Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders advises residents that a free public charging station for mobile phones only is available in the lower lobby of the Ralph Froehlich Public Safety Building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Only mobile phones are permitted, and they should be left off while charging. Laptops, notepads and other devices cannot be accommodated due to excessive charging times.

Residents traveling to and from the Public Safety Building are urged to exercise caution and be aware that repair crews and first responders are working in the roads. Some roads are still blocked and some traffic signals are not functioning.

Visitor parking, if available, is at the west end of the parking lot and on the street.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has issued the following alerts and updates for residents seeking emergency shelter:

“The Union County Medical Reserve Corps has been activated and is working with the Red Cross, Salvation Army and local officials to ensure that emergency shelter is available to all who need it,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “If you plan to use a shelter, please take steps to make your stay more comfortable for yourself and those sheltering with you.”

To use a municipal evacuation shelter, use the NON-EMERGENCY phone number for your local police department. Use 911 only to report life threatening emergencies.

To use the Union County Regional Evacuation Shelter at 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford, contact the Cranford Police Department at 908-272-2222. The Union County Department of Human Services will have professional staff on site to provide mental health counseling for those who desire it.

All residents planning to use emergency shelter are asked to:

·         Bring any necessary medications and medical equipment.

·         When possible, bring bottled water and non-perishable, ready-to-eat food.

·         Bring books and other age-appropriate activities for yourself and any children with you.

·         Be aware that sleeping arrangements for overnight stays are determined by shelter staff and are meant to ensure the health, safety and comfort of all.

Residents with pets are strongly advised to shelter their pet with a friend or relative, use a commercial kennel or stay at a pet-friendly hotel. Most shelters do not accept pets for sanitary and safety reasons.

As a last resort, the Union County Regional Shelter in Cranford will make every effort to accommodate residents with pets. However, placement cannot be guaranteed.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has issued the following updates and alerts for Union County residents:

“So far it appears that Union County has come through the worst of the storm without loss of life and we are grateful for that,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter. “However, conditions remain hazardous with numerous downed power lines and trees blocking streets, and flooding in some areas. Please do your part to help out during this period by staying indoors and off the roads, so emergency responders and repair crews can get through.”

Union County remains under a State of Emergency today, Tuesday October 30 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All Union County offices and facilities are closed, as well as Union County Superior Court. Paratransit services have been suspended. A complete list of closings is available on the County website, ucnj.org.

Residents should call 911 only to report life-threatening emergencies.

To report downed power lines or outages, contact your utility company. PSE&G customers call 1-800-436-7734. JCP&L customers call 1-800-545-7738 or use the automated reporting line at 1-888-544-4877.

For questions about your gas service, call Elizabethtown Gas at 800-492-4009.

Currently there are no boil-water advisories in effect for Union County. However, residents are advised to fill water bottles now in case they are needed later. You can also use heavy duty plastic storage bags to save water.

To contribute to disaster relief, contact the Red Cross.

Following is the text of the alert on the Union County home page:

The County of Union has declared a State of Emergency from 6 p.m. October 29 to 6 p.m. tonight. All County buildings and offices will be closed and only essential personnel and emergency responders will be required to report to work.

Union County Superior Court and Vicinage closed today, Tuesday, October 30.

Paratransit services are cancelled for today, Tuesday, October 30.

The Warinanco Skating Center, Trailside Nature & Science Center, and Watchung Stable are closed today, October 30 and until further notice.

All Union County Golf Properties: Galloping Hill, The Learning Center and Ash Brook will be closed today, Tuesday October 30th.

Meals on Wheels and home delivery has been suspended for today, October 30.

Union County, NJ – With Hurricane Sandy still on track to hit the Union County area by Monday, the Freeholder Board is urging residents to take steps to prepare this weekend.

“Union County will be at the ready with personnel and equipment, and everyone can help our community get through this safely by taking a few simple steps,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Mirabella reminded County residents that basic steps include stocking up on a few days’ worth of food and water, including ready-to-eat food. Persons using prescription drugs or medical equipment should check those supplies, too.

Because strong winds are predicted, it is also important to bring trash cans, plastic lawn furniture and other items inside or take extra precautions to secure them.

Additional guidance from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is available at the “Be Prepared for Hurricane Sandy” link on the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

“Follow the news closely this weekend and make sure you have a battery-operated radio with fresh batteries at hand,” said Mirabella. “When more people are well prepared, that frees up our first responders to focus on worst-case situations that require special training and equipment.”

Union County residents will automatically receive alerts by telephone, as needed. For those with mobile devices, alerts by text message and email can be obtained by signing up for UC FirstAlert at ucfirstalert.org.

For Union County alerts and updates online, visit ucnj.org or follow Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, or Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County residents are also reminded to call 911 only to report life threatening emergencies.

To report power outages, PSE&G customers should call 800-436-PSEG (800-436-7734). For JCP&L the number is 888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877).

