 Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announces Allingtown business owner Sammy Rivera as West Haven’s Hispanic American of the Year at City Hall on Friday. Rossi and the West Haven Hispanic Heritage Committee will honor Rivera, the owner of Budget Transmission Center and Budget Car Wash on Route 1, on the steps of City Hall at noon Sept. 24. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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Sammy Rivera named West Haven’s Hispanic of the Year
WEST HAVEN, Sept. 17, 2021 — Sammy Rivera, a prominent Allingtown business owner known for his big heart and generous spirit, will receive West Haven’s Hispanic American of the Year award at the third Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.
Rossi and the West Haven Hispanic Heritage Committee will fete Rivera, a native of Cayey, Puerto Rico, at noon Sept. 24 at City Hall, 355 Main St.
The committee bestows the award annually on a Hispanic resident or couple who personifies service in the city’s thriving Hispanic American community. Last year’s ceremony was postponed because of the coronavirus.
“I am very honored, very appreciative (of the award),” said Rivera, who has owned Budget Car Wash at 936 Boston Post Road since 2017 and Budget Transmission Center, an automotive repair shop at 950 Boston Post Road that specializes in transmission repair, replacement and maintenance services, since 2005.
Rivera added: “This honor makes me feel like I’m appreciated by the mayor, who is completely business-friendly and is a friend. This recognition is something I will appreciate for the rest of my life.”
Rivera, 44, will honor his Puerto Rican lineage with dozens of friends and loved ones, along with an array of dignitaries and descendants of folks from Puerto Rico and Latin America.
Committee members and West Haven officials led by Rossi will escort Rivera to the steps of City Hall for his special recognition. A Latin-flavored lunch will follow.
West Haven’s diversity is its strength, Rossi said, and Rivera is a testament to the American dream.
“I am happy to recognize a West Haven business owner and a resident whom I also consider to be a friend,” Rossi said. “Sammy is the embodiment of the contributions Hispanic Americans make to our communities. He’s a hard worker, a family man and a generous person with community spirit.”
In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, West Haven recognizes the important legacy of Hispanic Americans and the inspiring contributions they have made to the culture and history of the United States.
Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on the civic and cultural life of America through their strong commitment to faith and family, hard work and public service. They have enhanced and shaped the national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their community.
Hispanic Heritage Month, which traces its roots to 1968, begins each year on Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days during that period.
The term Hispanic refers to Puerto Rican, South American or Central American, and other Spanish cultures or origins regardless of race. On the 2020 census form, people of Spanish, Hispanic or Latino origins could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or “another Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin.”
Rossi said Rivera epitomizes the noble qualities of serving his vibrant community and carrying on the proud traditions of Puerto Rico.
Rossi lauded the civic-minded Rivera, whom she called a man of faith and family, for his wholehearted devotion to the city and its robust Hispanic American community.
At the event, Rossi will present him with a Puerto Rican flag and a mayoral citation for his good works.
Rivera will also receive an embroidered “Hispanic American of the Year” jacket.
The cultural event will include remarks by Rossi and her executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., the master of ceremonies. It will also include the singings of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Puerto Rican national anthem, “La Borinqueña.”
Rivera was born in Cayey, a mountain town and municipality in central Puerto Rico, and moved to New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood with his mother and brother in 1981 at age 4.
He attended public schools in the Elm City, including Wilbur Cross High School.
Rivera moved to West Haven in 2005 when he purchased Budget Transmission Center.
His contributions to the city include serving as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and sitting on the Redevelopment Agency.
Rivera lives with his wife of six years, Mallery, and their two children on Hamilton Street in Allingtown. He has three other children from a previous marriage.
For the latest news and information, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at West Haven City Hall. |
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 Tonight’s Doobie Brothers tribute concert performed by What a Fool Believes is postponed to 6 p.m. Sunday in Old Grove Park. The concert was postponed by rain on Sept. 5, then on Sept. 9 and again today. Billed as “a Doobie Brothers experience,” the two-hour show will cap the West Haven Centennial Concert Series. (Publicity Photo)
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Doobie Brothers tribute concert moved to 6 p.m. Sunday
WEST HAVEN, Sept. 17, 2021 — Because of expected showers, tonight’s Doobie Brothers tribute concert performed by What a Fool Believes is postponed to 6 p.m. Sunday in Old Grove Park.
The concert was postponed by rain on Sept. 5, then on Sept. 9 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. |
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Adams representing state in Ms. Senior World pageant
WEST HAVEN, Sept. 17, 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 Sept. 10.
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) |
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 Adams and Arlene DeGrand Painter, the manager of the West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center, on Saturday flank a wedding dress made from a World War II parachute. The nylon gown is among an arsenal of military relics since the Revolutionary War on display in the 9,000-square-foot museum at 30 Hood Terrace. (Contributed Photo/Frank Chasney)
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 Mayor Nancy R. Rossi delivers remarks at West Haven’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the evening of 9/11 during a flag-raising ceremony at the Bradley Point Park flagpole. Looking on is Rossi’s executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., the master of ceremonies. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)
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Watch ‘West Haven Remembers 9/11’ on YouTube
WEST HAVEN, Sept. 14, 2021 — Watch “West Haven Remembers 9/11: September 11, 2021” on the city’s YouTube channel.
