Ukrainian Independence Day declared for 2nd year in West Haven

Ukrainian Independence Day declared in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 24, 2023 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, holds a bouquet and a certificate of appreciation from President Ann Salemme of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 108, holding a mayoral proclamation, for Rossi’s support of Ukrainian Independence Day on Thursday.

“The city of West Haven stands united with Ukrainians in commemorating their independence by lighting the Cove River pedestrian bridge in blue and yellow for a second year,” said Rossi, reading the proclamation before presenting it to Salemme, of West Haven, in the City Council chambers of City Hall.

Shown with Rossi and Salemme are, from left, Carl Harvey, a resident of Orange and the commander of Ukrainian American Veterans Post 33, and St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church Choir members Mary Antonyshyn, of Orange, and Nadiya Ivantsiv, formerly of Lviv, Ukraine, and now of New Haven.

In 1991 the parliament of Ukraine proclaimed the nation’s independence, taking the first step toward establishing a free and democratic state.

“As Ukraine marks its 32nd anniversary of renewed independence today, Aug. 24, 2023, let us recommit ourselves to helping the Ukrainian nation to reclaim full sovereignty over its international borders and to remember its heroes who sacrificed their lives to ensure freedom and happiness for future generations,” Rossi said.

(City Photo/Killian M. Gruber)

Avenue Groove, a six-piece “R&B, funk and dance band with attitude,” will perform from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 8 in Old Grove Park on Palace Street in West Haven. The show is part of the city’s new “Fall Foliage Concert Series.” (Publicity Photo)

American Honey will play a mix of modern country hits and ’90s pop rock favorites from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 22. The show is part of the city’s new “Fall Foliage Concert Series.” (Publicity Photo)

Arena Rock Tribute will celebrate the music, performance and spectacle of the ’70s and ’80s from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 30 in Old Grove Park on Palace Street in West Haven. The show was rescheduled from July’s Savin Rock Festival and is now part of the city’s new “Fall Foliage Concert Series.” (Publicity Photo)

Girls summer basketball champions

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 24, 2023 — (Pictured): The Gray Team, the champions of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Girls Summer Fun Basketball League, show their medals at the Veterans Memorial Park courts on Bull Hill Lane on Aug. 14.

Front row, from left, are Maddie Kelly, Karine DaSilva, Angelize DaSilva, Bridget Kelly and Justine DaSilva. Back row, from left, are Coach K, Ja’stice Butler, Tiranke Keita, Fatoumata Keita, Josylyn DaSilva and Coach Victor. Missing from photo is Evey Fitzpatrick.

The team defeated the Red Team in an 18-17 nail-biter to finish the season 8-0.

The league, overseen by Park-Rec program coordinator Margaret Longo and court supervisor Desmond Lymon, just capped its 23rd season.

(City Photo/Margaret Longo)

West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center left, and TR Laundromat owners Reagin and Thomas Carney, center right, cut the ribbon with a pair of oversize scissors to celebrate the laundry’s grand opening at 818 First Ave. in West Haven on Friday. With them are Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce President Michael Moses, left, and Director of Membership and Marketing Simon McDonald. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

‘State-of-the-art’ TR Laundromat opens on First Ave.

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 18, 2023 — TR Laundromat, a new self-service laundry at 818 First Ave., celebrated its grand opening Aug. 18.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce executives snipped a blue ribbon with husband-wife owners Thomas and Reagin Carney to officially mark the event and welcome TR Laundromat to West Haven.

The Carneys said the family-owned laundromat has been completely renovated and features state-of-the-art stainless steel washers and driers to “meet all your laundry needs.”

“We have all-new, spacious machines designed to handle even the largest loads with efficiency and reliability,” said Thomas Carney, who has worked in the laundromat industry for 20 years as a sales representative and manager. “We also offer complimentary Wi-Fi.”

