P&Z adopts rules for short-term rentals, outdoor dining

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 20, 2019 — The Planning and Zoning Commission has adopted regulations to guide “Short Term Rentals” in the city and “Outdoor Dining” at restaurants, P&Z Chairwoman Kathleen Hendricks announced.

“Both of these issues had come to the att...

Storm drain stenciling effort underway

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 20, 2019 — Resident Stacey Giaquinto participates in the city’s new Storm Drain Marking Project on Sunday, Aug. 18, at Campbell Avenue and Leete Street.

The project, which began a day earlier with a workshop offered by ...

Rossi sets town hall meeting for Thursday, Aug. 22

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 19, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and her staff are inviting residents to participate in a town hall meeting from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, in the Harriet C. North Community Room on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

Org...

Barr named West Haven’s first troubadour

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 19, 2019 — William “Railroad Bill” Barr, with his wife, Nancy, left, receives a citation from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi for being appointed the honorary position of troubadour of West Haven during a ceremony Monda...

JR’s Place celebrates downtown opening

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 8, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cuts the ceremonial ribbon Thursday, Aug. 8, with JR’s Place owner Russell Rivera, center, to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening at 555 Campbell Ave., formerly The Spot Bar and Grill.

Also marking the e...

Health organization makes a difference in West Haven

PHOTO — Before and after photos of the new planters on Main Street done by the Bridges Healthcare “Garden Together” team. (Bridges Photo/John Ciambriello)

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 7, 2019 — Bridges Healthcare includes as par...

Artists, volunteers, sponsors sought for visual arts festival

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 2, 2019 — Interested in connecting with the arts?

City-Wide Open Studios, a monthlong festival of visual arts, is returning to Greater New Haven, including a weekend event in West Haven.

Organizers are seeking artists, volunteers ...

Scholarship winner

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 2, 2019 — Councilman Nicholas W. Ruickoldt, D-2, the son of the late Susan Ruickoldt, presents a $2,000 check on behalf of the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program to Susan A. Ruickoldt Scholarship Fund recipient Emily Cum...

Moody’s upgrades city’s bond rating outlook to ‘stable’

WEST HAVEN, July 31, 2019 — Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday, July 30, affirmed West Haven’s credit rating at Baa3 while upgrading its outlook on the city to “stable” from “negative,&rdqu...

Meet West Haven’s Audubon WildLife Guards

WEST HAVEN, July 25, 2019 — Starting in 2017, a group of eight West Haven High School students has helped monitor and protect the beach-nesting birds at the Sandy Point Beach & Bird Sanctuary.

Thanks to a grant from Audubon Connecticut, students in the...

Applications available for CDA programs

WEST HAVEN, July 25, 2019 — The Community Development Administration is accepting applications for a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers.

To qualify for the forgivable loan program, applicants must buy a single-family house or condomi...

State Farm opens Allingtown insurance office

WEST HAVEN, July 23, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, holding oversize scissors, cuts the ribbon Tuesday, July 23, with State Farm agent Derwin A. Griffith, third from right, to celebrate the ceremonial opening of the insurance company’s n...

New sidewalks for Savin Rock Conference Center

WEST HAVEN, July 19, 2019 — From left, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Public Works Commissioner Tom McCarthy and Rossi’s executive assistant, Lou Esposito, look on as a crew from the city’s sidewalk contractor, Elm City Materials Inc....

Blumenthal urges passage of 9/11 victim fund

PHOTO — During a news conference Monday, July 15, at West Haven Fire Department headquarters, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., calls on the Senate to pass legislation that would make permanent the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund an...

Farmers market open Thursdays, Saturdays on Green

WEST HAVEN, July 11, 2019 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market is open for its 20th season on the Green.

Through Oct. 26, the market at Main Street and Campbell Avenue features state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables from 11 a.m.-3 p.m....

Rossi applauds new BOE operating budget

WEST HAVEN, June 27, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi this week applauded the operating budget recently adopted by the Board of Education.

The school board’s 2019-20 budget will see an increase of nearly $1.6 million as a result of additiona...

