New digs for park maintenance

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 12, 2016 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, left, and Public Works Commissioner Dominic Perrotti look on as a crew from Steel and Concrete Construction Services of Granby erects a 3,500-square-foot prefabricated steel building Friday for the new Department of Park Maintenance headquarters in Veterans Memorial Park, 129 Bull Hill Lane. The department’s former facility there, which previously housed the federal Nike site, was converted into locker rooms and a bathroom as part of the recent Veterans Memorial Field upgrades. For the past year, the department has been operating out of the highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St. The $250,000 prefab project, which includes a bathroom, an office and two drive-thru bays for loading, is being financed at no cost to city taxpayers, thanks to Local Capital Improvement Program funds from the state Office of Policy and Management. SCCS, a subcontractor of United Steel Inc. of East Hartford, is expected to complete the job in early January. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

MAC publishes second edition of The Westie Wire

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 12, 2016 — The University of New Haven Mayor’s Advisory Commission has published its second edition of The Westie Wire newsletter.

The commission, known as MAC, is all about connecting two communities: the Westies of West Haven and the students of UNH.

Since its inception in March 2015, the commission has worked with the office of Mayor Edward M. O’Brien to improve university relations and involvement with the city.

The undergraduate project, coordinated by UNH assistant professor of political science Chris Haynes, provides feedback on student preferences about West Haven, builds awareness of city events and businesses among the UNH community, helps recruit new student-friendly businesses to West Haven, and facilitates communication and interaction between UNH and city residents.

To read the newsletter, click on The Westie Wire.

City issues snow rules for parking

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 12, 2016 — To help expedite snow removal, the Department of Public Works is reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after snowstorms.

Under normal snow conditions, once snow begins to fall, a parking ban is in effect on the even-numbered side of most roads, unless one is posted with a “no parking” sign on the odd side.

The ban is in effect for 36 hours after a snowstorm. Residents are urged to park in driveways or designated private lots.

During an official snow emergency declared by Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, a parking ban will run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on both sides of Campbell and Savin avenues, Morgan Lane, Elm Street, Meloy Road, Second Avenue from Elm to Beach streets and Main Street from Savin to Washington avenues.

Police will tag and tow vehicles violating the parking ordinance at the owner’s expense.

Per city ordinance, residents and businesses are responsible for removing snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Also, per ordinance, plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited, and violators are subject to fines.

Residents and businesses with mailboxes damaged by snow thrown from a plow are the responsibility of the property owner. The city will only repair mailboxes damaged by the striking of a plow blade if there is visible evidence, such as paint or tire tracks.

Snow removal around mailboxes is the property owner’s responsibility.

For information, call the Public Works Department at 203-937-3585.

For the latest news and information, visit us on our website at www.cityofwesthaven.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWestHaven.

City partners with UConn to steer traffic plans

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 12, 2016 — Anthony A. Lorenzetti of the Connecticut Technology Transfer Center at the University of Connecticut, back, discusses strategies to improve West Haven’s transportation infrastructure with city officials — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, Councilman Russell E. Aldrich Jr., D-1, and members of the Fire, Police and Public Works departments — during a PowerPoint presentation Thursday at City Hall. Lorenzetti, a professional engineer who is the center’s safety circuit rider, talked about ways UConn can help the city, through a new partnership, to enhance its traffic plans, including traffic signal management, and make them more pedestrian and vehicular friendly. According to the center, more than 3 million miles of road and 299,000 bridges in the U.S. are maintained by local transportation agencies. Often suffering from excessive wear due to traffic, weather and mistreatment, keeping roads and bridges safe and navigable requires “good design, diligent maintenance and timely rehabilitation.” Limited funding for such work creates a significant need for technical assistance in the 38,000 local communities across the country, a necessity that paved the way for the Federal Highway Administration to initiate the Local Technical Assistance Program in 1982. The Technology Transfer Center at UConn is Connecticut’s program, one of 58 centers nationwide financed by the highway administration and the state Department of Transportation. The center operates under the aegis of the UConn School of Engineering’s Connecticut Transportation Institute and serves members of the state’s transportation and public safety community who represent their cities and towns as legal traffic authorities. The center, based in Storrs, aims “to foster a safe, efficient and environmentally sound surface transportation system by improving the skills and increasing the knowledge of the transportation workforce in Connecticut.” (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven tax bills due Jan. 1

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 8, 2016 — The second installment of the city’s tax bills — real estate, motor vehicle, personal property and sewer — on the 2015 grand list is due Jan. 1, Tax Collector Eric Murillo said.

The 2015 supplemental motor vehicle bills, which are being mailed, are also due Jan. 1.

Payments after Feb. 1 are considered delinquent and subject to interest, Murillo said.

The tax office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

For the convenience of taxpayers, the city has an ATM outside the office.

Taxpayers can see their tax bills, make a payment, and print their payment history for income tax purposes by clicking on Tax Collector.

Sewer bills are on the same page but under a separate heading.

In January, current taxes can be paid by mail to a tax office lockbox, P.O. Box 150461, Hartford 06115-0461. When paying by lockbox or the drop box outside the tax office in City Hall, the canceled check is the receipt.

After Feb. 1, taxes with interest can be paid by mail to the Office of the Tax Collector, P.O. Box 401, West Haven 06516. Payments can also be made in person.

Anyone needing a motor vehicle clearance must pay in person with cash, credit card, bank check or money order.

Those with questions about assessments or vehicles they no longer own should contact the assessor’s office prior to paying their tax bills at assessor@cityofwesthaven.com or 203-937-3515, ext. 1004, 1005 or 1007.

Tax credits for elderly and disabled homeowners are already reflected on tax bills.

For tax payment questions, call the tax office at 203-937-3525.

For the latest news and information, visit us on our website at www.cityofwesthaven.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWestHaven.

‘West Haven Christmas Tree Lighting 2016’ airing on YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 8, 2016 — The annual tree-lighting video, “West Haven Christmas Tree Lighting 2016,” is available for viewing on the city’s official YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNlHDSG2oB0.