Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that the New Jersey State Department of Transportation (DOT) will commence major work on the Route 1&9 Pulaski Skyway starting on April 12. Although the Skyway is not located within Union County, the project is expected to affect traffic patterns throughout the region.

The project will require the closure of all northbound lanes for approximately two years in order to rehabilitate the bridge deck.

“We have been working with DOT to keep Union County commuters informed on their travel options, and we will continue to provide updates from DOT and NJ TRANSIT as more details become available,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

Complete details on the Skyway project and transit options, including help with carpooling, are available from DOT at pulaskiskyway.com.

One new option available to Union County commuters is the new NJ TRANSIT bus route No. 95, sponsored by DOT in support of the Pulaski Skyway project.

Beginning on March 3, bus No. 95 will operate between the new Park-and-Ride in the Sears parking lot on Route 22 in Watchung to the Market Street Bus Lane at Newark Penn Station, making stops in Union County.

“I have asked DOT to meet with Union County residents and seek ways to mitigate the effect that the Pulaski Skyway closing will have on their daily commutes,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is liaison to the Union County Transportation Advisory Board. “We all need to work together to help smooth travel in our region during this disruptive period.”

Bus No. 95 will serve existing bus stops along Route 22 and through Springfield and Union, then travel express via Route 22 and Route 22 to Newark.

It will operate on weekdays, with inbound Watchung-to-Newark service only during the morning. There will be eight trips at half-hour intervals from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

In the evening, No. 95 will operate outbound Newark-to-Watchung service weekdays only from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., also with eight trips at half-hour intervals.

Complete information on the new bus No. 95 is available at the NJ TRANSIT travel alert page.

Links to all regional transit are available on the Union County website at ConneXions,ucnj.org/connect. A direct link to the DOT Pulaski Skyway website is also conveniently located on the Union County home page, ucnj.org (click on the Pulaski Skyway icon).

For more information on the new bus No. 95 call NJ TRANSIT Customer Service at (973) 275-5555 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders advises residents to be on the alert for a new telephone and email scams that have surfaced in Union County and across the country.

In the telephone scam, residents receive a call demanding immediate payment on a utility bill, and threatening to cut off service if payment is not made.

Another scam involves email messages masquerading as third-party utility companies. Opening the email can expose the computer to a virus.

“These scammers are taking advantage of the cold weather to prey on anxiety over utility service cut-off,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “If you receive any unexpected message from a utility company, whether it’s by phone, email or standard mail, be sure to call them yourself to ensure that it’s a legitimate communication.”

Currently the telephone scam is focused on PSEG. Customers of that utility should call 800-436-PSEG (7734) to verify any unexpected messages.

Other gas and electric utilities serving customers in Union County are JCP&L and Elizabethtown Gas.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – On Monday, March  3, commuter history will be made in Union County as NJ TRANSIT begins offering its first ever “one-seat” direct rail service to Penn Station in New York City on the Raritan Valley Line, which includes the Union County municipalities Plainfield, Fanwood, Westfield, Garwood, Cranford, Roselle Park and Union.

“One-seat service represents a significant improvement for commuters and for all of Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Our future goes hand in hand with mass transit, which is instrumental in economic development and quality of life as well as environmental and public health.”

The Raritan Valley Line previously required all passengers to disembark from a diesel train in Newark and continue to New York in an electric train.

“When I took office as Freeholder Chair this year, I pledged that the Freeholder Board would work hard to support this much-anticipated service,” said Hudak. “I would like to thank NJ TRANSIT and the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition for ensuring that the vision has become a reality.”

The one-seat service was made possible by the purchase of new dual-mode locomotives by NJ Transit. The new locomotives can switch from diesel to electric power as required.

The service is currently a limited pilot project. It is available only on weekdays, during midday hours. Rush hour, evening, and weekend one-seat service is not available at this time.

There will be no change in the price of a ticket.

For a complete, printable version of the full NJ TRANSIT Raritan Valley Line schedule visitnjtransit.com. The one-seat rides are highlighted in bold frames on the schedule.

Printed schedules will be available from NJ TRANSIT when the one-seat service begins.

For convenient links to all forms of transit information in Union County including auto, bus, air, rail, and bike paths, visit Union County ConneXions at ucnj.org.

 

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites adults, 18 and older, to a program about “Life in Space” being offered at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. The lecture, supplemented with visual material, will take place on Saturday, March 8, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. The program is free, but donations are welcome.

“This is a lecture you won’t want to miss,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.  “It answers the questions all of us have posed about living in outer space.”

Harold Kozak, a NASA Solar System Ambassador and Astronomy Adjunct Professor at Wagner College, will shed light on the intriguing topic of living in space. His lecture will focus on whether humans will eventually have to live in space and how they will survive the conditions.

