‘Mayor O’Brien’s West Haven Walk & Talk’ postponed due to rain

‘Mayor O’Brien’s West Haven Walk & Talk’ postponed today due to rain

WEST HAVEN, April 6, 2017 — “Mayor O’Brien’s West Haven Walk & Talk” has been postponed today due to rain, Mayor Edward M. O’Brien confirmed.

The mayor’s office is in the process of moving the tour to next week.

O’Brien was to have spent the day walking the streets of West Haven and talking with constituents about the most pressing issues facing the city.

Stay here for rescheduling information.

West Haven native publishes first poetry book

WEST HAVEN, April 6, 2017 — City native Steven Leroux, left, presents a copy of his first poetry book, “The Angel From Brooklyn: Poetry From a Loving Heart,” to Mayor Edward M. O’Brien on Tuesday at City Hall. Leroux, who has lived in Hamden for the past seven years, was coached by O’Brien in West Haven Little League in the early ’80s. The paperback, self-published by Leroux on Feb. 20, is available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and other bookstores. Leroux said the “spiritual and inspirational” book “is more of a self-help guide to poetry that is written in everyday language, using vocabulary everybody can understand. It is more light and positive than dark and negative.” (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Final public info meeting tapped for Coastal Resilience Plan

Final public informational meeting tapped for Coastal Resilience Plan

WEST HAVEN, April 6, 2017 — Members of the public are invited to the third and final meeting in the development of the city’s Community Coastal Resilience Plan.

The informational meeting is set for 7 p.m. April 20 in the Harriet C. North Community Room on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

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

During the second meeting in February, Killeen said attendees learned 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.

At the final meeting, officials from the city and its engineering consultant, Milone & MacBroom Inc. of Cheshire, will review and discuss the draft Coastal Resilience Plan, including recommendations for adapting to long-term coastal risks, “with an emphasis on protecting people, buildings and West Haven’s infrastructure,” Killeen said.

Officials will also talk about the plan’s implementation and possible funding sources for suggested projects, he said.

The draft, along with presentation slides and notes from previous meetings, is available for viewing by clicking on Current Planning Initiatives and scrolling down to the Community Coastal Resilience Plan section.

Anyone with questions about the draft plan or public informational meeting can contact Killeen at dkilleen@westhaven-ct.gov or 203-937-3500, ext. 3007.

Applications available May 1-31 for summer youth jobs in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, April 6, 2017 — Applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program will be available May 1-31 in the athletic director’s office at West Haven High School and the main office at Bailey Middle School.

The summer program, which runs July 17-Aug. 11, is aimed at funding positions for low-income residents ages 14-21.

Students must pick up and drop off applications at their school office.

Drop off forms Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-11 a.m. at the high school and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. at Bailey. No forms will be processed after May 31.

Students who attend other schools must pick up applications in the Department of Human Resources on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St., where the completed forms must be returned between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

Students must also include copies of information, such as a birth certificate and Social Security card, as well as documentation of household income.

Family income is based on the number of people per household and is required to be within 185 percent of state poverty income levels.

Applicants will be notified by mail if more information is needed.

O’Brien talks economic development on call-in radio show

NEW HAVEN, April 6, 2017 — On “Alisa’s Culture Cocktail” on WNHH-FM, host Alisa Bowens-Mercado talks about economic development with West Haven Mayor Edward M. O’Brien on March 30. During the call-in show, Bowens-Mercado and O’Brien chatted about the arts, events, new businesses and all the growth happening in West Haven. The mayor was joined by his commissioner of planning and development, Joseph A. Riccio Jr. WNHH is a livestreaming online radio station that broadcasts out of New Haven. Listen to the hourlong show on SoundCloud at https://soundcloud.com/new-haven-independent/alisas-culture-cocktail-west-haven-mayor-edward-obrien. (Contributed Photo)

Beautification Committee sets Saturday cleanups across city

WEST HAVEN, April 6, 2017 — The West Haven Beautification Committee is holding several Saturday cleanups across the city in April, May and June, Chairwoman Marilyn Wilkes announced.

The committee is seeking volunteers for the following cleanups:

—April 29, 9-10 a.m., Colonial Boulevard brook.

—May 13, 9-11 a.m., Savin Rock Beach and walkway, in conjunction with Land Trust of West Haven Inc.

—May 20, 9-10 a.m., Jones Hill Road.

—June 10, all day, “Keep Your Street Neat” Campbell Avenue event.

—June 17, 9-10 a.m., Minor Park area, Allingtown.

To sign up for a cleanup or for information, contact Stacey Giaquinto at stacey.giaquinto@whschools.org or 203-494-5190.

Student participants will receive community service credit, Wilkes said.

She said the committee welcomes input from residents about other areas needing attention.

The committee can also help publicize resident-organized litter cleanups, Wilkes said.

Freddy Jackson, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, kneels beside the granite U.S. Army insignia marker May 11, 2016, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Bradley Point Park. Jackson, an Army vet who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66, will lead the 2017 Memorial Day parade as grand marshal when it steps off rain or shine at 10:30 a.m. May 29 along Campbell Avenue. Jackson was selected to steer last year's parade, but it was canceled due to rain. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Participants sought for Memorial Day parade

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 28, 2017 — The city is seeking veterans, civic groups, fraternal organizations, service clubs and marching bands to participate in the annual Memorial Day parade, which steps off rain or shine at 10:30 a.m. May 29.

Participants must register and list required special accommodations.

Transportation is provided for veterans who are unable to walk the 1.5-mile parade course, which follows Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Center Street. To make arrangements, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.

The parade grand marshal is Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422 Cmdr. Freddy Jackson, an Army veteran who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66 during the Vietnam War era.

Jackson was originally selected by the West Haven Veterans Council to lead last year’s parade, but it was canceled due to rain.

Participation forms are available in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due April 21. Forms can also be emailed to parade organizer Erin Sweeney at esweeney@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.