County of UnionDefault category for all normal press releases
Today, upon his retirement, the Union County Sheriff’s Office saluted Detective Charles Mancuso with a traditional walkout ceremony on the steps of the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Thank you, Det. Mancuso for your 25 years of service to this office and the people of Union County. We wish you the best of luck in your retirement.
Mountainside, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the return of the popular Wednesday Matinee series at Trailside Nature & Science Center beginning on July 11 and through August 15.
This engaging family entertainment series begins at 1:30 p.m. each week and runs approximately 45 minutes. All shows are recommended for children ages 4 and up. Admission is $5.00 per person and tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m.
“The Summer Wednesday Matinee series at Trailside offers an educational and entertaining way to make science fun,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.
The season kicks off on July 11 with FIRE & ICE, a program which uses simple and exciting experiments to uncover the process of science.
The series continues with TOUCH OF NATURE on July 18, where the wonders of nature are just a touch away, and audience members can meet a variety of live animals, including lizards, snakes and alligators.
On July 25, SCIENCE OF MAGIC delights its audience, using mirrors, magnets and optical illusions; educating and entertaining while demonstrating principles of light and reflection.
The fun continues on August 1 with OUTRAGEHISS PETS, a unique and educational live animal show which offers the opportunity to meet amazing creatures from all over the world. The program is certain to spark the curiosity of the audience as it offers surprising facts about each animal.
On August 8 PURELY FUN WITH MR. FISH uses magnetism, light, air, optical illusions, condensation and mental confusion to teach audiences to do magic. The final show of the season, on August 15, is SPIN POP BOOM. Audiences can defy gravity in this energetic and spectacular show. Didgeridoo tubes, foaming hands and steaming chemical reactions introduce children to the exciting world of chemistry.
For more information about the Wednesday Matinee series or other upcoming programs and special events, call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.
Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.
For more environmental programs and activities in Union County visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.
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Caption: The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to announce an exciting lineup of interesting, entertaining and educational Wednesday Matinees this summer at the Trailside Nature and Science Center. Featuring live animals and super science fun, the Wednesday Matinee series starts on July 11 and continues through August 15. Shows begin at 1:30 p.m. each week and runs approximately 45 minutes. All shows are recommended for children ages 4 and up. Admission is $5.00 per person and tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m. For more information about the series and other upcoming programs and special events, call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.
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.
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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 – As another heat wave rolls into New Jersey, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that resources are available for cooling off during extreme hot weather. The National Weather Service has called a heat advisory for the Union County area from 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon June 29 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday June 30.
The heat wave is expected to last through Sunday.
Residents are advised to stay indoors when possible and keep outdoor activity to a low level. The sun’s heat easily penetrates windows, so shutting drapes, shades and curtains will help keep indoor spaces cooler during the day.
If there is no cooling available at home, relief can be found at a library, senior center, community center, museum, mall, or any other cooled public space where seating is available.
The following municipalities in Union County are offering cooling centers. Residents planning to visit these locations are encouraged to call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Elizabeth
Miller Evans Logan Recreation Center
161-163 First Street
This Friday 3pm– 10pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Sunday Closed
Monday 10:30am– 10pm
Elmora Racquet Club
23 Fernwood Terrace
Monday through Friday 7am – 10pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Sunday Closed
Peterstown Community Center
408 Palmer Street
(908) 820-4288
Monday through Friday 12pm – 10pm
Saturday 10am- 4pm
Sunday Closed
Fanwood
Chelsea Senior Living Center
295 South Ave.
908-654-5200
Open daily 8am – 8pm
Linden
Linden Public Library
31 East Henry Street
908-298-3830
Monday through Thursday 9am-9pm
Friday 9:30am-9pm
Saturday 9:00am-5pm
John T. Gregorio Recreation Center
330 Helen Street
908-474-8627
Monday through Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed
Linden Multi-Purpose Center
1025 John Street
908-474-8639
Mon, Wed & Friday 8:30am-8pm
Tues & Thurs 8:30am-10pm
Saturday and Sunday Closed
Plainfield
Plainfield Senior Center
400 East Front Street
908-753-3506
Open daily 9am-5pm
Rahway
Rahway Library
5075, 2 City Hall Plaza,
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732)340-1551
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 9am-8pm
Tuesday 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday Closed
Rahway Recreation Center
275 E Milton Ave
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 669-3600
Monday-Friday 7am-9pm
Saturday 8am-1pm
Sunday Closed
*7/3 close at 5pm and 7/4 Closed
Union
Senior Center
968 Bonnel Court
908-851-5290
Open daily 8:30am-4:00pm
Townhall
1976 Morris Ave.
908-851-8500
Monday – Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed
For more information on resources for senior citizens, contact the Union County Division on Aging toll-free, 888-280-8226.
