Union Awarded $114K State Grant for Litter Cleanup and Beautification

UNION, N.J. — The Township of Union has been awarded a $114,878 Clean Communities grant to support local litter removal and beautification efforts, state officials announced.The funding is part of a statewide initiative that provides grants to municipalities and counties for programs aimed at reducing litter, protecting natural resources and enhancing the appearance of communities across New Jersey.Union received the grant through a partnership involving the New Jersey Clean Communities Council, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Kean University.“These funds will directly support our various township wide initiatives dedicated to local beautification and environmental preservation,” said Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier, who attended the grant presentation on Monday at Kean University’s Liberty Hall.“We extend our deepest gratitude to these partners for their investment in our town and for their tireless commitment to keeping the Garden State clean and beautiful for all residents,” the mayor said. “Together, we are ensuring a greener and more vibrant future for the Township of Union.”“Union Township is grateful to receive this year’s Clean Communities funding, which supports our ongoing commitment to keeping our community clean, safe, and welcoming," said Don Travisano, Union's Business Administrator. "This funding helps us continue the work our residents care deeply about—clean streets, well‑maintained public spaces, and a township we can all take pride in. The Clean Communities grant directly supports our crews and our community partners who work every day to keep Union looking its best.”Acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak emphasized the importance of the program in maintaining public spaces. “Nobody likes to see trash-filled roads, rivers or parks,” Potosnak said. “By partnering with the Clean Communities Council to provide this critical funding, the DEP is ensuring that municipalities and counties can keep their communities healthy and clean without bearing the costs of these initiatives alone.”The Clean Communities program is designed to reduce litter statewide while encouraging environmental stewardship and community pride.