Federal grant aims to keep West Haven’s young people drug-free

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 23, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has approved and funded a grant application submitted by Bridges Healthcare for educating West Haven’s young people on the pitfalls of substance use, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Bridges was notified late last week that it will receive the Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant for the West Haven Prevention Council project, said Martin Schwartzman, the chief of program operations at Milford-based Bridges.

The grant award is for $125,000 per year for five years, with the potential for another five years of funding after year five, Schwartzman said.

The funding’s starting date is Dec. 31.

Schwartzman thanked city and school officials for helping to prepare the grant application, saying, “We look forward to partnering with you on this project.”

Bridges is the local mental health authority and nonprofit, community-based provider for outpatient mental health and addiction services for adults in Milford, Orange and West Haven. Designated by the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, it also provides programs and services for children, families and young adults throughout the region.

“I applaud the members of Bridges and our team of city and school officials for working together to secure this vital funding for the West Haven Prevention Council,” Rossi said. “Thanks to the funding, this important initiative will continue to give hope to those seeking help from drugs and alcohol.”

The DFC grant program takes a comprehensive and data-driven approach to prevent and reduce youth substance use and misuse in communities nationwide.

Schwartzman said the funding will provide a robust prevention effort for West Haven’s youth population.

The DFC funding aims to establish and strengthen the collaboration among communities, public and private nonprofit agencies, and federal, state, local and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions. It also strives to reduce substance use among young people as well as adults.

Sound Health publishes 3rd edition

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 23, 2020 — Stay connected and engaged during the pandemic with the latest edition of Sound Health, the Health Department’s newsletter.

Read all things health, plus try your hand at the department’s first crossword puzzle, at Sound Health.

COVID-19 Testing Site at Savin Rock Conference Center

A satellite image shows the proposed Enterprise Zone on Front Avenue in West Haven. (City of West Haven)

City Council approves Rossi’s Enterprise Zone proposal

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 15, 2020 — The City Council on Dec. 14 approved Mayor Nancy R. Rossi’s proposal for establishing a state-designated Enterprise Zone in West Haven that would run the length of Front Avenue and Spring Street and include the city’s compost site and North End Field.

Connecticut’s statewide Enterprise Zone Program was the first in the country, authorized by the General Assembly in 1981, and qualifies businesses to receive state and local tax incentives when developing properties in distressed areas, or zones, of municipalities.

In West Haven, the proposed area is the only one that meets the qualifications for an Enterprise Zone designation. The zone needs to be a contiguous tract of land with high poverty and unemployment rates, along with a significant percentage of the population on public assistance within the boundary.

New or expanding businesses wishing to participate in the Enterprise Zone Program must submit proposals for approval by the state and be located within the zone. Those businesses would then receive tax abatements on state-levied corporate taxes and local real estate and personal property taxes.

The council’s approval of the Enterprise Zone clears the way for the city to submit its proposal to the state Department of Economic and Community Development for final approval.

“I want to thank state Rep. Michael DiMassa (D-West Haven), who has been instrumental in the research and the development of the city’s Enterprise Zone application,” Rossi said. “This designation will help us develop and revitalize the city’s neediest area, generating new commercial tax revenue and well-paying local jobs.

“With city and state approval, West Haven will become a targeted investment community for research, manufacturing, service, and warehousing operations looking to build or expand within the zone with a substantial initial tax benefit.”

DiMassa said: “I am excited about the newly proposed Enterprise Zone, much of which is in my district. This is a great opportunity for the development of underutilized land and the construction, renovation, and expansion of new and existing businesses.

“I want to thank Mayor Rossi and her administration for working with me and my staff on this yearlong process. This zone will result in a vital increase in the grand list by commercial investment and jobs for our residents. This will give our local economy the boost it needs.”

Rossi added: “The city has already received some interest from the business community on the proposed Enterprise Zone, and I look forward to moving this program forward quickly once approved. I also want to thank state Sens. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) and James Maroney (D-Milford) and state Reps. Dorinda Borer (D-West Haven) and Charles Ferraro (R-West Haven) for their support of this important West Haven economic initiative.

“I believe this will really improve this area and generate much-needed revenue and jobs.”

City issues snow rules for parking

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 15, 2020 — To help crews expedite snow removal, Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy is reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after storms.

Per the “Severe Weather” parking ordinance under Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code, police will tag and tow vehicles violating the ordinance at the owner’s expense. Violators will receive a $100 fine.

Once snow begins to fall, a parking ban is in effect on the even-numbered side of most roads, unless one is posted with a “No Parking” sign on the odd side.

The ban is in effect for 36 hours after a storm. Residents are urged to park in driveways or designated private lots.

