Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd R) speaks with Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (C), TD Bank Vice President and Retail Marketing Manager Beatrice Romao, TD Bank Vice President and Market President Dominick Miceli (2nd L) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella during the third session of the Union County Means Business networking breakfast series. The series, an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Mirabella, is designed to bring local business owners, prospective owners and managers in contact with information about grants, loans, social media, employee recruitment, and other resources. All sessions are free but pre-registration is required by visiting the Union County website at  https://ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or call 908-527-4200.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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. On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski helps (from left) Jazmina Dux, Kayla Lyles and Ava Paige, all of Plainfield, water a tree they just helped plant at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. Dozens of volunteers attended the tree-planting party on April 10. The event, sponsored by the Union County Board of Freeholders and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County brought together residents and professionals from various nature groups to plant 20 flowering crabapple trees.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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. On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

NEWARK – Union County’s 7-mile section of U.S. Highway 1&9 plays a vital economic role in  the movement of goods and people through the cities of Elizabeth, Linden and Rahway, and for this reason it was the focus of the Route 1&9 Corridor Study conducted by Union County and funded by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA). The Study explores the changing needs of the region and the local goals of improved safety, better quality of life and emerging redevelopment opportunities.

The study found show congestion during peak hours, relatively high vehicle and pedestrian crash rates, and a lack of wayfinding signage for motorists and riders seeking transit facilities. A list of improvements focuses on corridor-wide improvements as well as upgrades to specific locations. Some examples of recommendations are crosswalk and traffic signal improvements at intersections, more pedestrian safety measures, better roadway drainage and a thorough evaluation and upgrade of deficient lighting and signage.

“The strategies highlighted in the study could greatly improve vehicle and pedestrian safety at crash hot spots and ease congestion throughout the corridor,” said Union County Freeholder and NJTPA Board Member Angel G. Estrada. “These and other quality of life improvements outlined in the report can help attract new development and opportunity to the area.”

A concise summary of the study is available in a new NJTPA publication highlighting study findings around northern New Jersey. Research for the project concluded in 2011, and a final study report was recently released and posted online. Both the publication and final report can be downloaded at NJTPA’s Subregional Studies Program web page.

The NJTPA’s Subregional Studies Program provides federal grants every two years on a competitive basis to the 13 counties and two cities represented by the NJTPA Board. Studies include an analysis of existing and future conditions in a particular area or transportation system, as well as strategies for improvements. Strategies are developed and refined into detailed concepts that can advance to implementation phases involving appropriate agencies (such as counties, municipalities, the Department of Transportation, etc.).

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The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 13 northern New Jersey Counties. Under federal legislation, MPOs provide a forum where local officials, public transportation providers and state agency representatives can come together and cooperatively plan to meet the region’s current and future transportation needs. It establishes the region’s eligibility to receive federal tax dollars for transportation projects.

The NJTPA Board consists of one local elected official from each of the 13 counties in the region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren), and the cities of Newark and Jersey City. The Board also includes a Governor’s Representative, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Executive Directors of NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a Citizen’s Representative appointed by the Governor

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to offer educators an opportunity to learn about environmental issues at Trailside Nature & Science Center on Thursday, April 26. The Teacher-Training Workshop: Project Learning Tree will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and is recommended for formal and non-formal educators of students in grades K-8. The fee for this workshop is $15 and pre-registration is required.

“This teacher-training workshop is a great opportunity for our educators to utilize the resources of Trailside Nature & Science Center to get the curriculum and tools they need to give their students a greater awareness and understanding of our environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is a nationally recognized environmental education curriculum supplement that provides educators with tools for increasing student environmental awareness.  Using the forest as a “window” into exploration of local and global environments, students of PLT are made aware of the ecological, historical, cultural and economical perspectives of resource management. Through this awareness students are able to make wise decisions concerning the conservation and stewardship of our natural resources.

The PLT lessons are correlated to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and engage students in interdisciplinary, hands-on experiences that develop skills in problem solving, evaluation and research. The PLT guide also presents a balanced approach to instructing current issues and topics, while stimulating students’ critical thinking.

Each workshop participant will receive six NJDOE credits. Morning refreshments will be provided but participants are asked to bring lunch.

For information about this Teacher-Training Workshop 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 atwww.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that a history grant writing workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Wednesday, April 25, at the Liberty Hall Museum at Kean, 1003 Morris Avenue in Union.

