County of Union, New JerseyDefault category for all normal press releases
Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada presents Evelyn Burnett Marchione with a resolution congratulating her on being named Linden’s 2017 Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year by the Linden Department of Public Property and Community Services during the city’s 59th annual Senior Citizen Day ceremony at the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center in Linden.
The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their families. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.
Necessary safety work will require road closure and detours
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a railroad crossing rehabilitation project that will require a week long closure and detour of Rahway Avenue in Westfield, Union County.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, May 8, until 7 p.m. Friday, May 12, the two-way traffic on Rahway Avenue in Westfield, which becomes Westfield Avenue in Clark is scheduled to be closed at the railroad crossing between Terminal Avenue in Clark and Lamberts Mill Road in Westfield. The existing railroad crossing will be removed and replaced with a new concrete crossing and asphalt approach. The following detours will remain in place:
Westfield Avenue Detour
Rahway Avenue Detour
The traffic detour will be coordinated with the local police. If work is completed earlier, the roadway will be reopened accordingly.
In order to provide safer and smoother railroad crossing in Westfield, the existing crossings will be replaced with new asphalt crossings and new asphalt approaches. This federally-funded project is included within NJDOT’s railroad grade-crossing safety program which repairs, upgrades, or removes approximately 30 crossings each year, statewide.
The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2017 Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program has awarded matching funds for 20 garden projects in nine different municipalities. The gardens will provide donations of fresh produce to those in need as well as education, recreation, civic service and social opportunities for gardeners and their communities.
The new round of funding follows on the success of the 2016 Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program, an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.
“This year’s group of awardees demonstrates that the community garden movement touches Union County residents of all ages and from all walks of life,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board I wish our awardees all the best for an enriching experience and a bountiful harvest.”
The 2017 UC Means Green garden grant program is administered by the non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth on behalf of Freeholder Board. Groundwork also administered the 2016 program, which covered 19 projects in 10 municipalities.
“Groundwork’s expert guidance helped to ensure a successful first year for the grant program,” said Bergen. “We’re pleased to have them on board again to administer the 2017 round of funding.”
“Many Union County residents are eager to reach out and help those in need, and community gardens provide an opportunity to participate in a service activity while also spending time out in the fresh air with friends and neighbors,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who chairs the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. “It is especially meaningful to engage our young people in raising and donating fresh produce, both as an educational experience and because helps them to see that even at a very young age they can still have a positive impact on the health and well-being of their families and the whole community.”
To help fill the demand for educational gardens, this year Granados introduced a new community garden funding program for schools called Union County Kids Dig In. Also administered by Groundwork, the new program is funding garden projects at 32 schools.
“We are thrilled to administer UC Kids Dig In and UC Means Green on behalf of the Freeholder Board,” said Groundwork Executive Director Jonathan Phillips. “Interest in community gardening is strong all across Union County, from our cities to our suburban areas. Growing food locally helps build healthier families, and often improves vacant and underused land for the benefit and enjoyment of local residents.”
The 2017 UC Means Green awardees are:
Elizabeth
Fanwood
New Providence
Plainfield
Roselle
Scotch Plains
Summit
Union Township
Westfield
UC Means Green and UC Kids Dig In awardees become members of Groundwork’s Come Grow With Us! community garden program, which provides seedlings and other resources to its members.
“Many of our UC Means Green awardees also receive support from their local municipalities,” said Bergen. “It’s a wonderful illustration of the ways in which County funding can enhance local resources to benefit more residents.”
The Union County community garden movement is also supported by community organizations and private sector partners, and it has even attracted state and federal interest.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has partnered with Groundwork through the More PEAS permaculture initiative, resulting in the construction of more than 100 new community garden beds in Elizabeth earlier this month.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Conservation Resource Service has also begun to partner with Groundwork in of support Union County community gardens. The agency traditionally provides assistance to rural farmers. Its interest in Union County is part of a new initiative to reach urban farmers and community gardens.
Rounding out the community garden picture in Union County is the Rutgers Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden. Located by the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, the garden has donated thousands of pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries and offers a variety of community education programs.
The Master Gardeners is an all-volunteer organization run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported by the Freeholder Board, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national Extension system.
For quick links to Union County environmental programs and more information about the Union County Extension, visit The Green Connection.
Photo caption: An empty field behind the historic Frazee House was transformed into the Scotch Plains – Fanwood Community Garden last year with the help of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen’s Union County Means Green garden grant initiative.
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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 28th Annual Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2017 rain or shine, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Demonstration Garden complex at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. The Fair is a project of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The Spring Garden Fair features hundreds of plants and for sale including deer resistant, drought tolerant and fragrant verities, and easy-to-grow vegetables, herbs and ornamentals for beginner gardeners.
“The Master Gardeners is an all-volunteer organization, and all proceeds from the sale go to fund the many service projects and activities they provide for the Union County community, said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Garden Fair is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to their work while adding color and greenery to your home, yard and neighborhood.”
