Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the grand openings of two new state-of-the-art Fitness Courts®, made possible through a partnership with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon) and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC).

“We are thrilled to partner with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the National Fitness Campaign to bring inclusive, accessible fitness opportunities to our residents,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Lourdes M. Leon. “These Fitness Courts are part of our larger mission to promote community health, equity, and wellness in every corner of Union County. We invite everyone to come out, get active, and experience these fantastic new resources.”

Residents are invited to join Union County officials, project partners, and local leaders for two ribbon-cutting ceremonies celebrating these new, free outdoor fitness spaces:

Wednesday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m.
Rahway River Park in Rahway

Thursday, August 28 at 10:00 a.m.
Phil Rizzuto Park in Union

“Investing in Fitness Courts is another way Horizon is working to empower our members to achieve their best health, while partnering with community organizations to build a healthier New Jersey,” said Gary D. St. Hilaire, Horizon’s President and CEO. “As New Jersey’s hometown health insurer, we’re focused on making good health more affordable and more accessible. The opportunities created by our partnership with National Fitness Campaign builds on Horizon’s ninety year history of supporting local organizations and improving the health of New Jersey’s communities.”

“We are excited to have Union Countyjoin us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long-lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the outdoor Fitness Courts, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the community.”

These Fitness Courts® are open-air wellness centers designed to bring free, high-quality workouts to people of all abilities, ages 14 and up. The user-friendly circuit features seven full-body stations that allow users to leverage their own body weight at their own pace. Participants can also download the Fitness Court® App to receive guided workouts and coaching for an enhanced experience.

Union County is one of the first counties in New Jersey to introduce multiple NFC Fitness Courts through this public-private initiative. The installations are designed to provide equitable access to exercise and support healthier lifestyles across the region.

For more information on the Fitness Court® and Union County’s health and wellness initiatives, visit ucnj.org/fitness. To learn more about the National Fitness Campaign and Horizon’s support across New Jersey, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/newjersey.

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s leading health solutions company, and its affiliates provide a wide array of medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that more closely tie the payments that doctors and hospitals receive to the results they deliver for our members. Learn more at: www.HorizonBlue.com Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving approximately 3.5 million members.

About National Fitness Campaign

Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court^®– the world’s best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750^th healthy community in 2025, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court^® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.  Learn more about National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Under the terms of the “Open Public Meetings Act P.L. 1975, C. 231, and pursuant to requirements of N.J.S.A 10: 4-10 of the Open Public Meetings Act, please be advised that circumstances necessitate amending the 2025 Meeting Schedule of the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

The Board has a need to cancel both the Agenda Setting Session and the Regular Meeting held on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Both the Agenda Setting Session and the Regular Meeting will be rescheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2025.  The Agenda Setting Session will commence at 6:00 P.M.  The Regular Meeting will commence as soon as possible following the Agenda Setting Session.

As a result of these changes, please note the Public Hearing and Final Adoption of Ordinance Number 858-2025 and Ordinance Number 859-2025, originally scheduled to be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025 will now be heard on this new meeting date of Wednesday, August 20, 2025. A separate legal notice of said Public Hearing will be published in accordance to the law and shall reflect this new date and time.

For reference, Ordinance Number 858-2025 is entitled: BOND ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY, NEW ADDITIONAL FURNISHINGS, NEW COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT, NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND NEW AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, INCLUDING ORIGINAL APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT, IN, BY AND FOR THE COUNTY OF UNION, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $58,443,808 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF, TO APPROPRIATE STATE GRANTS, TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF $43,186,098 OF BONDS TO FINANCE SUCH APPROPRIATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF $43,186,098 OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS. 

For further reference, Ordinance Number 859-2025 is entitled: CAPITAL ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF UNION, NEW JERSEY AUTHORIZING THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN, BY AND FOR THE COUNTY, APPROPRIATING THEREFOR THE SUM OF $10,000,000 AND PROVIDING THAT SUCH SUM SO APPROPRIATED SHALL BE RAISED FROM CAPITAL SURPLUS OF THE COUNTY. 

James E. Pellettiere, Clerk of the Board

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Thursday August 14, 2025, between the hours of 6:00PM to 11:00PM ((Weather Permitting)). Check below for a list of areas 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.

Berkeley Hts. – Grant St. Area, Garfield St., Kuntz Ave., Camptown Dr., La Secla Pl.

Clark – Jupiter St., Dorset Dr., Surry Rd., Byron Pl., Eton Pl., Kennedy Dr., Avon Rd. Brentwood Rd., Frances Dr., Featherbed Ln., Blake Dr., Parkway Dr., Highland Pl.

Cranford – Kenilworth Blvd., Riverside Dr., Ludlow Av.