“The grant-writing workshop is intended for historical societies, schools, museums, libraries and similar non-profit and diverse organizations in Union County,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “Attendees will learn about the two types of competitive grants available through the Union County History Grant Program administered by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.”

The history staff will answer questions and provide assistance to applicants on the technical aspects of the application process. Applications will be available at the workshop. There are general standards of eligibility as well as specific requirements for each grant:

1)      General Operating Support (GOS) grants provide assistance for the basic costs of operation (e.g. programming, preservation of collections, salaries, marketing, etc.) to Union County-based historical societies, house museums or historic sites only. The maximum GOS grant request is $7,500.

2)      Special Project (SP) grants support history organizations, museums, schools, libraries and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to Union County and New Jersey state history. The maximum grant request is $5,000.

Special projects on topics or events related to Union County and the Civil War Era are especially welcome as the nation continues to observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War (1861-1865). Funding for this program is made available through the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

To confirm attendance at the April 25 workshop or receive more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202. Telephone: (908) 436-2912. New Jersey Relay users dial 711. E-mail requests to ewashington@ucnj.org.

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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.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Spring Warblers Identification, a workshop for adults, ages 18 and older, will be presented on Wednesday, April 25, from 7 – 9 p.m.  at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Audubon Society naturalist Peter Bacinski will lecture on the 35 species of eastern resident and migrant warblers. The fee for this program is $8 for Union County residents and $10 for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is preferred, but walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. For information on the Spring Warbler Identification lecture, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visitwww.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.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to offer a special presentation about Spring Warblers on Wednesday, April 25, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Adults, ages 18 and older, are welcome to join Audubon naturalist Peter Bacinski for a lecture that will heighten awareness of the Spring Warblers, a species that enhances the New Jersey landscape throughout the season.

The program costs $8 for Union County residents and $10 for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is preferred but walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

“As the days get longer and the temperatures climb, we look forward to spending more time outdoors and observing birds and wildlife,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The lecture on Spring Warblers will give you the knowledge and insight you need to be ready for their appearance this season.”

The “Spring Warblers Identification” workshop will help participants sharpen their skills at identifying America’s most beautiful songbirds in their finest breeding attire. Mr. Bacinski will cover the 35 species of eastern resident and migrant warblers. Images will illustrate diagnostic field marks to help you separate members of this difficult group in the field.

Peter Bacinski has been a New Jersey Audubon Society Naturalist since 1993 and has been a Field Trip/Nature Tour leader and lecturer for the Audubon Society for many years. He has written a weekly column, “Seen in New Jersey,” in The Star-Ledger since 2003 and has been published in Wildbird Magazine, New Jersey Audubon and Illinois Audubon magazines.

For information on the Spring Warblers Identification program, or any other upcoming programs and 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.

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will sponsor a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on Saturday, April 21, so Union County residents can get rid of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats, propane tanks, and automobile tires in an environmentally safe manner. The collection will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Alcatel-Lucent Technologies facility located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence.

Residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

“The special household waste recycling program for Union County residents is particularly important as we become more aware of the need for proper disposal of hazardous items that are found around the home,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The result of our effort is safer homes and a cleaner environment for our families and our neighbors.”

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their household special waste, propane tanks, automobile tires, and mercury thermostats. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

“Household special waste” includes oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), blood pressure devices, and mercury switches. Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

Latex (water-based) paint and empty cans will not be accepted. They should be disposed of in with the regular garbage. Leftover latex paint can be air-dried or, to hasten the drying process, kitty litter and/or newspaper can be added to hasten the drying.

“This is a great opportunity to recycle up to eight tires and dispose of old chemical containers that are cluttering up the basement or the garage, or taking up space under the kitchen sink,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Council. “Our homes become safer once they are rid of hazardous and combustible waste.”

There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household. This is a household recycling event. No businesses, please.

Union County, in partnership with Covanta Energy, also includes mercury thermostats in its household waste recycling initiative. The mercury thermostat program complements the County’s efforts to collect household pollutants and divert mercury from the regional waste stream in order to help safeguard our water and air quality. What’s more, residents will receive a $5 gift certificate to Home Depot for turning in a mercury thermostat at the April 21 recycling event.

“Our partnership with Covanta allows us to extend our efforts to pursue environmentally sound methods of waste disposal,” Freeholder Hudak added.

