Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The drug Narcan enables family and friends to act quickly to prevent a potentially lethal overdose from taking the life of a loved one, and you can find out how to administer it effectively by taking a free, confidential training class offered by Union County in partnership with JSAS Healthcare, Inc. and the non-profit organization Prevention Links.

“Often, family and friends are the first to be on the scene of an overdose, and they want to be able to help,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “These training classes are a judgment-free zone in which you can learn how to help a loved one – or any member of the public – survive a crisis.”

Narcan, also known as naloxone, is the antidote administered to save someone who has overdosed on heroin or other opioids.

Union County residents can attend either of the following two sessions:

• March 31, 2016, starting promptly at 6:00 p.m. at the Union County Engineering Building, 1^st Floor, 2325 South Avenue in Scotch Plains.

• April 18, 2016, starting promptly at 6:00 p.m. at Raymond Lesniak ESH Recovery High School at Kean University Campus School West, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.

The Narcan training session is open to anyone who is in an at risk situation in their family or circle of friends for an overdose.  All eligible participants will receive a free Narcan (naloxone) kit and free information and linkage to substance abuse treatment resources.

For more information please contact Nasrene Mondol, the County Alliance Coordinator, at 908-527-4852 or nmondol@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.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite families with children of all ages and adults alike to celebrate wildlife and embrace environmental conservation at an exciting daylong event at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside, New Jersey on Sunday, April 24, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., rain or shine.

Wild Earth Fest is an entertaining family event where attendees can learn ways to become eco-friendly and increase awareness of wildlife conservation.  Among the events taking place will be live animal demonstrations, educational displays, live music, giveaways and vendors.  This year’s children’s activities include a bounce house and slide; face painting, Recycling Olympics and Eco-Art.  In addition, the winners of the Wildlife Photography Contest and Environmental Hero Awards will be announced during the event.  To nominate an Environmental Hero in your community or participate in the Wildlife Photography Contest visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.   

“Wild Earth Fest is a very worthwhile and educational day.  We are so proud to celebrate 75 Years of Environmental Education at Trailside,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Laugh, learn and celebrate the wonderful world of reptiles at 11:30 a.m. with Rizzo’s Reptile Discovery, LLC.  Meet live turtles, snakes and a gator as you have fun learning about the characteristics of these cold-blooded creatures.  Eyes of the Wild will perform at 12:30 p.m. bringing live mammals with interesting adaptations and behaviors to the stage.  Prepare to laugh out loud at the life stories of each unique animal, their often humorous personality, fun facts and anecdotes.

Stop by the Wolf Visions table throughout the event to see a live wolf and find out why they are important in a balanced ecosystem.  Vinnie Reo will dispel the myths and legends of the “Big, Bad Wolf” at 2:00 & 3:30 p.m.  Master falconer Jennifer Pena from Flight of the Raptor will have live hawks, falcons and an owl on display for this daylong event. Join Ms. Pena at 4:00 p.m. to discover the importance of these airborne predators and find out how they behave in their natural habitats.  

Visit many educational table displays including:  Friends of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey Audubon, New Jersey State Parks Service, Morris County’s Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Native Plant Society, Toad Shade Wildflower Farm, Union County Clean Communities,

4-H Master Tree Stewards, Sierra Club and Master Gardeners of Union County.  Many vendors will be on hand selling wildlife related items, recycle art and going green themed items.

As an added attraction to celebrate Trailside’s 75^th anniversary, The Nerds will perform.  Sometimes called New Jersey’s hardest working, hardest rocking party band, The Nerds perform a blend of soul, classic rock and TV theme music.  The band is loosely based on an old skit from Saturday Night Live and have been performing together for over 20 years.  

Admission to Wild Earth Fest is $4 per person. Children 6 years of age and under will be admitted free. 

There is something for everyone at this special event.  Throughout the day food and beverages will be available.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, New Jersey. For more information call (908) 789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.

Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados attended the Portuguese Instructive Social Club 94th Anniversary in Elizabeth, the second oldest Portuguese club in New Jersey. Pictured with the Vice Chairman is President of PISC Jose Carlos Brito, Vice President of PISC Carlos Amaral and Vice President Rui Luis.

Union County, NJ – Space fans are invited to the Union County Trailside Nature & Science Center this Saturday, March 26 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. for a presentation by NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirillo. Mr. Cirillo will describe how astronauts live and work on the International Space Station — and he’ll demonstrate how to see the Space Station from your own backyard!

The presentation is free and donations are welcome.

Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, in Union County’s Watchung Reservation. Call 908-789-3670 for more details or visit online at ucnj.org/trailside.

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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As the spring weather approaches, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to visit the County’s popular Child Safety Seat Inspection Center in Garwood.

The proper use of child safety seats is one of the simplest and most effective methods available for protecting the lives of young children in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

“This popular program offers parents and guardians the opportunity to make sure their child’s safety seat is properly adjusted and meets the New Jersey state law requirements,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Our trained safety technicians can help you get familiar with a new seat, or make adjustments to an older seat for a growing child.”

Union County’s popular Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is open every Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and is located at the Garwood Rescue Squad at 401 2nd Avenue in Garwood. Certified child passenger safety technicians will check the car seat for proper installation and educate parents and guardians on using the seat correctly.

New Jersey’s new child safety seat regulations took effect in September of 2015. The new State law requires parents to adhere to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for child passenger safety.

If you’re unable to visit the Child Safety Seat Inspection Center during operating hours, weather permitting, Union County’s mobile child seat inspection unit will offer child safety seat inspections at Plainfield High School (950 Park Ave) on Saturday, June 4^th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

“The County’s mobile unit gives residents throughout the county a more convenient opportunity to have our experts assist with a child safety seat in their vehicle, and to be sure the seat meets the new state law regulations,” said Freeholder Linda Carter. “We are happy to bring the County’s Public Safety mobile unit to Plainfield this spring. I invite municipalities to contact our office to request a mobile inspection clinic at a community event this spring or summer.”

Residents are also invited to learn more about other traffic safety programs for children and seniors offered through the Department of Public Safety. Throughout the spring months, the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Police will be present at various community health fairs and street festivals with information about the County’s child safety seat inspection program, the CarFit program for seniors, and the bike helmet initiative. Stop by the Public Safety information table at the following events to learn more:
Thursday, April 28 – Family Fun Day / Health Fair in Plainfield
Saturday, April 30 – YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day / Health and Safety Fair in Rahway
Saturday, June 5 – ‘Garwood Rocks’ Street Festival in Garwood

The child seat inspection program is provided as a public service by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Union County Police Department, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, AAA Northeast – NJ Division, and the Garwood First Aid Squad.

For more information about the car seat inspection program, the CarFit program for seniors, or the bicycle helmet safety initiative visit ucnj.org or contact Christine Marcantonio, Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, by email at cmarcantonio@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-789-6830.

Union County, NJ – Hundreds of Union County students are learning all about recycling and conservation this spring thanks to “Talkin’ Trash,” a free new classroom program coordinated by Union County through a recycling grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

“Talkin’ Trash is a fun way to help young students see that they can make a big difference,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “It’s a great program that helps the next generation of Union County citizens appreciate how we can all care for and protect our environment.”

Talkin’ Trash is a 45-minute program for grades 1-5 conducted by Patricia Lynn, an experienced certified municipal recycling coordinator and former elementary school teacher.

The program is part of Chairman Bergen’s 2016 Union County Means Green initiative, which includes environmental outreach for schools, local businesses and the general public.

“Ms. Lynn an expert and she really encourages the students to think about important issues in an exciting, positive way,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowlaski, who visited the program at the Brunner School in Scotch Plains last week. “It was inspiring to see how the class responded as she guided them through hands-on activities and team learning.”

