Day of prayer

WEST HAVEN, May 4, 2018 — Holding hands in prayer, from left, city administrative revenue collection clerk Victor M. Borras, Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and her executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., are led in a service by the Rev. Kathryn King, pastor of the First Congregational Church of West Haven, at the city’s celebration of National Day of Prayer on Thursday on the steps of City Hall.

The special day, which calls attention to the freedom of religious expression, was marked by Rossi reading a mayoral proclamation declaring National Day of Prayer in West Haven.

“Since the founding of the United States, public prayer has been a cornerstone of our rich heritage and values,” Rossi said. “The observance of National Day of Prayer is a powerful tool that unites citizens from diverse religious backgrounds in an effort to face life’s challenges with renewed hope and determination.”

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Tree planting at City Hall dedicated in memory of Ed Silver

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and David Silver throw ceremonial shovels of dirt to dedicate the planting of a pink flowering dogwood in memory of his brother, former Silver’s Drug Shop owner Edward N. “Ed” Silver, on the front lawn of City Hall at West Haven’s Arbor Day celebration Wednesday. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Tree planting at City Hall dedicated to the late Ed Silver

WEST HAVEN, May 4, 2018 — Throwing ceremonial shovels of dirt, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and David Silver dedicated the planting of a pink flowering dogwood in memory of his brother, former Silver’s Drug Shop owner Edward N. “Ed” Silver, on the front lawn of City Hall at West Haven’s Arbor Day celebration Wednesday.

Rossi and Silver, who was joined by his wife, Merle, were accompanied by fellow West Haven Rotary Club members Dianne Milano, who serves as president, and her husband, Phil Milano, along with Colleen Bailie, Lynn Fiorillo and Donald Thomas.

The morning event was also attended by Rossi’s executive assistant, acting Public Works Commissioner Louis P. Esposito Jr., as well as mayoral adviser Tom McCarthy, Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, tree warden Leo Kelly and former Councilwoman Gail S. Burns, D-10.

Rossi observed the special occasion, held at Main Street and Campbell Avenue, by reading a mayoral proclamation declaring Arbor Day in the city and unveiling a plaque at the base of the new tree in honor of Ed Silver.

The tree species, native to eastern North America, “is commonly planted as an ornamental in residential and public areas because of its showy bracts and interesting bark structure,” Rossi said.

“Trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community,” Rossi said. “Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.”

Ed Silver, who died Oct. 28, 2017, at age 92, operated Silver’s Drug Shop for more than 50 years on the opposite corner of City Hall. The popular drugstore was founded by his father, pharmacist William H. Silver, in 1919.

After his father died, Ed Silver took over the store when he was in his 20s and was later joined by his brother.

After Ed Silver retired, David Silver’s son, Scott, helped run the drugstore, which had a luncheonette that served about 500 people a day until 1982. The store closed in 2006.

Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by Julius Sterling Morton in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

By the 1920s, each state had enacted public laws mandating an Arbor Day observance. The customary observance is to plant a tree.

On the first Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, more than 1 million trees were planted.

Joined by Mayor Rossi, David Silver and his wife, Merle, hold up the plaque in honor of Ed Silver. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Mayor Rossi and the Silvers are joined by fellow Rotarians, from left, Lynn Fiorillo, Colleen Bailie, Phil Milano, President Dianne Milano and Donald Thomas. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Tree warden Leo Kelly with Mayor Rossi. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Applications available for Summer Youth Employment Program

WEST HAVEN, May 4, 2018 — Applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program are available through May 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 9-Aug. 3, 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 applications with all required documents from 9-11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the high school and from 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bailey. No applications will be processed after 3 p.m. 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 or phone if more information is needed.

Adult Day Center director, nurse call it a career

WEST HAVEN, May 4, 2018 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, congratulates Director Ethel L. Anderson, left, and nurse Jane Moskal on their retirement from the West Haven Adult Day Center during a reception attended by dozens of co-workers Monday at City Hall.

Rossi presented a citation to Anderson for “40 years of dedicated service” and “providing the most essential care and services for our frail elders and disabled adults.”

Moskal received a mayoral citation for “more than 13 years of dedicated service” and providing the center’s clients with “vital nursing care.”

Both were also cited for being exemplary employees and goodwill ambassadors of the city.

Anderson was hired April 3, 1978, under the administration of then-Democratic Mayor Robert A. Johnson, and Moskal was hired Aug. 16, 2004, under the administration of then-Democratic Mayor H. Richard Borer Jr.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Team Tom raises money for multiple sclerosis

WEST HAVEN, May 4, 2018 — Park-Rec’s Tom Conroy, yellow windbreaker, and members of Conroy’s Team Tom strike a pose during the annual Connecticut MS Walk on Sunday at the Savin Rock Conference Center.

The 2- or 5-mile walk for multiple sclerosis ran in part along the Savin Rock beach walk.

Conroy, 63, a program coordinator at the Department of Parks and Recreation, was diagnosed 10 years ago with MS, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system.

To raise money for MS research, the team sold tie-dye T-shirts for $20.

Since 2009, Team Tom has collected more than $40,000 in T-shirt sales for the cause.

(Contributed Photo)

Public invited to review, comment on regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

WEST HAVEN, April 27, 2018 — The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) invites the public to review and comment on the Draft South Central Region Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The plan is aimed at identifying and assessing natural hazard risks, such as flooding, hurricanes and winter storms, and determining how to best minimize or manage those risks.

Read the official news release at SCRCOG.

The draft plan is available for public review April 30-May 14 on the project webpage at http://scrcog.org/regional-planning/regional-hazard-mitigation/.

For more information and to comment on the plan, contact City Engineer Abdul Quadir at 203-937-3577 or quadir@westhaven-ct.gov.

Driver safety course offered in West Haven

Driver safety course offered June 6

WEST HAVEN, April 27, 2018 — The West Haven Senior Center will offer an AARP Driver Safety Program from 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 6 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.

Health Department publishes monthly newsletter, Health Notes

WEST HAVEN, April 27, 2018 — The Health Department has published the first issue of its monthly public health newsletter, Health Notes.

Read the newsletter at Health Notes.