Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cuts the ribbon with 10th District Councilman Barry Lee Cohen, left, and Hubbard Family Association President Steven Johnstone to celebrate the reopening of Hubbard Farms Park in West Shore on Tuesday. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Hubbard Farms Park reopens with ribbon-cutting

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 30, 2020 — Surrounded by a gathering of two dozen Hubbard family and friends, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Councilman Barry Lee Cohen and Hubbard Family Association President Steven Johnstone welcomed volunteers, neighbors, sponsors, and state and city officials at a ribbon-cutting Tuesday to celebrate the reopening of Hubbard Farms Park.

The West Shore park, formerly the Hubbard Nature and Education Center, was recently renamed Hubbard Farms Park to best represent the area’s rich history, which dates to the 1700s. The new name was unanimously supported by the Parks and Recreation Commission and approved by the City Council.

The new name also complements West Haven’s centennial in 2021, said Cohen, R-10, who has worked closely with Johnstone to transform the long-dormant park.

Johnstone is the owner of Hubbard Farm’s Wood and Snow LLC, the park’s lead sponsor. The co-sponsor is Jose Amaya, a licensed arborist and the owner of Above the Ground Tree Care LLC. Both West Haven companies will continue to support the park’s upkeep with the city, Cohen said.

All work to date was completed under Johnstone’s direction in partnership with Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy.

“The efforts of Steven Johnstone, the Hubbard family, Councilman Cohen, and the collection of volunteers and sponsors have exemplified the true power of a strong community,” Rossi said. “My walking tour of the park early last week allowed me to see the great progress that was made by this group of volunteers. Thank you to everyone involved who made this renovated natural resource available to all Westies.”

Joining Rossi, Cohen and Johnstone at the late-afternoon ceremony were state Reps. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, and Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; city Treasurer Michael P. Last; City Council Chairman Ronald M. Quagliani, D-at large; council members Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, Robert Bruneau, D-9, Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; city sidewalk inspector Ernie Chiarelli; city Tree Warden Leo Kelly; and McCarthy.

The revitalization of the Hubbard Road park, nestled between Jones Hill and Benham Hill roads, far exceeded the sponsors’ original commitment to the wooded park, said Cohen, who pointed out that more than 80% of its 7.6-acre trails were restored.

All labor and materials to reestablish the trails, clear brush and debris, add new and refurbish existing fencing, and beautify the main entrance were provided by sponsors at no cost to the city, Cohen said.

In addition to the sponsors’ direct support, more than $11,000 of in-kind and monetary contributions were made by over a dozen businesses, he said.

Cohen extended a special acknowledgement for the generous donations of the following companies: Joe Iannone, the owner of Reliable Fence CT of West Haven, which provided 70 feet of cedar fencing and installation; Gio Barbano, a co-owner of Barbano Brothers Land Design of Milford, which provided landscaping to reestablish or create new trails; Jim O’Donoghue, the owner of JOD Designs of Milford, which provided the park sign, design and installation; Patrick Roka, the manager of Sherwin-Williams Paint Store of Orange, which provided the park bridge stain and paint supplies; and Philip and Justin Grande, the owners of Soundview Landscape Supply of West Haven, which provided 10-plus yards of mulch, ground maintenance supplies and debris removal.

“The park’s transformation has stimulated a sense of community and pride while showcasing the benefits that can be achieved through a public-private partnership,” Cohen said. “The reopening has also reignited many Westies’ fondest memories, such as skating on the pond, hitting the hiking trails and countless childhood adventures.

“It is my heartfelt belief that the continued commitment by the sponsors and city, in combination with local business engagement and neighborhood outreach, will create new memories for many generations to follow.”

Johnstone noted the restoration was also made possible by three dozen volunteers who contributed more than 350 hours to the park’s rehabilitation.

“With the driving force of a core team of volunteers and generous donors, the revitalization has exceeded all expectations for the Hubbard family and many throughout the area,” Johnstone said. “It was quite inspiring to see the community come together during these difficult times and do something positive.”

