City buildings, departments closed to the public for 2 weeks

West Haven buildings, departments closed to the public for 2 weeks

WEST HAVEN, March 16, 2020 — In response to COVID-19, the city has closed all municipal buildings and departments to the public for a minimum of two weeks, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The local public health protocol, implemented to discourage the spread of the COVID-19 virus, includes all city and Board of Education offices at City Hall; the Chamber of Commerce and Department of Motor Vehicles Express offices at City Hall; and all city offices outside of City Hall.

For services offered at City Hall, city employees will work their normal weekday schedule from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and be available by phone and email. The phone numbers and email addresses of each department and employee are available at Staff Directory.

New departmental procedures are forthcoming, including how departments will handle payments for licenses, permits and taxes, as well as requests for beach parking stickers. The city will post information as it becomes available at Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro announced that the school district has closed all public schools through March 27 and is planning to reopen March 30. The Child Development Center has also closed for a minimum of two weeks.

West Haven Library Executive Director Colleen Bailie announced that the library’s three branches have closed indefinitely.

City officials, led by Rossi, Cavallaro and Health Director Maureen B. Lillis, plan to reevaluate the emergency directive at the end of two weeks and determine whether to reopen the buildings, departments and schools at that time.

Allingtown/West Haven Senior Center closing for 2 weeks

Senior center closed for 2 weeks

WEST HAVEN, March 16, 2020 — Based on a recommendation by the city’s health director, the Allingtown/West Haven Senior Center at 201 Noble St. has closed for two weeks, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

“Out of an abundance of care and caution, I am recommending that the Senior Center at 201 Noble Street be closed to the public beginning Thursday, March 12, 2020,” Health Director Maureen B. Lillis wrote in a letter informing Rossi on Wednesday.

The city has also suspended the Department of Elderly Services’ senior shuttle service and the Department of Parks and Recreation’s senior fitness program for two weeks, per Lillis’ recommendation, a local directive in response to the public health emergency declared by Gov. Ned Lamont.

“We know that older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease 2019,” Lillis wrote.

Lillis plans to reevaluate the senior center closure at the end of two weeks and determine whether to reopen it “depending on the situation at the time,” she wrote.

Lillis also plans to reevaluate the suspension of the senior shuttle service and fitness program at the end of two weeks.

West Haven St. Patrick’s Day Celebration postponed

WEST HAVEN, March 16, 2020 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and the West Haven St. Patrick’s Day Committee have postponed the 29th annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration honoring Irishman of the Year Keith M. Sweeney to coincide with the future date of the postponed Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The March 17 ceremony has been postponed in accordance with Gov. Ned Lamont’s protocol of discouraging large public gatherings of more than 100 people in response to COVID-19.

According to Lamont, large crowds or places where individuals are shoulder-to-shoulder are considered the most dangerous and should be avoided, especially for those 60 and older. The governor’s directive is one of the recently announced policies to discourage the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Rossi and committee Chairwoman Joanne Conlan said the popularity of West Haven’s “Irish Person of the Year” event, which traditionally attracts 100 to 250 people, coupled with the prominence of this year’s honoree, a decorated former police officer, left organizers with no choice but to postpone the celebration in the interest of public health.

“We look forward to coinciding our St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade this spring,” Rossi said.

Girl Scout Day

WEST HAVEN, March 10, 2020 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, back center, recognizes Girl Scouts of the West Haven Service Unit at City Hall on March 9.

During the half-hour ceremony, Rossi, a former Girl Scout and troop leader, answered questions for 25 minutes before reading a mayoral proclamation declaring Girl Scout Day in West Haven. The event was coordinated by Troop 60298 leader Carrie Malangone, Troop 60321 leader Jennifer Ford, Troop 63020 leader Kerri Kennedy, Troop 60330 leader Heather Buccheri, Troop 60351 leader Kara Barton Nieves and Troop 60642 leader Kristy Brouillard.

