[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6669385,"mediaKeyId","2174010-cd31f1415ad4240da452ef6689cbca17","parentId",2174010,"title","Board adopts bulk resolutions and introduces salary ordinance for 2025; public raised wildlife and other concerns","audioSeconds",66,"startMs",4130240,"endMs",4196300,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174010-cd31f1415ad4240da452ef6689cbca17&start=4130&end=4196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174010-cd31f1415ad4240da452ef6689cbca17/thumbnail_4130240.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6669385/Union-County/New-Jersey/Board-adopts-bulk-resolutions-and-introduces-salary-ordinance-for-2025-public-raised-wildlife-and-other-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6669385-4f5ba8cf348728520347baa18b91b94d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161073&Signature=bt~fVX0r0cQqCgTqbSeZ~K0LGC9C432JQ~xzWUuiUV1IJZ6fIcINicongDpbqqM61cJAizsCD0xVJ~CcAnELtC6Y7un083qjKGoEnpZhu3IbDQMk8lmGz6~rYc1I8UY5BbNLR10fC0JiciODHEElUuT1iS4oapdq0rzbCwiRqduATN~rncEWBPRjvtEwL8Sy3GBVhzkeGmmLNQiDhdPTLadbE8OSvyW7ivImKwHyxPh93CFyBPGjsQ5LpFRk3Y4Yaf-QAuXi-F1TI16w7Rq~bMpESS4gas~34VXm5LvaJ83FssxFXJCNtPoUbWWhJlkjsctQ51zMQQSg7ZLOUH7SSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Union County","date","2025-01-25T06:35:52.98Z","article","The Union County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on a slate of resolutions and introduced a salary ordinance during tonight’s meeting.

A motion by Commissioner Joseph Mirabella, seconded by Commissioner Palmeri Mudette, carried the adoption of resolutions 2025‑77 through 2025‑145; the clerk recorded seven affirmative votes. The resolutions encompassed routine county business noted on the meeting agenda. The chair announced the roll call result as seven votes in the affirmative.

Among the items included in the resolutions package was Resolution 2025‑102, a two‑year contract for an integrated wildlife damage management program. During public comment, Julie Collins of Clark questioned whether the program involved lethal control and how the county handles animal‑welfare complaints; county staff replied that the county has worked with the state for “well over a dozen years” on wildlife management and that contract details are a public record available through OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests.

Other matters raised from the public during the comment period included inquiries about contract reductions on a road project and questions about county participation in state redevelopment planning. Resident Bruce Patterson asked for clarity on several resolutions and urged that county representatives for redevelopment matters reflect experienced membership. County officials indicated they would follow up on procedural questions and provide details where appropriate.

Separately, Commissioner Williams moved Ordinance 854‑2025 for first reading and authorized the clerk to advertise the ordinance in accordance with law; a public hearing and final reading were set for Feb. 6, 2025. The ordinance, as read, fixes salaries of members of the Board of County Commissioners, the county manager, county counsel and department heads for 2025. The clerk recorded six affirmative votes on the ordinance introduction.

The board adjourned after commissioners gave routine committee and civic updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UCBOCC 012325 R","oneSentenceSummary","The Board adopted a package of resolutions (2025‑77 through 2025‑145) and introduced Ordinance 854‑2025 to set salaries for county officials in 2025. Public commenters asked about a wildlife damage management contract and other items during the meeting’s public comment period.","taxTitle","Union County, New Jersey","taxId",2731,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6669391,"Union County adopts ordinance allowing Galloping Hill golf simulator rentals, fees",231,273870,505160,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174010-cd31f1415ad4240da452ef6689cbca17&start=273&end=505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174010-cd31f1415ad4240da452ef6689cbca17/thumbnail_273870.jpg","/articles/6669391/Union-County/New-Jersey/Union-County-adopts-ordinance-allowing-Galloping-Hill-golf-simulator-rentals-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6669391-d47949c0ab3e2437272062d619cf63df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161073&Signature=PG27RoHG1MxEvqAAKTRHFC~yMhR2Ldy5RHA7gdFDGaYS7AR0euJKE5BotNXgkSKCgJ~WLcViiKqoq4gwzZ1s1Xzkl3xw9zWBDypeDwnXFrXph82wC-JCypcdSXy-Bqj2wska5abQF~E1K6d941NnsKh9yBlwE2AiaUJ0xtWZNCqURv0WHBHZEVAghHcdg~gSj5ClpSg4sfDdb2CqvTKKgXhTjJvi8YCCiW-iqF4Kgj3U27dG0YM9Q-1OWpbD9Mdgmj7zSANbqrYnxF1Ili8QRwX92Ea3IpzKPRA2MCLapkIqJp-t6n0EBBpGdMeuYEcqVmrRsZqnrS7CI92pfkP8Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Union County Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 853-2025 on final reading tonight to amend the county administrative code governing parks and recreation to permit and set fees for a new golf simulator at Galloping Hill.