The 34-year-old Johnstone continued: “People told me from the very beginning that I was crazy and it couldn’t be done. Well, they got one thing right. I was a man on a mission to make my grandparents and great-grandparents proud.”

Johnstone, tearing up, told the crowd that when he was young, his grandfather often took him to the park property, then part of the Hubbard family homestead, but that he “hated it.”

That sentiment has become a distant memory for Johnstone, however, as his appreciation for the park has deepened with each passing year. Now more than ever, he said he treasures the precious times exploring the park with his grandfather, especially since Johnstone and his wife are expecting their first child and look forward to sharing similar experiences there with their own family.

The revitalized Hubbard Farms Park. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

CDA gets $400K grant to aid coronavirus response

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 24, 2020 — The West Haven Community Development Administration has received $401,929 in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19, CDA Manager Mark J. Bisaccia announced.

The aid is part of the third round of the coronavirus rescue package in response to the growing effects of the public health crisis.

Using the federal money, CDA will prioritize the needs of low-to-moderate-income residents and the development of partnerships between all levels of government and the private for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Bisaccia said.

Those who qualify for CDBG-CV grants must coordinate with state and local health authorities before undertaking activities to support local pandemic response.

The emergency grants are subject to oversight, reporting and the requirement that grantees have adequate procedures to prevent the duplication of benefits, Bisaccia said.

CDA is in the process of sending out grant applications to its social services and governmental agencies. For an application, contact Bisaccia at markb@westhaven-ct.gov or 203-937-3550.

Applications will be reviewed by the West Haven CDBG Citizen Participation Committee for funding recommendations.

Applications are due Oct. 22 to the City of West Haven, Community Development Administration, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516. Applications can also be inserted into the drop box at the Main Street entrance of City Hall.

Farmers market vouchers available

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 24, 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.

Refurbished basketball courts reopen in Vets Memorial Park

Refurbished basketball courts reopen in Veterans Park

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 24, 2020 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cuts the ribbon with, from left, city recreation program coordinator Tom Conroy, city sidewalk inspector Ernie Chiarelli and Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman David Coyle on Sept. 23 to mark the grand reopening of the newly refurbished basketball courts in Veterans Memorial Park on Bull Hill Lane.

Joining them were state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven; city Treasurer Michael P. Last; City Council members Bridgette J. Hoskie, D-1, Mitchell L. Gallignano, D-4, Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, Peter V. Massaro, D-6, Treneé McGee, D-7, Robert Bruneau, D-9, Barry Lee Cohen, R-10, and Gary Donovan, D-at large; Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy; Park-Rec Director Mark E. Paine Jr. and program coordinator Diane Dietman; and representatives from Hinding Tennis Courts of West Haven.

The two all-weather courts, part of the former federal Nike site property, received a new asphalt surface painted in blue and white, the city’s official colors, bordered by a lighter shade of blue. New LED lighting, benches and fencing were also installed, and the existing fencing was upgraded to a vinyl-coated chain-link material, Paine said.

The $49,500 project, overseen by Conroy and Chiarelli, was done by Spring Street-based Hinding Tennis and paid for by a state Local Capital Improvement Program grant.

“We are a community of homes and families, and our parks and open spaces are vital resources,” Paine said. “We really appreciate the support of Mayor Rossi, the City Council and the Department of Public Works with this project. I especially appreciate Tom Conroy’s tireless advocacy for and work on the rehabilitation.”

Rossi added: “Thank you to Ernie Chiarelli, Tom Conroy, Tom McCarthy and the Department of Parks and Recreation for their supervision of this project. Also, a special thanks to the team at Hinding Tennis for their outstanding work in beautifying this area.”

The newly refurbished basketball courts in Veterans Memorial Park on Bull Hill Lane. (Contributed Photo)

The basketball courts before they were renovated with a $49,500 grant from the state Local Capital Improvement Program. (Contributed Photo)