Union County’s public recreation facilities can also offer some respite from the heat. In Rahway, the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway River Park is open seven days a week. For information on hours of operation call 732-381-4045.
Spray parks are available for children at Union County’s Warinanco Park in Roselle, Phil Rizzuto Park in Union, Snyder Park in Berkeley Heights, Ponderosa Park in Scotch Plains, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, and Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. For maps and directions visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.
The Loop playground in the Watchung Reservation includes a mist feature, and the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside is a short walk away. It is open seven days a week from noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. For information on special activities call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.
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Union County, NJ – Union County residents seeking information about services for senior adults age 60 and up can visit the Aging Service Kiosk (ASK) program at five public libraries in July to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging.
“This person-to-person service is designed to help seniors access resources that can help them live independently and with dignity in their neighborhoods,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “By bringing our staff into local communities, we also hope to reach seniors in a relaxed environment where they feel comfortable.”
Staff will be present at public libraries in Mountainside, Linden, Clark, Fanwood and Union.
Any Union County resident, caregiver or family member can visit any of the ASK locations.
Through the ASK program, staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection travel throughout Union County providing information about home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care support services for caregivers and more.
Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.
The July 2018 dates and locations are:
Friday, July 6
Mountainside Public Library
Constitution Plaza
Mountainside, 07092
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Wednesday, July 11
Linden Public Library
31 E. Henry Street
Linden, 07036
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Monday, July 16
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Wednesday, July 25
Fanwood Public Library
5 Forest Road
Fanwood, 07023
10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Tuesday, July 31
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
All Union County residents are welcome to attend the ASK events.
The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.
Dates and locations of upcoming ASK program stops are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, ucnj.org.
For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, call 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4858, or visit online at ucnj.org.
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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 – Each year, Union County students who love cats, dogs and other pets join the Union County 4-H Pet Club to explore their passion while learning teamwork, public speaking and other important life skills. Now the 4-H Pet Club is seeking an adult volunteer to lead the group during the 2018 – 2019 school year.
“Any adult who is looking for an opportunity to give back to the community and share their knowledge with our youth is welcome to apply to lead the 4-H Pet Club,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “It’s a rewarding experience that connects adult mentors with students, and contributes to an engaged and supportive society.”
All Union County 4-H clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Freeholder Board.
The 4-H clubs meet in small groups at the Extension offices on Saturday mornings, in the Colleen Fraser Building at the Union County complex in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. The meetings begin in September and follow the school calendar until next June.
The Pet Club will include about 10 students in grades 5 and 6. The Pet Club leader provides guidance to the club members as they learn about pet care, including craft projects and other activities.
The extension provides all 4-H club leaders with support throughout the year, including teaching ideas and materials.
4-H is a national youth development program under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through Extension offices in almost 3,000 counties. The Extension system is aimed at helping the public learn, apply and share scientific research and fact-based knowledge to daily life. 4-H supports the goals of Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for engaging people of all ages in education, environmental stewardship and community volunteering.
For more information about volunteering for the 4-H Pet Club or joining a 4-H club, contact Union County 4-H agent James Nichnadowicz at nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu or 908-654-9854, or visit online at ucnj.org/rce.
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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 invites residents age 60 and older to attend a public meeting to discuss their concerns and needs. The meeting will be hosted by staff of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection on Tuesday, July 24, at the Buckle Center, 25 Wavecrest Avenue in Winfield Park, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Information from the meeting will become part of Union County’s Area Plan on Aging for the years 2019 to 2021.
“This public meeting is an opportunity for Union County residents to be part of the process and make their voices heard as we plan ahead for senior services in the coming years,” said Freeholder Chairman Granados. “Attendees at the meeting will discuss available services, identify service gaps and explore ways in which our Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection can be of additional assistance.”
The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource (ADRC) is one of 670 Area Agencies on Aging established nationwide under the federal Older Americans Act, serving seniors age 60 and older.
“As of 2016, seniors age 60 and older accounted for 19.6 percent of Union County’s total population,” said Chairman Granados. “This is a large and very diverse group, and participation from the public helps to ensure that our planning documents are based on comprehensive information about their needs.”
The US Census Bureau has estimated a total population of 563,892 for Union County as of July 2017.
