Category: Public Info

Union County residents can make a New Year’s resolution that will have a lasting impact by joining the Rutgers Environmental Stewards of Union County. The all-volunteer Environmental Stewards program helps members of the public learn how to take specific steps leading to improvements in the environmental health of their communities. 

“The Environmental Stewards program equips residents who have a passion and desire to improve the quality of the environment locally, with the knowledge and tools to be effective,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

The Environmental Stewards program is designed to help non-scientists learn more about the science behind the environmental issues impacting their communities.

The Environmental Stewards hold weekly classroom training sessions on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. beginning January 30^th through early June. Classes are held at the Extension offices in the Union County complex, located at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Registration for the program ends on January 30^th.

The training sessions include classes on habitat conservation, pollinator preservation, climate change and its impacts on the Union County region, protection of the Rahway River watershed, and much more. Field trips are part of the interactive experience.

Participants also work on environmental internship projects of their choice. 

Previous Environmental Stewards have applied their knowledge in Union County with projects such assisting in the effort to combat the destructive Ash borer beetle. The Stewards identified hundreds of Ash trees in County parks, collecting data that will help guide the effort.

Stewards have also created programs in multiple municipalities throughout the County. A program was developed by a steward through the New Providence Recreation Department to help children spend more time in the outdoors and learn how to care for their environment.

The Rutgers Environmental Stewards program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, part of the national Extension system, established more than 100 years ago under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In New Jersey, Rutgers University runs Extension programs in each county through the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

The Freeholder Board supports the Union County Extension with administrative assistance and office space in Westfield, land for the Demonstration Garden in the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, and funding for special projects.

For more information about the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program, visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu or contact Michele Bakacs, County Agent and Associate Professor for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at bakacs@njaes.rutgers.edu or 732-398-5274.

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

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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 — Union County Manager Edward T. Oatman has announced the appointment of Kamili A. Williams to head the County’s Division of Social Services, within the Department of Human Services, effective November 25, 2019.  Ms. Williams succeeds former director Charles Gillon who retired in September after 30 years of service.

Ms. Williams leads approximately 500 employees located in the Elizabeth and Plainfield offices of the Division of Social Services in the Department of Human Services. The Division of Social Services is Union County government’s largest single service unit.

“I would like to welcome Director Williams to the Division of Social Services,” said Union County Manager Oatman. “Her leadership, depth of knowledge, and wealth of experience will enable the Division to continue providing assistance and guidance to thousands of county residents monthly.”

Director Williams holds a BA in Business Administration and Accounting from Howard University in Washington D.C., and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.

Her professional background includes experience as President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity based in Plainfield.  Previously, she held an executive position at the Community Food Bank in Hillside. Williams’ experience in the private sector includes accounting positions at The Prudential Insurance Company in Newark, and Deloitte and Touche, LLP, in Parsippany.

The Division of Social Services is Union County’s welfare agency. It implements federal and state welfare-to-work programs, that help income-eligible individuals and families become self-sufficient.

Assistance is provided for job training, education and placement as well as homeless prevention and shelter, supplemental food assistance, medical care including child immunizations, and other support services including refugee resettlement, an area in which Union County handles the highest caseload of any county in New Jersey.

For information about all services provided by the Union County Division of Social Services, visit: ucnj.org/departments/human-services/social-services.

 

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced that it is investigating all options, including legal action, to put an end to New York City’s practice of relocating homeless families from the city into Union County communities without notice and without support services.

More than 50 families are known to have been relocated from New York City to seven municipalities in Union County under the city’s “Special One Time Assistance Program” or SOTA.

The program provides one year of rent to relocated families but does not provide any other forms of assistance to families relocated outside of the city. The SOTA program commenced in 2017. Union County was added to the program as an out-of-city relocation destination, without notice, in August 2019.

“The families in the SOTA program are already in crisis, and it is heartless for New York City to move them around like so many pieces on a board game, forcing our local municipal and County services to shoulder the additional costs while brokers and landlords pocket the money,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

“Union County is coordinating a united effort by the impacted municipalities to bring this appalling practice to a halt as quickly as possible, and to seek reimbursement for any costs incurred. We will go to the courts if necessary,” said County Manager Edward T. Oatman.

So far the Union County municipalities reporting SOTA placements from New York City are Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Hillside, Union Township, and Plainfield.

“The lack of communication and the underhandedness of New York City to relieve some of their homeless problems to our City is despicable,” said Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “Clearly, this relocation program has not been thought through or seemingly, Mayor de Blasio does not care where these people are being moved to, the impact these programs are having on the cities they are sending them to or where they will end up after their year in the program is up. I guess once they are out of his city, he really doesn’t care what happens to them.”