Among the many highlights of the sale are heirloom tomatoes and tomato varieties ideal for containers and small gardens, hot peppers, hanging baskets and houseplants along with annual and perennial flowers for the garden.
Of special interest to tomato lovers are the Rutgers 250 and the Ramapo F1 Hybrid varieties.
The Rutgers 250 tomato is the new result from crossing the same parent varieties as the original ‘Rutgers’ tomato that was released by Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) in 1934. Rutgers 250 was selected for high fruit quality and flavor and was named in honor of the University’s 250th anniversary (the number of plants an individual can purchase may be limited due to demand).
The Ramapo F1 Hybrid tomato was developed at Rutgers NJAES and first released in 1968. It was prized by gardeners for its great flavor, fruit quality, reliability, and productivity. Ramapo seed was unavailable for many years but Rutgers NJAES continued receiving requests for this popular tomato and eventually reintroduced Ramapo F-1 seeds in 2008.
Other Spring Garden Fair highlights include:
The Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, in the Watchung Reservation. Free parking for the Spring Garden Fair is available in the Reservation at the Scout Camping Area, and in the parking lot at the corner of New Providence Road and Coles Avenue. Additional free parking is available in the nearby Loop playground area. Please note – no pets are allowed in the Garden Fair.
Visitors who plan to purchase plants are advised to bring a small wagon for ease of conveyance.
Rutgers Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers NJAES) in its mission to deliver horticulture programs and information to the general public. Anyone with an interest in gardening and a commitment to volunteer service can become a Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required.
For more information contact Judi Laganga at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office located in Westfield at 908-654-9854, visit the Extension page on the Union County website at ucnj.org/rce, or visit the Master Gardeners website at mastergardeners-uc.org.
Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.
For quick links to all Union County environmental and sustainability programs and activities visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.
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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 residents age 16 and older can contact the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation Department for information about becoming a certified Lifeguard this summer at the Walter Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway.
“Generations of Union County residents have enjoyed working as lifeguards while gaining valuable experiences for college applications and resumes,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to continue offering this opportunity to residents in search of a rewarding summer experience.”
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older by completion of their training. The starting pay is $11.00 per hour.
The 2017 season begins on June 24 and ends on September 4.
To find out about certification and physical requirements, email the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at Warinanco@ucnj.org or call 908-298-7849 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Union County, NJ – Nine Union County municipalities received an A or A- grade in the 2017 “Best Places to Live” in New Jersey by Niche, a website that produces comprehensive rankings, report cards, and profiles for K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Places to Live.
Rounding out the top areas to live in Union County are: Westfield (A grade, ranked #14 in NJ), Summit (A grade, ranked #27 in NJ), New Providence (A grade, ranked #32 in NJ), Fanwood (A grade, ranked #46 in NJ), Berkeley Heights (A- grade, ranked #59 in NJ), Scotch Plains (A- grade, ranked #79 in NJ), Cranford (A grade, ranked #92 in NJ), Springfield Township (A- grade), and Mountainside (A-).
“On average, all Union County municipalities raked well in the “Places to Live” in New Jersey ratings, illustrating the commitment of the Freeholder Board to maintain a stable quality of life for our residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.
The remaining Union County municipalities received an average rating of B (click here for complete list).
To compile the rankings, Niche considered several factors and statistics from multiple federal and local government sources such as the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources to help people better understand an area.
This year, Niche also used community reviews from residents into the rankings. The entire methodology rundown can be found here.
The results are also broken down into several categories, including best places for families, millennials and retirees as well as the top spots for safety, diversity and to buy a house.
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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 is pleased to present Selected Paintings by adult students from the art studio of the JCC of Central NJ in Scotch Plains. The Freeholders Gallery is located on the 6thfloor of the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza, in downtown Elizabeth. Gallery hours are 9 am to 5 pm, weekdays. The exhibit will be displayed through May 24, 2017.
The exhibit presents diverse acrylic works painted by Allie Cohen, Susan Ebner, Sally Fenichel, Lydia Fogelman, Arlene Klemow, Vera I. Lasser and Laura Queller, in a class taught by artist Debbie Livingston at the JCC. The students range in age from their 30s to their 70s.
Most of those whose work is displayed had little to no previous art training before taking Debbie Livingston’s class. Each session begins with a “learning to see” exercise, and provides a relaxed creative atmosphere.
Many of the paintings are presented in sets, as a series of triptychs.
“These evocative paintings reflect each artist’s own unique style and vision,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board.
The JCC offers a wide range of programs for people of all ages. For more information about the JCC of Central NJ, visit www.jccnj.org.
For further information, or to learn more about exhibiting at the Freeholders Gallery, contact the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone, 908-558-2550; or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ Relay users may dial 711.
Residents of Union County who are 60 years of age or older are invited to register for and exhibit an original work of art completed within the last three years in the annual Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit. Entrants may be either amateur/non-professional or professional artists.
The exhibit will be held in the Atrium of the Elizabethtown Gas Company, Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue, in Union, from May 30 to July 10, 2017. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, May 17.
