Season of Light awards

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 26, 2017 — Dubel’s Cafe owner Fred Hugendubel and New Haven Ski Club member Frank Meyer, holding plaques, receive Season of Light awards from West Haven Youth and Family Services Director Robert S. Morton, left, and Mayor Edward M. O’Brien on Thursday at City Hall for their contributions to the annual toy drive organized by Morton’s agency. Morton distributed the toys, valued around $5,000, to 90 city families in need, including 204 children, and to WTNH-TV anchorwoman Ann Nyberg’s Toy Closet at Yale New Haven Hospital. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

New plow trucks rolled out

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 26, 2017 — From left, Public Works Commissioner Dominic Perrotti, Mayor Edward M. O’Brien and fleet equipment supervisor Robert A. Orifice Sr. show four of the department’s new Freightliner “severe-duty” plow trucks Wednesday at the highway maintenance garage on Collis Street. The high-tech trucks, with six more joining them soon, are equipped with plows and computer-controlled spreaders that manage how much sand and salt are used, as well as ergonomical cabs, heated windshields, LED lighting and stainless steel bodies. The trucks, outfitted for $200,000 each and specifically geared for municipal use, are part of the city’s commitment to replacing the Public Works Department’s aging fleet, which has not had an upgrade since the purchase of two plow trucks in 2012. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

O’Brien named treasurer of Regional Council of Governments

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 26, 2017 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien has been appointed to serve as treasurer on the Executive Committee of the South Central Regional Council of Governments.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on the Executive Committee of SCRCOG,” O’Brien said of his appointment Wednesday. “I am eager to roll up my sleeves with my fellow mayors and first selectmen to ensure that our region’s future remains bright and hopeful for all our people.”

In a letter to O’Brien, SCRCOG Executive Director Carl J. Amento wrote: “Congratulations on your election today at the Board meeting of the South Central Regional Council of Governments as the Board’s new Treasurer. We look forward to working with you in your new position during the coming year.”

O’Brien was named for the yearlong seat by the Nominating Committee of North Haven First Selectman Michael J. Freda, Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove and Madison First Selectman Tom Banisch.

In addition to O’Brien, SCRCOG’s 2017 officers and Executive Committee members include New Haven Mayor Toni Harp as chairwoman, Guilford First Selectman Joseph S. Mazza as vice chair and Cosgrove as secretary.

O’Brien also sits on SCRCOG’s Transportation and Emergency Management and Hazard Mitigation committees.

As an officer and Executive Committee member, O’Brien will help steer planning initiatives for the region’s 15 municipalities: Bethany, Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge.

SCRCOG, based at 127 Washington Ave. in North Haven, provides a platform for intermunicipal coordination, cooperation and decision-making. Since its inception in 1985, the planning organization, whose region covers about 570,000 people, has addressed numerous issues, such as those related to housing, transportation, land-use planning and economic development.

Way to Go!

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 26, 2017 — ACES of North Haven bus driver Leslie Dunn, right, receives the Way to Go award Jan. 17 from Stacey Higgins and her son, Michael Higgins, 11, on behalf of the West Haven Interagency Network for Children. Dunn, who is Michael’s bus driver, was nominated by Stacey Higgins, co-chair of the West Haven Autism Family Support Group, for coming to their rescue when the family car broke down. According to WHINC Director Robert S. Morton, “Ms. Dunn was able to get permission to stay with the Higgins, keeping them warm and safe in her van until Mr. Higgins was able to arrive with his car and arrange for a tow truck to take their car in for repairs.” The Way to Go program honors teachers, therapists and coaches who go “above and beyond” to help children and establish better relationships with families and providers. (City Photo/Robert S. Morton)

Park-Rec schedules Boston trip to see Red Sox play Cubs

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 26, 2017 — The Department of Parks and Recreation is running a trip to Boston’s Fenway Park to see the Red Sox play the defending world champion Chicago Cubs at 4 p.m. April 29.

The trip costs $150 for residents and $160 for nonresidents and includes seating in grandstand section 7 and motor coach transportation. Tickets are limited.

The bus is set to depart from the Sawmill Road commuter parking lot at a time to be announced.

Register at the department’s Painter Park office, 190 Kelsey Ave., or at www.whparkrec.com.

Public informational meeting set for Coastal Resilience Plan

Public informational meeting set Jan. 31 for Coastal Resilience Plan

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 17, 2017 — The city is inviting members of the public to its second informational meeting in the development of a citywide Community Coastal Resilience Plan.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Harriet C. North Community Room on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

At the first meeting in July, residents and business owners discussed the types of coastal hazards West Haven will face in the future, said David W. Killeen, assistant city planner.

At the upcoming meeting, residents and business owners will learn about the available methods of adapting to the city’s changing coastal environment to become more resilient to tidal flooding, storm surge, sea level rise and erosion, Killeen said.

“The Coastal Resilience Plan will develop options for adapting to coastal risks over the long term, with an emphasis on protecting people, buildings and West Haven’s infrastructure,” Killeen said.

As part of the planning effort, the city’s engineering consultant, Milone & MacBroom Inc. of Cheshire, is conducting a resident survey. Company officials will discuss the preliminary results at the public meeting Jan. 31.

To take the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WestHavenCRP.

Anyone with questions about the survey can contact Killeen at 203-937-3500, ext. 3007, or at dkilleen@westhaven-ct.gov.

Youth Hockey sets coaches game benefit for Macholl family Feb. 3

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 17, 2017 — West Haven Youth Hockey will hold its third annual Coaches vs. Coaches benefit game at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Bennett Rink.

Tickets cost $5, but admission is free for Youth Hockey players who wear their jerseys.

All proceeds will support the family of Mickey Macholl, 5, who died Dec. 13 of complications from his courageous battle with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Mickey’s parents, Mark and Rachel Eagan Macholl, are natives of West Haven.

The Friday night event will include raffles, including a chance for Youth Hockey players to win $500 off their 2017-18 tuition, along with Rita’s Italian Ice.

Details at Youth Hockey.

Longtime married couples to be honored Feb. 14

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 6, 2017 — City couples married at least 50 years will be honored during the city’s 27th annual Valentine’s Day party from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St.

The couples will receive chocolates and roses from the mayor’s office.

The party, featuring music by the Clam Diggers, will include cake and coffee.

For reservations, call Elderly Services Director Sharon R. Mancini at 203-937-3507 by Feb. 10.

Tax help offered to residents 60 and older

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 6, 2017 — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a free tax preparation service to help low- to middle-income taxpayers.

The AARP Tax-Aide program is available by appointment from 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting Feb. 1, at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

Special attention is given to help those 60 and older fill out federal tax forms.

The service, which includes tax counseling, is offered by trained volunteer tax preparers from AARP, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.

For an appointment, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.

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, 2016, at a snow-covered Savin Rock Beach. The event, presented by the city's Breast Cancer Awareness Committee, was moved from Jan. 23, 2016, 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.

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.

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