Vice Chairman Joe Bodick moved the ordinance for final reading and adoption and Commissioner Joseph Mirabella seconded. County staff described the measure as “revenue generating.” In a presentation during the public comment segment, County Manager (Ed Oatman) explained the new technology at Galloping Hill would allow the county to open the facility for paid rental of a golf simulator. \"This is a revenue generating ordinance,\" the county manager said.

Bruce Patterson of Garwood asked whether the changes would create cost impacts for residents and requested an overview of possible fees; county staff said the simulator will be offered for paid rental and framed the ordinance as a revenue source for county parks. After the public hearing closed, the board called for the motion. The clerk recorded six votes in the affirmative for Ordinance 853-2025, and the chair directed the clerk to advertise the ordinance in accordance with law.

The title read into the record described the ordinance as an amendment to the Union County Administrative Code, Part 2 (Policies and General Legislation), Chapter 107 (Parks and Recreation). The ordinance was adopted after roll call reflected six affirmative votes by commissioners present at the time of the vote.

No fee schedule for the simulator was read into the public record at the hearing; county staff said the new technology will allow the county to charge to rent the facility and that any specific fee or schedule would be implemented by county policy in accordance with county procedures.","The Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 853-2025 to amend the county administrative code to allow a golf simulator at Galloping Hill and authorize a rental fee; the board voted to adopt the ordinance after a public comment period.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6669394,"Union County holds public hearing on three Green Acres grant applications for Unami, Wheeler and Feltville projects",2139,531821,2671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174010-cd31f1415ad4240da452ef6689cbca17&start=531&end=2671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174010-cd31f1415ad4240da452ef6689cbca17/thumbnail_531821.jpg","/articles/6669394/Union-County/New-Jersey/Union-County-holds-public-hearing-on-three-Green-Acres-grant-applications-for-Unami-Wheeler-and-Feltville-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6669394-fa66a9ef8eea1526a92db77bdd833806/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161073&Signature=GngzwT6pX1pTXzoSXZeh56tey2uyTLOq4GX~7meLQGF~DVQ~YSS3SxPnNFCWa-tMNtdDAEbem~5HhSjE6Bf68JishfuFoXsD1PPmoPozPLw5Y66LO5Q2igV5uEgyL8OxqFUCcViubcsslt1me-SrF5lzw8du39o~mY4QSoVRIeatHz-iqH1QCUnQANQrgOgBxMdn8K04M~9uwhfyzWgMCu-nHqkMR~ZQNXnp5A1jV5UuIqNDeHq-4GR7iYlJHNF3yQwbkKy8A9ouuuIKSs-aY7H9vgYM2pQUnlpWi7-~oL-13F-ykhFLblH1vVmZGWPt~Ggd9nVtyXg7jlXr-erofg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Union County officials held a public hearing during a regular meeting tonight to present three grant applications the county plans to submit to the New Jersey Green Acres program: a Jake’s Law inclusive playground at Unami Park; upgrades to Wheeler Spray Park in Linden; and a stewardship project to restore the historic landscape of the deserted village at Feltville in Watchung Reservation.

