West Haven observing 9/11 with flag-raising, candlelight vigil

City observing 9/11 with flag-raising, candlelight vigil

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 10 2021 — West Haven will observe the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on 9/11 with a flag-raising ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Bradley Point Park flagpole, followed by a candlelight vigil at the city’s 9/11 memorial.

The solemn service will begin with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and the flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard and the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.

The flag-raising will honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks. Remarks from dignitaries, including Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, will follow.

Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, will serve as the master of ceremonies. Nora E. Mullins will sing the national anthem, and Grace Kelly Nowak will sing “God Bless America.”

At 7 p.m., the candlelight vigil will take place at the Richard S. Gabrielle Sept. 11 Memorial on the boardwalk next to the Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St.

Members of the West Haven Rotary Club will distribute candles and programs at the granite monument, which was paid for by the service club in 2002. It was designed by Harold J. Schaller of H.K. Peacock Memorials Inc. in Valhalla, New York.

Gabrielle, 50, of West Haven, was killed during the attack on the twin towers in New York’s World Trade Center complex. An insurance broker at Aon Corp., he was last seen on the south tower’s 78th floor.

Declared Patriot Day by Congress in 2002, the city will fly flags at half-staff in recognition of the national day of remembrance.

The vigil will feature taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon and Celtic folk performances by Irish singer-songwriter Liz McNicholl, including “The Bravest,” a tribute to the heroes of 9/11.

Adams representing state in Ms. Senior World pageant

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 10, 2021 — (Pictured): Ms. Senior World Delegate 2021 Noreen M. Adams is congratulated by state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, left, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi on the steps of City Hall on Friday.

Adams, of West Haven, will represent Connecticut in the Ms. Senior World pageant from Nov. 6-10 in Biloxi, Mississippi. She will compete in the 70s age category.

According to the pageant’s website, the event “brings women ages 50-79 together to boost confidence, have fun and make new friends,” as well as “allows mature women an outlet to share platform issues that are important to them with the other delegates and with the world.”

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Centennial ‘Kite Fly’ on tap for Sept. 11 at Savin Rock

Centennial ‘Kite Fly’ set for Saturday

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 10, 2021 — The Connecticut Kite Flying Group will hold a “Kite Fly” at 11 a.m. Saturday on the lawn next to Savin Rock, just off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

Members from across the state will fly their colorful kites of all shapes and sizes.

All kite-flying enthusiasts are invited to participate.

The event is part of West Haven’s 100th anniversary festivities.

Doobie Brothers tribute concert postponed to Thursday

The Doobie Brothers tribute concert performed by What a Fool Believes is now scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in Old Grove Park. The concert was postponed by rain on Sunday and again today. Billed as “a Doobie Brothers experience,” the two-hour show will cap the West Haven Centennial Concert Series. (Publicity Photo)

Doobie Brothers tribute concert moved to Sept. 17

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 9, 2021 — The Doobie Brothers tribute concert performed by What a Fool Believes is now scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in Old Grove Park.

The concert was postponed by rain on Sunday and again today.

Billed as “a Doobie Brothers experience,” the two-hour show will cap the Centennial Concert Series as part of West Haven’s 100th anniversary festivities.

The concert, presented by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee, is part of a six-month series of free events commemorating the community’s 1921 birth and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest municipality, said Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, the committee’s honorary chairwoman.

The tribute band will celebrate the Doobies’ 50th anniversary, performing such timeless hits as “Listen to the Music,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “China Grove,” “Black Water,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “What a Fool Believes” and “Minute by Minute.”

“Six of the Northeast’s top professional musicians have pooled their talents, years of performance experience and their love of The Doobie Brothers to become the very best Doobies tribute show in the country today,” the band said in a statement. “Inspired by the Brothers’ superior songwriting, What a Fool Believes delivers powerful harmonies and a fun-filled, high-energy performance covering a catalog of Doobies hits spanning both the Tom Johnston and Michael McDonald eras.”

The show is co-sponsored by the West Haven Veterans Council and West Haven Vietnam Veterans.

A row of food trucks will serve up eats and sweets on Palace Street.

The concert will join a long list of special events observing West Haven’s secession from Orange a century ago, including the Centennial Boat Parade in June, the Centennial Savin Rock Festival in July and the Centennial Fireworks on Friday. The rural and residential sections of Orange separated in 1921 when the residential part, West Haven, became the state’s youngest town.

In the spirit of West Haven’s birthday, committee Chairwoman Beth A. Sabo will sell centennial coins and lapel pins at the hospitality tent.

All merchandise proceeds generated by the committee will offset expenses and support the $50,000 centennial budget approved by the City Council, said Sabo, the city’s commissioner of human resources.

