West Haven Tree Warden Leo Kelly tends an American white oak as Mayor Nancy R. Rossi throws a shovel of mulch to dedicate the tree planting at Painter Park’s Kelsey Avenue entrance during the city’s Arbor Day observance Thursday. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Tree planting marks Arbor Day event in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, June 23, 2022 — Throwing shovels of mulch, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, city officials and volunteer “tree tenders” dedicated the planting of an American white oak at Painter Park’s main entrance during West Haven’s Arbor Day observance Thursday.

The event, organized by Tree Warden Leo Kelly, was the first of many tree plantings planned for parts of the city under the auspices of Kelly and his tree tenders.

The group of volunteers — about 30 in all — 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 marked the annual tree-planting ceremony, held at the park’s Kelsey Avenue entrance, by reading a mayoral proclamation declaring Arbor Day in West Haven.

Reading the proclamation, Rossi said the white oak, one of the preeminent hardwood trees native to eastern and central North America, “is a long-lived oak whose name comes from the color of the finished wood. It can reach a magnificent height and can develop into a massive broad-topped tree with large branches striking out at wide angles.”

The tree was recommended by Kelly and paid for by the city.

“The spirit of Arbor Day remains strong and underscores the importance of planting trees to provide us with clean air and water, habitat for wildlife and endless natural beauty — all for a better future,” Rossi said.

At the tree planting, Rossi and Kelly were joined by Republican Councilwoman-at-Large Colleen O’Connor, Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr., and tree tenders Dawn Evans, Jeanne Lisosky, Marie Oberempt, Jenny Reed-Haggans and Claire Zoghb.

The ceremony also recognized 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.

“Leo Kelly is a tremendous resource for the Department of Public Works and the city,” Paine said. “And it’s not just because he’s a good steward of parks and trees, he engages the public and makes them a part of the process.”

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.

Rossi reads a mayoral proclamation declaring Arbor Day in West Haven. Looking on are, from left, Councilwoman Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr.; “tree tenders” Marie Oberempt, Jenny Reed-Haggans, Jeanne Lisosky, Dawn Evans and Claire Zoghb; and Kelly. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The Generators opening concert series on Green tonight

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

The free concert is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. and sponsored by the West Haven Public Library.

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.

West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Planning Director Christopher Soto show the city’s “2022 Silver Certified Community” plaque at City Hall on Wednesday. The etched glass plaque was recently awarded to West Haven by the Connecticut Economic Development Association for exemplifying best practices in economic development and land use. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven receives economic development award

WEST HAVEN, June 22, 2022 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Planning Director Christopher Soto celebrated the city’s new economic development certification by displaying West Haven’s “2022 Silver Certified Community” plaque at City Hall on Wednesday.

West Haven was among 12 cities and towns certified by the Connecticut Economic Development Association on April 28 for exemplifying best practices in economic development and land use.

CEDAS Board President Kristen Gorski said 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.

“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,” Rossi said. “I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to Chris Soto and the leaders of our community who have paved the way for this honor and to CEDAS, which has been recognizing sustainability, development and best practices since it began the certification program in 2019.”

West Haven was one of eight municipalities certified as a Silver community, joining the neighboring towns of Guilford, Hamden, North Branford and Woodbridge.

Three others earned Gold certification, and one received Bronze status.

Gorski presented the etched glass plaque to Soto on June 8 at CEDAS headquarters on Long Wharf Drive in New Haven, along with awarding plaques to the other certified municipalities.

CEDAS is a not-for-profit membership organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development in Connecticut. It provides a forum for the economic development community, hosts educational programs, fosters sustainable economic growth and advocates to improve the state’s economy.

West Haven Planning Director Christopher Soto receives the city’s “2022 Silver Certified Community” plaque from Connecticut Economic Development Association Board President Kristen Gorski at CEDAS headquarters on Long Wharf Drive in New Haven on June 8. The etched glass plaque was awarded to West Haven for exemplifying best practices in economic development and land use. (CCM Photo)

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.

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.