_small_optimized.jpg) Officials from the city, state and West Haven Chamber of Commerce celebrate the opening of Connecticut’s first DMV Express — a Department of Motor Vehicles license and ID card renewal center — in West Haven City Hall on Wednesday morning, March 28. From left, Councilman Aaron Charney, D-3; City Council Chairman Ronald M. Quagliani, D-at large; Councilwoman Tracy A. Morrissey, D-8; chamber Executive Director Alan Olenick; state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; Mayor Nancy R. Rossi; chamber President Alexander Cuevas; state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven; DMV Commissioner Michael R. Bzdyra; Janet Reynolds, DMV division chief of branch operations; DMV Division Manager Mary Santangelo; and DMV Chief Operating Officer Jim Rio. The new center, open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, is DMV’s first fully managed center under municipal direction. Sponsored by the city, it is operated by the chamber in the lower level of City Hall, 355 Main St. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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State’s first DMV Express opens in West Haven City Hall
WEST HAVEN, March 28, 2018 — City and state officials, including Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, state Rep. Dorinda Borer and DMV Commissioner Michael R. Bzdyra, heralded the opening of Connecticut’s first DMV Express — a Department of Motor Vehicles license and ID card renewal center — in West Haven City Hall on Wednesday morning, March 28, under a new program in which municipalities provide certain DMV services.
The center is the first of several considered for New Haven and Fairfield counties, Bzdyra said.
Services include driver’s license renewals, changes to a verified license that meets the Real ID Act, duplicate licenses, and name changes. Customers, however, will need to visit a DMV office for new licenses, CDL licenses, and registrations, officials said.
The new center, open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, is DMV’s first fully managed center under municipal direction. Sponsored by the city, it is operated by the West Haven Chamber of Commerce in the lower level of City Hall, 355 Main St.
Rossi said she is looking forward to the center attracting new visitors from around the state to West Haven’s downtown area.
“My vision would be for visitors to come in and get their business at the DMV center squared away, and then see what we have to offer from restaurants, shopping and service,” Rossi said. “We see new businesses expressing interest already, and the licensing center will be a kickoff to a true revitalization of our downtown.”
The effort is part of DMV’s program to replace eight AAA offices that withdrew in 2016 from offering DMV services in Fairfield and New Haven counties.
Borer, D-West Haven, helped spearhead the initiative after seeing the strong regional need when AAA Northeast ended its DMV affiliation.
“This is a win for West Haven and residents in all the towns surrounding us,” Borer said. “It connects our residents to state services in a convenient way. The entire region will benefit as we play a part in easing the congestion in the Bridgeport and Hamden branch offices.”
She added, “Our city also has a terrific opportunity to bring foot traffic to our downtown area.”
Establishing alternative locations to DMV offices is critical for the agency, with Fairfield and New Haven counties being a priority, Bzdyra said.
“West Haven is the first center to open in this area, and we are looking at others,” Bzdyra said. “We look forward to having more Express Centers shortly, and West Haven has led the way to make that happen.”
Alan Olenick, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said his organization is proud to help usher in the service to the city.
“We look forward to providing strong customer service with efficiency and convenience for those who do not want to visit a DMV office,” Olenick said. “We are proud to be operating DMV’s first independently run municipal site.”
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_small_optimized.jpg) West Haven Chamber of Commerce examiner Nancy Smith expedites a verified driver’s license renewal Wednesday morning, March 28, for city resident Bob Nugent, the first customer of the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ new DMV Express in West Haven City Hall. The center for license and ID card renewals is sponsored by the city and operated by the chamber. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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Vets Museum hosting ‘Sgt. Stubby’ showing at New Haven theater
WEST HAVEN, March 28, 2018 — The West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center is hosting a showing of the animated film “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” at 8 p.m. April 13 at Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas, 86 Temple St., New Haven.
For the exclusive showing, the museum, 30 Hood Terrace, is offering two packages.
The reception package costs $25 and includes a reception at the museum from 5:30-7 p.m., bus transportation to the theater, and admission to the movie.
The movie-only package costs $15 for adults and $10 for children.
To buy a package, call the museum at 203-934-1111.
The museum is hosting the showing of the film, based on the life of Sgt. Stubby, the first local war hero on four legs, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
In 1917, 101 years ago this spring, a stray dog with brown and white fur and a thick snout wandered onto the New Haven fields near Yale Bowl, where the 102nd Infantry of the Army’s 26th Yankee Division camped and trained, according to a report by Connecticut Magazine.
Pvt. J. Robert Conroy, a 25-year-old New Britain man, adopted the dog and named him Stubby. The dog went on to serve in the trenches of France during World War I, where he would bark, salute, charm, and earn his way into history for a number of heroics.
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Team Tom raising money for MS Walk on April 29 at Savin Rock
WEST HAVEN, March 28, 2018 — Tom Conroy, a program coordinator at the Department of Parks and Recreation, is seeking donations for his team, Team Tom, for the upcoming walk for multiple sclerosis.
The annual Connecticut MS Walk is set for 10 a.m. April 29 at the Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St. Registration starts at 9 a.m.
The 2- or 5-mile route runs in part along the Savin Rock beach walk.
Conroy, 63, was diagnosed 10 years ago with MS, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system.
To raise money for MS research, Team Tom is selling tie-dye T-shirts for $20. To buy a tee, visit Park-Rec’s Painter Park office, 190 Kelsey Ave., or call Conroy at 203-937-3651.
Team Tom has collected about $40,000 for the cause since 2009.
To make a donation or become a team member, go to www.ctfightsms.org.
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West Haven Autism Family Support Group schedules open house
WEST HAVEN, March 28, 2018 — Do you have a child with autism? Are you looking for support?
Come learn about the West Haven Autism Family Support Group.
The support group, which offers free child care, guest speakers and general resources, will hold an open house from 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 4 in the third-floor conference room of City Hall, 355 Main St.
Open to residents and nonresidents, the support group also offers group activities and events for members, including children and parents.
To register for the open house, call Robert S. Morton, director of West Haven Youth and Family Services, at 203-937-3633.
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Driver safety course offered April 25
WEST HAVEN, March 28, 2018 — The West Haven Senior Center will offer an AARP Driver Safety Program from 2-6 p.m. April 25 at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.
The program is designed to help sharpen driving skills, develop strategies to adjust to age-related vision changes, develop hearing and reaction times, and learn about the effects of medication on driving performance.
Participants must complete the class to receive a certification for insurance purposes.
The fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers, payable to AARP.
To register, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.
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