Revitalized Hubbard Nature Center set to reopen

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 21, 2020 — (Pictured): Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy, left, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, on Thursday receive a guided tour of the soon-to-be-reopened Hubbard Nature and Education Center in West Shore by Councilman Barry Lee Cohen, second from left, and Steven Johnstone, the lead sponsor of the park’s revitalization and president of the Hubbard Family Association.

Under the direction of Johnstone, the Hubbard Road park has been closed for renovations since mid-April. During this time, businesses and residents around the community have come together to support the revitalization by providing essential goods, services and labor, said Cohen, R-10.

Neighbors, including a dedicated core of Hubbard family and friends, have generously participated in many cleanups to transform the 7.6-acre park, nestled between Jones Hill and Benham Hill roads.

“From clearing brush and staining fences to reconstructing stone walls and reestablishing trails, we are immensely grateful for the volunteerism and public-private partnership that has turned a dormant park into a place that Westies can once again enjoy,” Cohen said.

Rossi added: “The work done by volunteers and sponsors has resulted in a beautiful nature preserve befitting the residents of West Haven. Thank you to the Hubbard family, Steven Johnstone, Councilman Cohen and all the volunteers for their astounding effort in this project.”

A ribbon-cutting is set for 4 p.m. Sept. 29 at the park’s Hubbard Road entrance. The public is invited. The rain date is Oct. 1.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Johnstone, Rossi, McCarthy and Cohen pause atop a newly blazed trail overlooking Hubbard Road. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Farmers market vouchers available

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 21, 2020 — Farmers market vouchers are available by calling the Department of Elderly Services at 203-937-3635 or 203-627-1382.

In an effort to limit contact, the department is distributing the vouchers by mail to eligible city residents.

To receive $18 in vouchers, the income limits for those at least 60 years old are $23,606 per year, or $1,968 per month, for a single person and $31,894 per year, or $2,658 per month, for a married couple.

Each voucher booklet contains six $3 vouchers that residents can use at any farmers market in the state. A list of markets is included with each booklet.

West Haven’s Tony Inzero Farmers Market was canceled in accordance with local public health guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Rossi tours Forest School playground project

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 17, 2020 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy look over plans as a crew from ALZ Construction of Marshfield, Mass., finishes installing the new playground at Forest Elementary School on Wednesday.

The powder-coated steel playscape, manufactured by BCI Burke Co. of Fond du Lac, Wis., is equipped with stainless steel hardware and molded plastic apparatus for children to play on, including a slide, tom-tom drums and a small rock wall.

Financed with a $100,000 state grant, the soon-to-be-opened playground is also outfitted with a pair of tire swings and park benches and a poured-in-place rubber surface for added safety.

Rossi said the Forest PTA had requested a playground for many years, adding that PTA President Carrie Malangone was the driving force behind the project, along with state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven, who represents the district that includes the Allingtown school.

“We need to add more recreational facilities throughout the city for our younger generation, and this playground will provide a nice resource for them,” Rossi said.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy, left, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi look on as a crew from Laydon Industries LLC of New Haven works to widen the existing truck apron at the Oyster River roundabout Tuesday. The work is part of a state Department of Transportation project to upgrade the roundabout at Jones Hill Road and Ocean Avenue. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Oyster River roundabout upgrade underway

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 17, 2020 — The state Department of Transportation has begun work to upgrade the Oyster River roundabout at routes 162 and 705 in the city’s Baybrook section.

The $367,214 project calls for upgrading the existing roundabout, or traffic circle, at Jones Hill Road and Ocean Avenue to current design standards for accommodating larger trucks, DOT project manager Michael Rosenblatt said.

According to the DOT, during the roundabout’s original design, a midsize tractor-trailer was the standard design vehicle for state arterial roads. But shortly after the roundabout’s construction more than a decade ago, national changes in the trucking industry prompted the DOT to change its regulations and increase the size of the standard design vehicle on state arterial roads because of technical advances in the industry and gradual acceptance of larger trucks by many states.

In addition to trucks, up to 8,100 vehicles per day pass through the busy roundabout, according to the DOT.

“The roundabout has required constant maintenance in recent years and will be upgraded with more durable materials,” Rosenblatt said.

The project includes expanding the existing truck apron, installing landscaping in the center island and replacing damaged concrete curbing along the outer perimeter with granite, as well as repaving the roundabout.

New Haven-based contractor Laydon Industries LLC is doing the work, which is expected to last through Oct. 19, DOT Chief Inspector Dominik Jankowski said.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, who toured the project site with Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy on Tuesday, said the state-funded project was designed in collaboration with neighborhood residents and business owners at two meetings in late 2019 and was fast-tracked by state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven.

Rossi noted that the roundabout’s center island is an area designated under the city’s new Adopt-A-Spot program. The program, approved by the City Council on Monday, allows residents and businesses to adopt and beautify areas around West Haven.

To improve safety and relieve traffic congestion at the intersection of Jones Hill Road and Ocean Avenue, the first modern roundabout built on a state road was constructed there in 2007, reducing the total crash rate by 45% and injury-related crashes by 60%, according to statistics provided by the DOT.

9/11 virtual event airing on YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 17, 2020 — Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting large public gatherings, the city is observing the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with a virtual ceremony now airing on West Haven’s YouTube channel.

The solemn service honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks, including West Haven’s own Richard S. Gabrielle, who was killed during the attack on the twin towers in New York’s World Trade Center complex.

Watch the 32-minute ceremony on West Haven YouTube.

Free home energy audits offered

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 2, 2020 — The Home Energy Solutions program that is funded by a small fee on residents’ electric bills is offering free home energy audits until the end of 2020.

HES is rolling out new and more generous rebates for efficiency improvements, with no-cost efficiency work for residents who are income eligible.

There are larger incentive payments for windows, air or ground source heat pumps, or insulation, and the audit includes several free conservation measures during the visit. The program is free for residents who have not had an audit in 36 months.

The revised program is designed to make up for the time lost this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and includes new safety procedures to cope with COVID-19. One of them is a virtual pre-audit by phone.

Residents can apply for a free home audit by phone at 877-WISE-USE (9473-873) or online at www.energizect.com.

City Hall reopening to the public with restrictions Aug. 5

City Hall back open to the public with restrictions

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 25, 2020 — In accordance with state and local guidelines, City Hall reopened to the public with restrictions Aug. 5.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said the phased reopening of City Hall allows staff to service residents inside the building for the first time since March 16, when City Hall was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For phase one of the reopening plan, City Hall is open for limited business Monday through Thursday by appointment only and restricted to the first floor, Rossi said.

Residents can make an appointment for the Building Department, assessor’s office, tax office and city clerk’s office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by contacting the department at https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/directory.aspx. Appointments are limited.

To enter City Hall, visitors must use the west entrance on the Savin Avenue side of the building. Visitors must wear face masks, show identification and pass a temperature check before entering, Health Director Maureen B. Lillis said.

Visitors must sign in with staff, noting the time and location of the appointment, and sign out when business is done. They must also use the hand sanitizer station before going to the appointment, Lillis said.

Visitors must maintain social distancing, including staying 6 feet away from others, and stand behind the protective barrier, Lillis said.

Although City Hall has partially reopened, the Chamber of Commerce and Department of Motor Vehicles Express offices will remain closed until further notice, city officials said.

Residents are encouraged to continue using online payments and the drop box at the Main Street entrance of City Hall.

Lillis said City Hall will remain closed on Friday until further notice to allow a deeper cleaning of the building.

City employees are working extended hours Monday through Thursday, Rossi said. Employees are available by phone and email at https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/directory.aspx.