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Do you or someone you know need help paying your energy bill?

Elizabethtown Gas can connect you to financial assistance programs.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities created the Universal Service Fund program to help low-income households pay
for electric and natural gas service. Eligible New Jersey customers pay no more than six percent of their income for their
natural gas and electric service. The USF program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

For more information, you can visit the NJ State website, call (866) 240 1347 or click here to download the information sheet.

Union County Freeholders Announce COVID-19 Relief Grant Program for Small Businesses

Initial Round of Program would provide grants up to $20,000 for impacted small businesses with 25 or fewer employees.

The Union County Freeholder Board today announced the initial-round launch of the Union County COVID-19 Relief Grant Program for small businesses that have been impacted by the health emergency.

The grant program will make available a total of $2 million in CARES Act relief funds. Out of this funding, the program will provide grants up to $20,000 to eligible small businesses to cover three month’s rent, property mortgage, utility and insurance expenses. The grant will be available to small businesses located within the boundaries of Union County with 25 or fewer employees prior to the COVID emergency.

“Union County’s small businesses are the life-blood of our communities and our downtowns,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These businesses, which contribute so much to our quality of life as a whole, have been devastated by the COVID-19 emergency and need our assistance. The survival of these businesses is vital to Union County, and we encourage our small businesses to apply for a grant once the program is available.”

The Union County COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is funded by the COVID- Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Federal relief fund. The County of Union will begin accepting applications for the program through an online portal beginning Thursday July 16th at 10am.

Virtual Summer Camp Starts Monday, July 13th!

We are excited that the 2020 Virtual Summer Camp launches this Monday! Register here now!

Also, we really need your help! In order to live stream from our smartphones, we need to have 1,000 YouTube subscribers on our YouTube Channel. You can help by going to our YouTube Channel right now and clicking on the Subscribe button. Thanks!

For exclusive content, make sure to register for the Virtual Summer Day Camp/Playground program on CommunityPass or by calling (908) 474-8600. With any questions, always feel free to contact Angelo Monaco, our Day Camp Playground Coordinator.

Steam Venting Begins Today, July 9, at Bayway

Steam venting at Bayway will start today as part of unit repair and start-up procedures. The steaming is estimated to continue for several days. The Community Awareness Hotline has been updated with the following message:

  • You have reached the Bayway Community Awareness Hotline 908 523 6005.
  • This is listen-only voice mail box used to communicate messages to the community during unusual circumstances.
  • The following is an operations message updated July 9, 2020.
  • Current Bayway Refinery unit operations are requiring the venting of steam that is creating louder than normal refinery operational noises. 
  • The steam venting is necessary to meet operational safety guidelines and anticipated to continue for a short period of time.
  • Please note that the Refinery is working as quickly as possible to execute unit maintenance and resolve the noise issue. 
  • There are no environmental impacts associated with the venting of steam.

This hotline will be updated needed to communicate with the community.

Nancy P. Sadlo

Manager of Public Affairs

PHILLIPS66.COM

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) – Deadline Extension

The CVERAP application deadline has been extended through July 17th.

The NJ Department of Community Affairs is accepting pre-applications for rental help for those affected by COVID-19. You can submit a pre-application anytime of day beginning July 6, 2020 at 9:00am through July 17, 2020, 5:00pm. The website will close at exactly 5:00pm on Friday July 17, 2020; no more applications will be accepted after 5:00pm. 

Pre-applications will only be available online here.

If you do not have access to the Internet, please call our Customer Service number, 609-292-4080, option #1, for assistance. For more information, click here.

Mary Ellen Tango

Director, Linden Social Services

Summer Concert Series

Linden Department of Parks and Recreation is excited to announce that the City of Linden Summer Concert Series began on Tuesday, July 7!

The concerts are held at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave. For a complete concert schedule, click here. The concerts are free and open to Linden residents only. For a list of concert guidelines, click here. Registration is required for each individual attending, and must be done on or before 4pm the day of the concert. Registration can be done online by clicking here or call 908-474-8600. Bring Photo ID to check in concert night. In the event of inclement weather call 908-474-8604 after 4pm on the day of concert.

The Linden Summer Concert Series is sponsored by Mayor Derek Armstead, Linden City Council, Linden Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Public Property. For more information, email us here or call the Parks and Recreation Department at 908-474-8600. The Parks & Recreation office is located on the second floor at 605 South Wood Avenue.

For a downloadable copy of the press release about the summer concert series, click here.

The Basics of Financing Your Business

Access to capital is critical to many small businesses, yet most owners don’t understand how to determine what they qualify for, what money is available to them and the roadblocks they may face. In this introductory webinar, we’ll address these issues as well as inform business owners of what’s expected of them in obtaining capital.

Click here for more information and to register for this free, live webinar offered by the Union County Economic Development Corporation on July 16 from 10am – 12pm.

City of Linden Summer Concert Series Begins Tuesday, July 7th

We are excited to announce that the City of Linden Summer Concert Series will begin on Tuesday, July 7th. For a complete concert schedule, click here. While we are looking forward to having the concerts, this summer will be very different than previous years due to COVID-19. There are several NJ Department of Health Guidelines and State Executive Orders that we are required to adhere to in order to have the concerts. Some of these restrictions and guidance include;

  1. Limited capacity per concert.
  2. Check in by 7:45pm or we reserve the right to cancel your reservation.
  3. Registration is required for EACH INDIVIDUAL ATTENDING and must be done by 4:00pm the day of the concert. LINDEN RESIDENTS ONLY. Registration can be done through Community Pass by clicking here, or by calling 908-474-8600. Bring Photo ID to check in.
  4. Face Coverings must be worn upon entering the Promenade, utilizing restrooms and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
  5. Social Distancing throughout the Promenade will be required and encouraged throughout the park by our staff.
  6. NO DANCING ALLOWED.
  7. Restroom occupancy will be monitored throughout the concert by an attendant to encourage social distancing.
  8. Cleaning and disinfecting high touch areas will be maintained frequently throughout the concert.
  9. Patrons are encouraged to wash hands frequently and utilize hand sanitizer provided throughout the Promenade.
  10. Patrons who have symptoms of COVID-19 should NOT come to the concert.
  11. All other rules and regulations normally enforced at the Promenade still remain intact including No Alcohol permitted.
  12.  The City of Linden has developed the required COVID-19 Operation Prevention Plan that complies pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order.
  13. Patrons that do not comply with the Governor’s Executive Order pertaining to attending the concert will be removed from the Promenade.
  14. Due to the ongoing and changing nature of COVID-19, the City of Linden reserves the right to modify the concert schedule, regulations and amenities daily in regards to public health.
  15. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By coming to the concert, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
  16. IN CASE OF RAIN THE CONCERT WILL BE CANCELLED. Call 908-474-8604 after 4:00pm.  

Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 908-474-8600. We look forward to seeing you!!