The new Cove River pedestrian bridge in West Haven. (Frankson Fence Co. Photo)

‘Light the bridge’ will open Cove River pedestrian bridge

WEST HAVEN, July 14, 2022 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and state Rep. Dorinda Borer will “light the bridge” to mark the official opening of the new Cove River pedestrian bridge.

The public lighting celebration is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Sea Bluff Beach’s new upper parking lot, just off Captain Thomas Boulevard. The rain date is Wednesday.

“This magnificent bridge will shine as a beacon for those on land and at sea, highlighting Bradley Point Park and Sea Bluff Beach as a major shoreline destination,” Rossi said. “I’m excited to see it lit up for the first time with my fellow Westies.”

The pedestrian bridge features decorative lighting designed by Apex Lighting Solutions of Wethersfield, according to the bridge’s project manager, Keith Lundgrin of Terry Contracting & Materials Inc. of Riverhead, New York.

Lundgrin said the LED lighting, mounted on the arch and controlled by a phone app, is programmed to change colors and display color patterns and sequences on the bridge for holidays.

The 88-foot-long, prefabricated aluminum truss bridge connects Bradley Point Park to Sea Bluff Beach and will allow pedestrian access over the Cove River for the first time in more than 20 years, Rossi said.

The white powder-coated bridge, manufactured by GatorBridge of Sanford, Florida, replaces the original concrete footbridge built in 1938.

The Frankson Fence Co. of North Haven fabricated and installed a matching guardrail at each end of the bridge.

The Sea Bluff parking lot, though not completely finished, has been “significantly” upgraded with gray, permeable brick pavers that allow water to penetrate the joints and drain into the gravel base with no runoff, Lundgrin said.

The lot will also include new Victorian lampposts, along with fresh plantings this fall, he said.

The pedestrian bridge complements the new Cove River tide gate system, which became operational in late 2021.

The bridge and tide gate projects, which began in March 2021, are part of the city’s Coastal Resilience Plan and were paid for by a $3.9 million state grant secured by Borer, D-West Haven.

“I’m thrilled with the way this project turned out on multiple levels,” Borer said. “The new self-regulating flood gates will improve water flow and our ecosystem; the pedestrian bridge will connect our beach paths; there is more accessibility to our Veterans Memorial and Charlotte Bacon’s playground; and finally, it’s a feather in the cap to the sightline of our beautiful coast. I know generations to come will enjoy the results of this project, and I hope the community comes out to celebrate it with us.”

For the tide gate project, Terry replaced the river’s deteriorated wooden gates with new steel gates under the bridge on Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The Cove River flows into Long Island Sound through the tide-regulated gates, which abut the Charlotte Bacon “Where Angels Play” playground at Sea Bluff Beach.

City Engineer Abdul Quadir said the tide gate system comprises two flap gates and two self-regulating gates that enable the city to control the tidal height within an inch to keep the salt marsh healthy and prevent flooding.

In high tide, the flap gates close to prevent the Sound from flooding the marsh on both sides of the river; in low tide, they open to allow the river to flow into the Sound, Quadir said.

‘Tree tender’ workshop set for July 16 in Single Hill Park

‘Tree tender’ workshop set for Shingle Hill Park on Saturday

WEST HAVEN, July 14, 2022 — Tree Warden Leo Kelly is holding a West Haven Tree Tender Volunteers Workshop from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday in Shingle Hill Park at Allings Crossing and Shingle Hill roads.

The workshop will cover tree ID and growth characteristics, proper pruning practices and the fall planting schedule. It will include a short walk to a large stand of tulip trees to map out a future trail, Kelly said.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to attend.

Kelly’s volunteer group of “tree tenders” 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.

According to Kelly, 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.

Anyone with questions or concerns can email Kelly at lkelly@westhaven-ct.gov.

NovelTease plays funk, rock at concert series tonight

WEST HAVEN, July 14, 2022 — The West Haven Summer Concert Series continues tonight in Old Grove Park with funk, pop and indie rock hits performed by NovelTease.

The two-hour concert is free and scheduled from 7-9 p.m.