On Tuesday, Union County officials met with Mayors and other representatives from the seven impacted municipalities by conference call, along with state representatives, to discuss next steps.

Union County has also filed a request under New York City’s Freedom of Information Law to the Department of Homeless Services requesting a full listing of all individuals housed in Union County through the SOTA program. The request includes information for all 21 municipalities.

The SOTA program fails to account for social support services, counseling, employment assistance, medical care, and other costs. In particular, the program places new demands on municipal school districts. News reports have cited unsafe and illegal housing conditions as no procedures are in place to verify housing quality standards, contrary to normal protocols for supportive housing programs.

Families from New York City newly placed in Union County under the SOTA program do not qualify for social services because they have not yet established residency, potentially placing additional demands on local charities to fill the gap. The SOTA program also cuts off after one year, leaving homeless families on their own to continue paying premium rents in their present apartment or search for new housing.

In addition, local homeless families in Union County are reporting that landlords will not accept their housing vouchers, because the landlords stand to gain more by offering their apartments to relocated New York City families. The SOTA program involves a broker’s fee of 15% and thousands of dollars in bonuses for landlords in addition to a one-year rental guarantee.

“If the City of New York is serious about collaborating on a regional solution to homelessness, then it must come to the table and collaborate instead of shifting the problem without notice or planning,” said Freeholder Chair Kowalski.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Tickets are still available for Union County’s annual holiday season family fun and ice skating event at the Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle on Sunday, December 8.

Three two-hour sessions are available, at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

In addition to ice skating, each session features holiday carols, arts and crafts, face painting, and more.

The admission fee of $5.00 per person includes skate rental, skating session (including a chance to skate with Santa and his elves), children’s activities, and a free hot chocolate and cookie.

Additional food and beverages are also available for sale on site at the Sports Center Café, where a warm fireplace adds to the festive atmosphere.

Tickets must be purchased in advance (no walk-ins permitted) for each session and for each person attending, skaters and non-skaters alike.

Tickets can be purchased online at warinancoparkstore.com/golf/ecom_v2/ecom.php.

The Warinanco Sports Center is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. It is located at 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park in Roselle. The park is also bordered by Elizabeth and Linden.

For more information about all events and programs of the Department of Parks and Recreation call 908-527-4900 or visit online at ucnj.org/parks.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – All Union County residents and visitors are invited to come and enjoy the annual Holiday Sound and Light Show hosted by The Model Railroad Club, at the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center in Union Township.

Each year the Railroad Club dresses up a spectacular HO scale layout for the holidays and puts on a series of shows beginning at noon on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.

Attendees can stay as long as they want to watch more than one show, explore the other exhibits, recharge at the snack bar, and stock up on railroad-themed presents at the gift shop.

This year, the Holiday Sound and Light show opens at noon on Friday, November 29. It will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 15.

For ticket information visit the Railroad Club online themodelrailroadclub.org. Children of all ages are welcome, and those age two and under are free.

All proceeds from the Holiday Sound and Light Show go towards funding the activities and public outreach projects of the Railroad Club.

Directions: The A. Paul Mallery Center is located in a mixed-use corner of Union County’s Lenape Park, off Route 22 East in Union Township, behind the Home Depot at 930 South Springfield Road.

Enter the Home Depot parking lot from Route 22 East or from South Springfield Road, and go to the far end (the west end) where the Home Depot garden center is located. Follow the signs to a small road behind the garden center. Look for the orange and green Model Railroad Center/Lenape Park sign at the end of the road.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – In recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents to get vaccinated before the rush of holiday travel and social events begins in earnest.

National Influenza Vaccination Week takes place this year from December 1 to December 7.

“The vaccination window is still open for this year’s flu season, so there is plenty of time for residents to get their flu shots and protect themselves and their families,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “A vaccination now can help prevent the flu throughout the winter and into next spring.”

A flu vaccine is recommended during the fall season every year for persons age six months and up. Vaccines received in November and December are beneficial, though best results occur when vaccinations are received before the end of October.

Residents who have already gotten sick with flu this fall can also benefit from vaccination, since many different strains of the flu spread during flu season. The majority of flu vaccines protect against four different strains of influenza.

To find vaccination clinics in and around Union County, and to get more information about flu prevention and treatment, visit the Centers for Disease Control online at cdc.gov/flu.

