This edition of our Mercer Monthly newsletter highlights County government news as well as events that are coming up in May. You’ll find announcements about the County’s Nutrition Program for Older Adults and our upcoming Job Fair, both of which will be in-person activities for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than two years ago. Also featured are items about the reopening of Parkside Avenue in Trenton following a bridge replacement project; the expansion of the County Connection facility in Hamilton; a reminder about the plastic bag ban that takes effect May 4; a look at upcoming nature programs at our parks and shows at CURE Arena; and more. I hope you enjoy reading about some of the many exciting things taking place in Mercer County.

Brian M. Hughes
Mercer County Executive

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mercer County Nutrition Program for Older Adults resumes in-person lunches at nine of its locations starting Monday, May 2, announced Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

"For the past two years, we've been distributing 'grab-and-go' frozen meals at our Nutrition sites at the municipal senior centers, and have provided at-home delivery for those seniors unable to get to the sites," Mr. Hughes explained.

"The pandemic required us to exercise creativity in ways to continue to deliver services to our residents, and we rose to the challenge. In the two years that the program was closed to in-person dining, we distributed an astounding 266,483 meals to our senior citizens."

Read more: Lunch program for older adults reopens May 2 

Before an enthusiastic crowd, County Executive Brian M. Hughes and the Mercer County Department of Transportation and Infrastructure on April 29 reopened the bridge carrying an abandoned railroad trail over Parkside Avenue in the City of Trenton. Officially known as Bridge #180.1, the structure is located between Oak Lane and Oakland Street. The project was completed under budget, announced Mr. Hughes.

“With this project, Mercer County is taking the long view with an eye toward the future, and in this case it is to preserve mobility options for a disadvantaged community,” Mr. Hughes, who as a child lived not far from the project site, said.  “Our hope is that with our partners in Trenton, we will see development of this rail trail, and replacing this structure is our commitment to that future.”

Read more: Hughes cuts ribbon on Parkside Ave. bridge

County Executive Brian M. Hughes announces the One-Stop Career Center's upcoming in-person Job Fair!  On Thursday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, job seekers can connect with potential employers who are actively looking for new employees. Additionally, Mercer County will offer free information on other county services and resources.

Job seekers are encouraged to register here. For more information, contact the One-Stop Career Center at 609-989-6523. Employers can obtain more information by contacting Iliana Ivanov at Iliana.ivanov@dol.nj.gov or Kassia Bukosky at kbukosky@mercercounty.org.

Employers: Help build Mercer County’s future workforce at no cost to you. Mercer’s One-Stop Career Center is looking for employers to take part in its Summer Youth Jobs Connection program that provides paid internships and work readiness training to teens and young adults in Mercer County.

The program, which runs from July 6 to Aug. 26, is being funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and coordinated by the Mercer One-Stop. It will benefit more than 100 youth ages 16 to 24 with summer employment meant to encourage a successful transition to the workforce. Priority is given to those who are economically disadvantaged or have barriers to employment; however, the program is open to all.

If your organization is interested in becoming a work site, please email kbukosky@mercercounty.org or register here.

Bag up, Mercer! Beginning May 4, the New Jersey Plastic Pollution Reduction Act will prohibit retail stores, food service businesses and grocery stores from selling or providing their customers with single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. Single-use paper carryout bags are allowed to be provided or sold, except by grocery stores equal to or larger than 2,500 square feet, which may only provide or sell reusable carryout bags.

To better serve Mercer County citizens, the County Connection office located in the Hamilton Square Shopping Center at Route 33 and Paxson Avenue in Hamilton is doubling its size to about 4,000 square feet by expanding into an adjacent storefront, County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced.

County Connection includes a community room and offers passport application, notary public and other services, as well as regular programs such as foreclosure counseling and free legal help for older adults. Appointments are required while renovations  are taking place. Call County Connection at 609-890-9800 for an appointment.

Mercer County has received the 2022 Distinguished Engineering Award by the New Jersey Alliance for Action for the County’s engineering of two structures, Mercer County Bridge #330.1 and Bridge #331.1, carrying Alexander Street over Stony Brook and Alexander Street over Alexander Creek in the Municipality of Princeton, announced Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

“Mercer County is grateful for the recognition by the Alliance for Action,” Mr. Hughes said. “We have in our Department of Transportation a team of exceptional engineers, and I thank the team for their contributions to this enormously challenging and complicated project and congratulate them on receiving this prestigious award.”

Read more: Engineering award goes to Mercer

Mercer County’s Clean Energy Summit for Businesses on April 26 showcased some of the many ways that businesses can become more environmentally friendly while also increasing profitability. 

The event, held in partnership with the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake, featured energy-saving programs and incentives from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, PSE&G and the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry. A video of the 90-minute Summit soon will be available on the Mercer County YouTube channel.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes, county employees and community members gathered April 29 at an event hosted by the county’s Minority Concerns Committee at the McDade Administration Building in Trenton to kick off this year’s Stand Against Racism, a program started in 2007 by YWCA Trenton and YWCA Princeton. The program, now held annually by YWCAs and community organizations across the country, raises awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities and to build community among those who work for racial justice. Attendees at the county event signed a pledge against racism on posters created by local students.

