Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and visitors to continue taking steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites and help reduce the mosquito population.

“It has been an unusually hot and rainy summer, and we are urging residents to take simple steps to prevent mosquito bites,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “This will contribute to a healthier community and help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.”

Of note, officials with the New Jersey State Department of Health expect that there may be an uptick in the number of mosquito sampling sites statewide that test positive for West Nile Virus, due to unusually wet conditions that enable mosquitos to breed.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Even an area as small as a bottle cap can become a breeding area.

To help reduce breeding opportunities, residents and businesses are advised to check their property regularly for water collecting in outdoor equipment, children’s toys and playsets, and garden ornaments including flower pots, buckets, recycling containers, grills, wheelbarrows and tarpaulins.

Unused pools, fountains and ornamental ponds should be drained and covered. Water in birdbaths should be refreshed daily, and gutters should be checked regularly.

Discarded tires, litter and other debris should be removed from the property, as they can hold small amounts of stagnant water.

Additional guidance for property owners is available through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at nj.gov/dep/mosquito/owners.htm.

To avoid mosquito bites, residents are advised to use EPA-registered insect repellants and to follow all instructions on the label carefully.

Another effective precaution is to wear long, light-colored clothing when outdoors. Exposure can also be reduced by avoiding time outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

The Union County Bureau of Mosquito Control regularly inspects and tests for mosquitoes throughout the County and conducts spraying operations as needed. The County’s first Mosquito Control Commission was established over 100 years ago and is the second oldest in the nation.

Mosquito infestations can be reported by calling the Union County Mosquito Hotline at 908-654-9834 during business hours. County inspectors will examine the property and provide guidance on eliminating breeding sites. If necessary, the inspectors will also survey the surrounding area.

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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 is pleased to announce the 2018 Union County Library Grant awards for 20 public, municipal libraries in Union County. The grants are designed to assist public libraries with funding that enriches and supports children’s programming.

“Our community is stronger when we all work together to provide every child with opportunities to learn and grow,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Public libraries exemplify this community spirit, and the Freeholder Board is proud to help strengthen local library services in our municipalities.”

“The Library Grant program helps to ensure that public libraries in Union County have the resources to foster a contemporary learning environment for the next generation. Up-to-date programming and equipment is especially important in terms of helping children to prepare for careers in STEM and related fields,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who initiated the grant program in 2016.

The 2018 Library Grants are funded by non-tax dollars through the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund.

“Hands-on learning through individual and group activities is the foundational experience that libraries provide, and they are an essential part of the recreational resources for children in Union County,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Chairman of the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic reservation Trust Fund. 

Each of the 20 municipalities with a public library applied for a 2018 Library Grant and received an award of $3,750.00. Those are: Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, Union and Westfield.

This year’s awards will cover the cost of children’s programming including Mad Science and other STEM topics as well as arts enrichment, new books and computer equipment, games and activities, SAT prep and more.

The Library Grants Program supports the goals of Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative to encourage lifelong learning, individual empowerment and giving back to the community.

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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 reminds residents seeking emergency shelter and other services that the new 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline number is now 908-249-4815.

The new Hotline number took effect as of Tuesday, August 7. It is staffed and operated by Gateway Family YMCA as a program of the Union County Department of Human Services.

The Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist Union County individuals and families.

“The Union County 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline is a valuable resource for those in need of emergency housing and other vital services in times of struggle.” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “If you are an individual or family challenged by homelessness, please reach out and call for assistance.”

The Hotline enables persons in need of assistance to connect with Gateway personnel, who may refer them to shelter on an emergency basis, or refer them to services that help prevent at-risk households from becoming homeless.

“It’s never too late to call for help. Gateway Family YMCA makes positive difference in our community by helping homeless and low-income households to achieve stable housing and self-sufficiency,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Board’s Liaison to the Union County Human Services Advisory Council.

The Union County Department of Human Services partners with community based social services agencies to connect residents with services, resources and assistance needed for health, well-being and economic opportunity.

Persons who are homeless or at risk of being homeless can call the 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline at 908-249-4815.

For additional resources the Continuum of Care/Homeless Unit of the Union County Department of Human Services online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services, or call 908-527-4861 or 908-527-4874. 

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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 reminds residents that free outdoor events and activities continue this week with a screening of The Lion King at Bauer Promenade in Linden on Monday evening, a full slate of National Night Out activities with Cars 3 at Meisel Park in Springfield on Tuesday, and the Summer Arts Festival at Oak Ridge Park featuring the band American Rapture and a free yoga session on Wednesday.

“When the sun starts going down and the temperature begins to cool, it’s a perfect time to get some fresh air and enjoy healthy outdoor fun with family and friends,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

In view of this week’s hot weather, attendees are advised to bring plenty of water along with picnic blankets and lawn chairs.

Children should be encouraged to take frequent breaks to cool off and drink water. Pets should also be provided with water and watched for signs of overexertion.

This week’s activities are:

Monday, August 6: The Lion King at Bauer Promenade on Wood Avenue in Linden. The movie begins at dusk with free popcorn for children. Come early at 7:00 p.m. and enjoy a visit with the Trailside Nature and Science Center’s Eco Van, a traveling nature exhibit.

Tuesday, August 7: National Night Out at Meisel Park on Mountain Avenue in Springfield, featuring police and emergency vehicles on display, live demonstrations by the Union County Police, S.W.A.T., Bomb Squad, Sheriff’s K-9, inflatable rides, free hotdogs and more from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The movie, Cars 3, begins at dusk with free popcorn.

Wednesday, August 8: The free UC Get Fit yoga session with Satsang Yoga begins at 6:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, then American Rapture takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Union County residents and visitors can also cool off at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway, open seven days a week.

Playgrounds with sprinkler features are available at several County parks including Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, Warinanco Park in Roselle, Rizzuto Park in Union, Ponderosa Farm Park in Scotch Plains, and Snyder Avenue Park in Berkeley Heights. The Loop Playground in the Watchung Reservation includes a cooling mist feature.

Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center provides a cooled indoor environment for afternoon activities with a weekly matinee on Wednesdays in August. Admission is free daily and a modest fee applies to special events and activities.

For hours, locations, and more details about Union County parks and outdoor activities visit ucnj.org/parks-activities/ or call 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.