Category: Public Info

Total of $1.5 million in grants awarded for projects

Union County, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced infrastructure awards to 21 municipalities to help fund projects aimed at spurring economic development growth and a wide variety of improvements throughout the County.

“Our goal is to provide an economic boost to our municipalities in an area where State and Federal assistance has been lapsing,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The end result will be quality of life improvements that continue to make Union County one of the highest-rated places to live in the nation.”

The Infrastructure program was developed through the County Freeholder’s Fiscal Committee, which Freeholder Christopher Hudak chaired, and included Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Sergio Granados and Angel Estrada.

The matching grant initiative makes available a total of $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2015. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital.

“We also want to stimulate some job growth and provide a public benefit in helping towns to build important development projects or address short-term or long-term governmental, social, transportation matters,” Hudak said.

Some examples of work funded include: clearing/demolition of certain properties slated for redevelopment; streetscape improvements including curbing and sidewalk repairs/improvements;  road resurfacings; municipal building improvements and repairs; funding of various revitalization/development studies, and master plans; downtown/business district improvements; sanitary/sewer/flood mitigation improvements.

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A longshoreman working at the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal has been charged with bilking half a dozen co-workers out of nearly $87,000 via a fraudulent mortgage loan modification program, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park and Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor Executive Director Walter M. Arsenault jointly announced Thursday.

Pedro Lopez, 60, of Elizabeth was charged via summons Thursday with a single count of second-degree theft by deception. His first appearance in Superior Court has been scheduled for next Wednesday, June 24.

The case was referred to the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Unit by the Waterfront Commission earlier this year. A joint investigation involving both law enforcement agencies determined that starting in June 2010, Lopez began approaching co-workers to solicit their involvement in a mortgage loan modification program he claimed would significantly lower their individual mortgage payments or eliminate their mortgages altogether, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Rob Vanderstreet, who is prosecuting the case.

Each victim was required to pay up to $15,000 to become part of the program, and several later were asked for additional funds for the processing of paperwork, Vanderstreet said. Lopez allegedly collected a combined total of $86,800 from the six victims, and despite reassuring them during the course of nearly five years that the program took time to yield results, none of the promised mortgage savings ever materialized.

Convictions on second-degree crimes commonly carry penalties of 5 to 10 years in state prison.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The following locations will be sprayed for mosquitoes tonight, June 18, 2015. The hours of operations start after 7pm and will cease by 11:30pm. Spraying will not occur if it is raining or the wind velocity is too high.  If you have any questions, or want to request spraying in your area, please call 908-654-9834/9835.

• Clark: Conger Way, Featherbed La, Frances Dr, Madison Hill Rd, King St, Bartell Pl.
• Elizabeth: Clarkson Ave, Summer St, Acme St
• Hillside: Harvard Ave, Cornell Pl, North Ave, Westminster, Mertz Ave
• Kenilworth: Dorset Dr, Lafayette St, Locust Dr
• Linden: Tremeley Pt, Marion Ave, Lexington Ave, Bradford Terr, Miner Terr
• Plainfield: Cushing Rd
• Rahway: Briarcliff Dr, Leesville Ave, Midwood Dr, Central Ave, Church St, River Rd, Seminary Ave, Donald Ave
• Roselle Park: East Clay Ave, Woodside Rd, Beachwood Ave
• Roselle: Raritan Rd, Pine St, Chestnut St, 6^th Ave, 7^th Ave, Dennis St. Columbus Ave, Williams St
• Union: Portsmouth Way, Savitt Pl, Brighton St, Gifford Ct, Rahway Rd, Carol Rd
• Winfield: Parkway Dr
• County Parks: Oakridge Pk. Cl, Nomahegan Pk. Cr, Conant Pk., Lenape Pk. Cr,  Montano Pk. El, Rahway Pk. Ra, Warinanco Pk. Ro, Echo Lake Pk. We
• Town Parks: Bartell Pk. Cl, Radkin Pk. Un, Biertempfel Pk. Un   

Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh (left) presented the United Youth of New Jersey community theatre company with a Union County Advancing Community Theatre (UCACT) grant during a reception at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. He was joined by County Manager Alfred Faella (right).