Carney added: “Our laundromat is the only establishment in the Greater New Haven area offering the innovative Huebsch Command app payment system, giving you the flexibility to pay via your phone or with coins. With our user-friendly touch controls, available in over 30 languages, operating our machines has never been easier.”

The morning ribbon-cutting was attended by chamber President Michael Moses, Director of Membership and Marketing Simon McDonald and member Robert Creigh, the vice president of Patriot Bank of Milford.

TR Laundromat, located off Interstate 95’s Exit 43, is based in a plaza with a convenience store and a Chinese restaurant. The laundry site, near Spring Street, was formerly occupied by Spotless Laundry.

The Carneys, who have four children, said the laundromat’s black-and-white sign is adorned with a gold triquetra, a triangular figure composed of three interlaced arcs. Also known as a Trinity knot, the emblem is the Celtic symbol for family.

Reagin Carney said the initials “TR” in the business’s name are a tribute to her late father, Thomas Reid. She said the initials also stand for Thomas and Reagin.

TR Laundromat is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with the last wash at 9 p.m.

City Council unanimously approves police pension agreement

City Council unanimously approves PD pension contract

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 18, 2023 — The City Council on Aug. 15 unanimously approved a tentative agreement between the city and West Haven Police Local 895 to reinstate the department’s pension plan, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Rossi, a longtime advocate of restoring the Police Department’s pension plan, said the labor contract will now head to the state Municipal Accountability Review Board for final approval.

If approved by the MARB, which oversees the city’s finances, the City of West Haven Police Defined Benefit Plan would become effective “as soon as practicable” and retroactive to July 1.

The MARB is tentatively scheduled to meet the week of Aug. 28 in Hartford.

In 2009, the city won an arbitration award to change the Police Department’s benefit package from a defined pension plan to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Since 2011, however, the department has lost 37 officers “solely due to the lack of a pension,” according to a pension summary presented at the council meeting by labor attorney Christopher M. Hodgson of Berchem Moses PC of Milford.

“Using $120,000 as a new-hire expense, that is $4.44 million — $383,000 per year — we spent on certifying officers to go work at other municipalities,” Hodgson said.

“The main focus of offering a pension is to have stability in the ranks,” Police Chief Joseph S. Perno said. “With the anticipated adoption of a pension, this should, in all practicality, stop the ‘revolving door of officers,’ which we have been experiencing since the pension was no longer offered.”

Hours before the council’s vote, the police union voted 95-2 in favor of the plan.

“This pension contract accomplishes the three main goals of the city and the (police) commission,” said John M. Carrano, a member of the Board of Police Commissioners. “First, the pension is competitive for the officers; second, it is affordable for the city; and third, it will retain both the younger officers and the more experienced officers, which is a huge win for the department as a whole and the residents of West Haven.”

The pension plan would cost the city $4.8 million over the next 20 years, or $240,000 per year, according to an actuarial analysis by Jennifer M. Castelhano, an associate actuary with Milliman of Windsor.

Rossi thanked the council for approving the plan and touted its potential cost savings to the city.

“If we can reduce the number of officers who leave our police force by two per year, this plan will pay for itself,” Rossi said. “If we can reduce the number of officers who leave by four to five per year, the plan will save the city money.”

The mayor added, “With every reduction in turnover, our police force is better experienced and closer to being fully staffed.”

Under the agreement between the city and police union, officers hired after Nov. 1, 2009, would transfer to the pension plan.

Affected employees would retain their vested defined contribution employer match balance and can use those defined contribution funds, or other funds, to buy past service back to the date of hire by contributing 8% of their base salary for each year of service purchased.

All other defined benefit plan provisions would be the same as those for officers hired before Nov. 1, 2009, according to the contract.

In addition, officers hired before Nov. 1, 2009, who have completed 25 years of service would receive a 5% increase in their pension calculation, from 60% to 65%.

Tony Inzero Farmers Market opens season July 6

Farmers market open Thursdays and Saturdays

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 18, 2023 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market has opened its 2023 season next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market, nestled on the right side of the beach lot, includes state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling wares from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through Oct. 14.

