An estimated 200 participants -- including Mayor Edward M. O'Brien, Westies T-shirt, and his son, David, red-and-white T-shirt -- dash in and out of the 41-degree water in Long Island Sound during the 16th annual Icy Plunge for the Cure benefit Feb. 6 at a snow-covered Savin Rock Beach. The event, presented by the city's Breast Cancer Awareness Committee, was moved from Jan. 23 because of snow. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh, File)

Participants sought for Icy Plunge for the Cure

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 4, 2017 — Participants in the 17th Icy Plunge for the Cure, a longtime winter tradition, can break out the arctic swimwear Jan. 28 at Savin Rock Beach.

The 9:30 a.m. event, presented by the city’s Breast Cancer Awareness Committee, benefits breast cancer research and education.

Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. in the Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St.

The first 100 people to register will receive “plungewear.” The top fundraiser will receive a prize.

Participants will wait on the beach for the signal to charge into Long Island Sound. Wetsuits are not allowed.

Last January, snow postponed the plunge for the first time in 16 years, with it taking place in February — also for the first time.

Since its inception in 2001, the committee has collected more than $780,000 for the cause, said Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, a founding committee member.

An estimated 200 people took part in last year’s plunge, which netted about $32,000.

And organizers anticipate another good turnout this year, with plunge veterans Mayor Edward M. O’Brien and his 16-year-old son, David, returning for the frosty dip.

Several city, police and fire departments are forming teams and issuing challenges to one another to help raise the stakes and more money.

Sabo said the plunge is a celebration of survivors and a remembrance of loved ones who have died of the disease.

Registration forms are available in the Department of Human Resources on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

Pledges for the plunge must be handed in the day of the event, Sabo said. Checks are payable to the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program.

Proceeds have previously gone to the Yale Breast Center at Yale New Haven’s Smilow Cancer Hospital and Looking Forward, an education and wellness program for cancer patients at Smilow.

For information, call committee member Jennifer Cavallaro at 203-937-3619 or Sabo at 203-937-3558. To sponsor the plunge, call Cavallaro or Sabo.

Send donation checks to the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program, Department of Human Resources, 355 Main St., West Haven 06516.

Bulk trash pickup, e-waste drop-off schedule announced

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 4, 2017 — The 2017 bulk trash pickup schedule is March 6-10, June 5-9, Aug. 7-11 and Oct. 2-6.

Residents are reminded that bulk pickup is on their scheduled curbside collection days in the second calendar week of the four designated months. They are also reminded to separate metals and recyclables from regular trash and to put out trash no more than 24 hours before pickup.

Violations carry a $100 fine per daily offense.

Bulk items include couches, chairs, mattresses, tables, carpeting, padding, fencing and small amounts of bundled lumber, which may not exceed 6 feet in length.

The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 ½ feet high.

Along with tires, the city also picks up such white goods as refrigerators, washing machines and stoves on residents’ weekly collection days.

To prevent a potential fine, property owners should familiarize themselves with the city’s trash guidelines. Details at Bulk Trash Pickup.

To report a complaint, call the department at 203-937-3585. Complaints are kept confidential.

Also, the 2017 e-waste drop-off days are Jan. 7, March 4, June 3 and Sept. 30.

Residents can drop off electronic recyclables — typically anything that plugs in or needs a battery — from 8 a.m.-noon at the highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St.

The city is partnering with Take 2 Inc. of Waterbury, a recycler and collector of universal e-waste devices, to collect residential electronic items on a quarterly basis.

The collection is free for residents who have such items as TVs, hand-held video games, computers and monitors, copiers and scanners, microwave and toaster ovens, dehumidifiers and other small appliances.

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

Reminders about Christmas trees, holiday trash pickup

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 4, 2017 — The city reminds residents not to put Christmas trees in plastic bags or stands for curbside pickup.

Plastic bags and other items can become tangled in the machine that grinds the trees into compost.

Also, residents are reminded that five holidays during the year delay curbside pickup one day.

All American Waste of New Haven, the city’s private rubbish contractor, will not pick up rubbish, recyclables, metals or tires Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If a holiday falls on a weekday, pickup for that week will move ahead one day.

But when a holiday, such as Thanksgiving, falls on a Thursday, only Thursday and Friday’s collections will move up a day.