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on April 21 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning web site: www.ucnj.org/recycle

The household hazardous waste collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at (908) 654-9889.

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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 – Just in time to jumpstart spring, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has introduced the “Spring 2012 Small Steps to Health and Wealth Challenge.”  The free six-week program, open to all Union County residents, is an online learning experience developed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It kicks off on from Sunday, April 15th and lasts through Saturday, May 26, 2012.

“By allowing you to break up your goals into daily actions, the Spring Challenge is a wonderful way to begin or continue your journey towards a healthier, financially secure life,” noted Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support this beneficial program.”

The Spring Challenge is part of Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ (SSHW), a national Cooperative Extension program built around a framework of 25 research-based behavior change strategies.

The “Spring 2012 SSHW Challenge” is based on the performance of ten recommended practices on a daily basis: five that involve health and nutrition and five that involve financial management. Participants can also replace one daily health activity and one daily personal finance activity with a unique daily personal challenge of their own.

“Doing even one of the ten recommended daily practices is a great way to get started,” said Dr. Karen Ensle, RD, Rutgers professor and Family and Community Health Sciences Educator for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. Dr. Ensle developed the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ program with Dr. Barbara O’Neill CFP, also of Rutgers.

As part of the challenge, points are assigned for each completed action, which can be entered online. The point system allows for a total of 700 points per week and a possible challenge-wide total of 4,200 points. Prizes will be awarded to those who report the highest point totals.

Participants can also track and compare their personal progress with the average scores of others taking part in the challenge using the bar graph on the website.

To sign up for the SSHW Challenge, follow the “Challenges” link on the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™Web site at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/.  Set up a user name and password and download a simple one-page user’s guide with instructions on how to proceed. Enroll in the Challenge titled “Spring 2012 SSHW Challenge.” Paper tracking forms can be downloaded to keep track of daily activities until they are entered online.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. To contact the Union County Extension by phone, call 908-654-9854

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastion 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.

“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,
732-932-5000, ext. 584.”

ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds anyone interested in running for school board that the annual Board of Education elections in Union County this year will be held on Tuesday, November 6, General Election Day, and that school board candidates must file their nominating petitions in her office by Tuesday, June 5.

Legislation signed by Governor Christie in January gave communities the option to change the date of their annual school board elections from April to November. All local Union County school districts have opted to move their elections to Nov. 6 this year. Unlike former years, the nominating petitions for local Board of Education candidates now must be filed with the County Clerk’s Office.

“As a former school board member myself, I want to make sure that candidates for Board of Education positions have all the information they need to file their nominating petitions on time so that their name will appear on the General Election ballot,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “School Board candidates must file their nominating petitions at the County Clerk’s Office by the deadline of Tuesday, June 5, before 4:00 p.m.”

The County Clerk’s Office has created an entire web page of School Board Election Information where pertinent details, qualifications and instructions about the Board of Education election can be found. Visit the County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/ and click on “Elections.”

A candidate petition form can be obtained by calling the County Clerk’s Office at 908-527-4996 or by visiting the office at 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth NJ 07207. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, email: LBobish@ucnj.org .

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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 – Union County schools can celebrate Arbor Day with a free ornamental pear tree from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Available on April 17th and 18th following a training seminar from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Williams Nursery on Springfield Ave in Westfield, the white flowering trees can be used by schools to beautify their grounds and provide shade.

“We hope that the schools will involve students and parents in planting the trees on their grounds,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, “It’s a great way for people to learn how important they are to our environment.”

Training for students and accompanying adults will be provided by members of the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board. Participants will learn how to effectively plant and care for the 5-6 foot tall trees. Schools may attend on either day and students in 3rd grade and older are welcome.

The pear trees are donated by the Union County Freeholder Board through Williams Nursery, while training sessions are sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with support from the Shade Tree Advisory Board.

Trees will be given on a first come first served basis while supplies last. To register, or to receive a tree without attending the training session, please contact Barbara Knapp at 908-789-3653 or via email atbknapp@ucnj.org.

For additional information, contact Rutgers Extension agent James Nichandowicz at 908-654-9854 or by email at Nichandowicz@aesop.rutgers.edu.

In addition to Arbor Day donations, Union County supports local tree planting efforts through the Greening Union County grant program, which provides matching funds for municipal trees.

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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.

“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,
732-932-5000, ext. 584.”