Category: Public Info

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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 informs residents of the updated schedules for COVID-19 testing clinics run by the County.

“We continue to work to ensure that our residents have the resources they need to protect themselves against the COVID-19 virus, including access COVID-19 tests, vaccines and booster shots,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Sergio Granados. “And, we continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted as the best protection against serious illness.”

The following testing clinic closure will take place in May:

The Union County COVID-19 testing clinic at the Warinanco Sports Center will be closed effective May 19. The last day of operations will be May 18. 

The following COVID-19 testing schedule will be effective in June:

Testing is available on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Union County EMS Building, 545 Laurel Ave in Roselle Park.

Testing is available on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center, 724 Park Ave in Plainfield.

After June 30, Union County brick-and-mortar clinics will not conduct COVID-19 testing. The County’s mobile COVID-19 program will continue to offer at-home test kits when visiting various locations throughout Union County, while supplies last. A schedule of visits for the mobile program is posted at ucnj.org/covid19.

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

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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.

In recognition of Arbor Day 2023, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. The contest is held each year to encourage environmental stewardship and tree conservation among students in grades 4-8, in partnership with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board.

“Helping to raise awareness about the role of trees in our environment is a valuable civic service for students, and the Poetry Contest is a wonderful opportunity to practice writing and communicating in a public setting. We congratulate our awardees, who demonstrated exemplary skill and writing ability to earn their winning honors, and we also appreciate the efforts of every student who submitted a poem and shared their creative insights with the community,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados.

“Each year we look forward to hearing the voices of the young people in our community in the Poetry Contest. They teach us to appreciate our natural heritage, and they encourage us to do our best to preserve and protect the environment that sustains us. Congratulations to all the winners for your beautiful poems,” said Commissioner Lourdes Leon, the Commissioner Board Liaison to the Shade Tree Advisory Board.

An awards ceremony and public presentation for the winners will be held during a regular public meeting of the Commissioner Board on Thursday, April 27.

The awards were conferred on the first, second, and third place winners in each grade:

4^th Grade

1^st Place – Alyssa DeMarco, Henley School, Clark

2^nd Place – Amaya Gonzalez, Mountain Park Elem. School, Berkeley Heights

3^rd Place – Max Keat, Lincoln School, Garwood

5^th Grade

1^st Place – Anna Morozovych, Mountain Park Elem. School, Berkeley Heights

2^nd Place – Tania Alvarado-Valverde, Lincoln School, Garwood

3^rd Place – Julia Ruiz, Mountain Park Elem. School, Berkeley Heights

6^th Grade

1^st Place – Karl Asuncion, Terrill Middle School, Scotch Plains

2^nd Place – Sloane Bienkowski, Lincoln School, Garwood

3^rd Place – Pravens Dauphin, Ola Edwards Community School, Hillside

7^th Grade

1^st Place – Madelynn Knierim, Lincoln School, Garwood

2^nd Place – Julia Pappalardo, Terrill Middle School, Scotch Plains

3^rd Place – Athena Bishop, Terill Middle School, Scotch Plains

8^th Grade

1^st Place -Luke Esmerado, Columbia Middle School, Berkeley Heights

2^nd Place – Courtney Kilmer, Lincoln School, Garwood

3^rd Place – Valerie Cespedes, Kawameeh Middle School, Union

Arbor Day has been a national observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 28.

For more information about the Arbor Day Poetry Contest contact Madeline Brigantino at mbrigantino@ucnj.org or 908-789-3653.

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

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

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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 informs residents of the updated schedules for COVID-19 vaccination clinics run by the County.

“We are expanding our mobile vaccination program to help ensure that unsheltered persons and other vulnerable residents can access the resources they need to protect themselves. The COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots save lives, and they lower the risk of serious, long term illness,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Sergio Granados.

Effective May 19, the Union County COVID-19 clinic at the Warinanco Sports Center will be closed. The last day of operation will be May 18. 

Union County will continue to provide vaccinations at Plainfield High School at 950 Park Avenue in Plainfield, on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The mobile vaccination program will also continue to visit various locations in Union County, including a partnership with Union County’s Fresh Start mobile personal hygiene and resource program for those in need. A schedule of locations is available on the Union County website at ucnj.org/covid19.

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

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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.