Through the UCACT grant program – offered as part of the Chairman’s Building a Community of the Arts initiatives – the Freeholder Board aims to support the creative life of Union County by sponsoring enriching community theatre experiences that promote economic and social well-being. The Chairman also announced the complete season of the Freeholder Board’s UCACT Program.

United Youth of New Jersey will present “Mandela: Apartheid To Die For” on Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. on the Mainstage at the Union County Performing Arts Center located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.

For complete information about the 2015 Union County Advancing Community Theatre (UCACT) season visit ucnj.org/ucact.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada, Sergio Granados and Vernell Wright joined Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage and Elizabeth Councilmen Manny Grova, Nelson Gonzalez, William Gallman and Carlos Torres and other officials and residents at the official opening of the redesigned Erxleben Center Pool in Elizabeth. The County of Union contributed $150,000 to the project from the Union County Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund through the Kids’ Recreation Trust Fund. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R) and Chrissy Szpond from the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife show turtles to Daniel Guerrero, 11, (L) of Westfield and Francisco Londono, 8, of Berkeley Heights during the 11th Annual Union County Bio-Blitz at the Watchung Reservation. Bio-Blitz is a 24-hour sampling of the flora and fauna in a particular location with the twin goals of studying the biodiversity of the area and making the public aware of that diversity. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Family Fun & Flix, a free summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, will kick off the 2015 schedule with the showing of “Box Trolls” on Tuesday evening, July 14 at Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle. As part of the evening’s events, UC Fit Kids, a health initiative of the Union County Freeholder Board, will offer fitness fun for children before the movie, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Box Trolls is an animated adventure comedy which tells the story of a young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors. The boy attempts to save his friends from an evil exterminator. The movie is based on the children’s novel “Here Be Monsters” by Alan Snow.

“Family Fun & Flix, combined with UC Fit Kids, gives families an opportunity to enjoy an entertaining evening in our parks while picking up some healthy living tips,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.

All movies will begin at dusk, with everyone encouraged to bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn. There will also be bleacher seats available.

The complete schedule for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 14 at Warinanco Park: Box Trolls.
• Tuesday, July 21 at Warinanco Park: Dolphin Tale 2 (Sponsored by Investors Bank).
• Tuesday, July 28 at Warinanco Park: Big Hero 6.
• Tuesday, August 4 at Meisel Park, Springfield (National Night Out): Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
• Tuesday, August 11 at Warinanco Park: Annie (Sponsored by Investors Bank).

All movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website; www.ucnj.org. In case of weather related matters, you can call 908-558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the show.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is happy to announce the lineup for the Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series which begins its 55^th season of music on Wednesday evening, July 8. Tusk, the ultimate Fleetwood Mac Experience will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series will take place at Oak Ridge Park in Clark during the month of July and move to Echo Lake Park in Mountainside during the month of August.

Tusk, is made up of five distinctive musicians who have been making music together in various styles and cover bands for more than 25 years and specifically performing the Fleetwood Mac hits for at least seven years.

Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from vendors.

Once again UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

“The Union County Summer Arts Festival offers families the opportunity to come out to Oak Ridge Park and enjoy some outstanding entertainment under the stars,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “And UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park is a great way for families to stay healthy together.”

The Summer Arts Festival concerts continue throughout July and August. The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:

At Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• July 8 – Tusk
• July 15 – Ed Palermo’s Big Band
• July 22 – Jo Bonanno & the Godsons of Soul
• July 29 – Hey Bulldog (Beatles Tribute)—Sponsored by Union County Education Association

At Echo Lake Park, Mountainside (All sponsored by ConnectOne Bank)

• August 5 – Good Vibrations (tribute to The Beach Boys)
• August 12 – American Rapture
• August 19 – The Benjamins
• August 26 – The Sensational Soul Cruisers

For rain information you can call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the concert or you can visit the Union County web site: www.ucnj.org.

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SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, June 27, so Union County residents can get rid of unwanted computers, televisions and other electronic equipment in an environmentally proper manner.

The special E-cycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus of Union County Vo-Tech Schools located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

All residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. There is a limit of six electronic items per car.

“Old televisions, computer monitors, and other electronic devices are the source of a considerable amount of dangerous material, including lead, mercury, cadmium and PCBs – and it is unlawful to dispose of them with the regular garbage,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Up to 95 percent of most electronic appliances can be recycled. This is a responsible way to keep hazardous heavy metals out of our environment.”