Milford vendor JOD Designs, a veteran-owned screen printing company, will sell centennial and Savin Rock T-shirts.

For other centennial merchandise, visit the official Online Store.

The store, hosted by West Haven vendor West Shore Associates, sells such centennial-branded merchandise as long- and short-sleeved T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, stainless steel tumblers, stemless wine glasses, insulated beverage bottles, ceramic mugs, retro sunglasses, canvas and cotton tote bags, eco-performance face masks, and pigment-dyed twill and mesh trucker caps.

A portion of the vendors’ merchandise proceeds will support the centennial account, Sabo said.

For a complete list of centennial events, see the Schedule.

S&P upgrades city’s bond rating outlook to ‘positive’

Standard & Poor’s upgrades city’s bond rating outlook to ‘positive’

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 9, 2021 — S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday affirmed West Haven’s credit rating at BBB while upgrading its outlook on the city’s general obligation debt to “positive” from “stable,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

“We have assigned our ‘BBB’ long-term rating to the city’s $20.5 million series 2021 (general obligation) bonds and affirmed our ‘BBB’ rating on its existing (general obligation) debt,” S&P said in its bond credit analysis.

“The outlook revision reflects improved performance based on structural budgetary changes and stronger budgetary controls evidenced by positive operations in both 2020 and 2021, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic,” S&P said. “Notably, the city has benefited from state (Municipal Accountability Review Board) oversight and through state restructuring grants; however, its financial position has been improving quicker than anticipated, when compared to the original five-year financial plan it adopted.”

“This bond rating outlook upgrade from neutral to positive is great news for West Haven,” Rossi said. “It is evidence the financial sector acknowledges that West Haven is on the right path.”

Rossi continued: “The outlook was negative when the city was in financial chaos four years ago. We produced three consecutive balanced budgets with a surplus, are projecting another budget surplus for this fiscal year, and have built a healthy rainy day fund. This outlook upgrade will allow the city to compete for lower interest rates on future borrowing.”

In its report, the New York agency said that in 2020, “West Haven saw positive revenue variances in several categories, the largest in MARB funds as the state did not fully fund its original budgeted amount because the city’s local revenues outperformed budgeted expenses.”

On the expense side, budgeted expenses were under budget by about $3.6 million, according to the report, adding that the city anticipates about $655,000 in expenditure savings in 2021.

The report pointed out that “several long-standing economic development projects are moving forward despite the current recessionary period,” including The Haven, “a $200 million luxury fashion outlet mall that is expected to generate $2.5 million in taxes at full buildout.”

The Acorn Group, responsible for The Atwood-University Commons development, “is continuing to develop mixed-use properties with full residential occupancy.” The Yale New Haven Health Regional Operations Center has also been completed and has additional acres for development, the report said.

According to the report, the city is seeking to generate economic activity in various areas through opportunity zones and transit-oriented planning and zoning regulations.

“West Haven continues to apply and receive grants for various economic and infrastructure improvements, with the most recent for $5 million in sustainability improvement for Beach Street, which has spurred additional development for underutilized properties in the area,” the report said.

“It is a nice feeling for our hard work to be recognized by Standard & Poor’s, a worldwide, independent credit rating agency,” Rossi said. “West Haven is definitely on the right path!”

West Haven support groups resuming in-person meetings

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 7, 2021 — The newly established Bereavement Support Group of West Haven for widows and widowers will hold its inaugural meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 on the upper floor of the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

The group, facilitated by Toni-Jo Limosani and Teddi McKenna, will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

The West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s support groups for parents and guardians of children with autism and other disabilities will resume in-person meetings on the upper floor of the Johnson center.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, WHINC is unable to offer on-site child care during meetings. The child care service is suspended until further notice.

The Parent Support Group will resume Sept. 13 from 6:30-8 p.m. The group, facilitated by Viola Waldo, will meet the second Monday of each month.

The Spanish-speaking Parent Support Group will resume Sept. 23 from 6:30-8 p.m. The group, facilitated by Daisy Rivera and Rosalyn Diaz, will meet the fourth Thursday of each month.

Anyone attending the indoor support group meetings must wear face masks and follow all national, state and local COVID-19 safety protocols.

Rockets burst over Long Island Sound off West Haven’s Bradley Point at the Centennial Fireworks on Friday. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

Fireworks celebrate centennial; watch on YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 7, 2021 — Gail Hande flipped a light switch to launch the West Haven Centennial Fireworks on Friday.

The moment Hande flipped the switch, fireworks blasted off Bradley Point and exploded over Long Island Sound, dazzling the all-ages crowds along West Haven’s 3 miles of public beaches with a display of brilliant lighting and booming sound effects.

The 25-minute pyrotechnics show was presented by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee and the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee.

