Category: Public Info

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites members of the community to honor the memory of the 60 Union County residents who perished in the World Trade Center attack of 2001, by visiting the Union County September 11th Memorial on Wednesday, September 11 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

The Memorial is open from the morning hours until 9:00 p.m. on September 11. Members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office will provide a uniformed Honor Guard standing watch at the memorial from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to bring and light candles in memory of those lost in the attacks.

“On this date, we honor those who perished, we remember the many acts of bravery that occurred that day, and we reaffirm the Union County community as one that pulls together, through times of peace and crisis alike,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

The Union County September 11th Memorial incorporates elements of design that include all three sites where lives were lost. Two girders recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center are arranged within a five sided area representing the Pentagon, and an Eternal Flame represents those who died in Pennsylvania along with members of the Armed Services and emergency responders.

In addition to these elements, the names of the 60 deceased Union County residents are etched into the memorial.

Union County worked with residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union and Westfield to plan and build the Memorial.

Dedicated on Sept. 13, 2003, the memorial was constructed through private donations including in-kind work by labor unions and materials at cost.

The memorial is located on a hill at the border of Mountainside and Springfield in Echo Lake Park, near the Springfield Avenue entrance at the eastern end of the park.

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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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   Regional Plan Association to make public presentation “A Preventable Crisis, The Economic and Human Costs of a Hudson River Rail Tunnel Shutdown”

Trenton, NJ – Commuters, area residents, business owners, elected officials, community groups and other stakeholders can help advocate for mass transit improvements by attending a free public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 16 at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford. The meeting is hosted by the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition, which includes representatives from four counties along NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line, with a total population of 1.7 million.

The Regional Plan Association, a non-profit public policy agency that examines various issues, will present information from their report, “A Preventable Crisis, The Economic and Human Costs of a Hudson River Rail Tunnel Shutdown.” The report details the devastating economic and quality-of -life impact that any extended closures of the rapidly, deteriorating 108-year-old Hudson River train tunnels would have on the regional economy, including Union County. 

All are welcome to attend the free event. The Cranford Community Center is ADA accessible and free parking is located on site.

“A preventable crisis is brewing under the Hudson River in the form of aging, outdated rail tunnels that are urgently in need of repair, making it all the more imperative to secure funding for a new tunnel,” said Union County Freeholder Chair and RVRC Trustee Bette Jane Kowalski. “By joining our voices together we can more effectively communicate our concerns and advocate for action, both at the state and federal level.”

Union County has eight NJ Transit train stations on the Raritan Valley Line, which has been beleaguered by delays and cancellations, as do three other member counties of the RVRC— Hunterdon Middlesex, and Somerset.

The evening will also include information on various other transit-related issues.

The Gateway project has been described as the largest and most economically significant infrastructure project currently under planning in the U.S. Consisting of a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River and related work, Gateway will have a direct impact on New Jersey and New York City, as well as the entire metro area and northeastern U.S.

The Gateway improvements are located in the heart of the Northeast Corridor, the most heavily used passenger train line in the country. It accounts for 20 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. An estimated 10 percent of U.S. GDP depends on transit between New York and New Jersey alone.

The Northeast Corridor carries more than 800,000 passengers in 2,000 trains daily across eight states and Washington, D.C. In 2016, Amtrak reported that implementation of the full Gateway project could generate $3.87 worth of economic benefits for every $1.00 spent.

The Raritan Valley Line carries 23,500 passengers daily, making it NJ Transit’s third most-used rail line. Though thousands of riders use it for their daily commute to Penn Station in New York City, the Raritan Valley Line employs diesel locomotives that are not permitted the Hudson River tunnels. As a result, riders are forced to disembark in Newark each time and wait for an electric train.

The Coalition launched almost 20 years ago with the aim of achieving a one-seat ride into New York, with membership including representatives from Union, Somerset, Middlesex and Hunterdon Counties, along with a Mayors Alliance and State officials.

The effort achieved partial success in 2014, when NJ Transit acquired dual-mode locomotives that could travel through the tunnels. However, the one-seat opportunity never expanded beyond a limited, off-peak trial. It was suspended in 2018 as NJ Transit focused on other priorities.

The Coalition can be reached on email at info@Raritanvalleyrail.com. For additional information visit online at raritanvalleyrail.com, follow on Facebook at facebook.com/raritanvalleyrail, or follow on Twitter at twitter.com/rvrailcoalition.

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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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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Lana Liddy-LaPadura in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.

A selection of her work entitled “Suburban” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until October 19. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Lana Liddy-LaPadura’s work on display,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Ms. Liddy-LaPadura is a gifted abstract painter who expresses emotion through vibrant color and form.”

Lana Liddy-LaPadura is a self-taught painter and visual artist who studied film at SUNY Purchase and completed an intensive certificate program at the NY Film Academy. Upon graduating, Lana continued in the field of arts working off Broadway, in television productions, and teaching Communications courses for higher education.