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes residents to attend “Prescription 101: Prescription Medication and Heroin Abuse & Addiction,” the last installment in the free Fall Speakers Series funded by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the Municipal Alliance. The series has been coordinated by the Union County Department of Human Services.

“Prescription 101” will be presented by Michael Litterer of Prevention Links on Wednesday, November 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Kean University’s STEM Auditorium, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.

Prevention Links is a private, not-for-profit organization based in Roselle, which has taken a leadership role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. The agency’s goal is to provide substance abuse information and resources for individuals, families, schools and businesses throughout Union County.

For more information about the Fall Speaker Series call Union County Alliance Coordinator Deborah LaNier, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, 908-527-4852.

More information about Prevention Links is available at http://preventionlinks.org.

Union County, NJ – Eating more meals at home is a great way to practice good nutrition, but it’s not so easy for busy families on the go. A new class called “Home is Where the Health Is” can help you solve the dilemma by providing simple, tried-and-true tips for healthy habits. Taught by a Rutgers University expert, the class is scheduled for Thursday, November 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Union County Rutgers Extension offices in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. Pre-registration is required by contacting Judi Laganga at 908-654-9854 or jlaganga@ucnj.org. A fee of $5.00 will be collected at the door.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Greg Cummings of Fanwood in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of his photographs entitled “The Shore and More” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until December 3.Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Cummings’ intriguing photographs on display,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The exhibit features images of the Jersey Shore and other local areas that highlight the beauty and uniqueness of New Jersey.”

A long-time Fanwood resident and avid photographer, Cummings has earned numerousawards for his photographs from juried shows in New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island. His photo “Blue Beach Cruisers” was recently published in the Asbury Park Press book titled “The Real Jersey Shore.” It was one of only 200 photographs that were accepted out of more than 31,000 photos that were entered in the contest. Cummings won first place in non-pro photography in the 2012 Union County Senior Art Show and his winning picture is on exhibit in the 46th Annual New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor.

Greg’s photographic images have been in solo exhibits at Les Malamut Gallery in Union; the Barnegat Public Library; and the Charlestown, Rhode Island Public Library. Visit his photography online atwww.gregcummingsphotography.com.

Cummings has been an active volunteer in Fanwood for many years, serving on the Holiday Celebration, Clean Communities, and Historic Preservation committees. He recently stepped down as Chairman of the Fanwood Planning Board after more than 20 years of service.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. E-mail to:culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (R) and Freeholders Mohamed Jalloh (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) present a resolution to Prevention Links Executive Director Pam Capaci and Prevention Links Community Events Coordinator Michael Capko congratulating them on a successful 14th Annual Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Day on October 20 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark The event kicked off Red Ribbon Week which is aimed at educating young people about the dangers of drugs and encourages them to live a drug free lifestyle. For more information, visit www.preventionlinks.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal invite adults, ages 18 and older, to attend a one-man dramatization of  Washington Irving’s “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” on Tuesday, October 30, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.

“This engaging program sets the mood for the season of trick-or-treating which is right around the corner,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “And the Trailside Center in the woods of the Watchung Reservation is the ideal location for the classic early American drama.”

Seasoned actor, director and educator Neill Hartley brings you into the world of famed short story writer Washington Irving and his best known work, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Hartley plays the literary lion as Irving narrates the tale of the Headless Horseman and then enters his own story, becoming Ichabod Crane, creating an eerie and entertaining evening.

Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. This program is made possible in part by funding from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. There is no fee for this event, but donations are welcomed.

For additional information about the Legend of Sleepy Hollow or other adult programs and upcoming events at Trailside call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & 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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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County, NJ – Fourteen municipalities in Union County will plant a total of 1000 trees this year with the help of funding from the “Greening Union County” grant program.

The program helps local governments offset the cost of planting trees, through matching grants from the Union County Open Space, Historic Preservation and Recreation Trust Fund.

“The benefits of planting trees in our towns go far beyond aesthetics. They have an intrinsic environmental and economic value,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is committed to the on-going support of our municipalities’ greening efforts.”

Freeholder Angel G. Estrada initiated the program while serving as Freeholder Board Chairman in 2004, and since its inception 6281 trees have been planted throughout Union County.

Depending on the applicants’ needs, “Greening Union County” provides grants for new trees at public parks, historic sites and other public facilities, as well as on streets.

“It has long been known that trees in urban areas have a positive impact on air quality and storm water management,” said Deborah P. Scanlon, Chairman of the Open Space Trust Fund. “But what many people fail to realize is that well placed trees can also reduce cooling and heating costs, and even increase property values of homes throughout the area.”

The program includes installation by forestry professionals with a one-year maintenance guarantee.

This year’s grants, totaling $93,003.00 will go to Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, and Union.

For additional information on the “Greening Union County” grant program contact Victoria Durbin Drake of the Union County Office of Open Space, Historic Preservation and Recreation Trust Fund at 908-558-2278, or visit online at www.ucnj.org/community/parks-recreation/open-space-trust-fund.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.