Category: Public Info

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Voters can apply for their ballot in person, fill it out, and cast it in the same visit.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds residents that the County Clerk’s office in Westfield is now available to voters for “One-Stop” Vote-by-Mail service. Eligible voters can pick up an application for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, receive their ballot, and cast it in a secure drop-off box all in one visit.

“We encourage all voters to vote early by using a Vote-by-Mail ballot, and the One-Stop service makes it easy and convenient,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “As a reminder, voters who are not on the permanent Vote-by-Mail list will need to request an application if they would like to use a Vote-by-Mail ballot.”

The County Clerk’s Westfield office is located at the Colleen Frasier Building in the Union County Complex, at 300 North Avenue East. Regular office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Approximately 40,000 voters in Union County are on a permanent Vote-by-Mail list. Ballots were mailed to all permanent Vote-by-Mail voters last week.

Voters who are not on the permanent list must submit an application in order to receive their Vote-by-Mail ballot.

Picking up an application in person at the County Clerk’s office in Westfield is one way to obtain a Vote-by-Mail ballot application. There are also three other ways:

• Call the County Clerk’s Elections Division at 908-527-4996 to receive an application in the mail.
• Email the County Clerk at ucvote@ucnj.org to receive an application in the mail.
• Download the application from the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, or use the Union County Votes mobile app, available for free download on app stores.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

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

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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Union County to hold free drop-off event for old or unwanted household chemicals and many other items, Saturday, October 22.

Union County residents can safely dispose of their unwanted household chemicals, pool supplies, used motor oil, old fire extinguishers, propane tanks and many other potentially hazardous items at Union County’s next free Household Hazardous Waste drop-off event.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. Any Union County resident may participate, regardless of their home town.

Participants will enter the front of the campus from Raritan Road, and follow directions to the back area by West Hall and the Police Academy.

“Our Household Hazardous Waste events provide a convenient way for residents to remove unwanted chemicals and other potentially hazardous items from their homes and yards, and dispose of them safely,” said Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca Williams. “As this is the last event of 2022, we encourage all residents to take advantage of this opportunity rather than leave items in their houses all through the winter.”

Items accepted for disposal include outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, and automobile tires among many other items such as oil-based paint (no latex paint) and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), mercury switches, and more.

A list of accepted items is available at ucnj.org/recycling/household-special-waste.

Residents with questions about unlisted items can use the online form at ucnj.org/recycling to contact the Bureau of Recycling and Planning.

Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

Car tires are accepted at these events. There is a limit of eight automobile tires, without rims, per household.

Please note that latex paint (water-based) wall paint is NOT accepted.  Leftover latex paint can be used around the house, shared, donated, or allowed to dry in the can. The dried can may be discarded in regular household garbage, with the lid off. To reduce drying time, add kitty litter, newspaper scraps or a commercial paint hardener.

Union County’s Household Hazardous Waste events are drive-up only, and contact-free. Items for disposal should be brought in the vehicle’s trunk or cargo area, where they can be easily unloaded by staff at the site.

The events are held rain or shine, for Union County residents only, not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

The October 22 event is part of Union County’s annual series of recycling programs for household hazardous waste, scrap metal and personal paper shredding. These recycling programs will be on hiatus over the winter and will restart in 2023.

Visit ucnj.org/recycle for dates, times and locations, and for additional recycling resources and information in Union County. Information is also available by recorded phone message at the Recycling Hotline, 908-654-9889.

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

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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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The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce that 10 Union County artists have been selected as award winners in the 56th annual New Jersey Senior Art Show. The exhibit includes works of art created by both professional and non-professional artists, ages 60 and up, from all 21 counties across the state.

To qualify for the statewide exhibit, artists first have to participate in juried exhibits within their own counties, and receive a first-place award in their media category.

