West Haven Veterans Council President Dave Ricci salutes after laying a wreath at the base of the granite William A. Soderman Memorial on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park during the council’s annual observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on Friday as state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, looks on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Pearl Harbor remembered at solemn Bradley Pt. ceremony

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2018 — The West Haven Veterans Council observed the 77th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during its annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony Friday at the William A. Soderman Memorial on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park.

Amid a bitter cold, late autumn breeze, Lou Esposito, the master of ceremonies and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi’s executive assistant, delivered poignant remarks on her behalf to the huddled crowd of veterans, residents, and city and state officials, honoring the patriotic sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice nearly eight decades ago on the eve of America’s entry into World War II.

“I think it’s important during the busy month of December to stop and think about the people who died at Pearl Harbor 77 years ago and all the families who were affected that day — the date that does live on in infamy,” Esposito said.

“As members of the greatest generation continue to pass away, events such as the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor seem to drift into the historic domain,” he said. “If we do not take the time to remember, we risk a sense of disconnection that dishonors the memory of those who died.”

Esposito continued: “West Haven is fortunate to have this place — Bradley Point, the Soderman Memorial Flagpole and our Veterans Walk of Honor — where we can gather to remember our military, honor our veterans, and assemble on special occasions such as this. Let us reflect on the lives lost on Dec. 7, 1941, and always appreciate the sacrifices borne by our veterans.”

The 35-minute event included remarks from Ben Florsheim, an aide to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; state Reps. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, and Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; Steve Carney, vice president and treasurer of the Veterans Council; and Freddy Jackson, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422.

It was attended by City Clerk Deborah Collins and Councilman Peter V. Massaro, D-6.

Representing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Florence Stoeber, wife of the late Jack Stoeber, a Navy veteran of Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima, read the names of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died Dec. 7, 1941, at the U.S. naval base in Oahu, Hawaii, as West Haven Fire Department Lt. William Heffernan tolled the department’s chrome bell each instant a name was 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. Decades later, he was a regular at West Haven’s Pearl Harbor rites for many years.

Florence Stoeber was accompanied by her 5-year-old grandson, Matthew McCann, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The solemn service commenced with 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 featured opening and closing prayers by Victor M. Borras of Gateway Christian Fellowship and a rendition of the national anthem by West Haven High School sophomore Nora E. Mullins.

The tribute also included a wreath-laying by Veterans Council President Dave Ricci and taps played by former West Shore fire Lt. Kevin McKeon.

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Lou Esposito, the master of ceremonies and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi’s executive assistant, delivers remarks on her behalf. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The West Haven Police Color Guard leads the opening procession. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, composed of members of the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown, the West Haven Fire Department and the West Shore Fire Department, carries the American flag to the William A. Soderman Memorial Flagpole for the ceremonial raising. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Members of the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard raise the Stars and Stripes. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven High School sophomore Nora E. Mullins sings “The Star-Spangled Banner.” (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Matthew McCann, 5, leads the Pledge of Allegiance as, from left, Matthew’s grandmother, Florence Stoeber; state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven; and mayoral Executive Assistant Lou Esposito look on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Representing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Florence Stoeber, wife of the late Jack Stoeber, a Navy veteran of Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima, reads the names of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as mayoral Executive Assistant Lou Esposito looks on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Fire Department Lt. William Heffernan rings the department’s chrome bell 18 times in honor of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died at the U.S. naval base in Oahu, Hawaii. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon plays taps. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

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 13.06 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.

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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)

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.

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