All participating artists are invited to attend a reception in the Atrium on Wednesday, June 7, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., including live music and refreshments. The reception is an ideal opportunity to meet other artists.
“We’re delighted by the wide array of beautiful artwork created by senior artists in our county,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.
Artwork entered will be judged by a panel of professional artists. Awards will go to first, second, third place in each category, with honorable mentions as well. First Place winners in all categories will go on to compete in September at the New Jersey State Senior Citizens Art Show in East Windsor.
Any person who meets at least two of the following criteria is considered professional: a) sold the type of art entered in the exhibition through commercial channels; b) exhibited in professional galleries for two or more years; c) had work selected in two or more juried shows; d) has held professional membership in a guild or association.
The 11 categories of eligible work are: oil painting; acrylic painting; watercolor (including gouache); pastel (including chalk, charcoal and oil pastel); drawing (including drawings with pencil, pen, ink, graphite); mixed media (combines two or more media, no one of which clearly predominates; includes collage and assemblage); printmaking (etching, engraving, lithograph, woodcut, monoprint, monotype, silkscreen, etc.); sculpture (three dimensional, carved, or constructed in any medium, abstract or figurative, painted or unpainted); craft (one-of-a-kind creations only; no kits or molds; includes jewelry and pottery); digital/computer art (art generated using software; excludes digital photography); and photography (traditional or digital).
Hanging artwork, crafts and photos may not exceed 28,’’ nor be less than 10” in any dimension, including matte and frame. Sculpture or 3-D crafts may not exceed 20” in any dimension (measurements include any base for the sculpture). All work must be properly labeled and delivered “show-ready” with screw eyes and wiring ready for hanging. Where necessary, pictures must be protected with Plexiglas, glass, Mylar or other clear material. Plexiglas is strongly recommended, and required on pieces exceeding 24 inches.
For complete details and online application form, visit www.ucnj.org/senior-art-show. To receive an application by mail or email, call Martha Sturm, Senior Arts Coordinator, at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 908-558-2550, or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. Relay users dial 711. Completed applications may be: mailed to Senior Art Show, Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202; or faxed to 908-558-2652; or scanned and emailed to msturm@ucnj.org.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that 18 Union County municipalities have been awarded “Senior Focus” grants. Designed to support the well-being, safety and quality of life for senior adults in Union County, “Senior Focus” funding may be used for repairs and rehabilitation of senior center facilities or equipment for the centers.
“The senior population of Union County is growing, and with ‘Senior Focus’ we demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that local communities have the resources to continue improving their facilities, programs and services for seniors,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen.
“This initiative is intended to support our senior adults and provide access to services that impact their quality of life,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.
The“Senior Focus” grant made available awards of up to $25,000 to each of Union County’s 21 municipalities for capital improvements or equipment purchases to enhance their local senior center facilities. Qualifying centers must be owned by the municipality and used exclusively or primarily as a senior center.
Examples of improvements covered under the grant include ADA access improvements, repairs to or replacement the roof, plumbing and electrical upgrades, and site improvements.
In addition to capital projects, examples of acceptable equipment purchases could include computers/printers, stereos and headphones, and PA systems. The grant program was funded through a combination of County Capital and CDBG funds.
Offered as part of Chairman Bergen’s “Year of the Senior” 2016 initiatives, the new “Senior Focus” program (the last one was offered in 2002) complemented the recently completed “Seniors in Motion” program, which provided vans for senior transportation to the County’s municipalities.
Here is a list of towns that are receiving the grants, and what the money will be used for:
| Municipality | Amount | Projected Project |
| Clark | $25,000 | Senior Fitness Equipment |
| Cranford | $18,462 | Bingo System, PA System and 8 Surface Pro Computers |
| Elizabeth | $24,293 | 27 Computers |
| Fanwood | $25,000 | Roof, Windows, Window Coverings, PA System, iPad, Microwave |
| Garwood | $25,000 | Roof Repair and PA System |
| Hillside | $25,000 | Exterior Repairs Replace Handicap Ramp |
| Kenilworth | $23,400 | 4 doors Retrofit 2 doors Replaced |
| Linden | $24,000 | Ramp Update, Automatic Doors |
| Mountainside | $25,000 | Flooring, Seating, Computer, TV |
| New Providence | $15,500 | 100 Chairs, 8 Club Chairs, PA System, Copier |
| Plainfield | $25,000 | Senior Fitness Equipment, Flooring, Sewing machines |
| Rahway | $25,000 | Roof |
| Roselle | $25,000 | Lavatory Upgrades, Parking Lot Lighting, Ice Maker, Ceiling Tiles |
| Roselle Park | $25,000 | Roof |
| Scotch Plains | $25,000 | Bocce Court, Outdoor Seating, PA System, Ceiling Tiles, Chairs, Fitness Equipment, Signage, Tables |
| Springfield | $25,000 | Fitness Equipment, Audio Visual Equipment, Computers |
| Summit | $25,000 | Senior Lounge |
| Union | $25,000 | Senior Center Roof |
| Total | $430,655 | |