Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is now seeking volunteers for the 2025 Master Gardener training program, beginning in January. Residents who are interested in horticulture and gardening can gain valuable skills, make new connections, and become valuable assets to the community by joining the Master Gardeners of Union County.

“The Master Gardener program offers residents the chance to learn practical horticultural skills they can apply at home and share with neighbors and friends while also benefiting the community through their volunteer efforts,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This program is exceptional, and we are pleased to continue supporting its growth. We encourage gardeners of all experience levels to apply and join this wonderful community.”

This year, Union County will be participating in a pilot program for the Rutgers Master Gardener Volunteer Training. Orientation Zoom meetings will be hosted by Rutgers for residents interested in becoming Master Gardeners. These sessions provide an opportunity for applicants to learn more about the program before joining.

Residents who wish to participate in the 2025 training program must register and attend at least one of the virtual orientation sessions, which are offered twice a week until the beginning of December. You can register at njaes.rutgers.edu/master-gardeners/. 

Orientation session space is limited to 40 participants for each session, allowing plenty of time and opportunity for questions and discussion.  Register today by visiting to secure your spot in an orientation session.

“By engaging in volunteer work, participants gain a deeper understanding of the positive impacts their contributions have on our environment and the community at large,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. “The Master Gardener Program is one of the many volunteer opportunities offered in Union County. I encourage residents to look into the program and attend an orientation session to find out if it’s a good fit for them.”

Classes will be held on Wednesday mornings at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.  The new course will feature horticultural training with an emphasis on the volunteer aspects of being a Rutgers Master Gardener.  The classroom is conveniently located by the 1.5-acre demonstration garden and greenhouse at Trailside, maintained by Master Gardeners.

Additional information for applying to the program in Union County will be provided to those who attend the orientation session. You will be asked to complete an application form. The Master Gardeners of Union County will be accepting 25 students into the 2025 Program.   

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County is a volunteer program offered through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, NJ Agriculture Experiment Stations and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in cooperation with the Union County Board of County Commissioners.  It is supported in Union County by the Commissioner Board, with administrative assistance and office space in Berkeley Heights, land for the Demonstration Garden, and funding for special projects.

For questions or more information on the 2025 Master Gardener Training Program, call 908-654-9854 ext. 2 or visit mastergardeners-uc.org. For more information about all Extension projects and activities in Union County, including Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards and the 4-H youth development program, visit ucnj.org/rutgers-cooperative-extension-of-union-county/.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces an online Veteran Grave Registration Database and search engine her office has compiled as an aid to veteran families, genealogists, historians and others searching for the resting place of a veteran.

“This database includes more than 43,000 veterans, the majority Union County and New Jersey residents, who served in one of 23 wars and conflicts ranging from 1776 to 2003. The database is a treasure trove of well-known and lesser known conflicts ranging from the American Revolution and Whiskey Rebellion to the Banana Wars and Iraq War,” the Clerk said.

“These veterans are buried in 43 cemeteries in Union County, 122 cemeteries outside of Union County, and 62 cemeteries out of state. Other burial locations include those At Sea, Unknown and Medal of Honor honorees. We are excited to present this research tool to veterans’ families,” Ms. Rajoppi said, “some of whom may not know where their relative is buried.”

“Although this is not a complete database of all veterans from Union County, it includes archived collections of veteran graves the county has amassed over the years. In older cemeteries where engravings on gravestones are eroded or undecipherable, it is especially helpful to rely on a record which notes who is buried there.”

Ms. Rajoppi said the search page, entitled “Veteran Grave Registration Database” is located on the County Clerk’s website at www.ucnj.org/county-clerk/. It is user-friendly and easy to navigate by using either a name, war, branch of service, birth year, death year or cemetery. Any of these fields can be used to search.

“We are excited to uncover some little-known data and format it in a way that is accessible to so many. We always honor our cherished veterans by remembering them and connecting them to family and friends,” the Clerk said, “and it seems even more appropriate than we introduce this program on the eve of Veteran’s Day.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is welcoming all Union County residents to take part in the last scrap metal recycling drop-offs for the 2024 season on Thursday, November 7th and Saturday, November 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., rain or shine. 