Professor Kozak will discuss and illustrate how humans will become able to travel in space for extended periods of time; methods that will be used to find other habitable worlds; and current living conditions on the International Space Station. He also will talk about how humans in the future will travel to far-off worlds and the ways in which humans will “terraform” the landscapes of other planets.

For additional information about this lecture or other adult programs and upcoming events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside to view a complete winter brochure. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

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CRANFORD, NJ – Do you like working with artists, teachers and students? The Union County Teen Arts Festival provides an opportunity for volunteers to get involved.

The Union County Teen Arts Festival, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation, is a two-day celebration of the arts held annually at Union County College in Cranford. The event, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21, is open to all students from public, charter, private and parochial middle and high schools in Union County.

“Nearly 3,500 students participate in performances, critiquing seminars, master classes and workshops with a staff of 55 professional artists in every discipline – visual art, music, creative writing, theater and dance,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Volunteers are needed to assist artists with workshops, manage performance sites and staff information stations. We appreciate the invaluable assistance of our county residents with this exciting program.”

If you are interested in any of these activities, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202. Telephone: 908-558-2550; NJ Relay Users call 711. Or e-mail us at: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

 

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to offer a “Project WILD/Aquatic WILD” teacher-training workshop for non-formal educators and teachers of K-12 at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Thursday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Project WILD and Aquatic WILD are wildlife-focused conservation education programs with hands-on activities designed for integration into existing courses of study for formal and non-formal educators, K through 12. Based on the premise that young people and educators alike have an interest in learning about our natural world, this program underscores wildlife’s intrinsic value, and addresses the need for us all to be responsible stewards of our planet.

“Teaching about water conservation is of critical importance today,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Trailside offers a perfect opportunity for teachers to learn the modules to educate their students.”

Pre-registration is preferred. Space is limited. The fee for the program is $20. Walk-ins are welcome as space permits. Participants will receive the Project WILD and Aquatic WILD K-12 curriculums and activity guides, and they will earn six NJDOE credits for the workshop. Light morning refreshments are provided. Please bring your lunch.

For additional information about this event or other upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web in Trailside’s winter brochure atwww.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

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(From left) Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh, Freeholder Vernell Wright, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholder Sergio Granados (R) present a resolution to guest speaker Dr. Marion Lane (C) and Ethel Washington of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs proclaiming February 2014 Black History Month during a speaking event at the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth. They are joined by Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (2nd R). Dr. Lane delivered a lecture entitled “American’s Forgotten African American Patriots in the American Revolution.”  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a “One-Stop” service is available for Mountainside voters beginning on February 18th at the County Clerk’s Westfield or Elizabeth offices for the Special School Referendum in Mountainside.

The Special School Referendum in Mountainside, scheduled for Tuesday, March 11th, from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., involves funds for work on the Deerfield and Beechwood elementary schools.

“Registered voters in Mountainside may apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the Special March 11thSchool Referendum in person at either one of my offices, receive their ballot and cast the ballot at the same time,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “This one-stop voting service is available at my Westfield office as well as at the main office in Elizabeth.”

The deadline to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the March 11th Special School Election is Tuesday, March 4th by mail-in application. The deadline to apply in-person is Monday, March 10that 3:00 p.m.

The opportunity to Vote-By-Mail in Westfield and Elizabeth is another service available at the County Clerk’s two offices, along with passport application and renewal services, registration of Trade Names, and the application and swearing in of Notaries Public.

The Westfield Annex of the County Clerk is located at 300 North Avenue East, Westfield 07090. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vote-By-Mail is an easy, secure process that has replaced the Absentee Ballot. Voters do not need to give a reason why they wish to Vote-By-Mail. To obtain an application form, voters can download the form at the Union County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/vote-by-mail or they can contact the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4996. The Clerk’s website also includes a video that explains how to fill out the Vote-By-Mail application form.

 

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Additional crews and equipment on hand to restore service

 

(NEWARK, NJ – Feb. 3, 2014) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is preparing for more wintry weather that is expected to bring a mix of snow, sleet and ice through Thursday morning, according to current weather forecasts.

PSE&G has all available personnel on hand today to deal with any weather-related outages due to the heavy snowfall and is taking similar precautions tomorrow when another weather system is expected to affect our service territory.

These steps include:

• Ensuring that all available personnel are ready to respond
• Arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce
• Ensuring that additional supplies, such as poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand
• Fueling all vehicles
• Testing generators at utility locations
• Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration efforts.

 

While snow usually isn’t an issue for utilities, the possibility of sleet and ice can increase the likelihood of downed wires and resulting power outages. Vehicles striking utility poles can also cause wires to come down.

