American Honey will play a mix of modern country hits and ’90s pop rock favorites from 7-9 tonight in Old Grove Park on Palace Street in West Haven. The show will close the city’s “Fall Foliage Concert Series.” (Publicity Photo)

American Honey closes fall concert series tonight

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 13, 2023 — American Honey, a band specializing in modern country hits and ’90s pop rock favorites, will close the city’s “Fall Foliage Concert Series” at 7 tonight.

The two-hour concert will take place in Old Grove Park on Palace Street.

The free show is sponsored by the city and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

West Haven business owner receives ‘Way to Go!’ award

City business owner receives ‘Way to Go!’ award

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 13, 2023 — (Pictured): Donato Cappetta, the owner of Cappetta’s Italian Imports, Pizza & Catering in West Haven, receives the “Way to Go!” award from the West Haven Interagency Network for Children on Wednesday.

Cappetta was presented with the award at his Route 1 business by West Haven Youth and Family Services Director Diane Dietman for “your support and generous donation to families of children with special needs at our Meatball Sub fundraiser event.”

The Way to Go program recognizes those who go above and beyond to offer services and resources.

(City Photo/Diane Dietman)

West Haven sets public hearing, special meeting for NEBCO

NEBCO public hearing, special meeting set for 6 p.m. Tuesday

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 13, 2023 — The City Council will hold a public hearing and special meeting regarding New England Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the West Haven High School auditorium at 1 McDonough Plaza.

The purpose of the hearing and meeting is for the tentative lease agreement between the city and the NEBCO brewery at 6 Rock St.

West Haven residents are encouraged to attend the hearing and meeting. They are also encouraged to submit comments by email to the City Council at dascenzia@westhaven-ct.gov or by regular mail to the City Council at City Hall, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516.

Comments are due no later than 4 p.m. Monday.

Tony Inzero Farmers Market opens season July 6

Tony Inzero Farmers Market ends season Saturday

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 13, 2023 — The 2023 season of the Tony Inzero Farmers Market will come to a close Saturday next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market, nestled on the right side of the beach lot, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and will include state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling wares.

It will feature artisan breads by Hoffman Unlimited LLC, sauces and jams by Chile King LLC, and salts, oils and vinegars by Dash N’ Drizzle.

The farmers market has partnered with ArtsWestCT this season to showcase a variety of entertainment, such as live performances and unique demonstrations, at the Saturday markets.

The market has included more than 20 different vendors, crafters, organizations and food trucks during the season.

The Thursday markets have featured What the Truck?! BBQ, in addition to ice cream at both markets.

Parking is available in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CTtransit route.

The farmers market is sponsored by the city and has operated since 2000. It was dedicated in 2010 in memory of Anthony F. “Tony” Inzero, a leader in the downtown business community who co-owned Flower Affair on Campbell Avenue for many years and was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association .

Retirement reception set for Joe Montagna on Oct. 20

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 13, 2023 — All city employees are invited to a reception from 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 20 at the Department of Park Maintenance, 91 Bull Hill Lane, to say goodbye to longtime Superintendent Joseph “Joe” Montagna, who is retiring after 52 years of service to the city.

Joe has led a remarkable career in public service.

Please join us in wishing Joe well in his retirement!

West Haven Senior Center sets Old Sturbridge Village trip Dec. 8

West Haven Senior Center slates Old Sturbridge Village trip Dec. 8

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 12, 2023 — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a bus trip to Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts on Dec. 8.

Day-trippers can tour the holiday-decorated village to learn about the origins of Christmas traditions, taste holiday treats, ride the horse-drawn carryall, see demonstrations and shop village-made products.

The cost is $145 and includes transportation, driver gratuity, admission to the village and a “holiday” buffet lunch at Wight Farm.

Payment is due Nov. 10.

The bus departs at 10:30 a.m. from the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot at 91 Bull Hill Lane, the former Nike site, and leaves around 4:30 p.m. from Sturbridge.

Nonmembers of the senior center and nonresidents are welcome. To make a reservation, call the center at 203-937-3507.

Bougie Thrift Boutique opens on lower Campbell Ave.

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 10, 2023 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, cuts the ribbon with Bougie Thrift Boutique owner Kimberly Turner, left, and business director Kelly Turner to celebrate the store’s grand opening at 86 Campbell Ave. on Tuesday.

Joining them is Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The new consignment shop offers eclectic fashion for all tastes and is located in the lower Campbell Avenue business district, nestled in a plaza of small businesses near Captain Thomas Boulevard.

(G. Gregory Geiger/West Haven Chamber)

West Shore Fire Department Fire Marshal Keith T. Flood demonstrates a home fire sprinkler during a live burn at the third annual West Haven Fire, Emergency Management, 911 ERS, Police & Health Expo in Old Grove Park on Sunday. The side-by-side burn consisted of two 8-by-8-foot cells, one with a sprinkler and one without. The burn showed the fire’s destruction on a structure without a sprinkler, compared with minimal damage to a structure with a sprinkler. The demonstration was sponsored by the Connecticut Fire Sprinkler Coalition to show the importance of home sprinklers, which can save lives and reduce property damage. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Fire Department firefighters knock down the live burn blaze during the home fire sprinkler demonstration. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

3rd expo promotes fire prevention, public safety ed

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 10, 2023 — The city once again joined West Haven’s three fire departments to mark Fire Prevention Week during an exposition of all things fire, emergency management, public safety, police and health in Old Grove Park on Sunday.

