New West Haven florist, Christine’s Creations, celebrates opening

New florist, Christine’s Creations, marks grand opening

WEST HAVEN, April 17, 2023 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, holding oversize scissors, cuts the ribbon with Christine’s Creations owner Christine Gonzalez, center right, on Saturday to mark the flower shop’s grand opening at 323 Captain Thomas Blvd.

Shown with them are, from left, Councilwoman Meli Garthwait, R-2; Rosa Richardson of the West Haven Community Development Administration; state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; city Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; Councilman Gary Donovan, D-at large; and Councilwoman Colleen O’Connor, R-at large.

Christine’s Creations, located in the Savin Rock business district near the beach, offers everyday floral arrangements, wedding floral arrangements, funeral flowers, custom floral arrangements and bouquets, as well as same-day delivery.

The ribbon-cutting was also attended by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce President Michael Moses, Director of Membership and Marketing Simon McDonald and event coordinator Wendy Terenzio, along with chamber members Peggi Vetro of the Irish Heritage Society of Milford and Patriot Bank of Milford Vice President Robert Creigh.

The nautical-themed florist, which serves West Haven and New Haven County, is dedicated to providing handcrafted bouquets with “the freshest blooms available.”

Gonzalez said she sources flowers from local farms and uses “only the finest quality materials” when arranging custom orders for birthdays or anniversaries, including taking any idea and making it a reality.

“Our talented team of florists will work with you to create a floral arrangement that perfectly expresses your sentiment,” Gonzalez said. “Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply sending your best wishes, we'll make sure your flowers are unforgettable.”

Christine’s Creations is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Grieving Parents Support Group meeting at senior center May 3

WEST HAVEN, April 17, 2023 — West Haven Youth and Family Services’ Grieving Parents Support Group will hold its next meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. May 3 at the West Haven Senior Center on the upper floor of the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

The group, led by Cate Saxton and liaison Marianne Gambardella, meets monthly on the first and third Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at the senior center.

Come and meet other grieving parents and be part of a confidential, safe, supportive grief-sharing environment.

Ye Old Spirits opens in ‘historic’ liquor store site on Main St.

Ye Old Spirits opens in ‘historic’ Main St. liquor store site

WEST HAVEN, April 17, 2023 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, holding oversize scissors, cuts the ribbon with Ye Old Spirits owner Nick Conti, center left, on Wednesday to celebrate the package store’s grand opening at 174 Main St.

Shown with them are, from left, Ye Old Spirits manager Arie Signore and general manager Greg Purcell; Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce; city Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; and City Council members Colleen O’Connor, R-at large, and Gary Donovan, D-at large.

The ceremony was also attended by state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, not pictured.

Ye Old Spirits is nestled in a brick building of small businesses near Third Avenue and offers one of the largest selections of wine, beer and spirits in West Haven.

The historic package store site, remodeled by Conti and located four blocks from downtown, is the former longtime home of Ye Old Liquor Shoppe, in addition to other establishments through the years.

“We have a vast inventory and are willing to special order or carry any item you would like to purchase,” Conti said. “We love West Haven and our neighborhood.”

Ye Old Spirits is open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

(Geiger/West Haven Chamber)

Volunteer ‘tree tenders’ set Earth Day cleanup of Shingle Hill Park Saturday

WEST HAVEN, April 17, 2023 — The West Haven Volunteer Tree Tenders Group is holding an Earth Day cleanup of Shingle Hill Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The cleanup, at Allings Crossing and Shingle Hill roads, will include the park’s new trail system.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to attend.

Participants are asked to wear long pants and sturdy shoes and bring gloves, water and snacks. The city will supply other materials.

To register for the event, email whtree@westhaven-ct.gov.

Proof of residence must be provided. No commercial or business drop-offs will be accepted. The tire drop-off is for West Haven residents only.

‘Boot’ program resumes this month for tax delinquents in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, April 6, 2023 — Residents who are delinquent on their taxes are urged to pay their overdue taxes as soon as possible.

West Haven’s “boot” program resumes this month, and tax delinquents risk their vehicles being immobilized with a wheel-locking boot.

