Rossi revives West Haven Tree Commission with appointments
WEST HAVEN, April 25, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi reactivated the Tree Commission by appointing four new members at Monday night’s City Council meeting. The commission has not met since 2016.
The members appointed had served on the commission in the past and have agreed to work with the mayor to bring back the promotion and preservation of healthy trees for the benefit of the community.
Rossi appointed Rosemary Beloin, John Haas, Robert Marra and Michelle Matteo. Moshe Cohen is a current member who will join the new appointees to round out the five-member commission.
“There is not a better time to have a group of experts to monitor and protect our city trees,” Rossi said. “In the recent past, we have experienced major storms, droughts and invasive insects that have all attributed to the decline and loss of some of our mature trees and overall tree canopy across the city.”
The commission will work closely with the city’s tree warden, Leo Kelly, to improve West Haven’s Tree Management Plan and tree inventory process.
“I look forward to working with this very talented group of individuals to increase conservation efforts, arboricultural education programs and tree plantings across the city,” Rossi said. “Trees and the urban forest offer so many environmental and community benefits, including energy conservation, stormwater management, erosion control, and, of course, they beautify our community.”
“The Tree Commission will have the complete support of my administration,” Rossi said after the appointments were approved by the City Council.
West Haven enjoyed a strong and active Tree Commission in the past and was recognized as a “Tree City USA” community. The city lost the recognition years ago but is looking to regain the prestigious designation.
Tree City USA is awarded by the National Arbor Day Foundation and is recommended by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. In 2018, 18 Connecticut communities met the required standards and were awarded the designation.
“Tree City USA brings national, regional and state recognition to the city and sends the message that we care about the environment and want to improve our community,” Rossi said.
The commission’s first action will be to participate in the city’s Arbor Day celebration at 1 p.m. Friday with a tree planting at City Hall on Main Street.
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Building Department changing hours to better serve contractors
WEST HAVEN, April 25, 2019 — To meet the needs of contractors and building owners, the Building Department is changing its normal business hours to accept building permit applications on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a new time of 8-11:30 a.m., Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.
The schedule change will start May 7 and continue throughout the summer months, ending Aug. 30, confirmed Planning and Development Commissioner Fred A. Messore, who manages the Building Department.
Rossi said she appreciates the department’s building official, Frank Gladwin, and his staff adjusting their hours to better serve contractors and building owners.
Rossi said the schedule change will allow people to obtain permits earlier on Tuesday and Thursday mornings while providing a more business-friendly approach to helping contractors and promoting economic development across the city.
The regular hours of 9-11:30 a.m. for building permit applications will continue on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Messore said.
The Building Department will continue all inspections and administration duties until 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
The city will reserve the right to modify days or hours based on the success of the schedule change, said Messore, who approved the change with Personnel Director Beth A. Sabo.
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Lifestyle change program offered at Allingtown/West Haven Senior Center
WEST HAVEN, April 25, 2019 — The Allingtown/West Haven Senior Center is among several locations in southern Connecticut chosen to participate in a lifestyle change program.
The free program, aimed at preventing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the senior center, 201 Noble St.
The interactive program discusses losing weight and keeping it off; shopping, cooking and eating healthy; turning routine into enjoyable physical activities; and coping with stress and thinking positive.
To qualify, candidates must be considered pre-diabetic at the time of enrollment, which can be documented by a physician’s note, A1C results between 5.7 and 6.4, or by a questionnaire at the senior center.
For more information, call the center at 203-937-3507.
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New dog obedience program offered
WEST HAVEN, April 25, 2019 — Are you a dog owner looking for a “paw-sitive” approach to handling your canine?
The Department of Recreation’s dog obedience program, designed by Evelia Rivera, a certified professional dog trainer, is geared to all types of canines, including puppies and adolescent, rescue and older dogs.
The department is offering two six-week training levels — 2 to 5 months old and 6 months and older — Saturday mornings, starting May 4, in Painter Park on Kelsey Avenue.
The session fee is $85 for residents and $95 for nonresidents.
Visit www.whparkrec.com for registration details and requirements for dogs and handlers.
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Nick’s Luncheonette relocates, reopens on Sawmill Rd.
WEST HAVEN, April 8, 2019 — Nick’s Luncheonette owner Nick Milas, third from front left, helps Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cut the ceremonial ribbon April 8 to mark the relocation and reopening of the popular breakfast and lunch restaurant at 255 Sawmill Road.
Joining the celebration are, from front left, state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven; Milas’ wife, Irene; his sons, Kosta, holding 7-month-old son Niko, and Evan; Councilwoman Bridgette J. Hoskie, D-1; and City Council Minority Leader Richard DePalma, R-at large. With them are Nick’s staff members; mayoral Executive Assistant Lou Esposito, back left; and Milas’ brother-in-law, Augoustis Fifis, back right.
Nick’s was previously at 423 First Ave. for 26 years and is now in the freshly renovated and larger site of the former Pizza Hut. The high-visibility location is just off Interstate 95.
The new 2,300-square-foot restaurant, open 5:30 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, has expanded its kitchen and doubled its staff to 12 employees.
Its appetizing menu includes omelets, Belgian waffles, pancakes and Texas French toast, as well as burgers, hot dogs, club sandwiches, hot and cold subs, wraps, soups and salads.
More than two years ago, Nick and Irene Milas sold their property at First Avenue and Elm Street to the developers proposing The Haven, a $200 million, 261,182-square-foot luxury outlet center.
(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) |
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Scholarship offered in memory of teacher who died of breast cancer
WEST HAVEN, April 8, 2019 — The city’s Breast Cancer Awareness Committee is accepting applications for a scholarship fund it founded in memory of a third grade Savin Rock Community School teacher who died of breast cancer.
The 17th annual Susan A. Ruickoldt Scholarship Fund will award $2,000 to a female high school senior from West Haven who plans to continue her education.
Candidates must submit an application form, an official transcript and a class rank, as well as a 250-word essay on achievements and goals and a 250-word essay on the importance of breast cancer screening and education.
Applicants must also submit a letter of acceptance from a postsecondary school and a letter of intent to attend the school.
Applications are available in the guidance office and physical education department at West Haven High School, 1 McDonough Plaza. They are also available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays in the Department of Human Resources at City Hall, 355 Main St.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. May 13.
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Flapjack fundraiser at Applebee’s to benefit children with special needs
WEST HAVEN, April 8, 2019 — The West Haven Interagency Network for Children will hold a flapjack fundraiser from 8-10 a.m. April 27 at Applebee’s restaurant, 526 Boston Post Road, Orange.
The cost is $6 and includes pancakes, bacon and a drink. Proceeds will support activities for children with special needs.
Tickets are available at West Haven Youth and Family Services on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St. The agency’s goal is to sell at least 200 tickets.
For information or to buy tickets, contact WHINC Director Robert S. Morton at 203-937-3633 or morton@westhaven-ct.gov.
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Driver safety course offered May 1
WEST HAVEN, April 8, 2019 — The Allingtown/West Haven Senior Center will offer an AARP Driver Safety Program from noon-4 p.m. May 1 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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