Most Mercer County government offices will be closed Monday, May 30, 2022, in observance of Memorial Day.

All branches of the Mercer County Library System will be closed Saturday, May 28, through Monday, May 30.

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.

Oh Yes! It's Ladies Night

The Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women annual Women of Achievement awards dinner, scheduled for May 12 at Mercer Oaks, recognizes women and young women who are striving to improve the lives of others in our community. Congratulations to this year's nominees!

Women of Achievement are Tara Butler of Trenton, Katherine Nunnally of Pennington, Jyotima Prasad of West Windsor and Ivannia Tovar of Lawrence.

Young Women of Achievement are Makenzie Ivey of Lawrence, Sophia Noto of Hopewell and Zanobia Shaw of Trenton.

Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County announce the return of their annual Spring Plant Expo and Garden Market Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road, Hopewell Township, on the grounds of Mercer County Stables. Rain or shine. 

This year’s Expo will feature popular perennials, trees, and shrubs home-grown by Rutgers Master Gardeners and a garden market with select vendors. Rutgers Master Gardeners will be on hand to help you choose the right plant for the right place, and Rutgers Extension horticulturist Kathryn Homa, will  answer your gardening questions. Visit www.mgofmc.org for a complete listing of vendors and other sale details.

From crafters to food purveyors, Mercer County is seeking vendors for the 10th annual Cultural Festival & Food Truck Rally, slated for Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mercer County Park Festival Grounds.

The annual festival showcases the region’s cultural diversity through the arts and crafts, dance demonstrations, music and cuisine. The festival organizers are seeking traditional artists and craft and food vendors to contribute to the wide variety of ethnicities and cultures that make up Mercer County. Interested parties should call (609) 278-2712 or email culturalfestival@mercercounty.org. The deadline to register is May 13.

Spring is here. Experience nature!

Upcoming Mercer County Park Commission nature programs include:

• “Eyes on Eagles” – Saturday, May 7, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (30-minute time slots). Free, all ages. Registration required.
• “Spring Pollinators in the Abbott Marshlands” – Sunday, May 15, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Tulpehaking Nature Center. Free, all ages. Registration required here.
• “Naturally Friends: Family Bird Excursion” – Saturday, May 21, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Howell Living History Farm. Free, families with children. Registration required.

For a complete list of Park Commission nature programs and registration information, click here or on the image.

The Mercer Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a network of volunteers from the community who are prepared to help during times of disaster or emergency. These trained volunteers improve public health and safety by carrying out a variety of essential functions, often relieving the burden of other emergency responders. Step up and join now! Training is provided. Email or call MRC coordinator John Arulmohan at ja2@njlincs.net or (609) 989-6887.

The County is pleased to welcome a number of new employees this past quarter who dedicate themselves to serving the public.

Jason Mildenberg joins the Engineering Department as Assistant County Engineer, and Jimit Patel joins the Information Technology office. The Mercer County Park Commission welcomes Ian Gray as Senior Land Steward and Abigail Barrett to Mercer County Stables, along with seasonal assistants Christine Zeppenfield, Nicholas DeAngelo, Ryan Thorton, Tristan Hocquaux, Melinda Jacoppo, Michelle Marko, Sean Finnegan and Ryan Carr. The Personnel Office welcomes Manuel Montero. Ethelene Burgess and Lori Efaw join the Senior Nutrition Program staff and Christina Zipp, Allison Unger, Lydia Weltmann and Shannon Tuorto are with the Mercer County Library System. Joining the Office of the County Clerk are Jennifer Molina, Barrington Scott and Athena Kuliecza, and Meharunisa Saleem joins the County Counsel office. Tressa Distelcamp is with Communications Dispatch, and at the Correction Center, new are Officers Tanyeka Beckford, Brandon Bulovcsak, Albertito Colon, Jermaine Curry, Alex Episcopo, Cory Frost, Adam Lucarini, Nicholas Martini, Shareka Starr and Curtis Wilson. Joining the Office of the Mercer County Sheriff are Officers Nikijha Blakely, Albert Mostrangeli, Brittany Nyzio, Matthew Padd, Anastacio Perez Ortiz, Robert Pontani and Xavier Sanchez, along with Investigators Alex Gerasinowicz and Ahmad White.

Vaccinations are free regardless of immigration or insurance status. Ages 5 and up are eligible. For the upcoming vaccination schedule and information, click here. 

A helping hand for homeowners in need

If you have experienced a financial hardship and an increase in housing-related expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that created a risk of mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure or property tax lien, the Homeowner Assistance Fund may be able to help. Click here or on the flyer for more information and to apply.

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.

Support for post-COVID patients

The Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Hope and Healing program offers virtual workshops in self-care and emotional support for patients recovering from COVID-19 and those experiencing long-term effects of the virus. For more information, click here or on the image.