Pearl Harbor rites Friday, Bradley Pt.

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2018 — The West Haven Veterans Council will hold an observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the William A. Soderman Memorial Flagpole on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park.

All veterans are invited to participate in the annual ceremony, which will commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The solemn service will include a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Color Guard and a flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, which comprises members of the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown, the West Haven Fire Department and the West Shore Fire Department.

It will feature remarks from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422 Cmdr. Freddy Jackson and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci.

Lou Esposito, executive assistant to Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Representing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Florence Stoeber, wife of the late Jack Stoeber, a Navy veteran of Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima, will read the names of the 17 Connecticut servicemen who died Dec. 7, 1941, at the U.S. naval base in Oahu, Hawaii, as a member of the West Haven Fire Department tolls the department’s chrome bell each instant a name is called.

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.

Florence Stoeber’s 5-year-old grandson, Matthew McCann, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

The tribute will also include opening and closing prayers by Victor M. Borras of Gateway Christian Fellowship, a wreath-laying and a rendition of the national anthem by West Haven High School sophomore Nora E. Mullins, as well as taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

Rossi urges women 40 and older to get a mammogram

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2018 — From left, Yale New Haven Hospital mammography technologists Elizabeth Sorensen and Coretha Thomas give Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Health Department intern Paulina Lopez and Health Director Maureen B. Lillis a tour of the YNHH Mammography Van in the parking lot of City Hall on Nov. 29.

Flanking the van’s digital mammography machine, Rossi, a champion of breast cancer awareness, encouraged women 40 and older to get a yearly mammogram, a low-dose X-ray to examine breast tissue and check for breast abnormalities.

The van includes a comfortable waiting area and a private changing and exam room.

(City Photo/David W. Richards)

West Haven tax bills due Jan. 1

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2018 — The second installment of the city’s real estate, personal property, and motor vehicle tax and sewer bills are due Jan. 1.

Taxpayers of the Allingtown Fire District will receive a revised bill for both real estate and personal property because the current levy is insufficient to pay expenses for the current fiscal year, Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli said.

Pursuant to statutory requirements and as required in the five-year plan adopted by the state Municipal Accountability Review Board, the City Council approved an increase of .94 mill to the current Allingtown mill rate, resulting in an increase from 13.04 to 14 mills.

The revised bill will be mailed in the second week of December and replaces the second half of the 2017 grand list bill, which is due Jan. 1. The motor vehicle bill remains the same, Chambrelli said.

The 2017 supplemental motor vehicle bill will also be mailed in December and is for vehicles registered after Oct. 1, 2017.

Payments after Feb. 1 are considered delinquent and subject to interest, Chambrelli said.

The tax office is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St. The city has an ATM outside the office.

Please note that City Hall is closed for business Dec. 24, a furlough day for city employees.

Taxpayers can see their tax bills, make a payment, and print their payment history for income tax purposes at Tax Collector. Sewer bills are on the same page but under a separate heading.

In January, current taxes can be paid by mail to a tax office lockbox, P.O. Box 150461, Hartford, CT 06115-0461. When paying by lockbox or the drop box outside the tax office in City Hall, the canceled check is the receipt.

After Feb. 1, taxes with interest can be paid by mail to the Office of the Tax Collector, P.O. Box 401, West Haven, CT 06516. Payments can also be made in person.

Anyone needing a motor vehicle clearance must pay in person with cash, credit card, bank check or money order.

Christmas tree lighting on Allingtown Green set for 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2018 — Santa and Mrs. Claus will join members of the Allingtown Volunteer Fire Association on Dec. 9 to light the Christmas tree on the Allingtown Green.

The free event, set for 6-8 p.m., will include firetruck rides, caroling, and cookies and hot chocolate.

People are asked to bring nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.

Read the Flyer.

Holiday party

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2018 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, fourth from back left, joins members of the West Haven Silver Sneakers, a group of fitness enthusiasts 55 and older, at their holiday party Tuesday at the Physicians Physical Therapy & Sports Complex, 544 Campbell Ave.