Rossi announces Savin Rock Festival’s return in 2020

WEST HAVEN, June 20, 2019 — The Savin Rock Festival will return to the West Haven shoreline in 2020 after the city clears the cumulative deficit in the Savin Rock Festival Fund, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

After running consecutive deficits, the festiv...

Free CCM prescription discount cards available

WEST HAVEN, June 19, 2019 — The City of West Haven Prescription Discount Card is available for residents and their pets, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Rossi said the free card, which reduces prescription medication costs, is provided by the city through ...

City tax bills payable in 2 installments

WEST HAVEN, June 18, 2019 — City tax bills — real estate, personal property, motor vehicle and sewer — have been mailed and are payable in two installments: July and January.

Each tax bill, which is sent out once a year, has t...

Rossi announces another budget surplus

WEST HAVEN, June 11, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced that the city will close fiscal year 2019, which ends June 30, with an estimated $3.5 million general fund operating budget surplus.

The surplus represents the second consecutive fiscal y...

Dive Bar & Restaurant celebrates expansion at reopening

WEST HAVEN, June 10, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, cuts the ceremonial ribbon Saturday, June 8, with Dive Bar & Restaurant owner Domenic Giannotti to celebrate the business’s grand reopening at 24 Ocean Ave.

Also marking the ...

Blue Horse bar, restaurant opens on Campbell Ave.

WEST HAVEN, June 10, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, cuts the ribbon Friday, June 7, with Blue Horse co-owner Tara Severino, white T-shirt, to mark the ceremonial opening of West Haven’s newest bar and restaurant at 703 Campbell A...

Statement from Mayor Nancy Rossi on shoreline initiatives

WEST HAVEN, June 6, 2019 — “The Beach Street project, which excludes the former Debonair Motel, is a complex construction project consisting of three phases. It is and has always been a top priority of my administration.

We received funding for phase one, ...

UI replacing poles, raising electrical wires

WEST HAVEN, June 3, 2019 — United Illuminating will begin a capital improvement project to replace poles and raise primary electrical wires by 10 feet.

The work will require the pruning or removal of trees in the public right of way, said Leo Kelly, the ci...

WHEAT food pantry distributing food to school-age kids

WEST HAVEN, May 31, 2019 — The WHEAT food pantry will distribute food twice a month to West Haven school-age children under 18.

The increased distribution is set for June, July and August, said Rose Majestic, executive director of the West Haven ...

Rossi leads developer on pre-construction site tour

WEST HAVEN, May 30, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi leads development officials on a pre-construction site tour of the former Edgar C. Stiles Elementary School on Tuesday, May 28.

Pictured are, from left, Peter Wood, principal of Collaborative Develo...

‘Be a Good Egg’

WEST HAVEN, May 29, 2019 — With Memorial Day past and beach season underway, Connecticut Audubon reminds us how to “Be a Good Egg” at the beach.

— Keep your distance from shorebird habitat.

— Be sure to know...

Grass clippings now accepted at compost site

WEST HAVEN, May 21, 2019 — The city has obtained a permit from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to start accepting grass clippings at the municipal compost site, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Public Works Commissioner Tom M...

Savin Rock Museum opening for season May 29

WEST HAVEN, May 15, 2019 — The Savin Rock Museum, which chronicles West Haven’s 371-year history, will open for the season May 29.

The museum, based in the lower level of the Savin Rock Conference Center at 6 Rock St., will open from 1-...

New UNH police chief takes oath of office

WEST HAVEN, May 3, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi swears in new University of New Haven Police Chief James T. Gilman on Friday, May 3, at City Hall.

Attending the ceremony were Gilman’s wife, Deanna, and daughter, Kate Hall; former UNH Pol...

Cellini Place closed for construction starting May 6

WEST HAVEN, April 30, 2019 — In the interest of public safety, Cellini Place, from Boston Post Road to Forest Road, will be closed for construction by the state until further notice starting Monday, May 6.

Sidewalks on Cellini Place will also be ...

Fusco named West Haven’s first poet laureate

WEST HAVEN, April 29, 2019 — Tony Fusco, holding a mayoral proclamation observing National Poetry Month, is appointed the honorary position of poet laureate of West Haven by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi during a ceremony Monday, April 29, at City Hall.

A...

