Bulk trash pickup is April 19-23, e-waste drop-off is Apr 24

WEST HAVEN, April 5, 2021 — The next bulk trash pickup week is April 19-23.

West Haven residents are reminded to separate metals, recyclables and regular trash from bulk trash and put them out no more than 24 hours before pickup. Violations carry a $100 fine per daily offense, Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy said.

Residents are also reminded to “Put a Lid on It!” and use lids on all trash cans. Rain-soaked trash costs West Haven 10 times more at the dump, said McCarthy, adding that using trash can lids will save the city money by reducing the weight of trash and cost of tipping fees.

Bulk items include couches, chairs, tables, carpeting, padding and fencing, which may not exceed 6 feet in length. No building materials, tires, mattresses, propane tanks or hazardous waste are accepted.

Options for disposing of building materials include renting a dumpster or bringing the materials to a disposal facility for a fee.

Tires can be brought to Town Fair Tire, 63 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $2.75 per tire.

Mattresses can be disposed of for free in a container at the city’s highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St. Mattresses must be dry.

Hazardous waste can be dropped off for free at HazWaste Central, 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven. HazWaste is open Saturday mornings from mid-May through October.

Propane tanks can be brought to Taylor Rental, 304 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $10.60 per tank.

The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash about 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 ½ feet high.

Homeowners are required to rent a dumpster or hire a junk removal service at their expense if trash exceeds 6 cubic yards. Otherwise, trash exceeding 6 cubic yards will be left at the curb, and a $100 fine per daily offense will be imposed, McCarthy said.

To prevent a potential fine, property owners should familiarize themselves with the city’s trash guidelines at Public Works.

Bulk trash must be generated by the customer at the residential unit where it is collected. Trash will not be collected if it is generated by anyone other than the resident of the home.

Bulk items must be separated and orderly. Do not place them next to a mailbox or utility pole or close to a fence, McCarthy said.

Also, do not place bulk items in front of a vacant lot or home — they will not be collected, he said.

Details at Bulk Trash Pickup.

In addition to bulk trash, the city picks up metals, including household appliances, also known as white goods, and toilets. To schedule a pickup on their curbside collection day, residents must call the Highway Department at 203-937-3644 or 203-937-3585. Appliance doors must be removed.

Leaf bags are picked up until June 1 and from Oct. 1-Dec. 31, and grass bags are picked up from May 17-Nov. 19. The bags are picked up on residents’ weekly collection days. Leaves and grass clippings must be in separate biodegradable paper bags and will not be accepted if they are in plastic bags.

The city also picks up brush that is cut into 3-to-6-foot lengths and tied in small bundles, no more than 70 pounds. Logs and stumps are prohibited.

Residents can bring grass clippings as well as bagged leaves and untied brush to the compost site, 1 Kimberly Ave., from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and, starting in June, from 6:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays. The first cubic yard of compost is free with proof of residence. Additional compost costs $25 per cubic yard. Residents must bring their own buckets and shovels.

For a $50 fee, the Department of Public Works will deliver up to 2 cubic yards of compost to homes in West Haven.

For electronic items, including TVs, the next e-waste drop-off day is April 24.

Residents can drop off electronic recyclables — typically anything that contains a circuit board or needs a battery — from 8 a.m.-noon at the highway maintenance garage.

The city is partnering with Take 2 Inc. of Waterbury, a state-approved recycler and collector of universal e-waste devices, to collect residential electronic items on a quarterly basis.

The collection is free for residents who have such items as computers, monitors, printers, keyboards, modems, computer mice, tablet computers, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, photocopiers, fax machines, scanners, video game machines, digital media players, personal digital assistants, stereo equipment, telephones, cellphones, cameras, microwaves and other small appliances.

Anything that has refrigerant, including air conditioners and dehumidifiers, is not accepted. Those items are considered white goods, and residents are asked to schedule a pickup on their curbside collection day by calling the Highway Department.

Details at E-waste Drop-off.

For the e-waste drop-off, residents are asked to heed the following guidelines:

— Stay in your vehicle.

