TRENTON -- Mercer County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and federal financial assistance to help support operations at Trenton-Mercer Airport were among the topics that County Executive Brian M. Hughes highlighted in the 2022 State of the County remarks he presented to the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 25.

Mr. Hughes also cited a state grant and pilot program that are bolstering the county’s efforts to help formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter the community, and he touched on the county’s commitment to protect open space while also providing new recreational opportunities.

But the County Executive began by discussing his administration’s response to the pandemic and its continued commitment to helping keep residents safe through vaccinations and testing. He thanked the many health care entities that have partnered with the county, and noted that since vaccines became available a year ago, his administration has teamed with Capital Health and Penn Medicine Princeton Health to administer more than 40,000 adult and pediatric vaccinations spread over 150 clinics.

Read more: Hughes delivers 2022 State of the County address

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP -- Open areas, large and small, all around the county are being turned into meadows attractive to bees, birds and other pollinators in an initiative led by the Mercer County Park Commission.

“There have been studies indicating a distressing decline in the bee population,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “The county is in a position where we can dampen that alarming trend in our region.”

Mercer Engineers Discuss Upcoming Road Projects

LAWRENCE -- Mercer County is working on two related projects that would improve roadway safety in the vicinity of the Brunswick Circle. One seeks to convert the Princeton Ave & Brunswick Circle Extension intersection into a modern roundabout, and the other would make improvements to the signaled intersection at the rear of the Trenton Farmers Market at the intersection of Mulberry Street and Princeton Avenue. Virtual Public Information Centers were recently held on both projects. To view the recorded meetings, click here  or go to https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/planning/transportation-projects/bce-roundabout to read the meeting transcript. 

Most Mercer County government offices, including all branches of the Mercer County Library System, will be closed Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, in observance of Presidents Day.

The following County offices and facilities will remain open: Trenton-Mercer Airport (except for administrative offices), Correction Center, Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Services Communication Center.

Mercer County Park Commission facilities will have the following hours on Presidents Day: Ice Skating Center, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.; Tennis Center, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Mercer County Stables, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mercer Oaks West and Mountain View golf courses will be open, weather permitting, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but Mercer Oaks East and Princeton Country Club golf courses will remain closed. The Wildlife Center will be answering phones from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and accepting patients by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Howell Living History Farm, Tulpehaking Nature Center and Park Commission administrative offices will be closed. For more information on Park Commission facilities, visit www.mercercountyparks.org.

The Mercer County Improvement Authority's 2022 Curbside Pickup Schedule has been posted! Click here. 

Acceptable Recyclable Materials

Download Acceptable Recyclable Materials List

All Recyclables must be in the official buckets and at the curb by 7 a.m. Recyclables should not be placed in plastic bags. If collection day falls on a holiday (Christmas, New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving) collection will be the following Saturday.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced that the County will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination clinics in partnership with Capital Health and Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and free COVID-19 testing in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health and Vault Health, during February.

Vaccinations are free regardless of immigration or insurance status. Ages 5 and up are eligible. Testing is for anyone ages 2 and up who lives, works or goes to school in New Jersey. Test type is based on availability. Walk-ins are welcome at all clinics. For the upcoming vaccination schedule and information, click here. For the upcoming testing schedule and information, click here.

As a result of COVID-19, many New Jerseyans are facing economic insecurity and are seeking benefits and resources to help them safely get back to work. Mercer’s One-Stop Career Center offers a variety of services to job seekers throughout the county, including free virtual job preparation workshops and links to job listings. Click here for information. The State’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides links to the New Jersey Career Network and other resources. Click here for information.

Coping with stress during COVID-19

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's Mental Health Hotline at 866-202-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance and mental health referrals as needed. You also may call or text the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor, 24/7. Spanish speakers can call the hotline and press “2” for 24/7 bilingual support.

February is Black History Month

American history resonates with the names of great African-American men and women, and Black History Month is our nation's way of showing respect and recognition for the hard work of and sacrifices made by African Americans. Mercer County throughout the month will celebrate because Black History is American History! Hosting an event? Tell us about it by emailing contactus1@mercercounty.org

Click here for a calendar of events. 

The Mercer County Park Commission will begin accepting reservations for the five county-owned picnic areas on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at noon for the 2022 season. The West and East Picnic Areas in Mercer County Park, Rosedale Picnic Area in Mercer Meadows, Princeton Country Club Picnic Area in West Windsor and Valley Road Picnic Area in Hopewell Township are open to in-county and out-of-county residents.

Reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be made online through Community Pass. For more information, visit the Park Commission’s Picnic Areas page or email picnics@mercercounty.org.

Lace up your skates!

The Mercer County Skating Center, located in Mercer County Park in West Windsor, will have public skating hours every day during February. Find the complete public skating schedule and additional information here or call 609-371-1766. 

Park Commission Deer Management

The Mercer County Park Commission's annual Deer Management program is underway at various Mercer County Park Commission parks. For a complete schedule of hunting days and times and for participation information, visit www.mercercountyparks.org

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