Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and their caregivers to come to Union County’s ASK community events in May, and meet in person with professional staff for expert guidance on senior programs and resources. Help with filling out forms is also provided.

Bilingual staff will be present at all of these events to offer assistance in Spanish.

“The ASK program brings our knowledgeable staff to local libraries and community centers, to make it easier for seniors, family members and care givers to find out about resources and programs in Union County. If you have any questions about services for seniors, please come to an ASK event near you,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

ASK stands for Aging Services Kiosk, a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60-plus and their caregivers.

The ASK program provides Union County residents with a friendly, convenient way to find out about helpful programs and services for seniors and caregivers. The program brings professional staff from the Division on Aging to local public libraries and other community centers.

Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown.

No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Five ASK events will be held in May:

Thursday, May 4th

Union Public Library

1060 Stuyvesant Avenue

Union, 07083

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Monday, May 8th

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, 07066

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, May 10th

Garwood Public Library

411 Third Avenue

Garwood, 07027

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, May 17th

Elizabeth Public Library – Main

11 S. Broad Street

Elizabeth, 07202

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Monday, May 22nd

Plainfield Public Library

800 Park Avenue

Plainfield, 07060

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

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

The goal of the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families, in accordance with a statewide initiative adopted by Union County in 2012. The Division is one of 622 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.   

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

#  #

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

This free event will be held indoors due to expected rain.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents and visitors of all ages to meet live animals, enjoy fun outdoor activities, celebrate wildlife and learn about environmental conservation at Wild Earth Fest, hosted by the Trailside Nature and Science Center on Sunday, April 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine.

Trailside is located in Union County’s scenic Watchung Reservation nature preserve, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

“Wild Earth Fest raises awareness about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship here in the Union County community and globally, too,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “It is a unique event that combines fun activities with new opportunities to learn and interact with our natural surroundings.”

Admission to Wild Earth Fest is $5.00 per person seven years and older. Children six years old and younger are free. No pre-registration is required.

Wild Earth Fest 2023 features ongoing activities, crafts and displays throughout the event, highlighted by a sea creature touch tank from Jenkinson’s Aquarium, a petting zoo from Swift Farms, live music by the group Acoustic NRG, an event-wide exhibit of Trash to Treasure Recycled Art, Trailside’s outreach van with a touch table and giveaways, and an obstacle course from Child’s Play Challenge Courses with “course crusher” challenges for all ages.

New this year, Wild Earth Fest also welcomes an electric vehicle display from the nonprofit organization New Jersey Electrical Vehicle Association. Members of the group will be on site to share their EV experiences and answer any questions.    

A rock wall climb, a giant inflatable slide, and an Earth Day Play area with skee-ball, hoops, volleyball and other games made from ordinary recyclable items are among the other activities.

Wild Earth Fest also includes a schedule of special presentations:

• Unique Creatures (11:30 a.m.): Learn about some of the most interesting animals from all over the world and meet live reptiles, mammals, birds and insects up close.
• Kids in Motion (12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.): Join DJ Jo Jo Russell in a fun and active musical adventure.
• Water Magic (1:30 p.m.): Join Science Magician Mr. Fish for “a fun and engaging magic show centered around water and water conservation at 1:30 p.m.   
• Skyhunters in Flight (12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.): Meet live birds of prey, learn about the sport of falconry, and see an aw-inspiring flight display courtesy of Falconer Brian Bradley and his amazing birds.
• Trashaganza (2:00 p.m.): Enjoy a performance with musical instruments made from recycled materials, try your hand at making instruments, and join the Trashaganza Musical Parade through Wild Earth Fest. Trashaganze is sponsored by Union County Clean Communities to raise awareness about the importance of Reuse, Recycle, Reduce.

Vendors and exhibitors include the New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association, Toadshade Wildflower Farm, Friends of the Great Swamp, Native Plant Society of NJ, Labo Refillery, Oats & Soaks, Lee’s Bees, Planet B, Union County Master Gardeners, 4-H Master Tree Stewards, the NJ Mycological Society and more.

Green-themed art and gifts will also be available for purchase as well as food and snacks.

For more information about Wild Earth Fest and other upcoming programs and events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.

The Trailside Nature and Science Center is a service of the Union County Board of County Commissioners in the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information about all recreation, arts, and cultural programs and activities visit ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

#  #

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to bring their personal and sensitive documents to the next free paper shredding event, taking place on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Plainfield High School, 950 Park Avenue in Plainfield. The event will take place in the Arlington Avenue Parking lot, rain or shine.

“We bring our mobile paper shredding events to different sites around the county, to help ensure that residents have convenient access to a way to securely dispose of their sensitive documents.  Our free paper shredding service helps to prevent fraud and identity theft, and we also recycle the shredded paper to help conserve valuable resources,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

Union County’s free shredding events take place each year from March to November, bringing a mobile paper shredding truck to various locations throughout the County. Any Union County resident can bring their personal documents to be shredded at any of these events, regardless of their home town.