However, during an official snow emergency declared by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, a parking ban will run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on both sides of Campbell and Savin avenues, Morgan Lane, Elm Street, Meloy Road, Second Avenue from Elm to Beach streets, and Main Street from Savin to Washington avenues.

McCarthy is also reminding residents and businesses to shovel their sidewalks within 24 hours after a storm or face a $25 fine “for each day that the violation persists.”

According to the “Removal of Snow and Ice” ordinance under Chapter 195 of the West Haven Code, people are given 24 hours to remove snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Violators are subject to the $25-per-day fine, which is enforced by the Police Department, the ordinance states.

To report a complaint, call the department’s nonemergency line at 203-937-3900. Complaints are kept confidential.

McCarthy also pointed out that plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited and violators are subject to a $60 fine for each offense, per the ordinance.

Also, residents and businesses with mailboxes damaged by snow thrown from a plow are the responsibility of the property owner. The city will only repair mailboxes damaged by the striking of a plow blade if there is visible evidence, such as paint or tire tracks.

Snow removal around mailboxes is the property owner’s responsibility.

Residents are also urged to help firefighters keep hydrants clear of snow.

For more information, call the Highway Department at 203-937-3644.

Christmas tree in Brent Watt Park lit up thanks to UNH

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 16, 2020 — (Pictured, from left): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, 5th District Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton, George S. Synodi, the University of New Haven’s vice president for finance and administration, and Ronald M. Quagliani, UNH’s associate vice president of public safety and administrative services, adjoin the newly lit Christmas tree in Brent Watt Park on Tile Street on Dec. 15.

The decorated tree’s electrical hookup was made possible and paid for by the university, said a grateful Watt Hamilton, who represents the district that includes the UNH campus.

The 97-by-110-foot park, just a block west of Ruden Street near the UNH and Notre Dame High School campuses, is near and dear to Watt Hamilton’s heart.

The pocket park was dedicated on July 1, 2017, in honor of her brother, the late Democratic Councilman Brent Watt, who served Allingtown’s 5th District from Dec. 4, 2011, until his death on June 25, 2016, at age 54.

Watt Hamilton, a Democrat, was unanimously tapped by the City Council on the one-month anniversary of her brother’s death to fill his council seat and carry on his legacy.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Santa’s workshop brings joy to kids with special needs

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 16, 2020 — (Pictured): A member of the West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s Adolescent Support Group receives a stocking and a toy from Santa Claus on Dec. 12 during a walk-through Santa’s workshop event in Painter Park for families of young people with special needs.

Each young person enrolled in the WHINC support groups and their sibling received a stocking with goodies and a toy or a Target gift card. Families took socially distanced photos with Santa and participated in an ugly sweater contest and a sugar plum candy guess.

The event’s organizer, city Youth and Family Services Director Diane Dietman, thanked the following: the WHINC parent steering committee members; the West Haven High School Peer Advocacy Program for donating the toys; Target of Orange for donating the gift cards, city Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr. for hosting the event; city Health Director Maureen B. Lillis for providing the holiday face masks, hand sanitizer and candy canes; and city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo for her generous donation and support.

(City Photo/Diane Dietman)

Rossi lights Christmas tree on Allingtown Green

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 14, 2020 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, fourth from left, lights the Christmas tree on the Allingtown Green on Dec. 10.

Joining Rossi are, from left, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Steven R. Mullins; University of New Haven political science professor Joshua Sandman; mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr.; Councilman Peter V. Massaro, D-6; Christian Mullins; state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven; Councilman Gary Donovan, D-at large; Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito of the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown; and Councilman Barry Lee Cohen, R-10.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Rossi heralds the holidays with surprise virtual tree lighting

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, joined by 10-year-old grandson Arthur Rossi and Santa Claus, heralds the holiday season Dec. 5 with a surprise virtual lighting of the Christmas tree on the West Haven Green. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Rossi heralds holidays with surprise virtual tree lighting

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2020 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi heralded the holiday season Dec. 5 with a surprise virtual lighting of the Christmas tree on the Green.

Despite the city postponing this year’s public tree lighting festivities to 2021 due to rising coronavirus cases and restrictions limiting large public gatherings, Rossi, whose favorite holiday is Christmas, could not bear the thought of waiting another year.

So, with a little help from Santa Claus and her 10-year-old grandson, Arthur Rossi, the mayor decided to share the true spirit of Christmas by giving residents a gift in the form of a special tree lighting video presentation to hold them over until next year.

Watch the video presentation on West Haven YouTube.

“The health and safety of our residents is more important than ever this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rossi said. “Hopefully this time next year, we can fully celebrate our tree lighting festivities on the Green.”