West Haven sets lineup for Summer Concert Series

WEST HAVEN, July 19, 2019 — The West Haven Summer Concert Series will kick off July 25 in Old Grove Park with Top 40 music performed by Timmy Maia Experience.

The free concerts are scheduled from 7-9 p.m.

The Thursday night series will follow Aug. 1 with dance rock anthems by The Signature Band and rhythm and blues and classic rock hits by The Nu Groove on Aug. 8, both on the Green.

The lineup will continue with R&B, funk and reggae favorites by Le’Mixx Band on Aug. 15 in Old Grove Park.

See the Flyer.

Concerts postponed by rain will move to the same time and venue the following Monday.

For rescheduling information, visit the Department of Parks and Recreation website, www.whparkrec.com, or call 203-937-3677 after 4 p.m. the day of the concert.

New sidewalks for Savin Rock Conference Center

WEST HAVEN, July 19, 2019 — From left, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Public Works Commissioner Tom McCarthy and Rossi’s executive assistant, Lou Esposito, look on as a crew from the city’s sidewalk contractor, Elm City Materials Inc. of Spring Street, finishes the first pour of concrete for replacing a stretch of sidewalk in front of the Savin Rock Conference Center at 6 Rock St. on Friday.

The work, which will include a new crosswalk of stamped concrete that resembles red brick pavers, is being financed with a state Local Capital Improvement Program grant and supervised by city sidewalk inspector Ernie Chiarelli.

McCarthy said the high-traffic area had been in disrepair and was a public safety liability, requiring the new sidewalks. The area is a major gateway to the beach and walkway for pedestrians, he said.

Rossi said she is committed to renovating the Savin Rock Conference Center, saying that due to years of deferred maintenance, the building needs a new roof and other upgrades. She is working with the city’s General Assembly delegation to secure a $2.1 million state grant for the improvements.

The mayor’s vision for the waterfront center includes removing the interior walls to make one large banquet facility and adding a kitchen to make the facility more marketable.

“The Savin Rock Conference Center can bring people and business to West Haven if it is renovated and managed properly,” Rossi said. “It will also bring a reliable, long-term revenue stream to the city, which given our financial condition is an important part of necessary structural change.”

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Follow-up workshop set for downtown village district

WEST HAVEN, July 16, 2019 — The Planning and Zoning Commission is holding an interactive public workshop for the proposed village district regulation for the center of West Haven.

The workshop is set for 7 p.m. July 30 in the Harriet C. North Community Room on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

The workshop is a follow-up to the June 18 public information session that introduced the concept of the village district regulation for downtown West Haven.

Based on the positive reaction at the June meeting, the commission is inviting members of the public to share their input on a draft regulation of the proposed village district.

P&Z Chairwoman Kathleen Hendricks said the commission aims to attract a wide range of participants for the workshop, including area businesses and property owners, neighborhood residents and community leaders.

Hendricks said the commission is considering the regulation initially for the area roughly bounded by the railroad tracks, Washington Avenue, Atwater Street and Savin Avenue.

Elements of the zoning concept include establishing design standards and an architectural review process for visible changes to buildings in the area; guiding new development in the central business district; protecting and improving the residential and business character of the area; and performing an architectural review by a professional architect of proposed projects as part of the current zoning approval process.

The village district concept for the West Haven Center was first envisioned as one of multiple recommendations for improving the downtown area in the city’s Plan of Conservation and Development, which was adopted by the commission in June 2017.

See the POCD.

For more information, call the Department of Planning and Development at 203-937-3580.

Blumenthal urges passage of 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

During a news conference Monday at West Haven Fire Department headquarters, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., calls on the Senate to pass legislation that would make permanent the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and remove any limits on the fund’s appropriation. Joining Blumenthal are, from left, state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; Lou DeMici, secretary of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut; state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven; West Haven Fire Chief James P. O’Brien; Lou Esposito, executive assistant to Mayor Nancy R. Rossi; and New Haven Fire Chief John A. Alston Jr. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Blumenthal urges passage of 9/11 victim fund

WEST HAVEN, July 16, 2019 — During a news conference Monday at West Haven Fire Department headquarters, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called for the passage of legislation that would make permanent the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and remove any limits on the fund’s appropriation.