— Vehicles will be spaced out. Event workers will remove electronics from your vehicle. There should be no interaction between residents and workers.

— No mattresses or box springs will be disposed of at the moment.

— No smoke detectors, ballasts or hazardous waste — lighter fluid, liquids, paint — will be accepted.

— Electronic items left curbside will be tagged with information on the e-waste schedule and must be removed, or face a potential fine.

For the latest news and information, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestHaven.

#FunFactFriday coming to West Haven centennial Facebook page

WEST HAVEN, April 5, 2021 — The City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee is launching a new series called #FunFactFriday to promote the community’s 100th anniversary this year.

Every Friday starting April 9, the committee will post tidbits celebrating historical events, people and places in West Haven from the past 100 years on its official Facebook page, City of West Haven Centennial Celebration - 1921-2021.

The page is administered by the city and edited by Dan Shine, one of the foremost authorities on West Haven history. Like the page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestHavenCentennialCelebrationCommittee.

The historical facts are compiled from various West Haven Library references by staff members Taylor Cordova and Kiana Arevalo under the supervision of Executive Director Colleen Bailie.

The committee is planning a number of commemorative events, starting in late June, to observe the 1921 birth of Connecticut’s youngest town.

Virtual town hall meeting on Zoom set for 6 p.m. April 12

Rossi virtual town hall meeting on Zoom scheduled for 6 p.m. April 12

WEST HAVEN, April 5, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and her staff invite residents to participate in a virtual town hall meeting on Zoom at 6 p.m. April 12.

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 Samuel Weinmann and Haynes.

Participants can send questions before the meeting by email to swein1@unh.newhaven.edu or chaynes@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 to give the person speaking a 10-second warning. Participants must keep all dialogue courteous and respectful.

For more information, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510, or send an email to swein1@unh.newhaven.edu or chaynes@newhaven.edu.

City waives $50 permit fee for temporary outdoor dining

WEST HAVEN, April 1, 2021 — To support West Haven restaurants and encourage outdoor dining amid the coronavirus pandemic, the City Council on Monday night approved a communication by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi to once again suspend the $50 permit fee for temporary outdoor dining.

In her letter of communication to the City Council, Rossi proposed waiving the permit fee for temporary outdoor dining until June 30. The council then decided to extend the proposal and suspend the fee until Nov. 1.

Rossi thanked council members for supporting and enhancing her outdoor dining proposal to boost business for ailing city restaurants.

“Our restaurants have had a rough year and continue to struggle,” Rossi said. “I want the city to help them in every way possible.”

Rossi worked on the outdoor dining initiative, similar to the one she proposed and the council approved for last spring and summer, with council Finance Committee Chairwoman Bridgette J. Hoskie, D-1.

West Haven has been at the forefront of promoting outdoor dining since August 2019, when the Planning and Zoning Commission adopted a regulation to guide “Outdoor Dining” at city restaurants.

To apply for a temporary outdoor dining permit, restaurant owners can call the Department of Planning and Development at 203-937-3580 or contact Assistant City Planner Catherine Conniff at conniff@westhaven-ct.gov. They can also download an Application.

According to Conniff, the application process requires restaurant owners to submit an application form with a simple drawing of the temporary outdoor dining layout drawn to scale. The layout must show the outdoor dining location and the number of movable chairs and tables — up to four tables and 16 seats — planned for use. It also must show at least 5 feet of unobstructed and continuous sidewalk for pedestrians to walk around the area and the tables set up at least 6 feet apart for social distancing.

Conniff said that if a restaurant needs to use a public sidewalk, the owner must provide the city with a certificate of insurance for general liability in the amount not less than $2 million to comply with Section 139-12 of the West Haven Code. In addition, restaurants must comply with Section 20.10 of the West Haven Zoning Regulations, she said.

Prescription Drug Takeback Day scheduled for April 24 at WHPD

WEST HAVEN, April 1, 2021 — The Police Department, West Haven Youth and Family Services and the West Haven Prevention Council are holding a Prescription Drug Takeback Day on April 24.