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_{For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form. Connect with Union County on social media.}

Union County, NJ – Union County residents seeking information about services for adults age 60 and older can speak with staff from the county’s Division on Aging at seven libraries and senior centers in Union County in December. The program, called Aging Services Kiosk, travels to different communities each month.

Any senior, and their family members or caregivers, can visit any of the ASK locations for assistance.

“Our goal is to help senior residents access the resources they need to stay connected with their communities,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The ASK program helps seniors, their families, and their caregivers get expert guidance in person, in a comfortable setting close to home.”

At each ASK location, Division on Aging staff members provide information on home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and other support services. They also help visitors fill out applications and forms.

The remaining December 2019 dates and locations are:

Friday, December 13

Elizabeth Public Library – Elmora Branch

740 W. Grand St.

Elizabeth, 07202 

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

Monday, December 16

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, NJ 07066

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 17

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, NJ 07083

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 19

Garwood Public Library

411 Third Avenue

Garwood, NJ 07027

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Friday, December 20

Plainfield Public Library

800 Park Avenue

Plainfield, 07060

10:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is part of the Union County Department of Human Services. Its goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 622 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  Division on Aging information is printed in both English and Spanish.

Upcoming ASK schedules are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, ucnj.org.

For more information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call 1-888-280-8226 toll free, or call 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4870.

 

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados joined Union County Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson, Division of Individual and Family Support Services Director Christina Topolosky and Nicole DeAugustine, Helen Alvarado, Leighton Heisey and Manuel Ramirez of the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs in presenting Newark Yoga Movement CEO Debby Kaminsky with a donation of yoga mats, blocks, straps, bolsters and yoga blankets from the County of Union. Newark Yoga Movement brings yoga, breathing, and centering skills to children, teens and adults throughout the State of New Jersey, including Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union) 

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that acquisition of 112 Park Drive in Cranford has been completed. The property consists of an “elbow” of land and a street that protrude into Nomahegan Park. It is currently occupied by an abandoned house. Now under County ownership, the house and its accompanying section of street will be removed.

The .59-acre parcel was purchased with $515,000 from the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. The closing took place on Friday morning, November 22.

“Adding land for public recreation is a rare achievement in our densely developed area,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “This small but significant parcel will improve a popular walking trail and add more than a half-acre to the natural habitat in the park, while removing a neighborhood eyesore.”

“Completing the trail will make a significant difference to Union County residents and visitors, and it is a great benefit for participants in organized walk-run events that take place in the park. This purchase provides a wonderful example of the impact that the Trust Fund has on the Union County community, as we strive to create more recreation opportunities for the public and preserve our natural heritage for future generations,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is chairman of the Trust Fund.

“Recreational space has been a priority of the Cranford Township Committee.  We greatly appreciate the efforts of Freeholder Chair Kowalski, Open Space Chair Freeholder Granados, and the Union County Freeholders to acquire this property and expand recreational space at Nomahegan Park.  We look forward to much needed beautification of the property,” said Cranford Mayor Patrick Giblin.

The Nomahegan trail is a paved pathway that meanders through the park. At the southern end it is interrupted by Park Drive, which curves around the abandoned house. Trail users – including walkers, joggers, skaters, and cyclists of all ages – must enter the street to continue on to the other end of the trail.

The house at 112 Park Drive was vacated in 2007. Union County expressed interest in purchasing the property as early as 2010. Periodic negotiations with the owners continued until last summer, when an agreement was reached.

Nomahegan Park hosts athletic fields, a lake where fishing is permitted, fitness equipment and a playground, as well as paved pathways and forested areas. The Rahway River also runs through the park.

Union County was one the first counties in the U.S. to establish a county-owned system of public parks. Union County’s park system began construction in the 1920’s, after local preservationists became concerned over rapid development in the area.

Through public support for the Trust Fund and other land preservation initiatives over the years, the Union County park system has grown to include 36 parks totaling more than 6,700 acres.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Visitors to Union County’s Warinanco Park in Roselle were treated to an unusual sight earlier this week, when a Great Blue Heron took up temporary residence at the park’s fishing dock. To help protect birds and other wildlife from getting tangled in discarded fishing line, new “Reel in and Recycle” bins have been installed at Warinanco and other County parks. Anglers can safely dispose of broken or unwanted line in the bins. The line is collected and converted into new fishing gear. Everyone can help preserve local nature habitats by recycling or properly disposing plastic bags, bottles and other items. To participate in organized habitat improvement projects in Union County parks, visit the Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Trail program online at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-789-3683. Photo credit: County of Union, NJ.

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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.