The observance marked the 108th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, a national organization founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Ga.

(City Photo/Joni Capoccitti)

Pollinator project grant launched

WEST HAVEN, March 6, 2020 — David Carr is inviting city residents and businesses to invest in an environmental sustainability project that aims to install pollinator-friendly plants in public spaces, including parks and schoolyards, and residential backyards.

Carr, the project manager of the West Haven Pollinator Pathway project, is encouraging community support in the form of monetary donations, locations and volunteer time to make the project a reality. Details at https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/westhaven.

Anyone who gives will have a say in where the plants are installed, said Carr, who is seeking community-based organizations and local businesses to get involved.

Carr, meantime, is participating in a plant swap lunch from noon-3 p.m. March 21 at the Harugari German American Club, 66 Highland St. The plant swap is for those who want to split perennials and expand their gardens.

“Bring extra plants, and take home new ones,” said Carr, adding that he is also holding a fundraising meeting for the Pollinator Pathway project at 5:30 p.m. March 24 at Mike’s Apizza & Restaurant, 111 Campbell Ave.

The project is supported by a $5,000 Community Match Fund grant from Sustainable CT. To learn more and make a donation, go to https://ioby.org/project/pollinator-pathway-west-haven-ct-5000-matching-grant.

“Communities that are health-focused and recreation-focused, bikeable and walkable with a commitment to open space and quality parks will have a brighter future, especially being so close to Metro-North Railroad, Yale and the beach,” said Carr, a commissioner of the city Inland Wetlands Watercourse Agency since 1999.

The Community Match Fund, managed by the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University, is helping to bring projects to life statewide by providing fast, accessible funding as well as fundraising coaching and support to residents and organizations with ideas to make their communities more sustainable, said Abe Hilding-Salorio, Sustainable CT’s community outreach manager.

Anyone in West Haven is eligible to participate and receive funding, Hilding-Salorio said. Schools, nonprofits, community groups and individual residents can propose projects and access the matching funds. Details at https://sustainablect.org/.

“Through Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund, we put residents at the forefront of creating positive, impactful change,” Hilding-Salorio said. “Match Fund projects are community-led and community-funded, demonstrating the power of people working together to make change in their communities.”

Those with questions about the grant can call Hilding-Salorio at 860-465-0256.

West Haven, which was awarded Sustainable CT’s Bronze designation last fall for improving air quality in public spaces, is working to earn the prestigious Silver certification in 2020 by implementing multiple initiatives to reduce food waste and municipal waste and increase energy efficiency, Carr said.

Sustainable CT certification demonstrates accomplishments in nine impact categories, including inclusive and equitable communities, cleaner transportation, vibrant arts and culture, natural resource stewardship and affordable housing.

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.

Sidewalk repair program slated for spring

Spring sidewalk repair program set

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 27, 2020 — The Department of Public Works is continuing its sidewalk repair and replacement program this spring.

City sidewalk inspector Ernie Chiarelli recently announced that 372 addresses were reported and inspected last year. Among the addresses, 997 4-by-4-foot concrete sections were replaced and 111 trip hazards were removed by a shaving process to meet guidelines under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act for a total of 1,108 sidewalk hazards corrected, Chiarelli said.

The 2019 sidewalk list has been fully completed, he said, adding, “We are looking forward to spring with the continuation of this program to help make West Haven a better and safer place to live.”

The Public Works Department is able to repair sidewalks damaged by city trees because of funding from a state grant. The grant money is for sidewalk repair and replacement only, Chiarelli said.

City trees are defined as those located between the sidewalk and street curb. Otherwise, it is the owner’s responsibility to repair the sidewalk fronting their property, according to Article 1, Section 1 of the “Streets and Sidewalks” ordinance under Chapter 206 of the West Haven Code.

Anyone who has a sidewalk in need of repair due to a city tree can have their address added to the 2020 inspection list by emailing the Department of Public Works at sidewalks@westhaven-ct.gov or calling 203-937-3585.