Each event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 1:00 p.m., but may finish earlier if the shredding trucks fill up to capacity. All events are rain or shine.

The paper shredding events are contact-free and drive-up only. Drivers must remain in their cars while staff unloads their papers, which are shredded on site in a mobile shredding truck.

Participants are reminded that pre-shredded, damp, or wet paper will not be accepted. Bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia should be removed.

For the complete schedule and more information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, visit ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

Union County’s free shedding events are intended for personal, sensitive documents only. Residents can recycle magazines, junk mail and other waste paper with their municipal recycling program. Contact your municipal recycling coordinator for more details about recycling in your community.

Experts from the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning are available to present recycling information to schools, community groups and other organizations. To schedule a program contact Heather Miara, heather.miara@ucnj.org.

The free Recycle Coach mobile app provides a handy way to find out what items are included in curbside recycling programs and drop-off sites in Union County. The app provides up to date information on both countywide and local recycling programs.

For more information and updates on all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle.

Quick links to all environmental programs and activities hosted by Union County are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

#  #

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents and visitors to celebrate National Poetry Month 2023 with a talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and poet Tina Kelley, on the intersection of journalism and poetry, taking place at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center Carriage House at 135 Watson Road in Fanwood this Tuesday, April 18, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The event is free of charge but pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/tinakelley23.

“We are very proud to bring Ms. Kelley to the Union County community. This is a wonderful opportunity for poets of all ages and levels of experience to gain new insights into the creative process, and to hone their skills in communicating through the power of poetry,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

The National Poetry Month program is presented by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation, and is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

For more information about this event and other activities and programs of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit ucnj.org/cultural, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

#  #

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Contact: Kelly Martins, 908-527-4419

Director, Office of Public Information

Tina Casey, Deputy Director, 908-527-4346

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Tina Kelley in Union County, April 18

Union County, NJ – April 14, 2023 – The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents and visitors to celebrate National Poetry Month 2023 with a talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and poet Tina Kelley, on the intersection of journalism and poetry, taking place at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center Carriage House at 135 Watson Road in Fanwood this Tuesday, April 18, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The event is free of charge but pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/tinakelley23.

“We are very proud to bring Ms. Kelley to the Union County community. This is a wonderful opportunity for poets of all ages and levels of experience to gain new insights into the creative process, and to hone their skills in communicating through the power of poetry,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

The National Poetry Month program is presented by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation, and is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

For more information about this event and other activities and programs of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit ucnj.org/cultural, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

#  #

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County property owners that the Property Fraud Alert Notification system enables property owners to respond quickly to unauthorized, potentially fraudulent activity involving their property. The program is completely free for Union County property owners.

“Just recently, thieves stole the identity of a property owner in Westfield and tried to sell their home without their permission,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Property fraud is especially insidious because the victims often have no idea that their property rights have been compromised. The Fraud Alert system fills that knowledge gap and ensures that owners are informed promptly of any activities involving their property records.”

The Property Fraud Alert system enables property owners to identify a potential problem as quickly as possible, and take action to re-establish their property rights.

Property owners in Union County can subscribe to the free Property Fraud Alert system by registering online at www.propertyfraudalert.com/NJUnion?, or contact the Property Fraud Alert call center at 1-800-728-3858.

Subscribers can opt to receive alerts by phone or email. Additional names can be registered free of charge, to cover common misspellings. Please note that subscribers with common names may receive multiple alerts.

Subscribers will be notified when the name they have registered is used in any recording activities within the office of the County Clerk.

When an alert is received, the subscriber is advised to visit the Union County Clerk’s property search website at clerk.ucnj.org to check for unauthorized activity. The online system can be accessed 24/7. Subscribers can also call 1-800-728-3858 during regular weekday business hours.

Subscribers should report any suspicious activity to their local Police Department.

For information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds special needs residents and their families that a limited number of tickets are still available for “Night Out with the Red Bulls” this Saturday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. at Red Bulls Arena in Harrison. The cost of $35.00 per person includes a $10.00 food voucher to be used at the venue.

Night Out with the Red Bulls is organized by the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. Union County residents can purchase their tickets online through the County’s secure registration website, ucnj.org/opdsn-reg.

“The Red Bulls have created a welcoming environment for all to enjoy, and the Commissioner Board is very proud to support their efforts and help raise awareness during Autism Acceptance Month,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “We are looking forward to an exciting match, and we encourage everyone to connect with the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs to learn more about inclusive programs and activities supported by the Commissioner Board throughout the year.”

The Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs is the first such office in New Jersey, established in 2018 in the Department of Human Services. For more information visit ucnj.org/opdsn or call 908-527-4807 (for TTY please call 711).