“As we continue wrapping up our recycling programs for the year, I want to reaffirm to our residents that Union County is committed to leading the way towards a more sustainable future year-round,” said Union County Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Recycling plays a pivotal role in reducing waste, preserving our ecosystem, and maximizing resources. We encourage all residents to participate and make use of this free service.”  

Union County residents have the opportunity to attend the final disposal events by visiting either of our two convenient locations:

• Cranford: Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard, Kenilworth

• Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive, Rahway off St. Georges Avenue to service yard across from swimming pool)

Residents from any Union County municipality can bring scrap metal to either of these sites. To receive scheduled alerts, and to stay up to date with Union County and local recycling programs, residents are invited to download the free Recycle Coach mobile app. 

Residents must remain in their vehicle at all times. Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area, or truck bed and be easily accessible to staff to remove from vehicle.

Acceptable items for recycling include unwanted pots and pans, air conditioners, aluminum scrap, aluminum siding, bicycles, brass, copper, dishwashers, electric fans, fencing (chair/wire), freezers (doors must be off, by law), refrigerators (door must be off by law) stoves, tire rims, toasters, gutters, irons, lawn furniture, metal cabinets, metal sheds, microwaves, railings, washers and dryers, window frames (no glass), wire hangers and drained lawnmowers.

For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce that, in advance of this year’s Veterans Day holiday, the Union County Courthouse and other county buildings will be lit with green bulbs from November 6 to November 11, 2024, as part of the nationwide Operation Green Light for Veterans initiative. This annual effort unites counties in showing support for military veterans and increasing awareness about the challenges they face.

“Lighting our buildings green symbolizes our deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “As we participate in Operation Green Light, we extend our gratitude and reinforce our commitment to supporting our veterans with accessible resources and a welcoming community.”

Operation Green Light is led by the Union County Office of Veteran’s Services, highlighting local, state, and federal programs designed to support veterans and their families. This year, residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to participate by changing one of their home’s or office’s light bulbs to green. Whether an exterior light that neighbors can see or an interior bulb that sparks conversation, every green light shines a spotlight on our veterans’ service and resilience.

“Each year, we take a moment to reflect on the profound contributions our veterans have made in safeguarding our freedoms,” said Commissioner Alexander Mirabella, Liaison to the Veterans Affairs Committee. “We invite residents to share their green lights on social media using #UCNJOperationGreenLight, showing the strength of our community’s gratitude.”

For more information about Union County’s programs for veterans, please contact the Union County Office of Veteran’s Services at W.Geoff.Smith@ucnj.org or 908-527-4918.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the 2024 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is currently on view at the Elizabeth Public Library Main Branch, located at located at 11 South Broad Street.  This year’s exhibit is a selection of 21 works selected from the 2024 Union County Teen Arts Festival, an annual two-day event celebrating creativity in the literary, performing and visual arts held at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.

“We’re proud to support these talented young artists and invite residents to experience the energy and vision they bring to the arts,” said Union County Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “The Teen Arts Touring Exhibit reminds us all that creativity has no boundaries, and art is for everyone.”

The Union County Teen Arts Touring Exhibit, now on display at the Elizabeth Public Library Main Branch, has made its way across the County, inspiring audiences at each destination. Visitors can enjoy the exhibit in Elizabeth through January 10, 2025, after which it will make its final stop at the Plainfield Public Library. Admission is free and open to the public.

The 2024 Teen Arts Tour includes the following exhibiting students:

Berkeley Heights

Governor Livingston High School

Sophia Castrovinci

Cranford

Cranford High School

Madison Cardona

Lincoln School CAP Program

Anthony Scherer

Elizabeth

Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy

Valentina Ocampo

Elizabeth High School at Frank J. Cicarell Academy

Angelina Correia

JVJ STEM Academy

Andy Medina

J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy

Maria Galarza

John E. Dwyer Technology Academy

David Mateo Garavito Ariea

Thomas Edison Career & Technical Academy

Halley Lowe Cabreja and Vanessa Ponce

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Keziah Hanson

Kenilworth

David Brearley High School

Laura Limon

Linden

Linden High School

Lenara Osborn

New Providence

New Providence High School

Ava Cominsky

Plainfield

Plainfield Academy of Arts

Emanuel Perry

Roselle

Abraham Clark High School

Trinity Moore and Carla Torres

Roselle Park

Roselle Park High School

Anna da Silva and Emma Lantiqua

Scotch Plains

Union County Academy of the Performing Arts

Maria Thomas

Union County Vo-Tech High School

Anthony Granados

The Union County Teen Arts Festival & Touring Exhibit is coordinated each year by the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks & Recreation. For information about all Cultural & Heritage Affairs programs and services, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay service users should call 711 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and caregivers to visit their local Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) during the month of November. The monthly event is an opportunity for residents to engage with experienced professionals and learn about valuable senior programs and resources that are available in Union County. Bilingual staff will be present on all designated dates in November to offer assistance in Spanish.

“Our ‘ASK’ events are designed to offer support and peace of mind to our senior community and their caregivers. We understand that seniors often have questions and can benefit from guidance during this stage of life. Our expert staff is here to provide that support in an easy and convenient way,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “I welcome seniors and caregivers to attend the next ‘ASK’ event near them to learn how this program could benefit them or their loved ones.”

The Aging Services Kiosk is operated explicitly by the Division on Aging, a branch of the Union County Department of Human Services. It offers adults aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, a friendly and convenient avenue to discover valuable programs and services and speak individually with a Division on Aging professional.

Staff at ASK locations can help older adults and caregivers connect with various services, including home-delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or caregiver can visit any ASK kiosk, regardless of their hometown.  No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Below are the upcoming ASK events in November:

Thursday, November 7th

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue, Clark

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tuesday, November 12th

Elizabeth Public Library – Main

11 South Broad Street, Elizabeth

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Thursday, November 14th

Cranford Public Library

224 Walnut Avenue, Cranford

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, November 20th

Westfield Memorial Library

550 East Broad St., Westfield

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

“We are proud to support the Division on Aging in this popular program, which has already provided significant benefits for seniors over the years, and look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will continue to have on the senior community in the future,” said Union County Commissioner Vice-Chairwoman Lourdes Leon, Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging.

For more information about the ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County, contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-888-280-8226 toll-free or visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.

Attention Voters in Union Township

Voters in Union Twp Districts 15 & 22 will now vote at the Union Township Senior Center located at 652 Rahway Avenue. Please note, the previous location at Hannah Caldwell School is closed. Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation!

Make sure to share this update with your friends and neighbors to keep our community informed!

The Union County Board of County Commissioners will be holding another Beyond the Bin recycling event on Saturday, November 2^nd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the campus of UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ in Cranford. The address for the campus 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford.  The event will be held in parking lots 5A and 5B.   All residents are asked to bring all unwanted, acceptable items to the event.

“As part of my ‘Growing Together in Union County’ initiative, we are committed to creating sustainable and efficient recycling opportunities for our residents. The Beyond the Bin event makes it convenient for everyone to dispose of multiple items responsibly in one location, ensuring that materials are properly recycled and given a second life,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “I encourage all residents to participate and take advantage of this valuable program as we work towards a more environmentally conscious Union County.”

The County of Union understands that several challenges within the current recycling program still exist. Some residents may be unaware that certain items, such as a broken computer or old printer for instance, have to be recycled by New Jersey State law.  Others are unsure of where to take items such as old unwanted clothing and accessories, reusable bags, mattresses, and food waste to be recycled.  In turn, they then throw these items in the trash.  By throwing them in the trash, residents unknowingly add to the waste problem on the planet and do not give these items a second life by recycling them. 

For example, it takes fifty to one hundred years for a mattress to decompose in a landfill.  Every landfill that is dumped into a landfill takes up 23 cubic feet of space.  There were an estimated twenty million mattresses dumped into landfills last year as a result in people buying new mattresses.  With that being said, 90% of a mattress can be transformed into reusable materials. 

Another staggering statistic that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shares is that food waste is estimated to be between 30% and 40% of the food supply is thrown out into the waste stream (https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/food-loss-and-waste).   Food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills.  With that being said, by recycling this food through the Waste Management CORe system (https://nj.gov/dep/dshw/food-waste-recycling-law/wm_core_overview.pdf), it gives our unused food or food scraps a second life as energy. 