“On behalf of the Commissioner Board, I thank everyone who participated in the Union County Senior Art Show last spring, and congratulate the awardees who are exhibiting in the statewide show. We are all enriched by the creativity and insights of the senior members of our community,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

The Union County awardees are:

• Joe Manzella (Cranford) — 1st Place, Digital Art by a Non-Professional artist, for the artwork, “Listen to Your Heart”
• Elizabeth Gillin (Westfield) — 1st Place, Oil Painting by a Non-Professional artist, for the painting, “Amanda Gorman, My Favorite Poet”
• Sam Awad (Summit) 2nd Place, Photography by a Professional artist, for the artwork, “Pit Stop”
• Michelle Thompson (Union) — 3rd Place, Mixed Media by a Non-Professional artist, for the artwork, “Finding Beauty in a World of Chaos”
• Marianne O’Neill (Rahway) — Honorable Mention, Craft by a Non-Professional artist, for the artwork, “Birdhouses & Buttons”
• Lynda Dubois-Jackson (Plainfield) — Honorable Mention, Craft by a Professional artist, for the artwork, “Grandma & Friends”
• Joseph J. Schott (Fanwood) — Honorable Mention, Oil by a Professional artist, for the painting, “Snyder Hunt Club”
• Barbara Uhr (Westfield) — Honorable Mention, Pastel by a Professional artist, for the artwork, “Along the Banks”
• Carol Sussman Skalka (Springfield) — Honorable Mention, Sculpture by a Non-Professional artist, for the artwork, “Caress”
• Kim Eckstrom (Fanwood) — Honorable Mention, Watercolor by a Professional artist, for the painting, “House with Turret”

The 2022 New Jersey Senior Art Show can be viewed online at www.njseniorarts.com/gallery/.

To see the exhibit in person, visit the main building of Meadow Lakes Senior Living, 300 Meadow Lakes, in East Windsor. The public can view the artworks, free of charge, Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm. Groups of 6 or more should contact Meadow Lakes in advance by calling 609-448-4100. Directions can be found on the Meadow Lakes website at https://meadowlakesonline.org/.

The show is on display at Meadow Lakes through Thursday, October 27.

The New Jersey Senior Art Show is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Mercer County’s Division of Culture & Heritage, funded by the Council on the Arts with additional support from Mercer County and the New Jersey Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

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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Residents will be invited to participate in public meetings on reducing the risk of coastal storm surge flooding.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners encourages members of the public to review a new coastal flooding study covering parts of Union County and the metropolitan New York/New Jersey area, prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The new “NY & NJ Harbor & Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study” is available online at nan.usace.army.mil.

As part of the flood control planning process, the USACE will hold a series of public meetings later this year.

“We strongly encourage residents, business owners and other stakeholders in Union County to review the study, prepare questions and suggestions, and participate in the public meetings once they are scheduled,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “This project will be the largest of its kind ever undertaken by the USACE. We anticipate that it will make a significant difference in our community, and to millions of people in the metro area.”

“The new coastal study complements our ongoing work with the USACE on flood mitigation for inland parts of Union County. These are complex projects and we thank USACE, and state and federal partners, for ensuring that we continue to make progress on these vital infrastructure improvements,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, who met with staff from USACE and other experts to review the new report earlier this month.

The NY & NJ Harbor Study describes a “Tentatively Selected Plan” to reduce the risk of coastal storm surge by building storm surge barriers at the entrance to Arthur Kill in New Jersey and various waterways in New York, along with natural features and other measures to mitigate flooding from storm surges. Inland communities, such as those along the Passaic River, are among those expected to benefit from these projects.

The Tentatively Selected Plan also provides for minimizing impacts on environmental or cultural resources, while still meeting the goal of reducing flood risk.

The NY & NJ study is part of the USACE’s North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study. Building on lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy, the Comprehensive Study is designed to assess and understand flood risks associated with climate change, and to help at-risk communities better prepare for future flood risks, based on latest scientific information available.