DOWNED POWER LINES

Accumulation of ice and heavy snow may weigh down power lines and as a result cause power lines to come down. Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered “live.” STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. Parents are urged to check for downed wires in areas where their children might play and to remind the children to stay far away from any wires. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until help arrives. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.

 

 

IF YOU LOSE POWER

First check your neighborhood. If you are the only one without power, check your fuse box for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. If that’s not the problem, look outside at the wire between your house and the utility pole. If it is down, report it immediately to PSE&G.

To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. PSE&G uses an automated system to handle customer calls as efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response when calling PSE&G are encouraged to use it, as it is designed to route their calls to the right destination quickly. The system also provides the option to speak directly to a customer service representative. If you have specific information regarding damage to wires, transformers or poles, we ask that you speak with a representative to provide that information.

Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account on pseg.com, PSE&G’s mobile-friendly website.

General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.

The utility’s Twitter page also keeps the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at http://twitter.com/psegdeliversto monitor restoration progress. Customers also can register for text and email alerts at pseg.com/myaccount

KEEP YOUR GAS METER AND APPLIANCE VENTS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE

You can help keep your natural gas supply flowing by keeping your meter free of snow and ice. If you are a natural gas customer whose gas meter is on the outside of your home or business, please take the following precautions:

• Clear snowdrifts away from the meter and piping.
• Do not pile snow on top of the gas meter or around its connecting piping when you are shoveling your premises.
• Brush snow from the meter and piping before a thick layer of ice builds up.
• Clear snow from dryer vents to prevent fumes from backing up into your house.

IF YOUR METERS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE READ

While we always try to obtain an actual reading, occasionally it’s necessary to estimate a reading to ensure the safety of our employees during inclement weather. Ways that you can help us keep our employees safe and avoid estimated bills:

• Ensure walkways and entrance ways are cleared of snow and ice.
• Ensure a clear pathway to the meter.
• Secure pets while meters are being read. 
• Utilize our Record-a-Reading option or enter your reading on-line via the PSE&G website on www.pseg.com/meter.

WHEN YOU DRIVE PAST OUR WORKSITES OR VEHICLES

Please slow down and be alert when driving past a PSE&G roadwork jobsite, especially in snowy, icy weather. Driving too fast can endanger employees and hamper their ability to perform important work. PSE&G crews use work area protection – traffic cones, utility work signs and flaggers – to protect them and to allow them to do their jobs safely.  Follow safe driving techniques to prevent fender-benders or more serious collisions that could delay our service technicians as they respond to customer calls or emergencies.

CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SUSTAINING EQUIPMENT

Individuals who rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining electronic equipment, such as a respirator or dialysis machine, should pre-register with PSE&G to receive priority attention in the event of an outage. To request the service, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG. They should also inform their rescue squads and fire departments of their needs, in case of emergency. Even though customers with life-sustaining equipment who have registered with PSE&G will receive priority attention during outages, they should also have emergency back-up equipment on hand, since immediate restoration cannot be guaranteed.

GENERAL TIPS

Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It’s wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round. Here are some things to include:

• A battery powered radio.
• A corded telephone. (Cordless phones will not work if the power is out.)
• Flashlights and extra fresh batteries.
• A first-aid kit.
• Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food.
• A non-electric can opener.
• Matches and candles with holders.
• Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
• A list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.

 

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders are issuing a reminder: price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal, and any business raising prices artificially high during an emergency could be investigated by State and County authorities and face significant penalties.

Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak is urging Union County consumers facing any artificially high increases during this state of emergency to take a picture of the item in question and display with its price, and take a note of the store’s name and address. Consumers are also urged to call the Union County Consumer Affairs Division at 908-654-9840 if they believed they’ve witnessed or experienced an example of price gouging.

“It is wrong for any business to take advantage of consumers, and especially during a State of Emergency,” Hudak said. “I’ve directed the County Division of Consumer Affairs to look closely at any instances of price gouging and issue the necessary penalties where warranted.”

New Jersey’s price gouging statute, N.J.S.A. 56:8-107, et. seq., makes it illegal to set excessive price increases during a declared state of emergency or for 30 days after the termination of the state of emergency.

Price increases are deemed excessive under the law if they are more than 10 percent above the price at which the good or service was sold during the normal course of business, prior to the state of emergency.  The law does allow that, if the merchant faces additional costs imposed by suppliers or legitimate logistical concerns, a price increase is considered excessive if it is more than 10 percent above the amount of markup from cost, compared with the markup normally applied.

Violations of the price-gouging law are punishable by civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first offense and $20,000 for the second and subsequent offenses. Each individual sale of merchandise is considered a separate and distinct event