In 2001 she switched gears and began a journey of the soul. As her focus moved inward, Lana became a teacher of yoga, meditation and wellness practices. It was during one Art through Yoga class where she reconnected with her love of painting. Lana said of her work, “Now several years later, I continue to use movement, medium and mood to push forth colorful stories on my canvases. I believe that my often vibrant and emotionally charged paintings are born ironically from a place of quiet stillness.”

Lana’s artwork has been on display in local galleries and exhibits throughout New Jersey. In 2018 she received the “Judges Choice Award” at the RP Loves ARTS Festival in New Jersey and most recently had her work selected for the prestigious NJ Gaelen Juried Art show. Lana often paints in nature or out of her studio “Below Gallery” within her happy home in Fanwood, New Jersey, where she resides with her wife and daughter.

To see more of Lana’s artwork, visit www.lanaliddylapadura.com or you can follow her on Instagram @lana.liddylapadura.

Union County artists interested in exhibiting in the Pearl Street gallery space are welcome to apply. Artists’ works must be able to be hung on a wall.

For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ Relay users can dial 711.

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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 — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders wishes to remind residents about the many exciting programs coming up during the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Fall 2019 season.

“Union County has a variety of events for residents of all ages, allowing them to experience and enjoy our parks system,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support these cultural, artistic and musical experiences for our families and residents.”

The Fall 2019 season includes:

Rockin’ the Reservation

Residents are invited to visit the Watchung Reservation on Sunday, September 29th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event features live music and hands-on, family-friendly activities. Rockin’ the Reservation is filled with fun for everyone and includes art demonstrations, interactive art and music, pony rides, petting zoo, food trucks, scarecrow building, multicultural dancing, and more. Admission is $5 per person, and attendees age 7 and under are admitted for free (additional fees are charged for some activities).

Hayrides and Campfires

Come join the fun this fall as Union County presents the annual Hayrides and Campfires in Warinanco Park and the Watchung Reservation. Hayrides and Campfires include folk songs around the campfire, hot chocolate and marshmallows toasted over the fire. Events are weather permitting.

Dates and locations for Hayrides and Campfires are: 

Warinanco Park, Roselle

• Friday, October 4th – 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

 

Trailside Nature & Science Center, Mountainside

• Sunday, October 6th – 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 11th – 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Sunday, October 13th – 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 18th – 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. 

Advanced ticket sales begin September 4th (Online & In-person)

• In-County: $6.00
• Out-of-County: $12.00

Four Centuries in a Weekend

As a part of the Four Centuries in a Weekend series of events, residents will have an opportunity on Sunday, October 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to explore The Deserted Village/Glenside Park, rain or shine! Take guided and self-guided tours, meet five people who built, owned or worked in this village, take hay rides, talk to an archaeologist, do some apple cider pressing, enjoy some old-fashioned children’s games, & shop in the General Store. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Haunted Hayrides

There will be several Haunted Hayrides through the Deserted Village of Feltville in the Watchung Reservation just in time for Halloween! Imagine visiting a whole village of haunted houses and meeting the ghosts of people who actually lived there.

Haunted Hayrides will be held on:

• Friday, October 25 – 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 26 – 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 27 – 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Rain date – Monday, October 28th

The total program experience lasts about one hour. The program is intended for adults and children age 6 and older. Strollers cannot be accommodated. Tickets are sold for rides at specific times as noted on your ticket.

Advanced ticket sales begin September 17 

• In-County: $8.00
• Out-of-County: $16.00

Pumpkin Sail at Lower Echo Lake Park

Bring your carved jack-o-lantern to Echo Lake Park the day after Halloween and join others for Great Pumpkin Sail on Friday, November 1 from 5:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Watch as your pumpkin is put on a float on the lake. There will be a campfire sing along and residents can enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows. Rain date is Saturday, November 2, also from 5:15 PM to 9:30 PM.

Advanced ticket sales begin October 2. (Online & In-person) 

• In-County: $12.00 per family of six (6)
• Out-of-County: $16.00 per family of six (6)

For more details on ticket prices, locations, dates and times, and additional information on activities in Union County Parks visit ucnj.org/calendar or call the Parks Department at 908-527-4900.

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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 Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Sergio Granados and Rebecca Williams joined Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith and Deputy Mayor Josh Losardo at the official reopening of Greenside Playground in Scotch Plains after recent upgrades to the park.

The improvement project was funded by a $50,000 of grant from the Union County Kids’ Recreation Trust. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that free scrap metal drop off sites are open in September.  A wide variety of metal goods, from household appliances to gutters and sheds, are included in the program.

“This countywide program helps to fill a service gap in some Union County municipalities that currently have no pickup for scrap metal recycling,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “As a community, we benefit across the board by recycling more and throwing away less waste – and we also stand to gain some revenue from the program.”