Tree planting at City Hall marks Arbor Day celebration

PHOTO — Newly appointed Tree Commission member Rosemary Beloin, left, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi throw ceremonial shovels of dirt to dedicate the planting of an eastern redbud on the east lawn of City Hall in observance of West Haven’s Arbor Day celebration...

‘Boot’ program resumes Wednesday, May 1

WEST HAVEN, April 26, 2019 — City residents who are delinquent on their taxes are urged to pay their overdue taxes as soon as possible.

The “boot” program resumes Wednesday, May 1, and those who are delinquent on their motor v...

Building Dept. changing hours to better serve contractors

WEST HAVEN, April 25, 2019 — To meet the needs of contractors and building owners, the Building Department is changing its normal business hours to accept building permit applications on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a new time of 8-11:30 a.m., Mayor Nancy ...

Rossi revives Tree Commission with appointments

WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi reactivated the Tree Commission by appointing four new members at the City Council meeting Monday night, April 22. The commission has not met since 2016.

The members appointed had served on the commission i...

Nick’s Luncheonette relocates, reopens on Sawmill Rd.

WEST HAVEN, April 8, 2019 — Nick’s Luncheonette owner Nick Milas, third from front left, helps Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cut the ceremonial ribbon Monday, April 8, to mark the relocation and reopening of the popular breakfast and lunch rest...

Rte. 1 Dunkin’ Donuts reopens as next-generation Dunkin’

WEST HAVEN, April 3, 2019 — Accompanied by members of the West Haven High School Band, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cuts the ceremonial ribbon Wednesday, April 3, with city officials and the owners of the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise at 985 Boston...

Rossi gives 1-year extension for resident beach stickers

WEST HAVEN, March 29, 2019 — For the second year, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has extended the city’s 2016-18 beach parking permits, this time through June 30, 2020.

The two-year stickers, which are dark blue, were originally set to expire June 30, 2018, but were...

West Haven Seahawks cheerleading squads honored

WEST HAVEN, March 26, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, back center, and City Council members, including Chairman Ronald M. Quagliani, back center, congratulate cheerleaders and coaches of the Ray Tellier Midget Football League’s West Haven...

Watch St. Patrick’s Day 2019 on city’s YouTube channel

WEST HAVEN, March 26, 2019 — Watch West Haven’s 28th annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration honoring Irishwoman of the Year Joan Downing Connor on the city’s official YouTube channel.

Watch the video on West Haven YouT...

West Haven toasts Joan D. Connor as Irishwoman of the Year

PHOTO — Joined by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Irishwoman of the Year Joan Downing Connor pulls off the shroud revealing the Kelly green street sign designating the Campbell Avenue side of City Hall “Joan D. Connor Square” for the n...

Black Balloon Day calls attention to opioid addiction

PHOTO — City and state officials bow their heads as the Rev. Phillip Krakowiak Sr., pastor of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Haven, far right, leads a prayer service Wednesday, March 6, on the steps of City Hall for West Haven res...

American flags donated

WEST HAVEN, March 6, 2019 — From left, Toniko Cox, secretary of New Haven Chapter 120 of WoodmenLife, and Kathleen Parker, the chapter’s vice president of membership, donate 12 American flags to Public Works Commissioner Tom McCarthy o...

Rossi announces 2018 surplus of over $3M

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 28, 2019 — The City of West Haven has produced its first budget surplus in many years and has a positive fund balance for the first time in well over a decade, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Rossi has released the audit report c...

City’s first ramen restaurant opens on Captain Thomas Blvd.

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 25, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, cuts the ribbon Monday, Feb. 25, with Iishin Ramen Bar chef and co-owner Johnny Chen, second from left, and co-owner Penny Gao, third from left, to mark the ceremonial opening of the city...

Developer hires security company to monitor The Haven site

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 22, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced that The Haven Group LLC has engaged a security company to monitor The Haven. The company will provide security at the development site as a result of the recent fires.

For the past four nights and...

Cultural event celebrates West Haven’s black heritage

PHOTO — African-American Citizens of the Year Millicent Huff Corbett, second from left, and Patricia Donaldson Turner receive citations from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and West Haven Black Heritage Committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins during the 23rd ...