Union County’s Beyond the Bin recycling event has partnered with the organizations MRM http://www.mrmrecycling.com/, Helpsy www.helpsy.co, Waste Management https://www.wm.com/, Renewable Recycling, Inc. https://renewablerecycling.com/,  GoaTote Inc. https://goatote.com/  in the collection of the following items:

Covered Electronic Devices

Desktop or personal computers, computer monitors, portable computers, desktop fax machines, monitors, printers, tablets/e-readers, and televisions

Plastic Film

Clean, dry plastic bags, bubble wrap, Ziplock bags, dry-cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, produce bags, case overwrap (i.e. a case of bottled water)

Clothing/ Textiles

All textiles (Shirts, pants, skirts, sweaters, pajamas, jackets, winter coats, rain coats), shoes, accessories, handbags, backpacks, household linens, sneakers, boots, etc.

Reusable Shopping Bags (non-plastic)

Cloth, canvas, cotton, #5 woven and non-woven shopping bags

Food Waste Recycling

Produce; Meat, Fish and Poultry, Dairy; Bread, Pasta, Rice, Grains; Coffee Grounds

Styrofoam

Mattresses and Box Springs

For residents interested in composting at home, we have partnered with BrandBuilders LLC in making backyard composters, rain barrels, and more available for purchase online and pick up at the event. For more information on composting materials for your home or to make a purchase, please visit us at  https://union.compostersale.com/

Pet Items

Also, the County will be accepting unwanted pet items (food, treats, collars and leashes, toys, etc.) for collection and donation to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, located in Madison, New Jersey, who makes life better for orphaned and neglected pets. 

For a complete list of all acceptable items and materials for this event, please visit https://ucnj.org/recycling/

Union County’s Beyond the Bin recycling initiative is brought to you by the Union County Board of Commissioners, in collaboration with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning and the Union County Department of Public Works.

If you have any additional questions or would like more information regarding this and other recycling events and services in Union County, please call 908-654-9890 or visit www.ucnj.org/recycling.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in coordination with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning, is encouraging all Union County residents to join in and make this traditionally orange holiday season a little greener by participating in the Pumpkin Recycling Program this November. Residents can recycle their post-Halloween Jack o’ Lanterns, decorative pumpkins, and other gourds from Friday, November 1st, through Saturday, November 30^th, at seven participating locations throughout the county.

“I am pleased to announce the expansion of our popular Pumpkin Recycling Program to seven additional drop-off locations this season,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This sustainable alternative for disposing of pumpkins aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility, and we are thrilled to bring it back again this year. I encourage all residents to join us in transforming food waste into clean energy by bringing their pumpkins to any of our participating locations this November.”

The Pumpkin Recycling Program will run from Friday, November 1^st through Saturday, November 30^th at the following locations:

Berkeley Heights

DPW facility located next to town hall | Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm

1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to noon

Kenilworth

401 Sheridan Avenue | Fridays from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm

1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month from 7:30 am to noon

Linden

2 Donaldson Place | Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Plainfield

• Rock Avenue | Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm (drop-off until 2:45 pm)

Roselle Park

1. West Webster Avenue | Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm

Union Township

1 Swanstrom Place East | Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Westfield

1. Lamberts Mill Road | Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Residents from any Union County municipality can use any of the seven locations, regardless of their hometown. Only pumpkins will be accepted at these locations, with candles and decorations removed. Other food waste will not be accepted.

When the Pumpkin Recycling Program concludes, the pumpkins will be sent to the CORe facility in Elizabeth, which is operated by Waste Management. The company’s specialized recycling process converts food waste into organic slurry, which is used to enhance the production of biogas and other renewable products at local wastewater treatment plants.

Food Waste is a global issue that contributes to excess greenhouse gas emissions, placing financial burdens on local governments for waste disposal. Although the world discards approximately 2.5 billion tons of food annually, the United States wastes more food than any country, discarding nearly 60 million tons. This amounts to 120 billion pounds of food each year, which is estimated to be almost 40% of the entire US food supply. This is equivalent to almost $218 billion, or 130 billion meals.

Traditionally, food waste is sent to landfills or burned in waste-to-energy facilities. However, new organic recycling systems offer a more sustainable approach to managing food waste. Residents can also help reduce food waste by using up leftovers and donating unused shelf items before their sell-by date expires. For more information, upcoming dates, and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at www.ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.