West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi presents a citation to Hispanic American of the Year Rafael Zayas, the deputy chief of the West Shore Fire Department, for his contributions to the city’s Hispanic community at the fifth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on the steps of City Hall on Friday. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Deputy Fire Chief Zayas honored as Hispanic of Year

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 15, 2023 — West Shore Fire Department Deputy Chief Rafael Zayas received the city’s Hispanic American of the Year award at the fifth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Friday.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and the West Haven Hispanic Heritage Committee honored Zayas, the son of Puerto Rican-born parents, during a midday ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

The committee bestows the award annually on a Hispanic resident who epitomizes service in West Haven’s thriving Hispanic community.

Amid a partly cloudy, windy day, Zayas, who will mark his inaugural year of service with the West Shore Fire District on Oct. 1, celebrated his Puerto Rican roots with dozens of friends and loved ones at the 20-minute event.

Along with descendants of folks from Puerto Rico and Latin America, he was also joined by an array of West Haven and New Haven fire officials, West Haven employees and residents, and city and state leaders, including Milford Democratic Sen. James Maroney, the Senate’s deputy majority leader whose district includes West Haven, who presented Zayas with a General Assembly citation on behalf of the city’s delegation.

Zayas was flanked by a line of firefighters, officers and chiefs from the West Shore, West Haven and Allingtown fire departments, as well as the New Haven Fire Department, as he humbly accepted the Hispanic American of the Year award by thanking the crowd, the Rossi administration and his fellow firefighters.

Read the full story and see the photo spread at Hispanic American of the Year 2023.

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)

‘Fall Foliage Concert Series’ set for 7 p.m. Sept. 30

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 15, 2023 — The city’s “Fall Foliage Concert Series” is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 30 with Arena Rock Tribute, celebrating the music, performance and spectacle of the ’70s and ’80s.

The new concert series, held in Old Grove Park on Palace Street, will continue with Avenue Groove on Oct. 5 and American Honey on Oct. 13.

The two-hour concerts are free and sponsored by the city and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Avenue Groove is a six-piece “R&B, funk and dance band with attitude.” American Honey specializes in modern country hits and ’90s pop rock favorites.

The Arena Rock show was scheduled for the Savin Rock Festival in July but was postponed by rain. The Avenue Groove show was slated for Sept. 8 but was postponed by rain.

Avenue Groove, a six-piece “R&B, funk and dance band with attitude,” will perform from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 5 in Old Grove Park on Palace Street in West Haven. The show, rescheduled from Sept. 8 because of rain, 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. Oct. 13 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)

Rossi holding final town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 4

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 13, 2023 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi is inviting residents to participate in a town hall meeting in person at City Hall or virtually on Facebook Live at 6 p.m. Oct. 4.

The community event is aimed at fostering communication and transparency between City Hall and West Haven residents.

Residents can attend the town hall in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall, 355 Main St., or they can participate in the meeting via Facebook Live on the UNH Mayor’s Advisory Commission’s page .

The town hall is sponsored by the mayor’s office and the University of New Haven Mayor’s Advisory Commission, a collaborative, student-driven task force founded in 2015 to strengthen town-gown relations.

The UNH commission is led by Brian Cao, a sophomore studying national security, and adviser Chris Haynes, an associate professor of political science and national security.

All members of the community are encouraged to participate in the town hall and ask questions. The moderators are Haynes and commission member Deepak Dinesh.

Participants can send questions before the meeting by email to ddine1@unh.newhaven.edu or chaynes@newhaven.edu. They can also submit questions during the meeting in the “Comment” section on Facebook Live.

Participants must keep all dialogue courteous and respectful.

For more information, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510, or email ddine1@unh.newhaven.edu or chaynes@newhaven.edu.

Expo to promote public safety education in Grove on Oct. 7

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 12, 2023 — The city will join West Haven’s three fire departments to mark the eve of Fire Prevention Week at an exposition of all things fire, emergency management, public safety, police and health in Old Grove Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 7.

The third annual West Haven Fire, Emergency Management, 911 ERS, Police & Health Expo will bring together families and first responders — firefighters, police officers, EMTs, health care professionals — from around the state for hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations to promote public safety education.

The free public exhibition will include music by Tony V.

For all the details, see the Flyer.

Board to hear appeals on vehicle assessments in City Hall, 1st floor

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 11, 2023 — The Board of Assessment Appeals will meet in open session from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the assessor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., to hear appeals of motor vehicle assessments on the 2022 grand list.

Any owner of a city-registered vehicle claiming an aggrieved assessment can issue an appeal at the hearing.

Family Resource Fair for special needs families set for Sept. 20

Family Resource Fair for special needs families slated for Sept. 20

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 11, 2023 — The West Haven Interagency Network for Children in conjunction with the city Department of Youth and Family Services will hold its 2023 Family Resource Fair from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 20 at the West Haven Community House, 227 Elm St.