Rescheduled from a day earlier because of rain, the third annual West Haven Fire, Emergency Management, 911 ERS, Police & Health Expo brought together families and first responders — firefighters, police officers, EMTs, health care professionals — from across the state for hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations to promote public safety education.

The large public exhibition, fittingly held on the first day and 101st anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, was organized by West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien, West Shore Fire Department Chief Stephen Scafariello, City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio and Expo Committee Chairwoman Beth A. Sabo, the city’s commissioner of human resources.

West Haven’s storied fire service includes the independent West Haven Fire Department, which serves the First Fire Taxation, or Center, District, and the independent West Shore Fire Department, which serves the Shore’s 2nd District. It also includes the 3rd District’s formerly independent Allingtown Fire Department, which was taken over by the city in July 2012 and is now known as the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown.

Collectively, the departments have been in operation for 354 years: West Haven since 1888, Allingtown since 1907 and West Shore since 1918.

The free exposition featured an array of fire engine and firetruck displays, including antique fire apparatus. The colorful fleet was spread along the adjacent Oak and Palace streets and on the grounds of the 153-year-old Grove.

The five-hour expo included West Haven’s marine unit, food trucks and rides in West Haven’s 1935 Mack pump firetruck.

It also included educational demonstrations on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, home fire sprinklers, and fire code and investigation.

Sparky the Fire Dog interacted with children, and singer-songwriter Tony V performed an entertaining set of oldies and singalongs, including Frank Sinatra classics.

West Haven fire Inspector Eric Sobolewski demonstrated the department’s smoke trailer and showed children what to do in case of a fire. Sobolewski and fellow Inspector Russell LaRiviere also displayed information on fire education and prevention.

West Shore Fire Marshal Keith T. Flood demonstrated a home fire sprinkler during a live burn. The side-by-side burn consisted of two 8-by-8-foot cells, one with a sprinkler and one without. The burn showed the fire’s destruction on a structure without a sprinkler, compared with minimal damage to a structure with a sprinkler. The demonstration was sponsored by the Connecticut Fire Sprinkler Coalition to show the importance of home sprinklers, which can save lives and reduce property damage, Flood said.

Read the full story and see the photo spread at Expo 2023.

Energy assistance offered in West Haven starting Oct. 2

Energy assistance offered in city

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 10, 2023 — The city is accepting applications for the federally funded Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.

Appointments for all heating sources can be made by calling 203-937-3572.

Applications will be processed via phone by appointment Monday through Thursday. No walk-ins will be accepted.

Eligibility for assistance is based on the income of an applicant’s household. To qualify, applicants must provide pay stubs, including monthly Social Security benefits and pension incomes, for all household members 18 and older.

Applicants must also provide SNAP benefits, Social Security numbers and birthdates for all household members, as well as current utility and water bills for the household.

State Rep. Charles Ferraro feted as West Haven’s Italian of the Year

State Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, receives an embroidered “Italian American of the Year 2023” jacket from West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi at the city’s 24th annual Italian Heritage Celebration in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall on Oct. 6. The event, traditionally held on the steps of City Hall, was moved indoors because of inclement weather. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

State Rep. Charles Ferraro feted as city’s top Italian

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 6, 2023 — Republican state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, a world-class martial artist and an ambassador of his proud Italian ancestry, received the city’s Italian American of the Year award at the 24th annual Italian Heritage Celebration on Oct. 6.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and the West Haven Italian Heritage Committee honored Ferraro, the grandson of emigrant grandparents from the Campania capital of Naples, Italy, during a midday ceremony in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall. The program, traditionally held on the steps of City Hall, was moved indoors because of inclement weather.

The award is bestowed annually on an Italian resident or couple who personifies service in West Haven’s close-knit Italian community.

As the sound of Italian music filled the room at the half-hour cultural event, Ferraro, 70, a lifelong Westie, saluted his Italian lineage with colleagues, friends and loved ones, including his wife, the former Geralyn Ann DeMaio.

Along with descendants of folks from the old country, Ferraro was joined by an array of city employees and residents, fire officials, and local and state leaders, including West Haven Democratic Rep. Dorinda Borer, Milford Republican Rep. Kathy Kennedy and Milford Democratic Sen. James Maroney, who read and presented Ferraro with a General Assembly citation on behalf of West Haven’s delegation.

Ferraro, who represents the 117th District of West Haven, Orange and Milford, was also joined by other local leaders, including North Haven First Selectman Michael J. Freda, a native of West Haven, as well as local business executives, including Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The honoree also received an Italian flag from Paul M. Frosolone, the president of the West Haven Italian American Civic Association, and Debbie Giordano, the vice president of the association’s Ladies Auxiliary.

Accepting the Italian American of the Year award, Ferraro told the standing room-only crowd, some donning red, white and green, that he appreciated the recognition and thanked his fellow legislators, the mayor, the committee and his wife.

Read the full story and see the photo spread at Italian American of the Year 2023.