Scrap metal drop off will be accepted Thursday, September 5 and Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Scrap metal from any municipality may be brought to either of the following drop-off centers:

• Cranford:  Emergency Services/Traffic Enforcement, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway:  Service Yard in Rahway River Park (near swimming pool), St. Georges Avenue

The scrap metal recycling program is available to residents, commercial establishments, nonprofit agencies and other organizations. It is available the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month, from April through November.

Acceptable items for recycling include aluminum scrap, aluminum cans, aluminum siding, bicycles, brass, copper, dishwashers, electric fans, fencing (chain/wire), freezers, gutters, irons, lawn furniture, metal cabinets, metal sheds, microwaves, pots and pans, railings, refrigerators, stoves, tire rims, toasters, washers and dryers, window frames (no glass), and wire hangers.

The Freeholder Board also reminds residents to download the free Recycle Coach app for the latest news and information on all countywide and local recycling programs. The app can be downloaded at ucnj.org/recycle.

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

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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 – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next two free mobile paper shredding events of 2019 for personal and confidential documents will be held on September 12 in Linden and September 20 in Westfield.

“Union County’s mobile document shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred your confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with other Green Initiatives in Union County.”

The first shredding event will be on Thursday, September 12 at the Linden Recycling Center, located at 2 Donaldson Place in Linden, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

The second shredding event will be on Friday, September 20^th at the Westfield Memorial Pool, located at 713 Cumberland Street in Westfield. The program will also run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Both shredding events will take place rain or shine. Shredding events will end before 1:00 p.m. if the shredding truck(s) reach capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. It is preferred that you bring your material in paper bags.

Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Please note that paper that is already shredded will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program. 

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then placed onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled via local paper mills. 

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The Freeholder Board also reminds residents to download the free Recycle Coach app for the latest news and information on all countywide and local recycling programs, located at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

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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 Sheriff Peter Corelli, Undersheriffs Dennis Burke, Amilcar Colon and Jonathan Parham and dozens of Union County Sheriff’s Officers joined Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and local volunteers in making sandwiches for the needy as part of the Assemblywoman’s annual “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation” food drive at St. Joseph’s Social Service Center in Elizabeth. The event is in partnership with the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless and the St. Joseph’s Social Service Center. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

In preparation for the beginning of the school year, the Union County Immunization Clinic, located at 40 Parker Road, Elizabeth, will offer extended hours for eligible school children from Monday, August 19 through Friday, August 30.

Children who are at least 2 months old and under age 19 and who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured or underinsured may receive free vaccines at the Immunization Clinic to prevent disease. The clinic offers a series of vaccines suggested by the federal Centers for Disease Control as well as required vaccines for public school admission.

“Vaccines are required for public school admission, and the extended hours will help parents and caregivers access this free service for eligible school children,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The health and safety of children is a top priority for the Freeholder Board.”

The clinic normally operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the extended hours, appointments will be accepted until 6:30 p.m. from August 19 through August 30.

Appointments are recommended, by calling 908-965-3627 or 908-965-3868. Walk-ins for school aged children may also be accepted but must arrive before 6:00 p.m.

To receive vaccinations for a child, parents or guardians are required to provide the eligible child’s birth certificate, current vaccination records, parent or legal guardians ID. Parents must also bring proof of residence such as a lease or utility bill in their name. Legal guardians must also have guardianship papers from the Court. If the child is in school, a referral by a school nurse must be presented.

Union County’s Immunization Clinic, in operation since 1995, is part of the federal CDC Vaccines for Children program and is part of each state’s Medicaid plan. The Immunization Center provides information about available health services to families in need, in addition to screenings and immunizations for eligible children.

For more information on the Union County Immunization Clinic, to schedule an appointment, or to determine if a child qualifies for services call 908-965-3627/3868.

For personal assistance with any service provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, call the UCDHS Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

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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 — Hey Bulldog, an all-New Jersey group of musicians, will gather to play the songs of the Beatles at Union County’s free, Summer Arts Concert Series at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday, August 21.

“This should be a great concert. Hey Bulldog’s performance of some of the Beatles’ greatest hits will be a treat for residents of all ages,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is proud to sponsor this concert event as part of our free Summer Arts Concert Series.”

Playing the music of the Beatles since 2004, Hey Bulldog is a diverse group of musicians from the New Brunswick area who joined together for an open jam to play Beatles songs on John Lennon’s birthday, and have been playing together ever since. Members stay true to their individual style, playing some of the best songs ever written with creativity, passion, and originality.

The concert will take place at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. It is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, towel or yoga mat for UC Fit Yoga, led by Satsang Yoga of Westfield, beginning at 6:30 pm. The concert will begin promptly at 7:30 pm. A food truck and an ice cream truck will be present.

For more details on the Summer Arts Concert Series and more summer activities in Union County Parks visit ucnj.org/calendar or call the Parks Department at 908-527-4900.

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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.