Residents reminded to shovel their sidewalks or face a fine

Residents reminded to shovel their sidewalks or risk a fine

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2018 — In the wake of Thursday’s snowstorm, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi is reminding residents and businesses to shovel their sidewalks within 24 hours after a storm or face a $25 fine “for each day that the violation persists.”

Rossi said that after the storm, a number of residents and businesses had allegedly been in violation of the “Removal of Snow and Ice” ordinance under Chapter 195 of the West Haven Code.

According to the ordinance, residents and businesses are given 24 hours to remove snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Violators are subject to the $25-per-day fine, which is enforced by the Police Department, the ordinance states.

Rossi also pointed out that plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited and violators are subject to a $60 fine for each offense, per the ordinance.

During the next storm, she said, residents and businesses will see police stepping up enforcement of the ordinance.

To help crews expedite snow removal, Rossi is also reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after storms.

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 storm. Residents are urged to park in driveways or designated private lots.

However, during an official snow emergency declared by 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 “Severe Weather” parking ordinance under Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code at the owner’s expense.

Also, 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.

Residents are also urged to help firefighters keep hydrants clear of snow.

For more information, call the Department of Public Works at 203-937-3585 or visit Public Works.

For the latest news and information, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofWestHaven.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi shakes hands with Chuck Zentarski on Wednesday morning at City Hall. Zentarski, who owns Chuck's Garage at 52 Hood Terrace, is giving back to the city by performing the emission testing for free on all municipal vehicles that require testing. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Garage owner donates emission testing for city vehicles

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2018 — Chuck Zentarski, owner of Chuck’s Garage at 52 Hood Terrace, is giving back to the city by performing the emission testing for free on all municipal vehicles that require testing, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Zentarski, who met with Rossi in her office Wednesday morning, said he was answering the mayor’s call for help after reading a recent newspaper article in which Rossi had invited any West Haven resident or business with an idea for improving the city, particularly its financial woes, to contact her at City Hall.

“My idea was that I’d donate the emission testing for any city vehicle that requires a test,” Zentarski said. “It isn’t a lot, but it’s something.”

Zentarski, 64, has owned and operated his automobile repair garage, which is across the street from the train station, since 1974.

“I’m a West Haven resident, and I want to see things get fixed,” he said. “I hope it can spark other businesses and residents to help out. In order to fix the problem, everybody has to work together.”

Rossi agreed, praising Zentarski, a city resident since he was merely a year old, for being part of the solution.

Zentarski said he anticipates testing about 20 city vehicles — only those without municipal license plates, specifically the police detective sedans — per year. The in-kind service would save the city about $400 a year, he estimated.

“It’s not a lot, but that’s what I can do,” Zentarski said. “A lot of the newer cars — 2014 and over — don’t require an emission test.”

Emission testing is mandated by the state Department of Motor Vehicles every two years, with the exception of 2014-17 model-year vehicles and vehicles 1992 and older.

Most of the city fleet — composed of 226 vehicles, including sedans, SUVs and trucks — is exempt through one of those categories, in addition to already having municipal plates, Fleet Superintendent Robert A. Orifice Sr. said.

Orifice said the city has purchased two new Ford Taurus sedans and two 2013 sedans for the Police Department’s detective bureau, joining the bureau’s five 2016 Ford Taurus sedans.

The city has also purchased 10 new Freightliner “severe-duty” plow trucks for the Department of Public Works, he said.

Orifice said the high-tech trucks are equipped with plows and computer-controlled spreaders that manage how much sand and salt are used, as well as ergonomic cabs, heated windshields, LED lighting and stainless steel bodies.

Snowstorm preparation

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2018 — From back left, Emergency Management Director Robert S. Schwartz, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr., the acting commissioner of public works, convene a meeting of city and public safety officials Wednesday afternoon in the third-floor conference room of City Hall to discuss West Haven’s emergency operations plan for Thursday’s storm, which produced heavy snow and high wind, on top of already frigid temperatures, in the area. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

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

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2018 — The 2018 bulk trash pickup schedule is March 5-9, June 4-8, Aug. 6-10 and Oct. 8-12.

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 2018 e-waste drop-off days are March 10, June 9, Aug. 11 and Oct. 13.
Residents can drop off electronic recyclables — typically anything that contains a circuit board or needs a battery — from 8 a.m.-noon at the highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St.

Anything that has refrigerant, including air conditioners and dehumidifiers, is not accepted. Those items are considered white goods, and residents are asked to put them out for pickup on their curbside collection days.

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, monitors, copiers, scanners, microwaves, toaster ovens and other small appliances.

For the latest news and information, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofWestHaven.

Reminders about Christmas trees, holiday trash pickup

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2018 — 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, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofWestHaven.

West Haven Youth Hockey sets coaches game benefit for Gardner

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2017 — West Haven Youth Hockey will hold its fourth annual Coaches vs. Coaches benefit game at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Bennett Rink.

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

All proceeds will support West Haven High School Principal Pamela B. Gardner, who has cancer.

The Friday night event will include raffles, including a chance for Youth Hockey players to win $500 off their 2018-19 tuition, along with Rita’s Italian Ice.

Details at Youth Hockey.

Plunge into L.I. Sound, play beach volleyball for breast cancer

More than 200 intrepid participants navigate 2-foot swells in the 41-degree water of Long Island Sound during the 17th annual Icy Plunge for the Cure, a benefit for breast cancer research and education, on Jan. 28 at Savin Rock Beach. The 2018 plunge, set for 9 a.m. Jan. 13, will feature a follow-up event, the first Spike for the Cure beach volleyball tournament, also a benefit for breast cancer, at 11 a.m. at Sea Bluff Beach. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Plunge into Long Island Sound, play beach volleyball for breast cancer research and education

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 15, 2017 — Get ready for a doubleheader of arctic proportions.

If it were not already epic enough with its Icy Plunge for the Cure, the city’s Breast Cancer Awareness Committee is presenting an additional goodwill contest on the same January morning for those looking to challenge themselves while raising money for a good cause.

The first winter beach volleyball tournament, appropriately called the Spike for the Cure and organized by the Department of Parks and Recreation, will complement the 18th annual Icy Plunge for the Cure on Jan. 13.

Both events will benefit breast cancer research and education, said city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, a founding member of the committee, established in 2001.

Participants in the plunge can break out the polar swimwear at 9 a.m. at Savin Rock Beach, off Captain Thomas Boulevard. Then, at 11 a.m., participants in the volleyball tourney can bust out the cold weather sportswear on the frozen tundra of Sea Bluff Beach, just down the way off Ocean Avenue.

Registration for the plunge 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 the frigid surf of Long Island Sound. Wetsuits are not allowed.

More than 200 people took part in last year’s frosty dip, which netted about $30,000, said Sabo, who supervises Park-Rec.

And organizers anticipate another hearty turnout this year, with several city, police and fire departments forming teams and issuing challenges to one another to help raise the stakes and more money.

After the plunge, organizers will hold a raffle with prizes donated by area businesses.

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 Smilow Breast Center at Yale New Haven Hospital and Looking Forward, an education and wellness program for cancer patients at Smilow.

For information or to sponsor the plunge, call Sabo at 203-937-3558.

For the Spike for the Cure, Park-Rec is registering six-person teams for the single-elimination tournament. The team entry fee is $100.

Register at the department’s Painter Park office, 190 Kelsey Ave. Checks are payable to the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program.

The tourney winner will receive a prize, said organizer Diane Dietman, recreation program coordinator.

For information or to sponsor the tournament, call Park-Rec at 203-937-3651.

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. 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.