Hande, of West Haven, was accompanied by her husband, Rich Hande, for the event on a portable stage in front of Savin Rock. She was also joined by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, fireworks committee co-Chairwoman Sandy McCauley, radio personality Brian Smith, the master of ceremonies, and the evening’s entertainment, singer Kathy Thompson of the Kathy Thompson Band.

Hande was among dozens of supporters who purchased a $10 centennial lawn sign and was entered into a raffle for a chance to flip the switch to launch the fireworks, billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd.”

Hande’s name was drawn in the raffle at the Aug. 28 centennial concert. She and her husband also dined on burgers and hot dogs under the fireworks committee’s hospitality tent before the display.

Rossi, the centennial committee’s honorary chairwoman, greeted the Savin Rock crowd before turning it over to Smith and Hande.

“Is everyone having a good time?” Rossi asked the crowd, which responded with an enthusiastic “Yes!” and applause.

“This is a very exciting evening — it’s one of our biggest centennial events,” Rossi said. “I do want to thank (Chairwoman) Beth Sabo and the centennial committee. I want to thank the fireworks committee. I want to thank public works, public safety … and a great group of volunteers as well.”

Smith then led the crowd in a countdown — “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” — before directing Hande to “Flip that switch!”

“Oh, it worked!” Smith joked, as red, white, blue and green rockets flew and burst over Bradley Point.

The display was part of a six-month series of free events commemorating West Haven’s 1921 birth and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest municipality.

Before the fireworks, people young and old danced to funk and rock hits performed by Thompson’s band.

As the music played, a fleet of food and dessert trucks dished up eats and sweets on the north side of Captain Thomas Boulevard, from Dyke Street to Platt Court.

Police closed Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, from Kelsey Avenue to South Street, for about five hours to give the festivities more of a block party feel.

According to organizers, the display was moved from July 3 to Labor Day weekend to safely accommodate the many spectators expected.

The fireworks joined a long list of special events observing West Haven’s secession from Orange a century ago, including the Centennial Boat Parade in June and the Centennial Savin Rock Festival in July. The rural and residential sections of Orange separated in 1921 when the residential part, West Haven, became the state’s youngest town.

In the spirit of West Haven’s birthday, Milford vendor JOD Designs, a veteran-owned screen printing company, sold centennial and Savin Rock T-shirts.

For other centennial merchandise, visit the official Online Store.

The store, hosted by West Haven vendor West Shore Associates, sells such centennial-branded merchandise as long- and short-sleeved T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, stainless steel tumblers, stemless wine glasses, insulated beverage bottles, ceramic mugs, retro sunglasses, canvas and cotton tote bags, eco-performance face masks, and pigment-dyed twill and mesh trucker caps.

A portion of the vendors’ merchandise proceeds will support the centennial account, said Sabo, the city’s commissioner of human resources.

Watch the fireworks on West Haven YouTube.

For a complete list of centennial events, see the Schedule.

Gail Hande, third from right, flips a light switch held by Savin Rock Fireworks Committee co-Chairwoman Sandy McCauley to launch the fireworks from a portable stage in front of Savin Rock. They are joined by, from left, master of ceremonies Brian Smith, singer Kathy Thompson of the Kathy Thompson Band, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Hande’s husband, Rich. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi greets the all-ages crowd at Savin Rock. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Radio personality Brian Smith, the master of ceremonies, jokes with the crowd. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Franco’s Fried Dough-Licious and other food and dessert trucks dish up eats and sweets on the north side of Captain Thomas Boulevard. Police closed Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, from Kelsey Avenue to South Street, for about five hours to give the festivities more of a block party feel. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Singer Kathy Thompson leads the Kathy Thompson Band in a performance. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Guitarist Greg Benn with Kathy Thompson. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

(City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

Board to hear appeals on vehicle assessments Sept. 13 at City Hall

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 3, 2021 — The Board of Assessment Appeals will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St., to hear appeals of motor vehicle assessments on the 2020 grand list.

Any owner of a city-registered vehicle can appeal the assessment.

Face masks and social distancing are required at all times.

West Haven ‘strongly’ recommends people wear face masks indoors

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 19, 2021 — The city departments of Health and Emergency Management strongly recommend that all people wear face masks indoors in areas of high or substantial COVID-19 transmission regardless of vaccination status.

All eight counties in Connecticut are considered areas of substantial transmission.

Read the full News Release.

#FunFactFriday coming to West Haven centennial Facebook page

Every Friday is #FunFactFriday on W. Haven centennial Facebook page

WEST HAVEN, July 29, 2021 — The City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee has launched a new series called #FunFactFriday to promote the community’s 100th anniversary this year.

Every Friday, 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 this month, to observe the 1921 birth of Connecticut’s youngest town.