TaxServ Capital Services LLC of Hartford is the city’s vendor that administers the program in cooperation with Vioalert Systems LLC of West Haven.

A vehicle-mounted ID system that is part of the program uses an infrared license plate scanner to target tax scofflaws. Vehicles are released of the boot once their owners pay all delinquent taxes and the boot fee.

The boot, however, may be on a vehicle that does not owe back taxes because the scanning system recognizes delinquent taxes linked to the vehicle owner’s name, according to city Tax Manager Rachel A-Massih.

Residents can check if they owe back taxes and make a payment at My Tax Bill. They can also pay in the tax office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

A-Massih said delinquent personal property taxes for city business owners who have not paid their taxes have also been turned over for collection. Properties with delinquent real estate and sewer bills are in the process of being liened, and collection proceedings are beginning, she said.

Taxes accrue additional interest on the first day of each month.

Marchers sought for West Haven Memorial Day parade

Marchers sought for Memorial Day parade on May 29

WEST HAVEN, April 6, 2023 — The city and the West Haven Veterans Council are seeking veterans, civic groups, fraternal organizations, service clubs and marching bands to participate in the annual Memorial Day parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. May 29.

Participants must register and list required special accommodations for the procession, which has no rain date.

The city will provide transportation for veterans who are unable to walk the 1 ½-mile parade route, which follows Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Center Street. To make arrangements, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.

The parade grand marshal is Mark Levine, a Vietnam Army veteran.

Download a Participation Form.

Forms are also available for pickup in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due May 8.

Completed forms must be faxed to 203-937-3705 or mailed to the West Haven Memorial Day Parade, Office of the Mayor, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516.

Food scrap bags sold at retail sites

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 24, 2023 — Residents who need more green and orange food scrap bags can buy them at the following retail locations ($1.05 for five green bags and $1.55 for five orange bags):

• Krauszer’s Food Store, 10 Jones Hill Road (Babybrook Shopping Center, corner of Ocean Avenue)

• Krauszer’s Food Store, 911 Campbell Ave. (corner of Spring Street)

• Krauszer’s Food Store, 377 Campbell Ave. (corner of Brown Street)

• Krauszer’s Food Store, 191 Platt Ave. (near the WHHS entrance)

• Nazar Halal Meat & Market, 39 Elm St. (West River Plaza)

• Greatway Food Store, 502 Sawmill Road (across from Walmart)

• Best Gas & Food Mart, 161 Boston Post Road (near the Allington Green)

• Noble Gas Station, 941 Boston Post Road (corner of Farwell Street)

West Haven heralds launch of state’s largest food-to-clean-energy program

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 14, 2022 — West Haven is the first city in the state to offer a citywide curbside food scrap diversion option to all single-family residents, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Rossi said the program allows all single-family homes — one, two and three families — to easily separate food scraps and have them collected at the curb in the same container now used for residents’ trash collection.

The city has received a $1.3 million Sustainable Materials Management grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop and launch a food-to-clean-energy program.

Grant Coordinator Doug Colter, who secured the funding for the city, said the state is facing a solid waste disposal crisis, as traditional options for disposing of municipal solid waste are diminishing or becoming more expensive. With fewer and rapidly aging disposal options in Connecticut, residents and municipal leaders can expect disposal costs to increase at the remaining waste incineration facilities “as well as out-of-state landfilling,” Colter said.

On Nov. 7, the West Haven Food to Clean Energy program launched a nine-month pilot project for curbside food scrap diversion. Participation in the program comes at no cost to the 16,000 eligible households.

Colter said the funding covers the purchase of special color-coded bags for trash and for food scrap separation for the nine-month pilot. It also covers the cost of educational materials — mailers, a website and a Connect mobile app — along with personnel to sort the bags and the shipment of food scraps to Quantum Biopower in Southington, where the food will be converted into clean electricity, he said.

More details at Food Scrap Recycling.

Informational Materials

The Downsizing Donation Guide: A Resource for Residents of New Haven County (PDF)

What’s In? What’s Out? A Guide to Recycling (PDF)