The takeback event aims to provide city residents with a safe and responsible way to dispose of unused prescription drugs, expired over-the-counter medications and nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices.

The event, sponsored by the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at police headquarters, 200 Sawmill Road.

When returning items, people must wear face masks and maintain social distancing at all times, including staying 6 feet away from others.

Residents must remove the batteries from e-cigarettes and other vaping devices, or the Police Department will not accept them.

Keep Up the Fight Against COVID-19 Flyer

Sound Health publishes 9th edition

WEST HAVEN, April 1, 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

Ribbon-cutting marks opening of new West Haven dog park

City Project Coordinator and Sidewalk Inspector Ernie Chiarelli, center, helps Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cut the ribbon March 27 to mark the official opening of West Haven’s new dog park in Veterans Memorial Park at 91 Bull Hill Lane. Joining them are, from left, Councilman Barry Lee Cohen, R-10, with his dog, Roxie; city Treasurer Michael P. Last; City Council Chairman Ronald M. Quagliani, D-at large; Councilman Peter V. Massaro, D-6; state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; Councilman Gary Donovan, D-at large; Friends of the West Haven Dog Park Chairman Dan Potter; Councilwoman Bridgette J. Hoskie, D-1, with her dog, Toby; Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; and Councilwoman Colleen O’Connor, R-at large. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Ribbon-cutting marks opening of West Haven dog park

WEST HAVEN, March 29, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, sporting a pair of oversize scissors, cut a red ribbon March 27 to mark the official opening of the city’s new dog park in Veterans Memorial Park.

Rossi was joined by a contingent of West Haven officials and a small group of residents and furry friends to celebrate the dog park’s opening at 91 Bull Hill Lane.

“As you can see, West Haven is now home to a beautiful dog park that can be enjoyed by residents and their dogs,” Rossi told the socially distanced gathering.

Before cutting the ribbon, Rossi lauded Ernie Chiarelli, the project coordinator and sidewalk inspector for the Department of Public Works, and the many hardworking volunteers, including the Friends of the West Haven Dog Park, who rolled up their sleeves or donated materials to make the park a reality.

“Your combined efforts are much appreciated by myself and the residents of West Haven,” said Rossi, who was accompanied by animal-loving state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven.

Moments later, Rossi snipped the ribbon to signal the park’s opening, sending the pack of eagerly awaiting dogs of various breeds and sizes — and their equally enthusiastic owners — scampering into the park to run and play.

The park comprises two fenced-in areas with two double gates for large and small dogs. Both areas feature such bells and whistles as running water to quench dogs’ thirst, an old fire hydrant and two tunnels, composed of high-density polyethylene plastic pipes, for them to crawl through.

Borer, who plans to frequent the park with her dog, Eli, is co-sponsoring a new bill that would require the Connecticut Sentencing Commission to review the state’s animal cruelty laws and make recommendations to change any current laws.

Also attending the morning ceremony were City Council Chairman Ronald M. Quagliani, D-at large, and council members Bridgette J. Hoskie, D-1, Peter V. Massaro, D-6, Barry Lee Cohen, R-10, Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large.

They were joined by City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath, Treasurer Michael P. Last, Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli and Friends of the West Haven Dog Park Chairman Dan Potter.

The dog park was moved last year from behind the tennis courts of West Haven High School on Platt Avenue to the larger site of the former playground in Veterans Memorial Park, according to Chiarelli.

Rossi praised West Haven’s General Assembly delegation for securing a Local Capital Improvement Program grant to help fund the new park.

The park property, part of the former federal Nike site, was completely spruced up as well.

Chiarelli said 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, he 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.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, joins the Friends of the West Haven Dog Park, a grassroots group of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to help bring the park to fruition. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The newly opened dog park has two fenced-in areas with two double gates for large dogs, top, and small dogs. Both areas have running water to quench dogs’ thirst, an old fire hydrant and two tunnels for them to crawl through. (City Photos/Michael P. Walsh)