The free event will give families of children with special needs an opportunity to learn about resources and services while meeting other families.

The fair will include representatives from the following agencies and programs: American Job Center, Early Learning Program-Gateway CT State Community College, FAVOR Inc., Constellation Kids ABA, Rape Crisis Center, Carelon Behavioral Health, West Haven Community Development Administration, City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown child safety car seat installation program, Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, West Haven Health Department, Bridges Healthcare Inc., WHEAT Inc., West Haven Lions Club, West Haven Police Department, West Haven ERS-911, West Haven Public Library, Team West Haven-Connecticut Special Olympics, Shoreline Wellness, West Haven Department of Parks and Recreation, Love146, Connecticut Child Identification Program and West Haven Board of Education.

Tony Inzero Farmers Market opens season July 6

Farmers market open Thursdays and Saturdays

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 8, 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.

Brewery developer pulls out of West Haven

NEBCO developer pulls out of city

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 6, 2023 — Rock Street Brewery LLC has pulled out of a deal with the city to relocate New England Brewing Co. to the former Savin Rock Conference Center, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi confirmed.

Rossi said she was told by Marty Juliano, NEBCO’s director of business development, on Sept. 4 that a revised lease agreement proposal between the city and developer Doug Gray, the principal of the Delaware-based limited liability company, was off the table because of a lack of support from “some City Council members, a few Land Trust of West Haven members and an appeal filed by the owners of Jimmies of Savin Rock restaurant.”

Most of the city’s residents and businesses supported the brewery project, Rossi said, with many residents speaking in favor of the project at council meetings.

Juliano, a native of West Haven, also told Rossi that the Woodbridge craft brewery apparently has two other offers to relocate elsewhere in the works. He did not specify where, the mayor said.

“Many residents say they want development, and I brought them a development they could be proud of — but a few City Council members and a couple of Land Trust members, along with the Jimmies’ owners’ appeal, tanked it,” a disappointed Rossi said.

On Aug. 31, 2022, the City Council unanimously approved the original lease agreement between the city and Rock Street Brewery to relocate NEBCO to the prime waterfront location at 6 Rock St.

At the time, the 60-year ground lease allowed for the city to maintain ownership of the 4.38-acre property while allowing the developer to demolish the existing conference center and construct a 46,165-square-foot building that would include a brewery, a taproom and event space.

According to the agreement at the time, Gray would pay the city rent and serve as the brewery’s landlord at its “forever home” on the Savin Rock shoreline overlooking Long Island Sound.

That all changed a short time later, however, when the owners of Jimmies at 5 Rock St. initiated litigation with Gray contesting setbacks to the property, adjacent to the Savin Rock landmark off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

To prevent a lengthy litigation process, Gray revised the original plans to encompass the footprint of the existing structure. As a result, the scale of the project was significantly reduced, especially the square footage, Rossi said.

Gray then proposed amending the original lease agreement with the city to reflect the modified plans, which included renovating the existing building instead of demolishing it.

The modified plans also included the elimination of the production component of the project, essentially making it a tasting facility without the original “Brewed in West Haven” concept.

During the public comment session of the City Council meeting at City Hall on Aug. 28, some council members and residents voiced concerns about the proposed lease agreement amendment.

“I am extremely disappointed that some council members and business owners chose to publicly embarrass Mr. Gray and Mr. Juliano at that meeting, which I think is shameful,” Rossi said.

NEBCO, founded by Rob Leonard in Woodbridge in 2002, brews Sea Hag and other popular India pale ales at 175 Amity Road in Woodbridge. Sea Hag is the No. 1-selling craft IPA in Connecticut.

The brewery development was announced by NEBCO executives and city and state leaders in West Haven on Nov. 1, 2021. The proposed multimillion-dollar project had been touted to create up to 100 jobs and generate hundreds of thousands in permit fees and long-term lease payments for the city.

According to city records, the Savin Rock Conference Center opened in April 1997 and closed for renovations in February 2019. The building, constructed in 1971, previously housed The Casino and Harbour Mist restaurants and originally Phyllis’ Restaurant.

West Haven Senior Center offers Foxwoods trip Nov. 8

WHSC offers Foxwoods trip Nov. 8

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 1, 2023 — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a bus trip to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard on Nov. 8.

Enjoy the new Pequot Woodlands Casino at Foxwoods featuring 430 slot machines, the new high-limit slot room with 130 state-of-the-art machines and the newly opened Wahlburgers restaurant, as well as shopping at the Tanger Outlets.

No casino packages are offered at the moment.

The trip costs $35. Payment is due Oct. 13.

The bus departs at 8:30 a.m. from the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot at 91 Bull Hill Lane, the former Nike site, and leaves at 3 p.m. from Foxwoods.

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

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.