Pearl Harbor remembered at solemn Bradley Point ceremony

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi delivers remarks Thursday during the city's observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at the William A. Soderman Memorial Flagpole on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Pearl Harbor remembered at solemn Bradley Pt. ceremony

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 8, 2017 — The city observed the 76th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor during its annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony Thursday at the William A. Soderman Memorial Flagpole on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park.

Amid a chilly, late autumn breeze, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi delivered poignant remarks to the huddled crowd of veterans, residents, and city and state officials, honoring “the patriotic sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice 76 years ago” on the eve of America’s entry into World War II.

“The attack at Pearl Harbor fired the spirit of America and its flame of liberty,” Rossi said. “Millions of courageous Americans responded with unwavering resolve to protect and defend our homeland. They answered our country’s call by serving on the battlefield, working in the factory, and toiling on the farm.”

“We remember Pearl Harbor by their deeds and their willingness to fight for freedom,” she continued. “And because of their extraordinary devotion to duty, the United States is stronger than ever before.”

The half-hour event also included remarks from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422 Cmdr. Freddy Jackson and West Haven Veterans Council President Dave Ricci.

It was attended by Ben Florsheim, an aide to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; state Reps. Michael A. DiMassa and Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; City Clerk Deborah Collins; and Councilman Peter V. Massaro, D-6.

John W. Lewis served as the master of ceremonies.

Representing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Jerry Lehr, son of the late William C. Lehr, a Pearl Harbor Navy veteran, read aloud the 17 Connecticut servicemen who died Dec. 7, 1941, at the U.S. naval base in Oahu, Hawaii, as City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Capt. Jason Cameron tolled the department’s chrome bell each instant a name was called.

Lehr, whose father served aboard the destroyer USS Monaghan, was accompanied by Florence Stoeber, wife of the late Jack Stoeber, a Navy vet of Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima who was a regular at West Haven’s Pearl Harbor rites for many years.

Stoeber, whose ashes were scattered in Pearl Harbor after he died Jan. 16, 2016, at age 97, was a .50-caliber machine-gunner aboard the destroyer tender USS Whitney in the Pacific theater of World War II.

The solemn service commenced with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Color Guard.

It featured opening and closing prayers by Victor M. Borras of Gateway Christian Fellowship and a rendition of the national anthem by Grace Kelly Nowak, as well as a wreath-laying by Rossi and Ricci and taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

View the photo gallery at Scenes from the 2017 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony.

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Allingtown library building closed because of sewage backup

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 8, 2017 — The building that houses the Louis Piantino Branch Library at 1 Forest Road in Allingtown has been closed by the Health Department until further notice because of a sewage backup on Nov. 27, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said.

In a letter to Rossi, Health Director Maureen B. Lillis wrote: “The Health Department conducted an inspection of the Piantino Library after a significant sewage spill. With the health and safety of the public in mind, it is my recommendation that the building remain closed until the remainder of the work is complete. Final inspections from the Building and Health Departments will be forthcoming.”

Rossi said the backup, which occurred six days before she was sworn into office, caused damage to carpeting, floor tiles, plasterboard and an elevator in the lower level of the building, which is occupied by a nonprofit organization.

While the damage was limited to the lower level, Rossi said the entire building has been closed in the interest of public safety as crews continue to clean up the area.

The cleanup work includes air quality monitoring throughout the building, Rossi said.

The middle level is occupied by the library. The upper level is vacant, formerly occupied by the Allingtown Senior Center.

Rossi said she will notify residents of the building’s reopening once city officials determine that the building poses no health or safety risks.

Residents, meantime, are encouraged to visit the Main Library at 300 Elm St.

City issues snow rules for parking

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 8, 2017 — 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 Nancy R. Rossi, 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.