Standing with state officials, 9/11 first responders, and members of the West Haven and New Haven fire departments and the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, Blumenthal demanded an immediate vote by the Senate after the bipartisan measure was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday.

“This cause is bipartisan and is national in scope,” said Blumenthal, adding that he is hopeful for a Senate vote in August.

The VCF provides compensation for any individual who suffered physical harm or was killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of Sept. 11, 2001, or the debris removal efforts that took place in the aftermath of those crashes.

Joining Blumenthal for the announcement were Lou Esposito, executive assistant to Mayor Nancy R. Rossi; state Reps. Michael A. DiMassa and Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; West Haven Fire Chief James P. O’Brien; New Haven Fire Chief John A. Alston Jr.; UPFFA Secretary Lou DeMici; and John Dye, of New Haven, the father of a 9/11 first responder.

Esposito, who represented Rossi, said the mayor was unable to attend because of the impending birth of her grandchild.

The VCF has already approved 22,323 claims for survivors and their families for physical injuries as a result of their involvement at New York’s ground zero, including exposure to toxins.

Dye’s son, Michael Dye, a 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, has brain cancer and is a VCF recipient. A detective in his early 50s, he is retiring from the force later this year.

According to the most recent VCF report, there have been 366 claims filed by individuals living in Connecticut, with 136 individuals living in the state already receiving funds.

With the VCF set to expire in 2020, thousands of survivors will not be fully compensated for their injuries and illnesses without swift action, said Blumenthal, who was also joined at the morning news conference by more than a dozen firefighters and commissioners from the Elm Street department, which serves the First Fire Taxation District, also known as the Center District, along with chiefs from the West Shore Fire Department and the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown.

Blumenthal fought for the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act in 2015, which made the World Trade Center Health Program permanent and reauthorized the VCF through 2020.

Because of an increase in claims, however, the VCF is close to running out of money, Blumenthal said, forcing benefits to be cut by 50% to 70% to ensure that all eligible individuals receive an award.

O’Brien is among 35 West Haven firefighters who served at ground zero after 9/11 and now participate in the WTC program, which ensures proper medical treatment and monitoring of more than 33,000 first responders and survivors who have 9/11-related illnesses.

Of the 35 firefighters, 23 are from the West Haven Fire Department, seven are from the West Shore Fire Department, and five are from the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown, O’Brien said.

Alston, who responded to ground zero as a member of the Jersey City (New Jersey) Fire Department, also participates in the WTC program.

Last Congress, Blumenthal was an original co-sponsor of the Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, which would permanently reauthorize and finance the VCF as well as provide benefits to those who saw them reduced as a result of the current funding shortfall.

Farmers market open Thursdays, Saturdays on Green

Farmers market open Thursdays, Saturdays on West Haven Green

WEST HAVEN, July 11, 2019 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market is open for its 20th season on the Green.

Through Oct. 26, the market at Main Street and Campbell Avenue features state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

It also includes crafters selling their wares.

Tax bills payable in 2 installments

WEST HAVEN, June 20, 2019 — City tax bills — real estate, personal property, motor vehicle and sewer — have been mailed and are payable in two installments: July and January.

Each tax bill, which is sent out once a year, has three parts: a payment coupon for July, payment coupon for January and payment coupon for taxpayers’ records.

Taxes are due July 1. Payments after Aug. 1 are considered delinquent and subject to interest, Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli said.

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

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.

The fees for credit cards and electronic checks are posted at Payments and outside the tax office.

In July and January only, 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 Aug. 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 in July’ toy drive on tap

WEST HAVEN, June 20, 2019 — The Department of Parks and Recreation is participating in a “Christmas in July” toy drive with the Connecticut Recreation & Parks Association and Christmas Wish CT, a charity committed to sharing the spirit of Christmas year-round.

Throughout July, the department aims to collect 1,200 new, unwrapped toys at its Painter Park office, 190 Kelsey Ave., as well as at its camp and playground programs and swimming pool venues.

Park-Rec will donate a portion of the collected toys to Christmas toy drives held by West Haven Professional Fire Fighters Local 1198 and the West Haven High School Peer Advocacy Program for residents in need.

The rest of the toys will benefit Christmas Wish’s Annual Christmas Party. The volunteer charitable organization will distribute the toys to local children and families.

See the Flyer.