|
|
New dog park opening in West Haven on Saturday
WEST HAVEN, March 22, 2021 — City and state officials will join Mayor Nancy R. Rossi this weekend to celebrate the opening of West Haven’s new dog park in Veterans Memorial Park.
Rossi will hold a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. Saturday to mark the dog park’s official opening at 91 Bull Hill Lane.
“Thank you to Ernie Chiarelli and all our project volunteers for their dedication in beautifying this area and providing the city with another great asset,” Rossi said. “This project is one of many recent endeavors to revitalize our parks and improve the quality of life for our residents and their dogs.”
The dog park was moved last year from behind the West Haven High School tennis courts on Platt Avenue to a larger site at the former Veterans Memorial Park playground, according to Ernie Chiarelli, the project coordinator and sidewalk inspector for the Department of Public Works.
Chiarelli said the new park, funded with a state Local Capital Improvement Program grant, has two fenced-in areas with two double gates for large and small dogs.
Both areas have such bells and whistles as running water to quench dogs’ thirst, a faux fire hydrant and two tunnels, composed of high-density polyethylene plastic pipes, for dogs to crawl through, Chiarelli said.
The park property, part of the former federal Nike site, was completely spruced up as well.
The work included pruning trees, reseeding, and resealing and restriping the parking lot. It also included replacing the old incandescent lamps with new energy-efficient LED lights and reconditioning the existing benches and picnic tables with new wood, Chiarelli said.
Veterans Memorial Park also houses horseshoe pits, two newly refurbished basketball courts and Veterans Field, the home of the West Haven Seahawks of the Ray Tellier Midget Football League and the Notre Dame High School football, soccer and lacrosse teams. |
|
|
|
Drive-thru Easter event slated for Painter Park at 10 a.m. Saturday
WEST HAVEN, March 22, 2021 — The Department of Parks and Recreation is registering city children for its Easter Drive-thru event in Painter Park from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.
The free program, for West Haven residents 12 and younger, is limited to the first 400 participants who sign up at Park-Rec.
Vehicles must use the park’s lower entrance on Kelsey Avenue.
Kids will receive a bag of Easter goodies.
The event, held rain or shine, will also include a jelly bean count contest and photos with the Easter Bunny. Face masks are required.
Participants are asked to bring nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Girl Scout Day observed in West Haven
WEST HAVEN, March 22, 2021 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, back right, recognizes Girl Scouts of the West Haven Service Unit on the Green on March 12.
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 leaders Jessica Dittmar and Jeni Conroy, Troop 60351 leaders Katie Koontz and Kara Nieves, Troop 60642 leader Kristy Brouillard, Troop 67020 leader Kerry Kennedy, Troop 60330 leader Heather Buccheri, Treasurer Joann Lucas, Karen Nelson, the director of camp services for Girl Scouts of Connecticut, and Janeska Cardona, the member experience specialist for Girl Scouts of Connecticut.
The observance marked the 109th 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/Kristen Teshoney) |
|
|
|
City Hall partially reopens to public
WEST HAVEN, March 22, 2021 — In accordance with state and local guidelines, City Hall reopened to the public with restrictions March 16, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and city Health Director Maureen B. Lillis announced.
Rossi said the phased reopening of City Hall will allow staff members to service West Haven residents inside the building for the first time since October, when City Hall was closed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
For phase one of the reopening plan, City Hall will be open for limited business Tuesday through Friday 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 and should be made by 3 p.m. the previous day.
Although City Hall will be closed to the public on Monday, employees will work their normal five-day workweek, Rossi said.
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, Lillis said.
Visitors must sign in with staff members, 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.
While City Hall will be partially reopen, 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.
|
|
|
|
Tax relief programs for elderly, disabled homeowners offered
WEST HAVEN, March 10, 2021 — The assessor’s office is accepting applications for tax relief programs for elderly and disabled homeowners from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at City Hall, 355 Main St.
West Haven residents can apply for the programs, based on their 2020 incomes, until May 14.
The state elderly and disabled homeowners program offers tax reduction benefits depending on income and marital status. To qualify, the applicant or spouse must be 65 or older by Dec. 31, 2020, or permanently and totally disabled as defined by Social Security.
Income limits, including Social Security, are $45,800 for a married couple and $37,600 for a single person.
To qualify for the West Haven senior tax freeze program, the applicant must be 70 by the end of 2020 and have lived in the city for at least 20 consecutive years.
Income limits, excluding Social Security, are $50,000 for a married couple and $35,000 for a single person. Those eligible for the program must reapply each year.
The assessor’s office is also accepting applications until Oct. 1 for additional veterans exemptions. The maximum income is $45,800 for a married applicant and $37,600 for a single applicant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Facebook page promotes West Haven’s centennial celebration
WEST HAVEN, Feb. 10, 2021 — The City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee has created a Facebook page to mark and promote the community’s 100th anniversary this year, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.
The newly published page, called “City of West Haven Centennial Celebration - 1921-2021,” is the centennial’s official Facebook page. It is administered by the city and edited by Dan Shine, one of the foremost authorities on West Haven history.
The committee is planning a series of commemorative events, starting in late June, to observe the 1921 birth of Connecticut’s youngest town, said Rossi, the honorary chairwoman.
In the coming weeks and months, Shine and other notable authors will post a wide range of articles and photos on the page to celebrate historical events, people and places in West Haven from the past 100 years. Other posts will include announcements of centennial fundraisers and festivities.
Like the page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestHavenCentennialCelebrationCommittee.
|
|
|
|
100-year-old Westies sought for centennial recognition
WEST HAVEN, Feb. 10, 2021 — As part of the community’s 100th anniversary festivities later this year, the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee is honoring residents 100 and older and is looking for centenarians to recognize.
All centenarians who live in West Haven are invited to participate by calling committee member Beth A. Sabo at 203-937-3558.
The committee is planning a series of commemorative events, starting in late June, to celebrate the 1921 birth of Connecticut’s youngest town.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
