his empire, a double-dealing duke, children of New England colonists who wanted to make their own fortune, and a group of natives bewildered by an offer to receive trade goods in return for a mark on a piece of paper. The “Elizabethtown Purchase,” which included the territory where the Deserted Village of Feltville sits, has all this intrigue and misunderstanding and more.
Ms. Hayes will lead an interactive presentation to dig into the ways land ownership was manipulated and transformed, including exploring the different worldviews which the European colonists and the native Munsee/Lenape brought to the bargaining table. After the presentation, she and David Felt will lead a guided tour through the Village.
For more information about the Deserted Village of Feltville, visit the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation online at ucnj.org/dv.
Four Centuries in a Weekend is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, part of the Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State, and is organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, in collaboration with staff and volunteers at the sites and is sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
For locations, hours, special events, and other details about more than 35 other historical sites participating in Four Centuries in a Weekend this year, visit the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs, www.ucnj.org/4c or call (908) 558-2550.