Electronic equipment that will be accepted on June 27 includes computer monitors, hard drives, modems, keyboards, CPU’s, mice, printers, scanners, speakers, televisions, tablets and e-readers, VCR’s, fax machines, telephones, circuit boards, CD’s, DVD’s and video cassettes.

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their unwanted electronic equipment. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

Refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, and air conditioners will not be accepted, but they are accepted at Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program.

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on June 27 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning website: www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The electronics collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

In addition to the special June 27 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 14 municipalities that provide E-cycling opportunities for residents. Visit the website www.ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more computer and electronics recycling options.

An alternative drop-off program for recycling electronics equipment is available Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Newtech Recycling, located at 600-A Apgar Drive, Somerset NJ 08873; 732-564-3110. Visit www.newtechrecycling.com .

For more information about recycling events, please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908- 654-9889.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that registration is now open for income-eligible seniors age 60 and up to participate in the 2015 “Jersey Fresh” Farmers’ Market Program, which provides free vouchers for fresh produce.

“This vital program supports local agriculture while helping to provide access to fresh produce for Union County’s senior residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support a program that helps seniors on a tight budget enjoy the season’s fresh produce, and reap the benefits of healthy eating.”

The Farmers’ Market Program provides each eligible participant with four free $5 vouchers, for a total of $20, to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables and herbs at farmers markets throughout Union County.

In order to qualify, a senior’s individual income cannot exceed $21,775 annually. A married couple’s combined income may not exceed $29,471.

Proof of age, residency and income are required in the form of a Medicaid card, SSI card, Food Stamp (now SNAP) verification, or annual pension and Social Security income statement.

To receive an application for obtaining the free vouchers, contact a local senior center or call the Union County Division on Aging toll free at 1-888-280-8226.

Seniors can also pick up an application in person, confirm their eligibility, and obtain their vouchers on the spot at specially designated senior centers during scheduled dates and times.

Sites for this “one-stop” service have been scheduled all throughout Union County during June, July and August. The first three dates and locations are:

Tuesday June 23

Bethel AME Church

245 Hilton Avenue, Vauxhall

9:00 am – 11:00 am

 

Wednesday June 24

Hillside Senior Center

265 Hollywood Avenue, Hillside

9:30 am – 11:30 am

 

Thursday June 25

Liberty Square Senior Center

204 Elizabeth Avenue Elizabeth

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Additional dates and locations for one-stop service in July and August in other areas of Union County will be announced shortly.

Only fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown in NJ can be purchased with the vouchers. They can only be used at markets displaying the yellow and black WIC Farmers’ Market Poster.

The following farmers’ markets in Union County accept Jersey Fresh vouchers:

Cranford

Dreyer Farms, 831 Springfield Avenue

April to November

Monday – Saturday8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

 

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Ave. Farmers’ Market, Union Square (between Elizabeth and High)

June 9 to November 24

Tuesdays, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

 

New Providence

Presbyterian Church, 1307 Springfield Avenue

June 10 to October 28

Wednesdays, 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm

 

Plainfield 

Watchung and East 6th St. (across from City Hall)

June 10 to Nov. 24,                                  

Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

 

Rahway  

Rahway Farmers’ Market, NJ Transit Train Station Plaza

40 E. Milton and Irving

May 21 to November 19

Thursdays, 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm

 

Roselle Park  

Roselle Park Farmers’ Market, Chestnut Street and E. Grant Avenue

July 2 to October 29             

Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

 

Scotch Plains

Scotch Plains Farmers’ Market, Municipal Parking Lot (Park Avenue)

May to November

Saturdays, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

 

Springfield

Dayton High School parking lot, 139 Mountain Avenue

Ruby Field (Caldwell Place)

July 6 to October 26          

Mondays, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

 

Summit

Park & Shop Lot  #2 (Maple Street and DeForest Avenue)

May 10 to November 22

Sunday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

Union 

Liberty Hall Farmers’ Market, 1003 Morris Avenue (Kean University)

May 8 to October 30

Thursdays, 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm

 

Westfield

NJ Transit Railroad Station (South Avenue Parking Lot)

July 5 to October 25          

Saturdays, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Vouchers must be used by the end of November 2015.

For more information about the Farmer Market nutrition program, or any services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call toll free 1-888-or visit the County website, ucnj.org.

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