Links for the Comprehensive Study are available at the NY & NJ Harbor Study web page, https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Projects-in-New-York/New-York-New-Jersey-Harbor-Tributaries-Focus-Area-Feasibility-Study/

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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Repurposing of previously closed jail facility has given vital County food program continued capacity for operations

The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents that the “Meals on Wheels” program has been operational since the Spring of 2022, using the mostly vacant Union County Jail facility, located in Elizabeth.

Hurricane IDA heavily impacted Union County and the Meals on Wheels facility in Linden was flooded. The County of Union decided the best option was to use the now mostly vacant Union County Jail. The facility had recently been closed in 2021, saving tens of millions in taxpayer dollars.

“Repurposing the County Jail’s kitchen gave Meals on Wheels the tools, space and capacity to meet the needs of the program,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “It has a full kitchen, big enough to produce, pack and prepare the meals for delivery and is equipped with elevators and lifts as well as a loading area for the vehicles picking up the meals.”

Currently a fleet of 23 vehicles delivers 1200 meals to elder residents in needs. Meals on Wheels is by far the largest program within the Department of Human Services, servicing the most people on a daily basis.

“There is a nutrition element to this, but there is also the critical element of the in-person and face to face delivery which for some people may be their only contact with someone throughout the day,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, who serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “This ensures that all those benefitting from Meals on Wheels get the nutrition they need.”

“Since moving to the jail facility, this program logistically produces its daily meals at a high rate – and continues to run efficiently and effectively,” said Debbie-Ann Anderson, Director of the Union County Department of Human Services.

If you or a senior you know needs nutritious meals delivered, please contact Meals on Wheels at 908-486-5100.

To contact the Union County Department of Human Services, residents can use the online contact form at ucnj.org/dhs, email the DHS Action Line at DHSaction@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4847.

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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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Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Adult Mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, September 29, 2022, between the hours of 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office.

• Linden – Tremley Point Area,
• Rahway – Elston St., Randolph Ave., Leesville Ave. Area
• Scotch Plains – Lincoln Ave., Evelyn Ave., Roosevelt Ave., Trenton Ave.
• Springfield – Brown Ave., Commerce St. Area
• Union – Carlyle Pl. Area, Whitewood Rd. Area, Reinhold Ter. Area

Municipality Parks:

• Union – Sayre Park

Union County business owners and managers who are interested in learning new ways to continue growing during periods of stress are invited to attend a Strategic Resilience Lunch & Learn event hosted by the Union County Commissioner Board on Tuesday, October 4, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kean University STEM Building at 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

The event will include a panel discussion on adapting to economic emergencies hosted by Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca L. Williams and featuring Kean University’s NJSBDC Regional Director, Rafael Mata.

 “We encourage the members of our local business community to come and learn from the real-life experiences of our panelists, network with their peers, and meet with agencies that can provide guidance and assistance,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

Representatives from the Union County Economic Development Corporation, the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers, Union College, the New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce will also be on hand.

The panel will consist of:

• Charlotte Diakite (Owner, A3 Contracting)
• Gladys Vonglahn (Owner, Gladys Cleaning Service LLC)
• Lee Frankel (Owner, Crossroads Restaurant, Bar and Music Venue
• Mike Kelly (Owner, Garden State Strength and Fitness)
• Koron Barley (Owner, Headquarters Hair Studio)
• Kevin Castor (Co-Owner, Melao’s Café and Creamery)

Lunch will be provided at the event. Pre-registration is required at ucnj.org/ucmb. Please note that a modest fee of $10.00 per person applies.

Union County’s The Lunch & Learn series is hosted through the Commissioner Board’s Union County Means Business initiative, a program of the Office of Business Development in the Union County Department of Economic Development.

Union County Means Business is supported by many partners including: UCEDC, Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Union College, Cranford Area Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, America’s SBDC – New Jersey and New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about the Office of Business Development visit ucnj.org/department-of-economic-development or contact the Office Coordinator, Jeff Brooks, at Jeffrey.Brooks@ucnj.org or 908-659-7412.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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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Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that  sample ballots for the November 8 General Election can now be viewed and downloaded on the County Clerk’s elections website unioncountyvotes.com, and through Union County Votes, a free app for all mobile devices.