ADRC coordinates senior services with the New Jersey Department of Human Services through the Area Plan on Aging, which is updated at regular intervals. The plan describes service needs as identified by senior residents, establishes priorities, and explains how the federal Older Americans Act and state funding will be used to reach plan goals.
ADRC provides information and assistance to residents and is the link to services for older adults and caregivers, focusing on promoting choice for older adults so they can age in place with dignity. ADRC prioritizes services to promote independence with home care, legal services and wellness programs including home delivered meals, 24 nutrition sites offering lunch daily throughout the county, and the Farmers Market food voucher summer program. The State Respite Program and Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving Program programs are also coordinated at ADRC to provide respite services for caregivers.
For more information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call 908-527-4870 or the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or visit the Union County government website at www.ucnj.org.
Spanish speakers can call ADRC at 908-527-4863, and printed information is available in both English and Spanish.
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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.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented Recycling Enhancement Grants to representatives from 15 municipalities totaling $134,600. The grant program, which aims at improving local recycling rates, is administered by Union County with funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. For more information, visit ucnj.org/recycling. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to the members of the Roselle Park Wrestling Team, congratulating them on achieving 1,000 victories in its 82nd year scholastic competition, a feat accomplished by only one other team in New Jersey history. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
By Freeholder Christopher Hudak, June 2018
Whether it’s responding to emergencies, getting our children to school, establishing a business, commuting to work, or simply going out for a night on the town: the residents of Union County all depend on public infrastructure to ensure that our communities are safe, prosperous and enjoyable places to live.
Providing modern and up-to-date infrastructure should be a “no-brainer” responsibility of government, but alas, national roads and bridges are crumbling. Failing to maintain our infrastructure not only leaves our nation unsafe and inconvenienced, it locks us out of economic opportunities.
Today, Union County municipalities are still struggling to find room in their budgets for basic improvements to local roads and public buildings, leaving business districts choked and causing a delay in re-vitalization projects for flood control and sewer improvements. That is why I stand behind the Union County Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program, which continues to be a valuable source of partnership and resources between our County and Local Governments.
In 2015, we proudly established this matching grant program. Motivated by a need to better manage revenue from the sale of Runnels Hospital, we decided that these funds served the County best by being reinvested directly back into the community. Through this grant: we’ve built roads, we’ve created jobs, and we’ve made our community better.
The grant program received an enthusiastic response from the start because it empowers local governments to prioritize the projects that they know will make a significant difference in their communities. Including this year’s awards, the county has made available $6 million dollars of infrastructure grant funding to the 21 municipalities- leveraging a possible total of $12 million towards infrastructure spending which otherwise may not have been appropriated across the municipal budgets.
My hometown of Linden provides an excellent example of how a spirit of partnership with County Government can lead to progress.
In the four years of the grant program, Linden has received a total of $415,000 dollars- that’s enough to help cover the cost of six major road and sidewalk improvement projects. Long stretches of East Blancke Street, West Henry Street, Maple Avenue, Knopf Street, Amon Terrace and Laurita Street have all been improved thanks to the funding from this grant. This includes the replacement of manhole covers, castings, improvements to sidewalks and curbs, and total re-pavements.
People rarely consider roads and bridges until they fail. That is why these long overdue repairs have eased the burden of travel around our town.
The curb and sidewalk improvements have been an even more noticeable difference for pedestrians, especially for Linden residents who are elderly or disabled, and for those who push strollers or accompany small children.
Whether you are driving, walking or cycling, roads and walkways are the lifeblood of a functioning community, and I am proud that this Freeholder Board continues to provide the financial assistance that enables Linden and all of our 21 municipalities to keep Union County moving forward.
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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.
LINDEN, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the return of Shakespeare in the Park this summer. The first performance will be presented on Sunday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade in Linden.
The Shrew Mechanicals Troupe from The Shakespeare Theatre of New jersey will present an hour long performance of “Powerful Trouble,” a stirring collection of moments and music from Shakespeare’s great canon of plays, as well as selections from some of the profound, witty, and light-hearted works his plays have inspired over the centuries.
“We are thrilled to have the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey back in our parks this summer to offer their amazing performance to our Union County residents,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.
The production will also be presented on two other dates: Friday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside, and on Sunday afternoon, July 22, at 12:30 p.m. in Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.
All performances are free and have something for every audience.
For more information on Shakespeare in the Park and other programs of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, visit online at ucnj.org, email parksinfo@ucnj.org 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.