Thanksgiving is also the only holiday that excludes metal and tire pickups in those affected districts.

Separate metals and recyclables from regular trash.

For details, call the Department of Public Works 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.

Knights of Columbus raise $1,500 for adolescent group

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 4, 2017 — City Youth and Family Services Director Robert S. Morton, third from right, receives a $1,500 check Dec. 30 at City Hall from members of the Knights of Columbus for the West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s Adolescent and Young Adult Social Group as John Przybylowski, holding plaque, receives the “You Make a Difference Award” on behalf of the Knights from WHINC members. From left, Knights Phil Piskura and Emil Belous, adolescent group members Kyle Scarpulla and Chris Przybylowski, group leader Viola Waldo, and Knights James Celestine, Paul Bauer and Phil King. The money was raised at a pasta dinner held by the Knights of Columbus Nov. 12 in the hall of St. John Vianney Church. Funds were also collected at the fraternal organization’s recent Tootsie Roll drive. Proceeds from the sales of Tootsie Rolls and other candy are donated by the Knights to programs that aim to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, said Morton, director of WHINC. (City Photo/Rosa Richardson)

Menorah lighting marks Jewish Festival of Lights

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 4, 2017 — From left, Barry Epstein, Mayor Edward M. O’Brien and his executive assistant, John W. Lewis, and Stephen Greene pause during the sundown celebration of the first day of Hanukkah at the annual lighting of the menorah Dec. 24 on the Green. The ceremonial lighting marks the Jewish Festival of Lights, an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians. (City Photo/David O’Brien)

O’Brien’s Goodwill donation aids residents in need

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 4, 2017 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, right, helps H. Richard Borer Jr., president of Easter Seals Goodwill Industries of North Haven, load 42 donated fur, faux fur and leather coats into a Goodwill van Dec. 22 in the parking lot of the Savin Rock Conference Center.

O’Brien received the furs, worth thousands of dollars, from Tom Prezioso, owner of Furs by Prezioso Ltd. of Hamden, to distribute to city residents in need.

However, because “the city is not in the fur business,” O’Brien gave the surplus furs — furs that were never claimed at Prezioso’s Whitney Avenue store — to Borer, who in turn provided the mayor with a supply of $20 vouchers for needy residents to exchange for clothing at Easter Seals Goodwill retail stores.

O’Brien praised Prezioso’s generosity, saying, “We all know that there are people who are not as fortunate as Tom, Rich and I, and Mr. Prezioso’s selfless deed renews my faith that there are still people who give of themselves so that others can have a better life.”

O’Brien said the Department of Human Resources at City Hall, 355 Main St., will dole out the vouchers to eligible residents. To request a voucher, call Commissioner Beth A. Sabo at 203-937-3558.

Goodwill is a community-based organization committed to enhancing employment, educational, social and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and other challenges in Greater New Haven, said Borer, who served as West Haven’s mayor from 1991 to 2005.

The progressive organization owns and operates 13 secondhand retail stores and one outlet across south-central and eastern Connecticut. All proceeds from the stores’ sales support Goodwill’s mission.

The stores also provide employment for clients with disabilities and other special needs.

(City Photo/David W. Richards)

Christmas card artists

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 4, 2017 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien presents his Christmas card designers — from left, Bailey Middle School seventh-graders Obyda Charachfi, Eveleen Jiang and Sofia Lora and eighth-grader Emily Console — with their original artwork, enclosed in a frame, Dec. 20 at City Hall. The students, who were accompanied by their parents and Bailey art teacher Kathy Shea, also received professional copies of their card and an official citation from O’Brien recognizing their “Selection as a Mayoral Christmas Card Artist.” (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

City collecting recyclable electronic items Jan. 7

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 19, 2016 — Residents can drop off electronic recyclables — typically anything that plugs in or needs a battery — from 8 a.m.-noon Jan. 7 at the highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St.

The city is partnering with Take 2 Inc. of Waterbury, a recycler and collector of universal e-waste devices, to collect residential electronic items on a quarterly basis.

The next drop-off day is March 4. Details at E-waste Drop-off.

The collection is free for residents who have such items as TVs, hand-held video games, computers and monitors, copiers and scanners, microwave and toaster ovens, dehumidifiers and other small appliances.

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

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.