Carolyn Sires, owner of the complex, thanked the workout group for spending two weekends helping her decorate her business’s windows for the holidays.

(Contributed Photo/Carolyn Sires)

Menorah lighting marks Jewish Festival of Lights

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2018 — Rabbi Rona Shapiro, the spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Jacob in Woodbridge, second from left, pauses with, from left, state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven; state Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford; Mayor Nancy R. Rossi; and Councilman Aaron Charney, D-3, after leading a Jewish blessing at the sundown celebration of the first day of Hanukkah during the annual lighting of the menorah on the Green Sunday.

The ceremonial lighting marks the Jewish Festival of Lights, an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians.

(City Photo/Ruth G. Torres)

CDA cited for support of special needs program

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2018 — Community Development Administration Manager Mark J. Bisaccia, center, and administrative assistant Rosa Richardson receive a plaque Oct. 19 at City Hall for CDA’s support of the West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s Parent Support Groups, Adolescent Support Group and Children with Special Needs Program through a grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant program.

From left, WHINC Director Robert S. Morton and support group members Debra Rich, Sharon Rodriguez, Viola Waldo and Stacey Higgins.

The wooden “Certificate of Appreciation” was presented to CDA “with deepest thanks and gratitude for your continued support.”

Morton is also the director of West Haven Youth and Family Services.

(City Photo/Marissa Franco)

With Santa and Mrs. Claus looking on, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and her special guests, from left, Notre Dame High School seniors Kamron Bell and Jared Thayer, junior Roy Sebas and sophomore Rayquan Burruss, use electric switches to light the Christmas tree on the Green during the annual holiday kickoff Nov. 24. Rossi was also joined onstage by West Haven High School seniors Amanda Hill and Kassandra Marron. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Christmas tree lighting on Green heralds holiday season

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 27, 2018 — Santa and Mrs. Claus joined Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and her special guests to light the Christmas tree on the Green during the annual holiday kickoff Nov. 24.

Santa and Mrs. Claus, who arrived in a 1935 Mack pump firetruck from the West Haven Fire Department, were escorted to the Main Street stage by the West Haven High School and Seahawks cheerleading teams to the sound of applause and shouts of glee from an estimated 600 merrymakers young and old.

Before the lighting of the tree, which is encircled by five smaller evergreen trees adorned with fluorescent-colored lights, Rossi held a moment of silence for the late West Haven High Principal Pamela B. Gardner.

The mayor then recognized her guests, West Haven High seniors Amanda Hill and Kassandra Marron, followed by Notre Dame High School seniors Kamron Bell and Jared Thayer, junior Roy Sebas and sophomore Rayquan Burruss.

Rossi was also accompanied onstage by her grandson, Arthur, 8, and his friends Sean Albuquerque and Ella Rose McDonnell.

The late afternoon festivities opened with a rendition of the national anthem by West Haven High sophomore Nora E. Mullins and followed with holiday carols sung by the St. Lawrence School chorus.

The ceremony featured performances by the West Haven High dance team and the Top Hat Dance Academy and Yuletide classics sung by the Church of the Holy Spirit choir and the Bailey Middle School chorus.

Before their long sleigh ride back to the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus posed for snapshots in their workshop. Organizers offered the photos with Santa as a free digital download online.

People can view and download their photos on the city’s Flickr page at https://goo.gl/EkLxZz. The internet address is case-sensitive.

Just steps from Santa’s workshop, boys and girls dropped off their wish lists at St. Nick’s official U.S. Postal Service mailbox.

The event was sponsored by Baybrook Remodelers Inc., Anthony Cordone, First Congregational Church of West Haven, Komar Construction Co., the McCarthy family, New Life Church, The Rock House School of Music, RVP Studios, Studio G Music Instruction, USAlliance Federal Credit Union, West Haven Chamber of Commerce and West Haven United.

Huge electric snowflakes decorated The John C. Ireland Bandstand, and Victorian-era streetlamps bedecked with angels blowing on trumpets illuminated the walkways.