Kenilworth – Dorset Dr. Area, Water Co. Rd., N.20^th St., N.21 St.

Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Range Rd.

Mountainside – Dogwood Way, Longview Dr., Rt.22, 1400 Block

New Providence – High St., Providence St., Westview Ave.

Plainfield – Jefferson Ave., 1^st St., Rock Ave., Bradford St., Adams Circle

Rahway – Elston St., Randolph Ave., Leesville Av., Wall St., Lakeside Dr., Crescent Dr., Midwood Dr. Area

Roselle Park – W. Grant St., Hawthorne St., Meadow St.,

Scotch Plains – Church Ave., Portland Ave., South and North Ave. between Hetfield Ave. and Crossway

Springfield – Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., Cottage Ln.,

Westfield – Westfield Armory Westfield Ave., Codding Rd.

Winfield Park – U.C. Parkway, Seafoam Ave., Wavecrest Ave.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying county and municipal parks Wednesday morning, August 13, 2025, 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 – Oak Ridge
• Cranford – Nomahegan
• Garwood – Unami
• Hillside – Conant
• Mountainside – Echo Lake
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook
• Rahway – Rahway
• Roselle – Warinanco
• Scotch Plains – Ponderosa, Brookside
• Springfield – Meisel

Municipal Parks

• Plainfield – Milt Campbell
• Union – Biertuempful, Kearse
• Westfield – Tamaqus

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that mail-in ballots for the upcoming Special School Election in Clark will be available beginning Monday, August 11th at the Clerk’s Westfield Office during regular business hours. The Special school election will be held on September 16th, 2025.

Voters are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to vote early and ensure their voices are heard in this important local election. Business hours of the Union County Clerk’s Westfield Office, located at 300 North Avenue East, are below:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8:00am to 4:00pm

Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:00am to 7:30pm

Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm

For more information about mail-in ballots, early voting, or election deadlines, visit www.unioncountyvotes.com or contact the office at 908-527-4996 or email ucvote@ucnj.org.

Thinking about becoming a substitute teacher? Join us at Kean University on August 20, 2025 for a hands-on workshop that walks you through the entire certification process — no education major required! Learn the steps, meet the experts, and enjoy a pizza lunch while you get closer to the classroom.

• Kean University, Hennings Hall 113 | 11 AM – 1 PM
• Register here: forms.office.com/r/Pj2Mrg0rzZ

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites students to join a 4-H club  this coming fall and explore popular fields ranging from cooking, sewing, photography, archery, robotics, and more. Youth in 1^st grade through their first year after graduating from high school can join 4-H Clubs. In a 4-H Club, students can explore a new hobby, meet like-minded friends, and learn leadership skills.

“4-H clubs provide a fantastic opportunity for our youth to make friends, learn new skills, and boost their self-confidence,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “As they explore their individual abilities throughout the year, each student gains a deeper understanding of themselves, what they enjoy, and what they are capable of achieving. It’s truly a rewarding experience for participants. I encourage all interested students to join a 4-H club before classes fill up.”

The majority of the clubs meet at Union County’s Colleen Fraser Building, located 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 2025 – 2026, the clubs and their meeting times are listed below;

• Variety Club (different topics with crafts and show-and-tell), grades 1-3. 2^nd Sunday; 4 to 5 p.m.
• Cooking Clubs (prepare deserts, main courses and more), grades 7-12;3rd Friday; 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Grades 4^th through 6^th; 1^st Friday, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Community Service Club (plant trees, works at food bank, teach younger youth), grades 8-12. 1^st and 3^rd Sat. 1 to 3 p.m.
• Sewing Club (learn how to hand sew and use a machine), grades 6-12. 2^nd Sat;10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Lego Robotics Club (work with NXT kits and Spike) grades 4-7^th; 1^st. Sat. ;11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Craft Club (have fun with paints, fabrics and more) grades 4 – 12. 2^nd Friday;7:30 to 9 p.m.
• Engineering Club (make model cars, bridges, and learn about electric) grades 4-12; 3^rd Sat.;9:30 to 11 a.m.
• Archery Club (learn basics and more advanced techniques) grades 4-12; 1^st and 3^rd Sat,; 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
• Photography Club ( learn basics of using a camera) grades 4-12; 3^rd Sunday; 1 to 3 p.m.
• Garden Club( How to start plants from seeds) grades 4-12; 1^st and 3^rd Sat.;10 a.m. to noon.
• 4-H Dog Care Club ( Basics of grooming, feeding, and play) 2^nd Sunday; 2 to 3:30 p.m.  

“As a former 4-H club member, I can say this experience is invaluable for students. They learn to see the bigger picture, understanding that the skills and abilities they develop are not only important for their own futures, but also for the future of our community,” said Union County Commissioner and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Liaison, Bette Jane Kowalski.

