Rossi reestablishes Economic Development Commission

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 17, 2020 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has reestablished the Economic Development Commission by appointing a handful of new members who bring a trove of experience in development, education, health care and the arts.

The recently appointed commission, which has not met since November 2016, has agreed to work with Rossi to improve the quality of life and economic viability of West Haven.

The members are Stefano Coletta, the owner of Paramount Construction & Development LLC; Christine Sullivan Gallo, a retired high school Spanish teacher; Lalani Perry, the assistant vice president of internal communications at Yale University; Ed Voss, the owner and operator of York Business Center LLC; and Scotti Williams, the gift club coordinator at Yale New Haven Hospital. The alternate member is Elinor Slomba, the founder of Verge Arts Group.

“I am very excited about the energy and work ethic of this group,” Rossi said.

Sullivan Gallo, Perry and Williams were elected chair, vice chair and secretary, respectively, during the commission’s organizational meeting at City Hall on Wednesday night.

“I am very happy to be working with people who have so many ideas and are excited about getting things done and willing to work to change West Haven for the better,” said Gallo, a commission member since the late 1990s. “I have stayed on this commission all these years because I could never abandon the idea that the city has so much potential that it only needed the right people to get things going. Now that we can control our own destiny, the time has come.”

The commission’s first order of business is setting economic development goals and other items for consideration at its inaugural meeting, which is set for 5:15 p.m. Jan. 29 in the City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

Objectives of the commission include tackling vacant properties across the city, downtown retail opportunities and the Transit-Oriented Development District around the train station.

Rossi said the commission will work closely with the Department of Planning and Development, including Commissioner Fred A. Messore, the city’s economic development official.

Pickup schedule for leaf bags extended through Jan. 31

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 17, 2020 — Because of the continued good weather and leaf production, the city has extended the pickup schedule for leaf bags through Jan. 31, Public Works Commissioner Tom McCarthy announced.

The bags are picked up on residents’ weekly curbside collection days. Leaves must be in biodegradable paper bags and will not be accepted if they are in plastic bags, McCarthy said.

After Jan. 31, the pickup schedule for leaf bags will resume from April 1-June 1 and then from Oct. 1-Dec. 31.

West Haven Public Library Fundraising Night

Sustainable CT awards $5K grant for West Haven pollinator project

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 13, 2020 — The West Haven Pollinator Pathway project has received a $5,000 Community Match Fund grant from Sustainable CT, project coordinator David Carr announced.

The Pollinator Pathway project aligns with the objective of action 2.5 to “create a natural resource and wildlife inventory,” said Abe Hilding-Salorio, Sustainable CT’s community outreach manager, “and is eligible to receive matching funds for as long as they remain available.”

Using the money, Carr aims to establish pollinator-friendly habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating insects and wildlife by installing native plants that will support pollinator in West Haven.

“The West Haven Pollinator Pathway will help our community increase the biomass of native plants,” Carr said. “The project will succeed when lots of neighbors get involved and get excited about improving our natural world.”

The project’s next steps, according to Carr, are:

— Working with the Department of Public Works, parks, libraries, homeowners and school employees to determine the final locations for the plantings.

— Raising $5,000 between Feb. 1 and March 31.

— Providing community education resources about the importance of pollinators.

— Buying the highest quality and quantity of plants for the most comparable sources.

— Planning “Last Frost Community Planting Days.”

Sustainable CT, managed by the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University, is a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities in becoming more efficient, resilient and inclusive.

To join the Pollinator Pathway effort, interested residents can attend a planning meeting at 1 p.m. Friday at City Hall, 355 Main St. They can also attend the West Haven Sustainability Team’s “Green Drinks” event at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Iishin Ramen Bar, 291 Captain Thomas Blvd.

For the latest news and information about the West Haven Pollinator Pathway, residents can subscribe to the project’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pollinatorpathway06516/. They can also call Carr for details at 203-877-2704, ext. 400826.

Carr said residents can find information about making West Haven a welcoming place for friendly pollinators in the community at https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/westhaven and https://sustainablect.org/.

City honoring couples married for at least 50 years on Valentine’s Day

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 10, 2020 — The city will honor couples who have been married for at least 50 years during its 30th annual Valentine’s Day party from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at West Haven Elks Lodge 1537, 265 Main St.

The couples will receive chocolates and roses from the mayor’s office.

The party will feature music by the Clam Diggers and include hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi will recognize the oldest and youngest couples.

For reservations, call Elderly Services Director Sharon R. Mancini at 203-937-3507 by Feb. 10.

Marchers sought for Memorial Day parade; applications due April 10

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 10, 2020 — The city is seeking veterans, civic groups, fraternal organizations, service clubs and marching bands to participate in the annual Memorial Day parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. May 25.

The parade has no rain date.

Participants must register and list required special accommodations.

Transportation is provided for veterans who are unable to walk the 1 ½-mile parade course, which follows Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Center Street. To make arrangements, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.

The parade grand marshals are World War II veteran Frank Corso, who served in the Army Air Forces in 1942-45, and Korean War vet Salvatore Gullo, who served in the Navy in 1948-52.

Download a Participation Form.

Forms are also available in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due April 10.

Forms can also be emailed to parade organizer Kristen Teshoney at kteshoney@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.

Taxes due now in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 7, 2020 — The second installment of city tax bills — real estate, personal property, motor vehicle and sewer — were due Jan. 1, and payments after Feb. 3 are considered delinquent and subject to interest, Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli said.

The 2018 supplemental motor vehicle bills are for vehicles registered after Oct. 1, 2018, and were also due Jan. 1.

The tax office is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St. The city has an ATM outside the office.

Taxpayers can make a payment at Tax Collector. Sewer bills are on the same page but under a separate heading. Tax payment history can also be viewed and printed.

The fees for credit cards and electronic checks are posted at Tax Collector and outside the tax office.

During tax season, through Feb. 3, current taxes can be paid by the drop box outside the tax office from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Current taxes can also be paid by mail to the tax office lockbox, P.O. Box 150461, Hartford, CT 06115-0461. When paying by lockbox or drop box, the canceled check is the receipt.

After Feb. 3, taxes with interest can be paid by mail to the Office of the Tax Collector, P.O. Box 401, West Haven, CT 06516. Payments can also be made in person.

Anyone needing a motor vehicle clearance must pay in person with cash, credit card, bank check or money order.

Tax help offered at senior center

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 7, 2020 — The Allingtown/West Haven Senior Center is offering a free tax preparation service to help low-to-middle-income taxpayers.

The AARP Tax-Aide program is available by appointment from 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting Feb. 5, at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

Special attention is given to help those 50 and older fill out federal tax forms.

The service, which includes tax counseling, is offered by trained volunteer tax preparers from AARP in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.

For an appointment, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.