The Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park, West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh, File)

West Haven holding Veterans Day tribute Thursday

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 9, 2021 — The city and the West Haven Veterans Council will hold a Veterans Day tribute on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park at 10:45 a.m. Thursday.

All veterans are invited to participate in the annual ceremony, which will feature remarks by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci.

The public is also invited.

Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The event will commence with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and a flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard.

It will include the national anthem and “God Bless America” sung by Liz Levy and opening and closing prayers given by Victor M. Borras of Gateway Christian Fellowship.

The tribute will also include a bell-ringing at 11 a.m. and taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

To coincide with the solemn ceremony, the Veterans Council will officially launch the 14th phase of its popular Brick Campaign.

In November 2006, the council began the first of 14 campaigns selling bricks to memorialize veterans on the 100-yard Walk of Honor between the William A. Soderman and Vietnam Veterans memorials.

The bricks, which cost $75, have charcoal lettering for personalized messages.

About 2,850 bricks have been installed so far, including 130 for the 13th phase, which was dedicated June 5.

Download a Brick Application.

Applications, due March 18, 2022, are also available in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St. For details, call 203-937-3510.

West Haven Vietnam Veterans holding food drive for WHEAT on Saturday

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 9, 2021 — West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. is collecting nonperishable food items Saturday for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force.

The food drive will take place on the Green from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and benefit WHEAT’s food pantry at 674 Washington Ave., which provides meals for residents in need.

Community input sought for ARPA funds

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 9, 2021 — The city has received funding from the U.S. Treasury Department’s American Rescue Plan Act and is seeking input from residents.

West Haven residents are asked to provide suggestions and recommendations regarding project proposals for consideration. Projects must fit the federal criteria.

Read Mayor Nancy R. Rossi’s full announcement letter and take the online survey at Letter and Survey.

An aerial view of the West Haven Centennial Fire Expo on Saturday. Families, fire service enthusiasts, and paid and volunteer firefighters from across the state turned out to see the colorful fleet of engines and trucks, including antique fire apparatus, on display in the parking lot of the Savin Rock Conference Center. West Haven’s three fire departments held the free exposition to salute the community’s 100th anniversary. (City Drone Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

Centennial Fire Expo salutes fire service; see on YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 9, 2021 — West Haven’s three fire departments saluted the community’s 100th anniversary while celebrating their storied fire service at the Centennial Fire Expo on Saturday.

The five-hour exposition, presented by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee, was 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.

Families, fire service enthusiasts, and paid and volunteer firefighters from across the state turned out to see the array of engines and trucks, including antique fire apparatus, on display in the parking lot of the Savin Rock Conference Center, along with a fire service exhibit in the center’s Savin Rock Museum featuring West Haven Engine & Hose Company 1.

The colorful fleet included apparatus from West Haven’s three fire departments and the Orange Volunteer Fire Department.

The large public exhibition, also held in front of Savin Rock, was organized by West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien, West Shore Fire Department Chief Stephen Scafariello, City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio and committee Chairwoman Beth A. Sabo.

Read the full story, see the photos and watch the video at Centennial Fire Expo.

City Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo talks about the memorials, monuments and statues for veterans in West Haven and the annual ceremonies commemorating them during “A Salute to 100 Years of Veterans,” a centennial exhibit honoring the community’s service members at the West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center on Sunday. Sabo is chairwoman of the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee, which presented the four-hour exhibit in the 9,000-square-foot museum at 30 Hood Terrace. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

Centennial exhibit honors 100 years of veterans

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 9, 2021 — The West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center on Sunday presented “A Salute to 100 Years of Veterans,” a centennial exhibit honoring the community’s service members.

The four-hour exhibit, held by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee, was part of a six-month series of free events marking 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 public display included a “visual representation,” or wall, of more than 300 names of West Haven men and women from the past 100 years who defended the liberty and integrity of the United States while serving in all branches of the armed forces, said Arlene DeGrand Painter, who manages the museum.

Frank Chasney, the president of the museum’s board of directors, led the Pledge of Allegiance before introducing Russell Armstead, the deputy executive director of the West Haven VA Medical Center, who delivered remarks on the long history of the Veterans Affairs hospital at 950 Campbell Ave.

City Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, the committee’s chairwoman, talked about the patriotic memorials, monuments and statues for veterans in West Haven and the annual ceremonies commemorating them.

Read the full story and see the photos at Centennial Veterans Exhibit.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi releases statement on arrest of Bernardo

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 5, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has released a statement on the arrest of city employee John Bernardo.

Read the full Statement.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, fifth from right, joins executives of New England Brewing Co. and city and state officials Nov. 1 to announce a tentative lease agreement to relocate the Woodbridge craft brewery to the former Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven. With Rossi are, from left, Connecticut Brewers Guild Executive Director Phil Pappas; NEBCO Director of Sales and Marketing Jamal Robinson, Director of Operations John Dieli, Director of Brewing Operations Greg Radawich, Director of Business Development Marty Juliano and founder Rob Leonard; Councilman Gary Donovan, D-at large; state Sen. James J. Maroney, D-Milford; Councilman William X. Conlon, D-2; mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr.; Councilwoman Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven; and city Treasurer Michael P. Last. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

New England Brewing Co. relocating to West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 2, 2021 — Woodbridge craft brewery New England Brewing Co. announced a tentative lease agreement Nov. 1 to relocate to the former Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven.

Marty Juliano, NEBCO’s director of business development, heralded the news in front of the seaside conference center with Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, state Sen. James J. Maroney, D-Milford, and state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven.

Juliano was joined by Connecticut Brewers Guild Executive Director Phil Pappas and NEBCO founder Rob Leonard, Director of Operations John Dieli, Director of Brewing Operations Greg Radawich and Director of Sales and Marketing Jamal Robinson.

Also attending the late-afternoon announcement were City Council members William X. Conlon, D-2, Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large, as well as city Treasurer Michael P. Last and mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr.

Under the lease agreement, which requires City Council approval, NEBCO, the brewer of Sea Hag and other popular India pale ales, would build a two-story, 52,000-square-foot craft brewery at the site of the conference center on the Savin Rock shoreline.

The center — formerly The Casino and Harbour Mist restaurants and originally Phyllis’ Restaurant — opened in April 1997 and closed for renovations in February 2019.

NEBCO was founded by Leonard in Woodbridge in 2002.

Pappas said that after 20 years, NEBCO has found its forever home — in West Haven.

Juliano said the new brewery would include a production facility and office space, along with event space and a taproom for up to 1,000 patrons.

“This is the place you want to be,” said Juliano, a native of West Haven. “The community is second to none.”

Rossi praised the agreement and thanked NEBCO for choosing the prime West Haven site to brew its craft beer line, including Sea Hag, the No. 1 craft IPA in Connecticut.

The mayor said she always supported a long-term lease for the waterfront location and never entertained selling “one of the most beautiful pieces of property” in the city.

The brewery’s move from 175 Amity Road in Woodbridge to a larger site at 6 Rock St. in West Haven would create 75 to 100 jobs, Juliano said.

Plans include demolishing the existing building, built in 1971, and constructing a new building overlooking Long Island Sound.

A preliminary rendering shows New England Brewing Co.’s proposed two-story, 52,000-square-foot craft brewery at the site of the Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven. The rendering shows the back of the building, facing Long Island Sound. (NEBCO)

Rossi, Shine sign centennial book; next signing is Nov. 17

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 21, 2021 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and author Dan Shine sign a paperback copy of the new centennial book, “City of West Haven: Village to Town,” for Juliet Taylor, an Army veteran from Bridgeport, in the first-floor foyer of City Hall on Oct. 20.

The $20 book, printed in partnership with GHP Media of West Haven, chronicles the stories and photos that shaped West Haven’s past 100 years. The information was sourced from the “Historian’s Corner” series written by Shine, one of the foremost authorities on West Haven history.

The 116-page historical work, which has black-and-white and full-color photos, was commissioned by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee to commemorate West Haven’s 1921 birth and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest town.

Rossi, the committee’s honorary chairwoman, and Shine will sign more books from 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the city’s Main Library, 300 Elm St.

The book is also available for purchase in the Department of Human Resources at City Hall, 355 Main St., or by calling Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, the committee’s chairwoman, at 203-937-3558.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Senior Center launches monthly newsletter for residents

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 21, 2021 — The West Haven Senior Center reopened its doors July 8, and every day since has welcomed its membership of residents 55 and older with open arms.

WHSC, based at 201 Noble St. and operated by the Department of Elderly Services, provides a variety of programs and services that allow West Haven’s older residents to “enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage their involvement with the community.”

Abiding by her predecessor’s monthly bulletin, new Elderly Services Director Alyssa Maddern is also creating and distributing a monthly newsletter, City of West Haven Highlights, through a mailing list and electronically.

According to Maddern, the free newsletter is distributed to more than 300 current and potential WHSC members.

Residents can join the newsletter mailing list by contacting WHSC at 203-937-3507 or amaddern@westhaven-ct.gov.

Residents can also get the newsletter on the city website at Elderly Services/West Haven Senior Center.

“The West Haven Senior Center is thrilled to be back open and is pleased to have back its current WHSC members and welcome new members,” Maddern said. “We are here to serve the West Haven senior community and are always striving to enhance our innovative programming and support services.”

Maddern added: “So if you or someone you know has any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Welcome to your home away from home, and see you next time at the West Haven Senior Center!”

Become a certified lifeguard

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 21, 2021 — If you’re 15 or older and looking for a great part-time job or a challenging career that’s in demand, the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program is one of the best places to start.

Lifeguarding lets you work as part of a team to help people safely enjoy the water. You could even save a life!

By registering for the free Red Cross-certified lifeguard training course, you will save $450 and gain a job working for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The starting pay is $13.50 per hour.

Learn more and register at Park-Rec.

#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.