So far, seven school districts in Union County have experienced the program, reaching over 600 students.

Recycling is mandatory in New Jersey, and Union County has been a leader in the recycling field for nearly 30 years. In 2013, the last year for which figures are available, Union County achieved a 61% recycling rate, one of the highest among New Jersey counties.

For additional information about Talkin’ Trash or to schedule a program this spring, schools can email Patricia Lynn at plynn9021@gmail.com.

For information on all Union County recycling programs, including new scrap metal drop-off locations, visit online at ucnj.org/recycling.

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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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Photo caption: Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski speaks about recycling with third graders at the Brunner School in Scotch Plains during a visit with the “Talkin’ Trash” program, a traveling lesson available free to schools throughout Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)

Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski recently attended the State of New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Hearing that was being held at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

The Freeholder gave testimony regarding the impact of state budget cuts on critical services that Union County government provides to its most vulnerable residents.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announced that expanded hours for Passport Days will take place on Saturday, April 9 and Monday, April 11 at the Westfield Annex Office. On both days, County residents can get a free photo when applying for or renewing a passport at the County Clerk’s Office Annex in Westfield.  Free photos will also be available on Monday, April 11 in the Elizabeth Office.

“Whether or not you have travel plans this year, I encourage you to take advantage of the free photo offer and the convenience of expanded hours,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “You can avoid having to rush any last-minute applications that might come up, and a valid U.S. passport is especially important now that new national security standards for driver’s licenses are being phased in.”

The County Clerk’s normal fee of $10.00 per passport photo will be waived for all new and renewed passport applications being submitted through her office on both days. 

At the Westfield Office, expanded hours and free photos for Passport Days will take place on Saturday April 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Monday, April 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Westfield Annex is located at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

At the Elizabeth Office, free photos will take place on Monday, April 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Elizabeth Office is located in the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 114 in Elizabeth.

No appointments are necessary at either office. However, applicants must arrive 30 minutes before closing in order to have their application processed.

Passport Day is an annual event first promoted by the U.S. State Department to encourage travelers to avoid the stress of last-minute passport applications. Federal budget cuts put an end to the national event in 2008 but Ms. Rajoppi’s office has continued the event and the free photo for Union County residents at the Westfield Annex. This year, Ms. Rajoppi also expanded Passport Day to a two-day event.

New national standards for driver’s licenses are being phased in to improve safety at airports and other federal facilities. Many states have already received approval for their security procedures, but New Jersey has an extended deadline of October 2016 for compliance. If New Jersey does not comply or receive an extension, New Jersey drivers’ licenses will not be accepted as approved identification to board a domestic flight.

For more details about the County Clerk’s passport services, including convenient links to passport information from the State Department, visit the County Clerk online at ucnj.org/county-clerk, call the Westfield Annex at 908-654-9859, or call the main office in Elizabeth at 908-527-4966.

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Union County, NJ – Home improvement contractors are being sought to provide home repairs and improvements through the Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs.

The Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs are initiatives of the Freeholder Board, funded through federal Community Development Block Grant dollars. The goal is to provide no interest loans for income-eligible residents and grants for income-eligible seniors age 60 and older for the purpose of making essential home repairs and improvements.

“These programs are designed to ensure that seniors and other Union County residents can afford basic repairs and improvements that enable them to live in a safe, healthy home environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Work covered by the program includes the repair or replacement of substandard heating, electrical and plumbing systems, sidewalks, roofing, structural repairs, and more.

Energy saving measures such as insulation, new windows, storm doors and other improvements are also covered.

The Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs are overseen by the Union County Department of Economic Development and administered by Development Directions LLC of Rahway.

Once a recipient is approved based on income eligibility, program staff will review the work requested by the home owner, review the contractor bids, perform in-progress inspections to assure quality work and do a final inspection at the completion of work.

Home improvement contractors interested in applying for work referrals from the Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs can contact Development Directions at 732-382-8100.

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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: