West Haven sets lineup for Summer Concert Series

WEST HAVEN, June 21, 2022 — The West Haven Summer Concert Series will kick off June 23 on the Green with classic rock music performed by The Generators, sponsored by the West Haven Public Library.

The concerts are free and scheduled from 7-9 p.m.

The Thursday night series will follow June 30 on the Green with oldies by Tony V and classic rock and pop anthems by Spellbound, sponsored by West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc., on July 7 in Old Grove Park.

The lineup will continue in the Grove with funk, pop and indie rock hits by NovelTease on July 14, horn-powered rock classics by Rubber City on July 21 and R&B favorites by Shaded Soul Band on Aug. 4.

See the Schedule.

Concerts postponed by rain will move to the same time and venue the following Monday night. For rescheduling information, go to the Department of Parks and Recreation’s website at Park-Rec.

Tree planting set for West Haven Arbor Day event June 23

Tree planting scheduled for Arbor Day event Thursday at Painter Park

WEST HAVEN, June 21, 2022 — City officials and volunteer “tree tenders” will join Mayor Nancy R. Rossi to dedicate the planting of an American white oak at Painter Park’s main entrance during West Haven’s Arbor Day observance at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The public event is the first of many tree plantings planned for parts of the city under the auspices of Tree Warden Leo Kelly and his tree tenders.

The group of volunteers is tasked with helping the city implement a $10,000 grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to plant and maintain trees in urban areas of West Haven.

Kelly said many city trees have been lost because of storms and utility projects and have not been replaced or replenished. The tree tender initiative hopes to change that, he said.

Rossi will mark the annual tree-planting ceremony at the park’s Kelsey Avenue entrance by reading a mayoral proclamation declaring Arbor Day in West Haven.

The white oak was recommended by Kelly and paid for by the city.

The ceremony will also recognize West Haven’s recent designation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry.

For a sixth time, the city earned the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City distinction by meeting the program’s four requirements: forming a tree board or department, creating a tree care ordinance, having an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and holding an Arbor Day observance.

The Tree City program, established in 1976, is sponsored by the Lincoln, Nebraska-based foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

Rossi has been working with Kelly and the Tree Commission to improve West Haven’s tree inventory process and implement a sustainable and safe treescape.

Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by Julius Sterling Morton in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

By the 1920s, each state had enacted public laws mandating an Arbor Day observance. The customary observance is to plant a tree.

On the first Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, more than 1 million trees were planted.

Free bowling league offered to West Haven residents ages 13-17

Free bowling program offered to West Haven residents ages 13-17

WEST HAVEN, June 16, 2022 — West Haven’s Youth and Family Services and Department of Parks and Recreation are teaming up to provide an alternative enrichment bowling league for residents ages 13-17.

The five-week league will take place at the Bowlero Milford bowling alley, 1717 Boston Post Road, from 4-6 p.m. Mondays, July 11-Aug. 8.

The free program, paid for by a state Judicial Department grant, is for West Haven residents looking to participate in a safe and fun summer activity. At the end of the program, participants will receive a voucher for a free bowling ball.

Register for the program at Park-Rec.

Free bus transportation is provided for those enrolled in the program.

Bus pickup sites and times are: Carrigan Intermediate School, 2 Tetlow St., 3:15 p.m., and Bailey Middle School, 106 Morgan Lane, 3:30 p.m.

Participants should arrive at the pickup sites 10 minutes early. The bus will depart at the designated time and will not wait for those who are late.

Anyone with questions can email Youth and Family Services Director Diane Dietman at dietman@westhaven-ct.gov.

Rossi announces ARPA grants to tackle food insecurity in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, June 14, 2022 — The city is soliciting financial grant support proposals from West Haven charitable organizations that provide residents with services for combating hunger, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The city has received a $400,000 allocation from the U.S. Treasury Department’s American Rescue Plan Act to tackle inequities exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Addressing community food insecurity is an authorized use of the federal funding.

The City Council has authorized Rossi to request grant proposals as part of her ARPA spending plan from charities serving West Haven’s hunger needs.

Organizations that distribute food, such as food banks, operate public feeding services, such as soup kitchens, or provide support services for tackling food insecurity in the city are encouraged to apply for the ARPA grants.

For complete grant details, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Download a Grant Application.

Application forms along with any supporting documents must be emailed as a PDF file to dcolter@westhaven-ct.gov by 3 p.m. June 30.

Fireworks moved to Sept. 3; Savin Rock Fest, concerts slated

Fireworks light up the night sky over West Haven’s Bradley Point during a display from the past. (Photo Courtesy of Flickr)

Fireworks moved to Sept. 3; Savin Rock Fest, concerts set

WEST HAVEN, June 9, 2022 — The city has decided to move the 2022 Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular from July 2 to Labor Day weekend to give West Haven’s biggest event “more of a local flavor,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The fireworks, billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd” and presented by the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee, will now launch off Bradley Point at 8 p.m. Sept. 3. The rain date is Sept. 5.

“I can’t wait to celebrate the Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular with my fellow Westies on Sept. 3, the same date as last year’s display,” Rossi said. “This is a meaningful event for all of us who live in West Haven and is a special opportunity to come together as friends and neighbors to celebrate our hometown by demonstrating the best of the American community spirit.”

In a prepared statement, the fireworks committee, co-chaired by Sandy McCauley and Marianne Drapeau, said: “Due to recent concerns, the city has postponed the July 2 show to Sept. 3. We look forward to seeing you then.”

In addition to the fireworks, Rossi announced the return of the Savin Rock Festival on July 29-30 and the West Haven Summer Concert Series, starting in late June.

The festival, which debuted in 1982 in celebration of the bygone seaside amusement park, will take place in Old Grove Park. Details are forthcoming.

The free concert series will kick off on the Green from 7-9 p.m. June 23 and June 30 with classic rock hits by The Generators, sponsored by the West Haven Public Library, and oldies by Tony V. More concerts on the Green and in the Grove are forthcoming.

For this year’s pyrotechnics show, the city is focusing less on attracting out-of-town visitors and more on attracting West Haven residents, a strategy aimed at decreasing crowds to reduce overtime costs for police and public works crews, organizers said.

Before the fireworks light up the sky over the West Haven shoreline, a DJ will play music on a portable stage in front of Savin Rock from 6-8 p.m.

A fleet of food and dessert trucks will once again dish up eats and sweets on the north side of Captain Thomas Boulevard, from Dyke Street to Platt Court.

For the second straight year, police will close Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, from Kelsey Avenue to Platt Court, for several hours to give the festivities more of a block party feel.

Historic New England accepting applications for preservation fund

WEST HAVEN, June 2, 2022 — Historic New England is accepting applications for the new Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund.

The endowed fund supports the preservation of private historic homes in Connecticut. It allows Historic New England to continue its work to build a network of historic preservation and community stakeholders by providing critical support to historic residential property owners in 10 Connecticut urban centers, including West Haven.

In addition to West Haven, eligible properties must be in Bridgeport, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Stamford and Waterbury. By investing in those areas, Historic New England will leverage the power of a strong network of local, state and regional organizations to support visible preservation projects in the communities.

“Historic New England is deeply committed to preserving the rich architectural and cultural history that is reflected in homes across New England,” President and CEO Vin Cipolla said. “The Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund supports the vital work of maintaining private historic homes in Connecticut’s urban areas for the benefit of homeowners and their communities.”

Cipolla said the annual award grants up to $10,000 to the owner-occupant of a residential property with no more than four units.

“Ed Gerber’s thoughtful and generous gift to establish this fund aligns perfectly with goals in Historic New England’s new strategic plan,” Cipolla said. “It is an excellent move forward in broadening how we support historic preservation and community livability throughout the region.”

Applications are available and due July 8.

Read the Grant Guidelines and apply today.