The presentations were led by Commissioner Angel Granados as chair of the Union County Open Space Trust Fund and consultants from Colliers Engineering, including Kelsey Rittner, senior grant writer, and Chris Gamens, regional discipline leader for landscape architecture. Granados said the applications would “allow for significant improvements to park spaces across Union County, enhancing accessibility, recreation, and historic preservation.” The public hearing was held to meet Green Acres’ notice requirements and to solicit input before the applications are finalized and submitted by the Feb. 5 deadlines.

The Unami Park proposal seeks funding under Jake’s Law for a fully inclusive, Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant playground. The county’s application requests $1,000,000 — the maximum for county applicants under Jake’s Law — and proposes a 25% local match already accounted for in the county capital budget. Colliers’ presentation said construction costs are “just over $1 million,” with professional services eligible up to 13% and contingency and incidental allowances per Green Acres guidance; the consultants estimated a local match of about $333,000. The concept includes ADA-accessible walkways from parking and restrooms, restroom upgrades to be family accessible, and play elements designed for physical and sensory inclusion. The consultants reported 108 responses to an online survey as of the morning of the hearing, and said 94 survey respondents agreed it is important for the county park system to have a completely inclusive playground.

Bruce Patterson of Garwood spoke during public comment specifically about Unami Park and urged that the design “have a Unami or an American Indian motif” to reflect the Lenni‑Lenape heritage he associated with the site. Kelsey Rittner and Chris Gamens responded that the team has researched the park’s cultural background and expects to incorporate appropriate symbolic elements; Gamens said they were considering motifs such as a turtle as a respectful nod and that they would continue community engagement to inform design choices.

Wheeler Spray Park’s Green Acres Urban Parks application requests federal/state grant funding for surface replacement, fencing, shade structures, a concession stand and staff facilities. Colliers presented a construction estimate around $1.7 million and said the total project budget submitted to Green Acres is roughly $2,100,000; the program requires no local match. Key elements identified include replacing the cracking surfacing with a rubberized poured‑in‑place safety surface, replacing inconsistent fencing to improve security, adding shade for patrons waiting in line, and converting underutilized locker rooms for concessions and staff relief space. The consultants said Green Acres encourages projects that can be completed within a two‑year grant window and that the application was organized so the work could be phased if a full award was not made. Colliers reported 58 survey responses for Wheeler; the presenters said “70.8 percent” of respondents indicated they or family visit Wheeler Spray Park.

The third application is a Green Acres Stewardship request for historic landscape restoration at Feltville within the Watchung Reservation. Colliers proposed meadow restoration in the Clay Pits, removal of invasive species, sensitive removal of roughly 24 trees within the Wilcox Family Cemetery bridal area to restore historic sightlines, and planting disease‑resistant replacements and native pollinator species. The firm estimated construction at about $400,000 and a total project budget of $500,000, with Green Acres eligible funding of $250,000 and a required 50% county match of $250,000. Colliers said the stewardship work would improve public access, protect cultural resources and support heritage and ecotourism; the consultants reported 36 survey responses and said 97 percent of those respondents supported a historic landscape restoration project at the deserted village.

All three presentations included environmental assessments. Colliers said none of the projects are expected to cause significant long‑term adverse impacts; temporary construction impacts to surface water quality and dust would be mitigated by best management practices and erosion‑control measures. Anticipated permits include Soil Erosion and Sediment Control certification from the local Soil Conservation District and any required municipal permits.

County staff and consultants said they incorporated public survey input — including requests for benches, fencing, quieter play areas, accessible walkways and shade — into the concept designs. The hearing closed after additional public comments and questions about design approach and scheduling. No final grant awards were announced; the presenters said awards from Green Acres are expected to be announced in the spring (around Earth Day) if the applications are awarded.","County officials and consultants presented three grant proposals to New Jersey Green Acres — an inclusive playground at Unami Park, upgrades at Wheeler Spray Park and historic landscape restoration at Feltville — and invited public comment as required by the grant process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts bulk resolutions and introduces salary ordinance for 2025; public raised wildlife and other concerns

Union County adopts ordinance allowing Galloping Hill golf simulator rentals, fees

Union County holds public hearing on three Green Acres grant applications for Unami, Wheeler and Feltville projects