It features artisan breads by Hoffman Unlimited LLC, sauces and jams by Chile King LLC, and salts, oils and vinegars by Dash N’ Drizzle.

The farmers market is partnering with ArtsWest CT this season to showcase a variety of entertainment, such as live performances and unique demonstrations, at the Saturday markets.

The market also includes more than 20 different vendors, crafters, organizations and food trucks during the season.

The Thursday markets feature What the Truck?! BBQ, in addition to ice cream at both markets.

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 at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays.

The Department of Elderly Services is distributing reusable farmers market cards to eligible city residents. Residents 60 and older who meet income requirements are eligible for $24 vouchers in the form of electronic cards. For information on the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition 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 203-937-3510.

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

West Haven Senior Center sets Aqua Turf trip Sept. 12

West Haven Senior Center plans Stonington Vineyards trip Oct. 11

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 18, 2023 — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a bus trip to Stonington Vineyards on Oct. 11.

The trip includes a one-hour wine tasting and a keepsake glass, followed by a visit to Olde Mistick Village, where attendees can shop and have lunch independently.

The trip’s final stop is at the historic B.F. Clydes Cider Mill, the oldest operating steam-powered cider mill in the U.S., which offers cider doughnuts, hard cider, wine and other treats.

The cost is $120. Payment is due Sept. 25.

The bus departs at 9:45 a.m. from the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot at 91 Bull Hill Lane, the former Nike site, and leaves at 4 p.m. from Mystic.

Non-senior center members and nonresidents are welcome. To make a reservation, call the center at 203-937-3507.

West Haven Vietnam vets sought for new section of memorial ‘wall’

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 18, 2023 — Current and former city residents who served in the Vietnam War are sought by the West Haven Vietnam Memorial Inc. Committee to have their names inscribed on a new section of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Bradley Point Park.

To qualify for name recognition on the memorial “wall,” Vietnam veterans must apply and meet the following requirements:

— Applicants must live or have lived in West Haven. Veterans living in West Haven must provide proof of residence, such as a utility bill.

— Applicants must have served in-country during the Vietnam War.

— Applicants must have been honorably discharged from military service. A DD214 form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is required.

— Applicants must share potential costs, if any.

The committee does not have a formal application. Veterans must mail all documents, which are due Jan. 1, 2024, to West Haven Vietnam Veterans, City Hall, lower level, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516.

Those with questions can call Bill at 203-521-2356, Steve at 475-655-2993 or Paul at 203-500-2159.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial includes a black granite wall inscribed with the names of those from West Haven who served or gave their lives in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975, along with three white flagpoles draped with the American, Connecticut and prisoner-of-war flags.

The memorial, dedicated Nov. 12, 2003, also includes a black granite map of the four battle districts of Vietnam bearing the inscription “All Gave Some, Some Gave All,” as well as five bronze insignia markers atop black granite posts representing each branch of the U.S. armed forces.

City DPW employees volunteer at HazWaste Central

NEW HAVEN, Aug. 15, 2023 — (Pictured): West Haven Department of Public Works administrative clerk Diane Ascenzia, left, and administrative secretary Kara Comfort volunteer at the city’s designated Hometown Day at HazWaste Central in New Haven on Aug. 12.

Ascenzia and Comfort gathered data and distributed paperwork from 8 a.m.-noon at the Long Wharf center, which collects and disposes of household hazardous waste, including oil paints, gardening products, swimming pool chemicals, antifreeze, batteries, waste oil and small propane cylinders.

HazWaste is in the parking lot of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority at 90 Sargent Drive, just off Interstate 95’s Exit 46.

The Municipal Planning Committee, composed of representatives from 16 area cities and towns, oversees HazWaste as part of each community’s Hometown Day.

Drivers can drop off hazardous waste for free on Saturday mornings from mid-May through October.

(City Photo/Kara Comfort)