Aniello Cappetta receives an embroidered “Italian American of the Year” jacket from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi at the city’s 21st annual Columbus Day Celebration on the steps of City Hall on Friday. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Aniello Cappetta feted as West Haven’s Italian of the Year

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 11, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi presented Aniello Cappetta with a blue jacket embroidered with his new title, Italian American of the Year, as part of festivities marking West Haven’s 21st annual Columbus Day Celebration on the steps of City Hall on Friday.

Cappetta, who owned and operated Cappetta’s Italian Imports in Allingtown for nearly a quarter century, was showered with words of praise from Rossi for his “inspiring contributions in shaping the tapestry of our Italian American community and the narrative of our diverse city.”

At the 20-minute ceremony, Cappetta, 71, received a General Assembly citation from state Reps. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, and Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven, on behalf of the city’s delegation.

He also received an official statement from senior adviser Jimmy Tickey on behalf of Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and an Italian flag from Paul M. Frosolone, president of the West Haven Italian American Civic Association, and Josephine Matera, former president of the association’s Ladies Auxiliary.

The West Haven Columbus Day Committee recognizes an Italian resident, or couple, each year who personifies service in the city’s close-knit Italian American community.

“Thank you to the mayor; it’s a big honor for me,” said Cappetta, who lives on Pagano Court, a cul-de-sac off Jones Street near First Avenue. “Thank you, America, and thank you, West Haven!”

As the sound of Italian music filled the air during the late morning cultural event in honor of the Italian explorer, Cappetta saluted his ancestry with dozens of his closest friends and loved ones, along with an array of city officials, members of the Allingtown and West Shore fire departments, and descendants of folks from the old country clad in red, white and green.

“I’m very proud of my father,” an emotional Donato Cappetta told the crowd before exclaiming, “God bless America!”

Rossi also presented a mayoral citation to Aniello Cappetta, who, in addition to his son, was joined by his daughter Rosa Armellino and four of his grandchildren, all waving Italian flags.

Before an Italian blessing from Michael Abbott, director of ministry at Notre Dame High School, Liz Levy sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Italian national anthem, “II Canto degli Italiani.” The renditions were followed by a greeting from mayoral Executive Assistant Lou Esposito, the master of ceremonies.

Rossi then delivered heartwarming remarks about Cappetta, saying: “Your indomitable spirit and meritorious good works are a testament to the promise of America. You are living proof of the American dream!”

Cappetta, one of 13 siblings, was born and raised in the town of Acerno in the province of Salerno, Italy. He served in the Italian air force and also worked as a carpenter.

In 1970, at the age of 22, Cappetta and his wife, the former Palma Malangone, also a native of Acerno, left their home in southwestern Italy and came to America for “a better life and to start a family.”

After the couple settled in New Haven, he worked for a construction company in West Haven.

In 1972, Cappetta and his wife opened their first restaurant, Mama Lucia’s in Ansonia, becoming the first family members to open a food establishment.

The couple sold the restaurant in 1976. For the next eight years, they worked in housekeeping at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven while raising their four children: Luigi, Rosa, Donato and Maria.

The couple moved their brood to West Haven in 1983.

A year later, Cappetta and his wife started a new venture and opened LP Video on Route 1 in Allingtown. The store, which sold Italian American films, introduced the couple to the great people of West Haven, he said.

In 1989, the couple returned to the food service business and opened Cappetta’s Italian Imports across the street from LP Video. The business at 188 Boston Post Road started as a deli and specialized in food items from Italy.

A few years later, Cappetta’s expanded to offer pizza and other Italian specialty foods and provide catering services.

Before long, the business that Cappetta and his wife built in the heart of Allingtown became “the go-to spot” for home-style and hard-to-find Italian foods.

Although he handed it down to sons Donato and Luigi in 2013, Cappetta, whose wife passed away in 2016, still spends time at the neighborhood institution, now Cappetta’s Italian Imports Pizza and Catering.

Cappetta’s propensity for community service includes serving as an ambassador of his rich heritage.

He is a longtime member of Club Napoli in Northford and the Italian American Club of East Haven.

Cappetta’s name will join the 20 previous Columbus Day recipients on a plaque in City Hall.

