Over 200 brave frigid water, waves to aid breast cancer fight

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 30, 2017 — More than 200 intrepid participants — including Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, navy blue T-shirt, and his son, David, WHHS T-shirt — navigate 2-foot swells in the 41-degree water of Long Island Sound during the 17th annual Icy Plunge for the Cure benefit Saturday morning at Savin Rock Beach. As pledges continue to roll in, the plunge, presented by the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Committee, has raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research and education, buoyed by top individual fundraiser Anthony Cordone’s $5,500 and $2,448 collected by Johnny’s Juicers, the top group fundraiser. After the event, inside the toasty Savin Rock Conference Center, committee member Beth A. Sabo, the city’s commissioner of human resources, announced that Cordone has raised close to $200,000 for the cause since the inaugural plunge in 2001. To view the photo gallery, click on Scenes from the 2017 Icy Plunge for the Cure. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

WHHS Boys Hockey Police-Fire Appreciation Night on Saturday

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 30, 2017 — The West Haven Penalty Box Club will honor the men and women of the West Haven Police Department and West Haven fire departments before the start of the West Haven-Notre Dame of West Haven hockey game at 5 p.m. Saturday at Bennett Rink as part of the club’s West Haven High School Boys Hockey Police and Fire Appreciation Night.

Immediately after the high school game, the Police Department will face off against the Fire Department, a team composed of members of the West Haven Fire Department, West Shore Fire Department and City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown, in a game that will benefit a charitable cause.

Details at Police-Fire Appreciation Game.

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.

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.

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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