 Newly appointed Tree Commission member Rosemary Beloin, left, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi throw ceremonial shovels of dirt to dedicate the planting of an eastern redbud on the east lawn of City Hall in observance of West Haven’s Arbor Day celebration Friday. Looking on are mayoral Executive Assistant Lou Esposito, holding umbrella, and commission member Moshe Cohen. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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Tree planting at City Hall marks Arbor Day celebration
WEST HAVEN, April 26, 2019 — Throwing ceremonial shovels of dirt, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Tree Commission members dedicated the planting of an eastern redbud on the east lawn of City Hall in observance of West Haven’s Arbor Day celebration Friday.
Accompanying Rossi for the annual tree planting were members of the newly revived commission, including current member Moshe Cohen and new member Rosemary Beloin.
The Tree Commission, which has not met since 2016, was reactivated by the mayor with the appointment of Beloin and three other new members — John Haas, Robert Marra and Michelle Matteo — at Monday’s City Council meeting.
All four had served on the commission in the past and have agreed to work with Rossi to bring back the promotion and preservation of healthy trees for the benefit of the community. They join Cohen to round out the five-member commission.
Also attending the afternoon event were mayoral Executive Assistant Lou Esposito, tree warden Leo Kelly and city tree contractor Bob Herrington, owner of Herrington & Sons Tree Specialists LLC.
Rossi marked the special occasion, held on the Campbell side of City Hall near Main Street, by reading a mayoral proclamation declaring Arbor Day in West Haven.
Rossi, who huddled under an umbrella held by Esposito amid the wind-blown rain, said the redbud tree species, native to eastern North America, “is commonly planted as an ornamental in public areas because of its showy pink flowers and heart-shaped leaves.”
She added: “Trees reduce the erosion of topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen, and provide habitat for life. Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.”
Rossi said the commission also plans to work with Kelly to improve West Haven’s Tree Management Plan and tree inventory process, along with implementing a sustainable and safe treescape in the heart of downtown.
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. |
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 Mayor Rossi reads a proclamation declaring Arbor Day in West Haven as, from left, Beloin, Esposito, Cohen and tree warden Leo Kelly look on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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‘Boot’ program resumes May 1
WEST HAVEN, April 26, 2019 — City residents who are delinquent on their taxes are urged to pay their overdue taxes as soon as possible.
The “boot” program resumes Wednesday, and those who are delinquent on their motor vehicle taxes risk their vehicles being immobilized with a wheel-locking boot.
TaxServ Capital Services LLC of Hartford is the city’s vendor that administers the program in cooperation with Vioalert Systems LLC of West Haven.
A vehicle-mounted ID system that is part of the boot program uses an infrared license plate scanner to target tax scofflaws. Vehicles are released of the boot once their owners pay all delinquent taxes and the boot fee.
Additionally, delinquent personal property taxes for business owners who have not paid their taxes have also been turned over for collection. Properties with delinquent real estate and sewer bills have now been liened, and collection proceedings are in process.
Taxpayers can check if they owe any back taxes and pay online at Tax Collector. They can also pay in person in the tax office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.
Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli has launched an aggressive campaign for collecting taxes.
“Please do not ignore your taxes; everyone must do their part,” Chambrelli said. “Your failure to pay negatively affects the entire city.”
Taxes accrue additional interest on the first day of each month.
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Building Department changing hours to better serve contractors
WEST HAVEN, April 26, 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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Rossi revives West Haven Tree Commission with appointments
WEST HAVEN, April 26, 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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Park-Rec schedules Boston trip to see Red Sox play Mariners in May
WEST HAVEN, April 26, 2019 — The Department of Parks and Recreation is running a trip to Boston’s Fenway Park to see the defending world champion Red Sox play the Seattle Mariners at 1 p.m. May 11.
The trip costs $125 and includes seating in grandstand section 7 and motor coach transportation. The trip is nonrefundable, unless the game is canceled.
The bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. from the department’s Painter Park office, 190 Kelsey Ave.
Register at www.whparkrec.com or at the Park-Rec office.
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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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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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