Somerset County Freeholder Director Patrick Scaglione invites residents to learn about Somerset County through informational displays and activities at various county locations during National County Government Month in April.

Somerset County will join county governments nationwide in celebrating National County Government Month to raise public awareness and understanding about county government.  This year’s theme is “Ready and Resilient Counties-Prepare, Respond, Thrive."

“We look forward each year to providing opportunities for our residents to learn about the many programs and services Somerset County offers,” said Freeholder Scaglione.  “We hope residents will take advantage of some of the events and will pick up literature.”

Somerset County has been participating in National County Government events since its inception in 1991.

An information display hosted by the Somerset County Board of Freeholders/Public Information Office with literature from many county divisions will be available in the lobby of the Somerset County Bridgewater Library at 1 Vogt Drive from Saturday, April 5, to Saturday, April 12.  Residents are invited to help themselves to materials. Call (908) 526-4016 for library hours or visit www.somerset.lib.nj.us/locationlist.html.  Contact Joanne Vuoso of the Somerset County Public Information Office for information at (908) 231-7020 or vuoso@co.somerset.nj.us.

Somerset County freeholders are looking forward to meeting and talking with residents at the Library display table as follows:  Freeholder Peter Palmer will be on hand Monday, April 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. and Freeholder Patricia Walsh on Tuesday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Somerset County Department of Health will have an information display through Wednesday, April 30, in the lobby of the Somerset County Administration Building, located at 20 Grove St. in Somerville.

Somerset County Surrogate Frank Bruno will host a free presentation titled, “How to Probate a Will: The Basics of Estate Planning and Estate Administration” at the Bound Brook Library in the Reading Room on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m.  To sign up for the presentation, call (732) 356-0043.  To learn about the topics to be covered or to sign up online, click on http://bit.ly/ProbateWill to register online. 

 The Somerset County Park Commission will host a free park ranger-led guided hike at Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater on Wednesday, April 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting place for the hike will be at the parking lot off Newmans Lane.  To register, call (908) 231-0802 ext. 21. Information about Washington Valley Park is available at www.scparks.org/parksFacilities/washValley/WashingtonValleyPk.html

Somerset County will hold an “Operation Secure Shred” countywide kick-off event on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Road in Hillsborough.  The trucks will remain on-site until they are filled.   This is a rain-or-shine event.  Ten additional municipality-hosted events are scheduled throughout the year.  For information, contact the Somerset County Records Management Division at (908) 203-6018 or recordsmgmt@co.somerset.nj.us.  Information about the program and what can be shredded is available at www.co.somerset.nj.us/spotlight.html by clicking on the links from “2014 Shredding Events.”

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will have an information display in the lobby of the Somerset County Administration Building, located at 20 Grove St. in Somerville, from Monday, April 14, to Tuesday, April 29.

 

The Somerset County Department of Health will provide a presentation titled

“Emergency Preparedness: Prepare, Respond, Thrive” to clients of the Warrenbrook Senior Center on Tuesday, April 15, at 11 a.m.  The workshop will include ways to prepare and respond to natural disasters, emergencies and safety challenges.   Call (908) 753-9440 for details.

 

The Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management is partnering with the Somerset County Road Division to collect old scrap tires, with or without rims, Monday, April 21, through Friday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Road in Hillsborough. The program is free and residents can drop off up to eight tires per household. For information, call (908) 541-5021or e-mail roaddiv@co.somerset.nj.us.

 

            The Somerset County Office of Emergency Management will have an information display in the Somerset County Administration Building, located at 20 Grove St. in Somerville from Monday, April 21, to Friday, April 25.  Information about emergency preparedness and free training offered through the county’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will be available.  CERT is an all-hazard, all-risk training program designed to teach residents how to protect themselves, their family, neighbors and community during a disaster situation.  For more information contact Tony DeMatteo at (908) 725-5077 or dematteo@co.somerset.nj.us.

 

The Somerset County Solid Waste Management Division will hold a free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off event for Somerset County homeowners and farmers on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Warren Township Public Works Garage, located at 1 Bardy Road.  No registration is necessary, but proof of residency is required.  For more information, call Solid Waste Management Manager Diana Vigilante at (908) 231-7681, e-mail vigilant@co.somerset.nj.us or visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle/hazardouswaste.html.

 

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will hold a special medicine collection drop-off event Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Warren Township Public Works Garage, located at 1 Bardy Road.  Residents can safely dispose of unwanted and outdated prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. Medications should be dropped off in their original packages or bottles with personal information such as name and address removed.  The name of the medication should be visible.  Illegal drugs, needles or sharps should not be brought to the drop-off.  For more information regarding medicine collection in Somerset County, contact Lt. Steve SanAntonio at 908-231-7168 or Sheriff’s Officer Thomas Wallace at (908) 231-7138.

 

The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services is holding events for seniors, age 60 and above. Seniors are asked to call the Center directly to learn about attending and scheduling lunch. Advance notice for lunch requests is one business day before you plan to attend. 

 

·             Warrenbrook Senior Center in Warren:  Wednesday, April 9, 10:30 a.m. – Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony.  Freeholder Patricia Walsh will join in thanking and honoring residents who graciously volunteer their time and talent at the Center.  Monday, April 28, 10:30 a.m. – Freeholder Peter Palmer will join senior center members at an Art Exhibition Opening Day, featuring the talent and skills of the Center’s oil paint and watercolor students.  Call (908) 753-9440 for details.

·              Raritan Senior Center:  Friday, April 11, 11 a.m. – A dance performance by the Raritan Valley Community College dancers.  Call (908) 203-0001 for details.

·             Quail Brook Senior Center in Somerset: Monday, April 14, 10:30 a.m. – A presentation titled “A Psychic Experience: Popular Culture or Real Prophecies and Predictions.” Call (732) 563-4213 for details.

·             Hillsborough Senior Center:  Wednesday, April 23, 11 a.m. – A presentation titled “Serving Up Good Nutrition.”  Call (908) 369-8700 for details.

·             Manville Senior Center: Thursday, April 24, 11 a.m. – A musical interlude of classical and opera selections, Broadway show tunes, popular movie classics and an assortment of patriotic songs performed by Josie Mescallado.  Call (908) 526-0175 for details.

·             Montgomery Senior Center in Skillman:  Thursday, April 24, 11 a.m. – Freeholder Peter Palmer will join senior center members at a “Touch of Sinatra” party.  Enjoy music from Frank Sinatra, Johnnie Ray and Dean Martin presented by Donny Farraro and Joe Gilligan.  Call (609) 466-0846 for details.

·             Somerset County Senior Wellness Center in Basking Ridge:  Friday, April 25, 10:30 a.m.  – Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony.  Freeholder Peter Palmer will join in thanking and honoring residents who graciously volunteer their time and talent to the Center.  Call (908) 204-3435 for details.

 

For more information about County Government Month, contact Joanne Vuoso of the Somerset County Public Information Office at (908) 231-7020 or vuoso@co.somerset.nj.us.  For information about specific programs, contact the divisions or senior centers directly.

 

A listing of Somerset County programs is available from the drop-down menu at www.co.somerset.nj.us/howdoi.html.