Rossi appoints high school student to citizen advisory panel

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 7, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has appointed 19-year-old resident Roman Khondker to the West Haven Community Development Administration’s Citizen Advisory Committee.

Khondker, who is halfway through his senior year at T...

Rossi announces grand list growth of nearly $30M

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 7, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced that the city’s grand list of taxable property has grown by $29.7 million, or 1.11 percent, for fiscal year 2018 over the 2017 valuation. The net grand list for 2018 is $2,683,1...

175 ‘plungers’ brave icy L.I. Sound to aid breast cancer fight

PHOTO — About 175 participants charge in and out of the 35-degree water of Long Island Sound during the 19th annual Icy Plunge for the Cure on Saturday morning, Feb. 2, at Savin Rock Beach. The breast cancer benefit celebrated the 20th anniversa...

Bulk trash pickup, e-waste drop-off schedule announced

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 8, 2019 — The 2019 pickup schedule for bulk trash is April 8-12 and Sept. 9-13.

Residents are reminded to separate metals and recyclables from regular trash and to put out trash no more than 24 hours before pickup. Violations car...

Reminders about Christmas trees, leaf bags

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 8, 2019 — The city reminds residents not to put Christmas trees in plastic bags or stands for curbside pickup.

Lights must also be removed from Christmas trees. Plastic bags and other items can become tangled in the machine that grinds the...

Blue Ribbon School

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 14, 2018 — Forest Elementary School Principal Thomas J. Hunt on Friday afternoon, Dec. 14, receives a citation from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi recognizing Forest as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Before presenting Hunt with the citatio...

Rossi urges women 40 and older to get a mammogram

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2018 — From left, Yale New Haven Hospital mammography technologists Elizabeth Sorensen and Coretha Thomas give Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Health Department intern Paulina Lopez and Health Director Maureen B. Lillis a tour of the Y...

Sale of waterfront park brings The Haven a step closer

PHOTO — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi heralds the sale of the city-owned Bayview Park property to The Haven Group LLC by presenting a $257,500 check on behalf of the developer to Finance Director Ronald Cicatelli on Friday, Nov. 9, at City Hall.

Joining t...

Dr. Ralph Padilla honored as city’s first Hispanic of the Year

PHOTO — Dr. Ralph L. Padilla receives a black “Hispanic American of the Year” jacket from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi at the city’s first Hispanic Heritage Celebration on the steps of City Hall Friday, Oct. 19. (City Photo...

Blumenthal, Rossi discuss federal aid for city beaches

PHOTO — During a news conference Monday, Oct. 15, at the Savin Rock gazebo, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi discuss key victories for West Haven’s beaches in the recently approved America’s Wat...

‘Topping off’ completes steel framework for new high school

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 11, 2018 — City and state leaders sign a white-painted I-beam before it is erected on Thursday, Oct. 11, to mark the ceremonial “topping off,” or completion, of the steel framework for the addition of the $13...

Mario and Francine Coppola feted as Italian Couple of Year

PHOTO — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, right, reads a citation honoring Mario and Francine Coppola as West Haven’s Italian Couple of the Year at the 20th annual Columbus Day Celebration on the steps of City Hall Friday, Oct. 5. (City Photo/Davi...

$5M grant awarded to reconstruct Elm St. for The Haven

PHOTO — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, right, on Thursday, Sept. 20, announces $5 million in state funding with state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, left, for the reconstruction of Elm Street — the future entrance of The Haven, a $200 millio...

Rossi issues warning about illegal dumping

PHOTO — The site of the alleged illegal dumping incident behind the former Nick’s Luncheonette at 423 First Ave. on Wednesday, Aug. 1. Police later arrested and charged an employee of a West Haven landscaping company with two counts of...

Digital copy of The Haven site plan now available

WEST HAVEN, May 23, 2018 — A digital copy of the site plan for The Haven development is available for public review.

View the Site Plan.

Simon and The Haven Group LLC commence entitlement process for The Haven luxury outlet center

WEST HAVEN, May 22, 2018 — Simon Property Group and The Haven Group LLC applied on Monday evening, May 21, for site plan approval before the Department of Planning and Development at City Hall, the first entitlement step toward building The Have...