Rossi addresses investigation into New Haven teen’s death

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 30, 2020 — As with any public safety issue in the city, the comments made by resident Stanley Heller at Monday night’s City Council meeting about requesting a local investigation into the death of 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane are the jurisdiction of the Police Department and the Board of Police Commissioners pursuant to the West Haven Charter, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said.

On Jan. 15, Soulemane, of New Haven, died of gunshot wounds sustained during an encounter with troopers of the Connecticut State Police on Campbell Avenue in West Haven, just off Interstate 95’s Exit 43.

“My heart breaks for all those involved in this tragic incident,” Rossi said.

On Jan. 21, the shooting investigation was assigned to Middlesex State Attorney Michael A. Gailor, who is leading the investigation with assistance from inspectors of the state Division of Criminal Justice.

“The city of West Haven extends its condolences to Mr. Soulemane’s family and will work to help this investigation conclude in a timely manner for the benefit of both the family and members of law enforcement who were involved,” Rossi said. “The full resources of the city are available to the state attorney, and we will cooperate in any way that is helpful.”

Celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day at QU women’s hoops

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 30, 2020 — Join the Department of Parks and Recreation at 4 p.m. Feb. 8 at the People’s United Center in Hamden to cheer on the lady Bobcats of Quinnipiac University women’s basketball as they take on Siena College.

Quinnipiac is marking the game by celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day with special pregame activities, followed by a postgame autograph session and meet-and-greet with players.

Tickets are free — a $10 savings — for girls and additional family members, but preregistration is required through Park-Rec by Feb. 4.

Wear a team shirt from the West Haven Girls Basketball League or the Park-Rec Summer Fun League and be recognized on the court during the national anthem before tipoff.

2nd workshop to continue dialogue on future of Allingtown section

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 24, 2020 — The city will hold the second in a series of public workshops focusing on the future of Allingtown.

The workshop is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 6 in the Notre Dame High School auditorium, 1 Notre Dame Way. The snow date is Feb. 13.

The workshop is sponsored by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Allingtown Steering Committee, an ad hoc committee formed by the commission to help develop a plan for the Allingtown neighborhood to achieve the goals of the city’s Plan of Conservation and Development.

See the Flyer.

The workshop will build on input received from 60 participants at the first workshop in April 2019.

On Feb. 6, the city will present a number of recommendations being considered for the Allingtown plan in response to the input at last year’s workshop. Anyone can participate in the upcoming workshop, whether they took part in the first one or not.

P&Z Chairwoman Kathleen Hendricks said the commission hopes to attract a wide range of participants for the workshop, including neighborhood residents, area businesses, University of New Haven students, community leaders, church groups and representatives of school organizations.

The commission also hopes that Allingtown’s young people will attend to provide fresh ideas for the plan, Hendricks said.

According to Assistant City Planner David W. Killeen, the workshop will include a presentation highlighting items of the POCD vision as well as general areas the committee plans to address, such as making Allingtown more pedestrian- and bike-friendly; promoting the redevelopment of underutilized and vacant commercial properties; improving community facilities, parks and open space; enhancing connections between UNH and the neighborhood; and improving housing and property maintenance.

The workshop will include opportunities for participants to collaborate in small group sessions and respond to initial recommendations being considered for the Allingtown plan. The information gathered will help the committee finalize the recommendations for inclusion in a draft plan before it is presented to the commission for its consideration, said Killeen, adding that a formal public hearing is expected later this year.

The concept for the Allingtown plan was first envisioned in the POCD, which was adopted by the commission in June 2017.

See the POCD.

For more information, call the Department of Planning and Development at 203-937-3580.

Rossi reestablishes Economic Development Commission

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 24, 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 Jan. 15.

“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. Wednesday 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.

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

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 24, 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.