County Report
December 2019
Board of Chosen Freeholders
John W. Bartlett Esq.,  Director  - Cassandra "Sandi" Lazzara,  Deputy Director
Assad R. Akhter - Theodore O. Best Jr. - Terry Duffy - Pat Lepore - Bruce James
COUNTY SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating the Holiday Season
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuesday, December 10
3 PM
Administration Building Lobby
401 Grand Street
Paterson, NJ 07505
Join us for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony! There will be a special performance by the PCTI “Tech Tones", as well as a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Hanukkah and Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Monday, December 23
3 PM
Administration Building Lobby
401 Grand Street
Paterson, NJ 07505
Join us for Passaic County's annual Hanukkah and Menorah Lighting Ceremony.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Passaic County Adopts #NJSugarFreed Campaign
We're officially into the full swing of holiday season which means lots of sweet treats from figgy pudding to gingerbread cookies. Reduce your sugar intake with Passaic County's newest initiative: the #NJSugarFreed campaign!

On October 8, the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders passed Resolution R2019-0880 authorizing the Passaic County Department of Health Service to initiate the Passaic County SugarFreed campaign. The goal of this campaign is to help residents lead a healthier lifestyle by encouraging people to drink more water.

Who said you have to wait until the new year to get started on a resolution? Get started today! Replace soda with a glass of water flavored with fresh fruit. Avoid snacking when you aren't hungry - drink water instead. Join us and take the pledge today!
Follow Passaic County on social media for reminders and tips to keep up with the #NJSugarFreed campaign.
LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Code Blue Alerts
As the temperatures outside start to drop, Passaic County is preparing for the cold by reminding citizens of the Code Blue program. A Code Blue alert is declared when temperatures drop below the freezing point and weather conditions pose a danger to at-risk individuals. The Code Blue Alert allows authorities to take homeless people to local shelters or other agencies, known as Warming Centers. These shelters make additional beds and space available until conditions improve and the alert is called off. 

If you are aware of any unsheltered homeless individuals in need of a warming center, please contact the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (973) 389-5951 and advise the dispatcher that there is an at-risk individual in need of shelter under the Passaic County Code Blue Alert Plan.

Code Blue Alerts are published on all Passaic County social media pages and on the   County website . For warming shelters in Passaic County and more information on Code Blue, please visit    https://www.nj211.org/nj-warming-centers. 
SERVICES
December 2019 Recycling Events
Fluorescent/LED Bulb and Hazardous Battery Collection
Saturday, December 7
9 AM to 1 PM
St. Mary’s Church Parking Lot
10 Lenox Ave
Pompton Lakes, N J 07442
The Passaic County Office of Solid Waste and Recycling will host a Fluorescent/LED Bulb and Hazardous Battery Collection, rain or shine, on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Church parking lot in Pompton Lakes.

Bulbs accepted include fluorescent bulbs, all shapes and sizes including compact fluorescents; and LED bulbs. Batteries accepted include lithium, nicad, zinc, dry cell, rechargeable, button cell, lead acid (car). No alkaline (AA, AAA, C, etc.) batteries accepted as they are not hazardous. 

This event is open to residents only, no commercial businesses.
Medical Sharps (Syringes) Collection
Saturday, December 14
9 AM to 1 PM
Prospect Park Municipal Building
Parking Lot
106 Brown Avenue
Prospect Park, NJ 07508
The Passaic County Office of Solid Waste and Recycling, in partnership with Mayor Khairullah, the Municipal Council and the Recycling/Clean Communities Program of the Borough of Prospect Park, will host a Medical Sharps (Syringes) Collection Event, rain or shine, on Saturday, December 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Prospect Park Municipal Building parking lot. The entrance to the parking lot is on N. 10th Street.

Medical syringes are the only accepted materials. Syringes must be brought for collection in a rigid container with a lid. This event is open to residents only; no doctors' offices will be accepted.
The Office of Solid Waste and Recycling hosts recycling events throughout the year. For more information, please call 973-305-5738 or visit passaiccountynj.org/recycling .
Passaic County Clerk Outreach Dates
Every month, the Clerk's Office Outreach Program visits several locations around Passaic County offering Passport processing, Veteran IDs, and Notary Oaths.
HEALTH AND ENERGY
Weatherization and Home Energy
The Passaic County Weatherization Division is the county's core program intended to reduce energy costs to low-income persons by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety. Applicants can receive upgraded heating and air conditioning units and may qualify for energy efficient windows that can help save them on their energy bills. Please call 973-569-4032 to see if you qualify. 
PARKS AND PROJECTS
Colonial Christmas at the Dey Mansion
Opening Weekend: December 7 and 8
11 AM to 5 PM
Dey Mansion Washington's Headquarters
199 Totowa Road
Wayne, NJ 07470

Open December 11 through January 5
11 AM to 5 PM
Come celebrate the season with us! The Dey Mansion will be fully decorated with the sights of the 18th century. Plus, you can visit our fully stocked gift shop to find a unique gift for everyone on your list!

The Dey Mansion will celebrate Colonial Christmas beginning with opening weekend on December 7 and 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The house will remain decorated December 11 through January 5.

This event is presented by the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information, please call 973-706-6640.
Let's Create: Winter Arts & Crafts
Saturday, December 14
Class 1: 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Class 2: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
675 Goffle Road
Hawthorne, New Jersey 07506
Get ready for some holiday arts and crafts programming, specially designed for people with disabilities. Join us for an afternoon of creating winter-themed projects that engage, calm, and enrich artists with disabilities through the use of mixed media.

Reservations are required as space is limited. Visit pcartscenter.org or call 973-706-6640 to reserve your space.

Suggested Donation: $5

This program is presented by the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and funded by the Passaic County Cultural Heritage Council.
History at the John W. Rea House
Teen Arts Festival 2020
The Passaic Teen Arts Festival is the countywide culminating celebration of the arts dedicated to inspiring teen artists, educators, professional artists and arts advocates from all across the county to unite as one grand and all-inclusive community. The Passaic County Teen Arts Festival is scheduled for June 3, 2020 at William Paterson University. Save the date!

The Passaic County Teen Arts Festival will hosts a plethora of activities, focused towards recognizing the accomplishments of the teen artists by showcasing their creative efforts in the performing and visual arts. The 2020 showcase will focus on the performing arts while the 2021 showcase will focus on the visual arts. In addition to highlighting the accomplishments of the county's talented teen artists, the Passaic County Teen Arts Festival is committed to furthering the interests of all who are in attendance by providing workshops, critique sessions, and exposure to higher education institutions for students, and professional development workshops for teachers.

Preliminary Registration is now open. Registration information and packets can be downloaded  here .
More details are coming soon. For more information, please visit passaiccountynj.org/teenarts or call the Department of Cultural & Historic Affairs at 973-706-6640.