The Thursday night series will continue in the Grove with horn-powered rock classics by Rubber City on July 21, followed by 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. For rescheduling information, go to the Department of Parks and Recreation’s website at Park-Rec.

Tony Inzero Farmers Market opens 2022 season

WEST HAVEN, July 14, 2022 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market has opened its 2022 season in the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market, nestled on the right side of the Oak Street 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 through Oct. 15.

It will also include more than 20 different vendors, crafters, organizations and food trucks throughout the season.

Parking is available in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CTtransit route. In addition, a van will run from the West Haven Senior Center, 201 Noble St., to Oak Street on Thursdays.

The Department of Elderly Services will start distributing farmers market vouchers to eligible city residents this week. For information on the voucher program, call the department at 203-937-3507.

The farmers market is sponsored by the city and has operated since 2000. It was dedicated in 2010 in memory of Anthony F. “Tony” Inzero, a leader in the downtown business community who co-owned Flower Affair on Campbell Avenue for many years and was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association.

To participate in the farmers market or for information, contact Killian Gruber, the market’s manager, at kgruber@westhaven-ct.gov or 203-937-3518.

For the latest news on the market, go to West Haven Farmers Market.

Griffin Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

‘Westies VIP Night’ offers free activities to residents ages 9-18

WEST HAVEN, July 8, 2022 — West Haven’s Youth and Family Services and Department of Parks and Recreation are teaming up with several city departments to provide an activity-filled “Westies VIP Night” for residents on July 20 and Aug. 11.

The free events, held outdoors at Carrigan Intermediate and Savin Rock Community schools, will include a video game trailer with nine gaming stations, interactive games by Krazy Konez, pizza by Franco’s Fried Dough-Licious and face painting by Picasso Parties.

The July 20 event is for West Haven residents ages 14-18 and will take place from 4-7 p.m. at Carrigan, 2 Tetlow St.

The Aug. 11 event is for residents ages 9-13 and will take place from 4-7 p.m. at Savin Rock, 50 Park St.

Registration is required at Park-Rec.

Space is limited for the events, and no walk-ups are allowed. Proof of residence is required at event check-in.

Public invited to take regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey from SCRCOG

WEST HAVEN, July 8, 2022 — The South Central Regional Council of Governments and its municipalities are working together to update the Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The plan is aimed at identifying and assessing the region’s natural hazard risks — flooding, hurricanes, winter storms — and determining how to best minimize or manage those risks.

To increase public participation, SCRCOG has launched the South Central Connecticut Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey so those in the planning area can share their opinions and participate in the mitigation planning process.

The information provided by the five-minute survey will help the planning team better understand local concerns and issues as expressed by the region’s residents and can lead to mitigation activities that should reduce the impacts of future disasters.

Read the news release and take the survey at SCRCOG.

See the Flyer.

See the Fact Sheet.

For more information, visit the plan’s webpage, or contact Rebecca Andreucci, SCRCOG’s senior transportation planner, at randreucci@scrcog.org or 203-466-8601.

City updates beach parking rules

WEST HAVEN, July 7, 2022 — Effective July 1, the city’s five beach parking lots for nonresidents are accepting cash only because the lots’ parking meters are out of order.

Police Chief Joseph S. Perno, whose department oversees the parking meters, or kiosks, said the coronavirus pandemic has caused a shortage of parts and service technicians, preventing the kiosks from being fixed.

So until further notice, Perno said private security personnel is monitoring the nonresident parking lots and collecting the daily cash fees from motorists, including $20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and $10 after 3 p.m.

The nonresident lots are Sea Bluff, Bradley Point, Palace Street, Morse Park and Sandy Point, as well as the April Street boat launch.

The city has also announced that its new three-year beach parking stickers were recently mailed with the tax bills but were unlikely to reach all residents by June 30, when the current stickers expired.

To accommodate those who have yet to receive the 2022-25 windshield stickers, the city is accepting the 2020-22 stickers in all beach parking lots for residents and at the boat launch until further notice.

The resident lots are South Street, Dawson Avenue, Rock Street, Oak Street and Altschuler Boulevard.

Perno said driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations are not accepted in the resident parking lots or at the boat launch — a valid, affixed beach sticker is required. All other beach parking restrictions apply, he said.