West Haven commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the evening of 9/11 with a flag-raising ceremony at the Bradley Point Park flagpole, followed by a candlelight vigil at the city’s 9/11 memorial.
The solemn observance began 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 honored the memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks.
The service included poignant remarks by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, Police Chief Joseph S. Perno and West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien.
Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, was the master of ceremonies, and Grace Kelly Nowak sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”
A half-hour later, members of the West Haven Rotary Club distributed candles and programs at the Richard S. Gabrielle Sept. 11 Memorial, just off the boardwalk next to the Savin Rock Conference Center. The granite monument, paid for by the service club in 2002, 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 flew flags at half-staff in recognition of the national day of remembrance.
The vigil featured a wreath-laying by Deputy Police Chief Carl V. Flemmig Jr. and Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito of the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown, followed by taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.
It also included Celtic folk performances by Irish singer-songwriter Liz McNicholl, including “The Bravest,” a tribute to the heroes of 9/11, as well as a remembrance prayer by Vertical Church Pastor Ken Vance and a performance of “Amazing Grace” by the emerald society.
Watch the ceremony on West Haven YouTube. |
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 Police Chief Joseph S. Perno gives remarks at the city’s 9/11 ceremony as Esposito bows his head. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)
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 The sun rises over Savin Rock on Saturday as hundreds of American flags blow in the wind near the boardwalk on Long Island Sound. The flags represent the 343 New York City firefighters who died in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as the 257 active and retired FDNY members who have died of 9/11-related illnesses, including cancer. (Contributed Photo/Andrew Sacco)
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 From left, Deputy Chief William S. Johnson IV, Deputy Chief Ronald Pisani Jr. and Chief James P. O’Brien of the West Haven Fire Department, Deputy Chief Dickson Dugan and Chief Stephen Scafariello of the West Shore Fire Department, and U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, representing the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown, display oversize checks for four FEMA grants totaling $1.23 million during a news conference on the Green on Monday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the funding for breathing equipment, a firetruck, advanced training and a pair of in-station diesel exhaust systems. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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FEMA awards 4 grants worth $1.23M to fire departments
WEST HAVEN, Sept. 14, 2021 — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded West Haven’s three fire departments four grants totaling $1.23 million for breathing equipment, a firetruck, advanced training and a pair of in-station diesel exhaust systems, U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced at a news conference on the Green on Monday.
“These grants are dedicated to protecting and strengthening our communities and providing lifesaving training and technologies to keep our families safe,” said DeLauro, D-3, the chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee.
DeLauro and Rossi heralded the awards, part of FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, with FEMA Regional Fire Program Specialist David L. Parr and city Grant Coordinator Doug Colter.
They were joined by West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien and Deputy Chiefs William S. Johnson IV and Ronald Pisani Jr., West Shore Fire Department Chief Stephen Scafariello and Deputy Chief Dickson Dugan, and City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio, Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito and Commissioner Cori Nunley.
Rossi thanked DeLauro for supporting the federal funding and fighting for West Haven. She also thanked Colter and the departments’ chiefs for writing and submitting the grants.
“Small cities like West Haven rely on this funding to meet the health and safety needs of our firefighters,” Rossi said.
According to DeLauro, an Assistance to Firefighters Grant is a competitive grant awarded to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and first responders. Fire departments and EMS organizations can use the grants to buy emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training materials, she said.
The AFG funding, touted by DeLauro and Rossi in front of two dozen firefighters flanking the Firemen’s Memorial on the Green, includes a $373,636 regional grant for 57 self-contained breathing apparatus and three rapid intervention air packs that will benefit all three departments, said Terenzio, whose department hosted the grant application.
The funding includes a $545,454 grant for a new rescue fire engine and a $272,595 grant for advanced training, both for the West Haven Fire Department. It also includes a $39,333 grant for replacing the in-station diesel exhaust systems at West Shore’s headquarters on Old Ocean Avenue and Station 2 on Benham Hill Road.
Scafariello said the new exhaust systems will safeguard firefighters from cancer-causing carcinogens.
The $373,636 grant, written and submitted by Terenzio and Colter, will replace obsolete SCBA apparatus with new equipment that meets standards established by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The SCBA equipment, worn on the backs of firefighters, “is a vital component of firefighters’ PPE that enables them to safely enter into smoke-filled and other dangerous and toxic atmospheres,” said Terenzio, whose department will receive 22 SCBA air packs.
The West Shore and West Haven departments will receive 23 and 12 SCBA packs, respectively.
Terenzio said each department will receive a rapid intervention air pack to aid its rapid intervention team in the event of rescuing a downed firefighter.
According to Terenzio, each SCBA pack costs about $7,000, and each RIT pack costs about $4,000. |
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 DeLauro, D-3, is joined by Rossi and a group of firefighters to announce the FEMA grant funding for West Haven’s three fire departments. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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 Rossi thanks DeLauro for supporting the federal funding and fighting for West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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 City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio discusses the lifesaving benefits of the SCBA air packs. Terenzio’s department hosted the application for the $373,636 regional grant for 57 self-contained breathing apparatus and three rapid intervention air packs for all three departments. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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 Members of West Haven’s bravest show the four FEMA checks with DeLauro and Rossi. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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Standard & Poor’s upgrades city’s bond rating outlook to ‘positive’
WEST HAVEN, Sept. 9, 2021 — S&P Global Ratings on Sept. 7 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!”
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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.
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