Sewer repair work in West Shore scheduled from Feb. 15-July 24

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 28, 2021 — The city will perform sanitary sewer repairs and pipe lining in West Shore starting in mid-February.

City Engineer Abdul Quadir said the work will be done from Feb. 15-July 24 on Hillside Avenue, Bellevue Avenue, Milton Avenue, Howard Street, Grand Street, Lake Street, Connecticut Avenue, Colonial Boulevard, Colonial Circle, Baycrest Drive and Honor Road.

During the roadwork, residential wastewater operations will be interrupted for about four hours, Quadir said. Residents will be notified by letter one week in advance and 24 hours before the work begins, he said.

The project contractors are Missouri-based Insituform Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Aegion Corp., and Inland Waters Inc. of Rhode Island.

Allingtown fire department receives first responder grant from CSX Corp.

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 28, 2021 — The City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown has received a $3,427 grant to buy and install vital laundry equipment at its Minor Park Station on Fairfax Street, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Chief Michael R. Terenzio announced.

The first responder grant was awarded by CSX Corp., a rail transportation company based in Jacksonville, Florida, “to support the health, safety and welfare of the department’s firefighters.”

CSX conducts freight rail operations in the department’s Allingtown response area and “is committed to supporting the first responders that make their operations possible.”

Terenzio said the funding will pay for a commercial washer and dryer that a crew of 20 firefighters will use to clean uniforms and gear to help avoid the spread of contamination when responding to emergency medical calls related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant was prepared and submitted by acting city grants writer Doug Colter and Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito.

The laundry machines are part of an overall response protocol that requires the department’s men and women to change uniforms and shower after each coronavirus-related call and to wash all clothing before returning to their homes and families.

“This grant directly supports the first responders and addresses the health, safety and welfare of the crew and their families during a time when they are called upon for this extra hazard duty,” Terenzio said. “Due to overtime and sickout backfill requirements, some firefighters work back-to-back shifts, sometimes for days on end before returning home.”

As details of the coronavirus and how it is transmitted are learned, Terenzio said it has become apparent that the virus attaches to bacteria that help the viral particles survive for some time on soft surfaces, clothing and frequent touch points. The protocol for helping to stop the spread of the viral infection includes using personal protective equipment, sanitizing the ambulance and firetrucks after each coronavirus-related run, cleaning and sanitizing the firehouse’s frequent touch points, and cleaning uniforms and personal gear, he said.

Beyond the immediate emergency posed by the pandemic, firefighter clothing is often contaminated with fine particles of carcinogenic and hazardous materials that firefighters should not bring home, Terenzio said. The wellness portion of the project grant extends to protecting firefighters’ families by not exposing them to a lifetime of dangerous respirable contaminants, he said.

“All of these operations leave the crew and their families exposed to picking up chemical hazards and viral contamination on their uniforms and personal clothing,” Terenzio said. “The health and safety protocol for COVID-19 response and workplace safety includes the washing of all clothing before returning home to their families.”

Thanks to CSX, Allingtown firefighters are able to keep themselves and their families safe, said Terenzio, adding that the department is grateful for the company’s support.

City making house calls to honor couples married 50 years or more

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 28, 2021 — For the past three decades, the city has honored West Haven couples who have been married for at least 50 years with a Valentine’s Day party featuring entertainment, dancing and refreshments.

And this year is no different — well, a little — with the city’s Valentine’s Day tradition continuing despite the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Without skipping a beat, the city will play Cupid for the 31st straight year by holding an alternative event that celebrates the holiday of love from the safety of couples’ homes.

On Feb. 12, Rossi will recognize those sweethearts who have reached the half-century mark and beyond with a congratulatory gift delivered to their homes.

West Haven couples wishing to participate must RSVP to the Department of Elderly Services at 203-937-3635 or 203-627-1382 by Feb. 8.

Rossi virtual town hall meeting on Zoom slated for 6 p.m. Wednesday

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 28, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and her staff invite residents to participate in a virtual town hall meeting on Zoom at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The community event is aimed at fostering communication and transparency between City Hall and West Haven residents.

Residents can join the virtual town hall at the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9103126390. The meeting ID is 9103126390.

The meeting is sponsored by the mayor’s office and the University of New Haven Mayor’s Advisory Commission, a collaborative, student-driven task force founded in 2015 to strengthen town-gown relations.

The MAC is led by Killian Gruber, a junior studying political science, and adviser Chris Haynes, an assistant professor of political science and national security.

All members of the community are encouraged to participate in the town hall and ask questions. The moderators are UNH student Christyllis Douglas and Haynes.

Participants can send questions before the meeting by email to cdoug6@unh.newhaven.edu. They can also ask questions on Zoom by using the “Raise Hand” function.

Those watching the town hall on Facebook Live can also submit questions.

Participants are allowed one question with a one-minute time limit. At the beginning of the question, they must state their name and the subject of their question, with all comments related to the city or government of West Haven.

Moderators will use the “Thumbs Up” function as a 10-second warning. Participants must keep all dialogue courteous and respectful.

For information, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510, or send an email to cdoug6@unh.newhaven.edu.

Sound Health publishes 5th edition

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 19, 2021 — For the latest COVID-19 vaccine information and resources, stay connected and engaged during the pandemic with Sound Health, the Health Department’s newsletter.

Read about all things public health at Sound Health.

COVID-19 Testing Site at Savin Rock Conference Center