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Mayoral Executive Assistant Lou Esposito, the master of ceremonies, opens the program with Mayor Rossi as Aniello Cappetta looks on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Liz Levy sings the Italian national anthem, “II Canto degli Italiani,” as Mayor Rossi and her executive assistant, Lou Esposito, look on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Michael Abbott, director of ministry at Notre Dame High School, offers an Italian blessing as Mayor Rossi and her executive assistant, Lou Esposito, bow their heads. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Aniello Cappetta is presented with a General Assembly citation from, from left, state Reps. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, and Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven, on behalf of the city’s delegation as Mayor Rossi looks on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Aniello Cappetta receives an official statement from senior adviser Jimmy Tickey on behalf of Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Mayor Rossi presents a citation to Aniello Cappetta for his contributions to the civic and cultural life of West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Aniello Cappetta receives an Italian flag from Paul M. Frosolone, president of the West Haven Italian American Civic Association, and Josephine Matera, former president of the association’s Ladies Auxiliary. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

After the ceremony, Mayor Rossi and her executive assistant, Lou Esposito, join Aniello Cappetta and his family. From front left, Palma Rose Cappetta, Donato Cappetta, Mariella Cappetta and Luciana Cappetta. From back left, Kristyn Cappetta, Salvatore Cappetta, Lucia Germana, Filomena Malangone, Rosa Armellino, Donato Cappetta, Kristina Cappetta, Caterina Malangone and Anna Malangone. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Skeleton Fest coming to West Haven from Oct. 12-31

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 7, 2019 — West Haven is holding its first Skeleton Fest from Oct. 12-31. The festival will highlight fun Halloween activities in a citywide celebration.

The event is being planned as part of the city’s ongoing sustainability efforts to become certified under the SustainableCT initiative.

See the official Skeleton Fest Poster.

Oct. 18 flu clinic moved to Johnson Community Center at 201 Noble St.

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 7, 2019 — The Health Department is moving its Oct. 18 flu clinic to the Johnson Community Center at 201 Noble St.

The walk-in clinic, originally set for the Savin Rock Conference Center, is from 9 a.m.-noon and for city residents 18 and older.

The following insurances are accepted: Medicare, Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Insurance carriers Cigna, ConnectiCare, UnitedHealthcare and Medicaid are not participating.

Residents should bring all insurance cards and wear a short-sleeved shirt.

People can also pay by cash or check. The private pay rate is $40 for a quadrivalent flu shot and $65 for a high-dose flu shot for those 65 and older.

A crew from Tri State Flexi Pave Inc. of Danbury installs a new flexible, porous pavement material in one of Campbell Avenue’s 60 tree pits on Oct. 4. The Flexi-Pave product allows air and rainwater to pass into soil to keep street trees healthy while providing a low-maintenance solution to weed and unplanned vegetation growth and removal. (City Photo/Leo Kelly)

60 tree pits on Campbell Ave. getting makeover

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 7, 2019 — The city is renovating 60 tree pits along Campbell Avenue to prevent trip hazards and protect street trees.

City sidewalk inspector Ernie Chiarelli and tree warden Leo Kelly are coordinating the removal of brick pavers and debris in the tree pits from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Brown Street to make way for the installation of Flexi-Pave, a porous pavement made with shredded car tires and a urethane bonding agent.

The recycled product is the definition of environmentally friendly, according to its manufacturer, K.B. Industries of Clearwater, Florida.

Kelly said the porous pavement material has been proven to clean rainwater as it passes through.

He applauded the treescape project, saying that safeguarding city trees on lower Campbell Avenue has been an arduous task.

For several years, rainwater has been washing mulch and topsoil out of the tree pits into the street gutter, according to Kelly, and the brick pavers have been restricting tree growth.

He said the flexible pavement product allows air and rainwater to pass into soil to keep street trees healthy while providing a low-maintenance solution to weed and unplanned vegetation growth and removal.

“Tree health and a safe, stable surface for pedestrians are of the utmost importance,” Kelly said.

The work is being done by Tri State Flexi Pave Inc. of Danbury and funded with a state Local Capital Improvement Program grant.

Chiarelli said he expects to complete the project, which began last week, by the end of the month. Residents should note the “No Parking” signs in the work areas.

Anyone with questions about the project can call the Department of Public Works at 203-937-3585.

Revaluation underway for homeowners in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 3, 2019 — West Haven has hired the appraisal company Vision Government Solutions Inc. of Hudson, Massachusetts, to perform the city’s state-mandated 2020 revaluation.

Data mailers are being sent to residential property owners to verify property information. It is essential that all data mailers are returned.

In the coming year, Vision data collectors will verify information on file with the city assessor’s office and visit properties recently sold, with open building permits or with known physical changes.

All data collectors will be wearing an ID badge, and their vehicles will be registered with the West Haven Police Department.

Homeowners are encouraged to ask for identification before letting anyone into their homes. Those questioning the identity of a data collector can call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 203-937-3900 or the assessor’s office at 203-937-3515 for further confirmation.

For more information on the revaluation process, call the assessor’s office at 203-937-3515.