Union County 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Union County Commissioner Board, with offices at 151 Grant St, Berkley Heights. 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.

4-H Clubs run from October to June. To sign up for a club or more details , please email James Nichnadowicz Union County  4H Youth Development Agent at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org or call 908-654-9854 ext. 3. Also see the website

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

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and Municipal Parks Friday morning, August 8, 2025, 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 – Oak Ridge
• Cranford – Nomahegan, Mohawk
• Garwood – Unami
• Hillside – Conant
• Mountainside – Echo Lake, Watchung Res. Loop Area, Science Center
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook, Green Brook
• Roselle – Warinanco
• Springfield – Meisel

Municipal Parks

• Plainfield – Milt Campbell
• Union – Biertuempful, Kearse

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Wednesday August 6, 2025, 2025, between the hours of 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM Weather Permitting. Check below for a list of areas 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.

• Berkeley Heights – Grant St. Area, Garfield St., Shadow Ln., Kuntz Ave., Camptown Dr., La Secla Pl. Delmore Av.
• Clark – Hillside Ave., Autumn Ave., Elm St., Whittier Rd., Oak St. Area, Blake Dr., Schmidt Ln. Valley Rd., Clauss Rd, Old Raritan Rd., Madison Hill Rd.
• Cranford – Kenilworth Blvd.
• Hillside – Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., John St.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr. Area, Water Co. Rd.,  
• Linden – Tremley Point Rd., Tremley Pt. Area, Carnegie St., E. Curtis St., Union St.
• Mountainside – Summit Ln., Museum Area, Watchung Res. Loop Area
• New Providence – Charnwood Rd., Runnymede Pkwy.
• Plainfield – Jefferson Ave., 1^st St., Reeves Ter., Wiley Ave., McCrea Pl., Edwin Pl., Pinewood Ter. Area
• Rahway – Elston St., Randolph Ave., Leesville Av., Wall St., Dudley Ct., Egolf Dr. Walking Path between Whitter St. and Linden Ave.
• Roselle Park – W. Grant St., Hawthorne St., Meadow St., Walking path, between Galloping Hill Rd. and Chestnut St.
• Scotch Plains – Stoneleigh Dr., Frank St.
• Springfield – Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., Cottage Ln., Marion Ave.
• Summit – Stockton Rd., Stiles Rd. Summit Recycling Center
• Union – Richard Ter., Elaine Ter., Florence Dr., Rahway Ave., Gifford Ct. Area, Vaux Hall 2000 Block, Interlux Paint Property on Morris Ave.

Union County Commissioners Alexander Mirabella and Sergio Granados have been appointed to key national leadership positions by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for the 2025–2026 term. These prestigious appointments reflect Union County’s growing influence in shaping national policy priorities that directly impact residents at the local level.

Commissioner Alexander Mirabella has been appointed:

• Vice Chair of the International Economic Development Innovation Council
• Vice Chair of the Finance, Pensions and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee
• Member of the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC)
• New Jersey’s sole representative on the NACo Board of Directors

Commissioner Sergio Granados has been appointed:

• Member of the Healthy Counties Innovation Council
• Member of the International Economic Development Innovation Council
• Member of the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC)

“These appointments are more than titles—they’re opportunities to continue the work we’ve led here in Union County on a national scale,” said Commissioner Mirabella. “Locally, we’ve championed long-term investments in infrastructure, supported small businesses through pandemic recovery and beyond, and expanded access to affordable housing through home improvement and first-time buyer programs. We’ve also prioritized park upgrades, open space preservation, and transit access—initiatives that create stronger, more connected communities. My continued role on the NACo Board gives us a powerful platform to share those successes and help counties across the country grow in ways that are responsible, resilient, and community-driven.”

These appointments also align with NACo’s 2025–2026 “County Storytellers” initiative, which encourages county leaders to uplift their communities by sharing data-driven stories that inspire trust, innovation, and connection.

“We’ve taken a comprehensive approach in Union County—expanding mental health services across all 21 towns through programs like ARRIVE Together, launching our first-ever youth-led mental health summit at Kean University, and opening our Union County Family Health Clinic to provide free wellness care to uninsured families,” said Commissioner Granados. “We’ve also focused on family, youth and senior nutrition, and helped residents stay rooted through job training, workforce development, and housing support. These NACo appointments give us the chance to bring Union County’s inclusive, people-first approach to the national stage, ensuring every resident—not just here, but everywhere—has a fair shot at stability and success.”

Founded in 1935, the National Association of Counties (NACo) represents nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees nationwide. NACo advocates for county priorities in federal policymaking, promotes best practices, supports leadership development, and strengthens local communities through collaboration and innovation.

For more information on NACo and its committees, visit www.naco.org.