The County Clerk’s office is also mailing sample ballots to all registered Union County voters. The sample ballot mailings will begin on October 12.

“The website and app offer a convenient way for voters to familiarize themselves with their ballot, even before they receive their copy in the mail,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Voters with any questions about their sample ballots can call the County Clerk’s Elections Division, 908-527-4996 or email the Elections Division at ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

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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Free drop-off sites available on October 6 and October 15.

Union County residents can bring their old or unwanted scrap metal to free recycling drop-off sites sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. Metal cabinets, wire hangers, appliances, gutters, kitchen ware and many other metal items are accepted at these sites.

“Recycling scrap metal is an important way to conserve resources, and we encourage every household to make use of this free service,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “These drop-off sites make it easy and convenient to clear your home and yard of unwanted metal items while helping the environment, too.”

The Union County scrap metal drop-off program operates at two sites, in Cranford and Rahway. Both sites are open to all Union County residents regardless of their home town.

Scrap metal will be accepted Thursday, October 6 and Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at two free drop-off centers:

• Cranford:  Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive, Rahway off St. Georges Avenue to service yard across from swimming pool)

The final scrap metal drop-off events of the 2022 season will take place on Thursday, November 3 and Saturday, November 19. The scrap metal recycling program goes on hiatus over the winter and will resume in the spring of 2023.

Please note that Union County’s scrap metal recycling events are drive-up only, and contact-free.

Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times.  Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed and be easily accessible for staff to remove.

For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

To receive schedule alerts, and to stay up to date with Union County and local recycling programs, download the free Recycle Coach mobile app.

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

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution 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.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to the   Annual Pulaski Day Flag Raising on Friday, September 30, at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Union County Court House, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. The event is free and all residents are invited to attend.

“Union County is home to many Polish-Americans,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “The Commissioner Board is proud to once again acknowledge the contributions of this very active and hard-working community to our county over the years, by flying the Polish Flag over the County Seat.”

The event is being co-sponsored by the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee of St. Theresa from Linden. The program will include remarks by Union County Commissioner, Bette Jane Kowalski as well former NJ State Senator, Raymond J. Lesniak and Linden City Council President, Michelle Yamakaitis. The Grand Marshall of the 2022 Linden Contingency for the local General Pulaski Memorial Parade, Chief of Police for the City of Linden, Chief David Hart will be recognized during the ceremony.

Also slated to be present and recognized at the flag raising ceremony are: the President of the Linden Contigency, Agnieszka Czajkowska, as well as Sophie Kotulski (Miss Polonia 2022/2023), Marcelina Somaradzka (Junior Miss Polonia 2022/2023) and Milena Glab (Little Miss Polonia 2022/2023). Marcelina Domaradzka will perform the national anthems of the United States and Poland.

“We have a diverse fabric of ethnicities and the Polish-American community has a long history of maintaining and honoring their roots within Union County,” said Commissioner Vice-Chair, Christopher Hudak. “I invite all residents from the County of Union to attend the Union County Pulaski Flag Raising. As a Commissioner of Polish descent, I am especially proud of the accomplishments of the Polish-American community across the country and especially within Union County.”

“It is with great happiness that we can again be together in person to recognize and celebrate the Polish-American Community here in Union County,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Commissioner Board extended its warmest wishes to all Polish-Americans as they celebrate Pulaski Day in the coming days at various events.”

The Polish-American Community will be celebrating what has come to be known as “Pulaski Day” throughout late September and early October. With various celebrations in several municipalities, the festivities culminate in a parade down 5^th Avenue in Manhattan. The Pulaski Day parade was first held in 1937 and is one of the oldest ethnic parades in New York.

The flag-raising will include refreshments and food.

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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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