Rossi defends city, pledges cooperation with state in letter
WEST HAVEN, May 13, 2022 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has sent a letter to Gov. Ned Lamont defending West Haven’s fiscal management while pledging to cooperate with the state Municipal Accountability Review Board “to improve and strengthen the city’s financial operations.”
On April 14, the MARB voted to recommend advancing the city to Tier IV, the highest level of state oversight allowed under the MARB by state statute.
“Within my first week on the job, I was summoned to a meeting with former (state Office of Policy and Management) Secretary Benjamin Barnes, who informed me that West Haven would come under the oversight of the newly created MARB,” Rossi said in the May 11 letter to Lamont. “The reasoning was the deficit bonding by my predecessor, former Mayor Ed O’Brien, in the amount of about $18 million. Along with deficit bonding, the prior administration ran consecutive operating budget deficits causing the fund balance deficit to balloon from $7.8 million in 2013 to more than $18 million in 2017.”
“Everything was broken in West Haven,” Rossi said.
The mayor continued, “My administration has worked diligently over the last 4 1/2 years to fix the systemic problems that have plagued West Haven for decades.”
Rossi credited the MARB with helping the city deliver four straight balanced budgets with surpluses, in addition to a projected operating surplus in fiscal year 2022.
“The City didn’t use all of the restructuring funds and turned some of the funds back to OPM,” the mayor said. “Our fund balance is positive and growing at more than $6 million. We are recruiting and hiring qualified staff in our finance department and across the city.”
In the letter, Rossi touted the reconstruction of West Haven High School, which is “on time and under budget,” and the construction of a new Washington Elementary School, which is in the design phase.
The mayor also touted beach and parking renovations, a paving and sidewalk replacement program and economic development efforts, including the future headquarters of New England Brewing Co. on the Savin Rock shoreline and a future Hartford HealthCare office in the center of Allingtown.
Rossi also took former state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa to task for his alleged embezzlement of more than $1 million in federal coronavirus relief funding while employed by the city as an administrator for the City Council, which, along with former Finance Director Frank Cieplinski, appointed DiMassa to the position.
“Unfortunately, the (funds) … lacked proper approval and oversight,” the mayor said.
Rossi continued: “MARB has had a financial consultant in West Haven City Hall since 2018 that is working to strengthen the finance operations and to act as a liaison to MARB. If not for the unfortunate alleged illegal activities of this State Representative, West Haven would be celebrating historic success.”
“I do wish the City of West Haven would have had a chance to respond to the CohenReznick Audit ordered by OPM, since many of the items could have been easily explained and rectified,” the mayor said. “With that said, I will guarantee full cooperation from the City of West Haven as we move forward with MARB under TIER 4 to continue to improve and strengthen the City’s financial operations.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apraxia Awareness Day proclaimed in West Haven
WEST HAVEN, May 13, 2022 — (Pictured): Forest Elementary School third grader Nicholas Gorske receives a proclamation from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, left, declaring Apraxia Awareness Day in West Haven on Thursday.
Shown with them are, from left, Nicholas’ mother, Anna Gorske, and Forest paraprofessional Cynthia Russello, special education teacher Gabrielle Gambardella and Principal Thomas J. Hunt.
Ethan Kubicko, a seventh grader at Bailey Middle School, also received a mayoral proclamation for Apraxia Awareness Day.
National Apraxia Awareness Day is May 14.
Nicholas and Ethan have childhood apraxia of speech, or CAS, an uncommon speech disorder in which a child has difficulty making accurate movements when speaking.
To increase awareness of the speech disorder for the fifth straight year, the students recently contacted Rossi about declaring the special day in West Haven.
“The city encourages public awareness of childhood apraxia of speech and recognizes that it is essential for families of children with apraxia and the professionals who support them to receive the needed services for those learning to use their own voices,” Rossi said.
(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) |
|
|
|
|
|
High school students from city sought for logo design contest
WEST HAVEN, May 13, 2022 — The South Central Network of Care, a regional partnership aimed at building a system for meeting children’s behavioral health needs, is seeking high school students from West Haven to participate in a logo design contest.
To participate in the contest, complete an entry form, design a logo and submit them by June 20 to Daniela Giordano, the network’s Region 1 chair, at daniela.giordano@beaconhealthoptions.com.
Download an Entry Form.
The contest winner will receive a $50 gift card, and the South Central network will display the first-place logo on its brochures, website and other promotional materials.
The network is part of the Connecting to Care initiative, a collaboration between state and local agencies and service providers that offers care options, treatments and services for children.
The network includes West Haven’s Youth and Family Services and Interagency Network for Children.
The South Central network strives to coordinate and integrate behavioral health services across such child-focused systems as early care and education, K-12 education, pediatric primary care, youth justice, child welfare and recreation.
|
|
|
|
 From left, West Haven Planning Director Christopher Soto, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr. and Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy inspect the Water Street area of The Haven development for blight violations during an emergency meeting May 6. The city is considering fining the project developer for not cleaning up and maintaining the properties it owns along Water Street, which is temporarily closed, as part of the long-planned luxury outlet center. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
|
|
|
|
Rossi considers fining The Haven developer for blight
WEST HAVEN, May 9, 2022 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said the city is considering fining The Haven developer for not cleaning up and maintaining the properties it owns along Water Street as part of the long-planned luxury outlet center.
Rossi’s warning came during an “emergency” meeting with city and public safety officials at the Water Street project site May 6 to discuss options for holding the developer, Simon Premium Outlets of Morristown, New Jersey, responsible for the area’s rise in blight and traffic issues since the street’s temporary closure for The Haven’s demolition phase two years ago.
The temporary closure, approved by the city’s Board of Police Commissioners, was expected to pave the way for the demolition of several existing commercial buildings acquired by the developer as part of The Haven South Municipal Development Plan. The area is composed of 55 properties bounded by First Avenue, Elm Street, Water Street, Center Street, Richards Place, Main Street and Bayview Place.
While some buildings have been razed since April 27, 2020, The Haven Development Co. has yet to submit plans to the city to build the proposed $200 million, 261,182-square-foot waterfront development.
The development company is led by John P. Dionis, Simon’s vice president of development, and Matt Armstrong, the executive vice president of The Haven Group LLC, based in Dallas.
During the morning meeting, which included an inspection of Water Street, Rossi said the city has not heard from the developer in more than three months, despite repeated calls to Dionis by city officials to discuss blight and traffic concerns.
The meeting was attended by Rossi Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr., City Council Chairman Peter V. Massaro, Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy, Planning Director Christopher Soto, West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien, and police traffic Sgt. Joseph D’Amato and spokesman Sgt. Patrick Buturla.
Rossi expressed disappointment and frustration over Dionis’ lack of communication with the city, saying she plans to give the developer 15 days to respond and take action on blight.
Soto, who leads the Department of Planning and Development, said the city will enforce blight violations “based on The Haven’s inactivity and the developer’s unwillingness to maintain the properties.”
Soto said enforcement measures would include fines “to protect the health and safety of the surrounding neighborhood.”
Rossi said she also wants to temporarily reopen Water Street by June 1 to reduce the area’s traffic congestion during the summer months.
D’Amato and Soto said that to temporarily reopen the street, which connects to Main and Elm streets, the city must secure the area with fencing and install a guardrail at the bend of Main and Water streets.
But first, the city must receive police commission approval to temporarily reopen Water Street, Rossi noted.
According to the developer, The Haven, when completed, will encompass 26 waterfront acres featuring dozens of luxury retail shops, restaurants and a promenade. The project is expected to generate between 800 and 1,200 jobs and several million dollars in municipal tax revenue and fees, the developer has said. |
|
|
|
|
|
$28K gift funds breast cancer scholarship for 14 years
WEST HAVEN, May 9, 2022 — (Pictured, from left): Douglas J. Ruickoldt and his father, Doug “the Rake” Ruickoldt, present a $28,000 check on behalf of the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program to West Haven High School Principal Dana Paredes on May 6 to benefit the Susan A. Ruickoldt Scholarship Fund as Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and committee member Beth A. Sabo look on.
The donation will support the scholarship fund for the next 14 years, said Sabo, adding that money raised at the annual Dubel’s Golf Tournament will further benefit the fund.
The Ruickoldts thanked and praised Sabo for her unwavering commitment to the Breast Cancer Awareness Program, including collecting more than $700,000 for breast cancer research and education since the program’s inception in 2000.
The scholarship fund was founded in March 2003 to raise breast cancer awareness in honor of Susan Ruickoldt, who taught third grade at Savin Rock Community School before succumbing to breast cancer in 1997.
Each spring since 2003, scholarship organizers have awarded $2,000 in Ruickoldt’s memory to a female high school senior from West Haven who plans to continue her education.
(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) |
|
|
|
|
|
Craft, farm, food truck vendors sought for farmers market
WEST HAVEN, May 9, 2022 — The city is seeking craft, farm and food truck vendors to participate in the Tony Inzero Farmers Market, which will open its 2022 season July 7 in the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.
Through Oct. 15, the market, nestled on the right side of the Oak Street municipal lot, will include state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling wares from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays.
It will also include food trucks.
To participate in the semiweekly market, download an Application.
Applications are also available for pickup in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due June 13.
Completed applications must be emailed to the market’s manager, Killian Gruber, at kgruber@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.
For more information, call Gruber at 203-937-3518.. |
|
|
|
|
|
City earns Silver certification in economic development, land use
WEST HAVEN, May 2, 2022 — West Haven was among 12 cities and towns certified by the Connecticut Economic Development Association on Thursday for exemplifying best practices in economic development and land use.
CEDAS Board President Kristen Gorski announced West Haven as one of eight municipalities certified as a 2022 Silver community, joining the neighboring towns of Guilford, Hamden, North Branford and Woodbridge.
Three others earned Gold certification, and one received Bronze status.
“I commend this year’s accreditation recipients,” Gorski said. “To become a certified community is an immense achievement, which is a tribute to each municipality’s dedication to reviewing existing strategies, determining areas where the community excels, recognizing areas of improvement and actively focusing on advancing economic vitality.”
According to Gorski, the certified municipalities participated in a “rigorous” application review process that required documentation of procedures for development projects, community engagement and consideration of economic development strategies.
The application consisted of four components: communications and marketing, coordination and collaboration, organizational capacity and strategy, and policies and programs.
“I am honored to announce that West Haven has been certified for best practices in land use and economic development,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said. “This certification would not have been possible without the hard work of city leaders, volunteers, stakeholders and residents, who have been working tirelessly on multiple development projects through the years.”
Rossi added: “Projects like the raising of Beach Street, the renovation of the Allingtown Green and the opening of New England Brewing Co. demonstrate the leadership and innovation of West Haven as a model municipality in Connecticut. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the leaders of our community who have paved the way for this honor and to the Connecticut Economic Development Association, which has been recognizing sustainability, development and best practices since it began the certification program in 2019.”
Gorski said CEDAS created the Best Practices Certification Program “to improve the overall quality of economic development services by creating process standards; to drive communities to pursue excellence in land use and economic development by recognizing communities with best practices; to accelerate sharing of best practices among community decision-makers; and to encourage more transparent, efficient, community-engaged economic development throughout Connecticut.”
CEDAS, based on Long Wharf Drive in New Haven, will present awards to the certified municipalities in June.
CEDAS is a not-for-profit membership organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development in Connecticut. The organization provides a forum for the economic development community, hosts educational programs, fosters sustainable economic growth and advocates to improve the state’s economy.
Details at CEDAS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Genesis Medica opens walk-in medical center on Rte. 34
WEST HAVEN, April 28, 2022 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, cuts the ribbon with Genesis Medica owner Dr. Sanjay Aggarwal on April 27 to celebrate the grand opening of the walk-in medical center’s West Haven office at 518 Derby Ave.
Marking the event are, from left, Genesis Medica advanced practice registered nurse Maureen Jones, office coordinator Alexis Ellison, physical therapist John Armstrong and administrator Sherri Fusco.
The rebuilt West Haven location, formerly Tony & Gary Hair Salon, is Genesis Medica’s newest walk-in center for primary care and addiction medicine.
The 1,800-square-foot office flanks the city’s bustling Route 34 commercial corridor and joins Genesis walk-in centers in Milford and New Haven.
Genesis specializes in patient-centered care tailored to individual needs, said Aggarwal, the lead physician.
Services are offered for wellness and illness visits, smoking cessation, health screenings, physicals, allergy testing, chronic illness management, weight loss management and opioid addiction treatment.
Medicaid, Medicare and commercial insurances are accepted.
The West Haven office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