#  #

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners with funding from Union County and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority have been supporting a study aimed at preparing for an increase in electric vehicle (EV) ownership in the County over the next 10 years. The Public Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 6:30 PM by Zoom to answer questions and get feedback on the results to date.

“To combat rising carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutions brought on by transportation, the County of Union is looking for more charging stations to be installed, especially since the use of electric vehicles are on the rise,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “We want our residents to be able to find somewhere to charge their vehicles locally with ease, so I am looking forward to seeing the results of this study.”

The project page can be found at www.ucnj.org/ev-study, which holds a lot of information on the project and includes more on the subsidizes available to purchase EVs and funding sources for the installation of EV chargers. The growth in EV ownership is anticipated to lead to an increased demand for convenient EV charging sites throughout New Jersey.

In addition to meeting overall demand for convenient EV charging sites, the study aims to place the County in position to have the needed infrastructure with respect to traditionally underserved communities. The study will attempt to address the challenge of sufficient charging equipment locations for residents renting in multifamily residences and larger developments.

New Jersey has set a goal for December 2025 to have 330,000 registered passenger EVs and at least 400 public fast chargers throughout the state. The chargers are to be distributed to no fewer than 200 locations.

There are currently three different EV charging options, depending on the driver’s needs. Drivers who charge their EVs at home can use a Level 1 Charger. These take several hours to fully recharge a battery, but they are relatively inexpensive and can be run on an ordinary household outlet.

The faster Level 2 Chargers are more appropriate for public use. Level 2 Chargers require a heavy-duty outlet, of the type used by refrigerators and other large appliances. The fastest charger currently available is the Level 3, also called Direct Current Fast Charge. This is a purpose-built power source, which cannot be supported by the electrical system of a home.

This Union County study will focus on Level 2 and Level 3 DCFC chargers, which would be publicly accessible. For more information, please contact Project Manager Liza Betz, AICP PP, at ebetz@ucnj.org.

–30–

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

The fire danger rating is now at VERY HIGH for all of New Jersey,  The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has imposed Stage 2 campfire restrictions, which include the following.

• All fires within or adjacent to forested areas are prohibited unless in an elevated prepared fireplace, elevated charcoal grill or stove using electricity or a liquid or gas fuel.
• An elevated prepared fireplace must be constructed of steel, stone, brick or concrete with its fire box elevated at least one foot above the ground surface and surrounded by at least a ten feet radius clearance to mineral soil.
• An elevated charcoal grill may be stationary or portable and surrounded by at least a ten feet radius clearance to mineral soil.
• At the Scout Camping Area in the Watchung Reservation, permit holders may use the group charcoal grill in each campsite, but not the fire rings on the ground.  They may use the stone fire altars in the Council Ring.
• At the Amphitheater behind the former Trailside Planetarium, permit holders may have a campfire on the raised fire altar.
• In picnic areas, park users can use our permanent metal charcoal grills or they may use their own if they have metal legs to elevate them at least a foot off of the ground.
  • They may also use propane or liquid gas fueled stoves that are elevated. 
  • Park users may not use stone or masonry fireplaces that are built at ground level, such as at Seeley’s Pond or the David Wright gazebo at Osceola (Winfield Park).

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to enjoy a multi-media show by award-winning author and photographer Marty Essen in celebration of Earth Day 2023. Titled “Around the World in 90 Minutes,” the show features Essen’s high energy and trademark humor along with his favorite photographs from traveling the world for first book, Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents.

The event takes place this Saturday, April 15, at 1:30 p.m. at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Pre-registration is required. To register, follow the link in the “Welcome” section at ucnj.org/trailside.

“The theme for Earth Day 2023 is ‘Invest in Our Planet,’ and we are very proud to welcome Marty Essen to celebrate Earth Day at Trailside,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Trailside began as a volunteer-led exhibit in a garage back in the 1940’s. Since then it has grown into a showcase for environmental education and activities for all ages. Trailside reaches thousands of Union County residents and visitors every year with messages to share about protecting our natural heritage here at home and around the world.”

Marty Essen has presented Around the World in 90 Minutesat colleges, museums, and nature centers across the United States. Charging elephants, howling wolves, deadly snakes, friendly penguins, swimming with piranhas, kayaking in the rainforest, rafting with humpback whales and surviving a hippo attack in Zimbabwe are just some of the highlights.

Marty Essen is an Amazon #1 best-selling author with multiple literary awards to his credit. He is the author of four science fiction novels and three nonfiction books. He will be signing books after the Trailside program.

For more information about Trailside, visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.

A modest fee applies to special programs at Trailside. The fee for Around the World in 90 Minutes is $5.00 for Union County residents and $6.00 for non-county residents.

The Trailside exhibits are open daily free of charge on a walk-in basis daily except Mondays and holidays.

More information about all activities in Union County parks is available at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit the Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For information and updates on Union County COVID-19 services visit ucnj.org/covid19.

#  #

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.