Along with hayrides, children rode on a vintage firetruck from the West Shore Fire Department. Youngsters also enjoyed a variety of craft stations on the Green, where they decorated wooden ornaments, wrote letters to Santa, and made cards for U.S. troops overseas and those at the Veterans Affairs Hospital on Campbell Avenue.

People brought nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.

West Haven United, an organization aimed at bringing the city’s volunteer groups together, announced Theresa McElwaine, of West Haven, and Dreadies Headies, 397 Campbell Ave., as the winners of its ornament-making and merchant window-decorating contests, respectively. The winners received a gift certificate to Casa Bianca Pizza, 217 Campbell Ave.

Volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce handed out hot chocolate, and vendors sold food and novelties.

The vendors included the Cappetta’s Italian Imports & Pizza truck, Casa Bianca, Riley’s Mobile Kitchen and Sweet Cupcasions.

Also, volunteers from West Haven United sold hot apple cider and snacks.

After the lighting, the sounds of the holiday season filled the air with rock ’n’ roll renditions of Christmas favorites on the bandstand by bands from Rock House, RVP Studios and Studio G.

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

Mayor Rossi is accompanied onstage by her executive assistant, Lou Esposito, and her grandson, Arthur, 8, third from left, and his friends, Ella Rose McDonnell, left, and Sean Albuquerque. (Contributed Photo)

With the flick of a switch, the Green is transformed into a Christmas village. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Mayor Rossi, with Executive Assistant Lou Esposito, welcomes families to the ceremony. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Members of the West Haven High School cheerleading team escort Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Main Street stage. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in a 1935 Mack pump firetruck from the West Haven Fire Department. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Connor Leigh, 1, and his brother, Gabriel, 3, pause with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their workshop. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Youngsters decorate wooden ornaments. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Lehanna, 6, helps her brother, Marc, 3, write a letter to Santa. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Members of the Bailey Middle School chorus under the direction of music teacher Paul Scanlon sing the songs of the holiday season. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Children and their parents ride around the 5.3-acre Green in a vintage firetruck from the West Shore Fire Department. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Maddern awarded scholarship from Park-Rec association

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 27, 2018 — Alyssa Maddern, of West Haven, right, pauses with city recreation program coordinator Diane Dietman after receiving the Dorothy G. Mullen and George Sanford Scholarship award Nov. 20 from the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association.

Nominated by Dietman, Maddern received the award at CRPA’s 58th annual Conference & Tradeshow at the Mohegan Sun Hotel & Convention Center in Uncasville.

Maddern, an eight-year employee of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s playground program, is a senior at Southern Connecticut State University majoring in recreation and leisure studies, with a concentration in therapeutic recreation.

CRPA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization created in 1949, provides a support network for its members through professional development and resources to enhance the quality of recreation and parks services statewide.

(Contributed Photo)

VFW member golden at national games

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 27, 2018 — Randy Acklin, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, shows off the two gold and silver medals he won at the 32nd annual National Veterans Golden Age Games Aug. 3-8 in Albuquerque, N.M.

Acklin won the gold in the men’s 200- and 800-meter runs and the silver in the men’s 400-meter run and 1,000-meter power walk.

The Golden Age Games, open to veterans 55 and older who receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, are the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the U.S. They are the only national multievent sports and recreational competition program designed to improve the quality of life for older veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.

The VA challenges and encourages senior veterans to embrace a healthier lifestyle, thereby achieving the NVGAG “Fitness for Life” motto.

The 2019 games are June 5-10 in Anchorage, Alaska. Registration is Feb. 25-March 8.

(Contributed Photo)

City issues snow rules for parking

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2018 — To help crews expedite snow removal, Public Works Commissioner Tom McCarthy is reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after storms.

Per the “Severe Weather” parking ordinance under Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code, police will tag and tow vehicles violating the ordinance at the owner’s expense. Violators will receive a $100 fine.

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 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.

McCarthy is also 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.”

According to the “Removal of Snow and Ice” ordinance under Chapter 195 of the West Haven Code, people 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.

To report a complaint, call the department’s nonemergency line at 203-937-3900. Complaints are kept confidential.

McCarthy 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.

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.