Borer announces personnel changes at City Hall
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2023 — Mayor Dorinda Borer has announced a number of personnel changes at City Hall, including two key selections to her Cabinet.
Borer on Monday morning appointed attorney Paul J. Dorsi as the city’s corporation counsel and procurement specialist Rick Spreyer as her chief of staff.
“Paul and Rick are lifelong Westies with strong municipal government experience who will bring a high level of professionalism and expertise to our city,” Borer said. “I look forward to working with them and am grateful they have agreed to be a part of my new leadership team.”
As the city’s top lawyer, Dorsi, who served on Borer’s transition team, will provide daily legal advice to the mayor and other city employees on performing job duties.
The corporation counsel’s office is charged with defending lawsuits and other claims, collecting back taxes, and negotiating labor contracts.
“I’m honored to be chosen to work with Mayor Borer and all the talented and energetic individuals in her administration,” Dorsi said. “It will be a privilege to represent our great city as a page is turned toward positive change.”
Spreyer formerly served as the city’s procurement director for nearly two years and previously was Newtown’s procurement director for three years.
In West Haven, Spreyer significantly increased the city’s purchasing compliance by implementing a new purchase order system to ensure checks and balances.
He also worked as a supply chain manager for three years at Edible Arrangements’ world headquarters in Wallingford.
In his new role, Spreyer will direct the day-to-day operations of the mayor’s office and coordinate with department heads.
“I love working for the city alongside the passionate co-workers I’ve had the privilege to work with and being given the opportunity to affect positive change to the city I love,” Spreyer said.
Borer also announced this week that she has not renewed the appointments of several department heads from the Rossi administration, including Corporation Counsel Lee K. Tiernan, Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy, Personnel Director Pamela A. Alvino and Emergency Management Director Joseph Soto.
“I want to thank Lee, Tom, Pam and Joe for their service and for their hard work on behalf of the people of West Haven,” Borer said. “I wish each of them well.”
Borer said longtime Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, who has more than 46 years of service, and Building Official Frank Gladwin, who has more than 33 years of service, will step away from their current duties in early 2024.
Sabo originally retired in July 2021 but has stayed on part time as the commissioner of the Department of Human Resources, which oversees the departments of Health, Elderly Services, Parks and Recreation, and Youth and Family Services.
Borer said that while she values the work both directors bring to the table, the demands of the Human Resources and Building departments require full-time department heads on-site.
“Beth and Frank have incredible institutional knowledge and talent and have brought a great love of West Haven to their work,” Borer said. “Both have graciously agreed to stay on until we can find worthy replacements.” Sabo’s last day is Feb. 1, and Gladwin will officially retire in April. Borer said that Sabo, who had initiated and chaired many annual recognitions and veterans events, may continue to assist the city in the future with events coordination, and that Gladwin will be available to potentially help with future site plan analysis.
Soto has also agreed to stay on through Jan. 15 to allow for a seamless transition in emergency services.
Borer said she is working hard to recruit “the very best and brightest candidates” to fill all of the leadership positions. In addition to the building official, human resources commissioner and personnel director, she is recruiting for other essential positions, including finance director, economic development director, grant coordinator and risk manager, which were all vacant at the time of the election.
“Each of these positions is critical to the operations of the city, and completing the leadership team is my top priority,” Borer said. “We began an aggressive recruitment process on Day 1 with our first interviews beginning Monday. On a parallel track, we are evaluating all non-leadership positions and will be recruiting for those after that evaluation is completed.”
Borer said that until a new Department of Public Works commissioner is placed, Robert Sandella, the department’s deputy public works director, will serve as acting commissioner.
“Rob has been doing a great job in that department and will serve us well for the interim period,” she said.
Dorsi’s municipal experience includes litigating civil rights, tax assessment appeals, and general liability claims in state and federal courts, including trials before the court and jury. He has briefed and argued cases on appeal as well as negotiated and drafted contracts, municipal ordinances, charter revisions and City Council resolutions.
Since 2010, Dorsi has been the principal partner at Dorsi & Dorsi. From 2015 to 2020, he was an “of counsel,” a part-time practitioner of law, at Bloom & Witkin in Boston.
Previously, he was a partner at Donahue, Votto & DeGennaro PC in West Haven and was an associate at the Law Offices of Jerome Lacobelle LLC and at Mirto, Ketainek & Barrett PC, both in West Haven.
Dorsi served on the board of directors of the West Haven Community House Association Inc. from 2000 to 2007.
Spreyer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Southern Connecticut State University. He lives in West Shore with his wife, Lindsay, and two sons, Nathan, 14, and Cameron, 2.
Borer thanked residents for their patience while she realigns the City Hall structure.
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 West Haven City Clerk John W. Lewis reads prepared remarks on behalf of Mayor Dorinda Borer commemorating Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and the 82nd anniversary of Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during an observance on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park in West Haven on Thursday. Borer was unable to attend because of her first meeting as mayor with the state Municipal Accountability Review Board in Hartford. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) |
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Pearl Harbor remembered at Bradley Point tribute
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2023 — The city and the West Haven Veterans Council commemorated Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park on Thursday.
Before a gathering of veterans, city leaders and residents, City Clerk John W. Lewis read prepared remarks on behalf of Mayor Dorinda Borer honoring the American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice 82 years ago during Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
Borer was unable to attend because of her first meeting as mayor with the state Municipal Accountability Review Board in Hartford.
On Dec. 7, 1941, just before 8 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time, a swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes descended on the island of Oahu and bombed the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, killing 2,335 service members and 68 civilians and thrusting America into World War II.
“Thirty days after the Pearl Harbor attack, 134,000 Americans enlisted in the military,” said Lewis, speaking in front of a black granite memorial in honor of World War II Army Pfc. William A. Soderman.
“The attack on Pearl Harbor created a wave of patriotism and outrage, which sparked an industrial boom in our country,” said Lewis, the master of ceremonies.
Read the full story and see the photo gallery at Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2023. |
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Hanukkah lighting set for Monday
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2023 — The city’s annual Hanukkah menorah lighting on the Green is set for 4 p.m. Monday.
The lighting will mark the fifth night of the Jewish Festival of Lights, an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians.
The Jewish holiday begins at sundown Thursday.
Monday’s ceremony, led by Mayor Dorinda Borer, will include a blessing by Rabbi Schneur Wilhelm of Chabad of Milford-Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont. The lighting is Monday because of a scheduling conflict with the rabbi.
The public is invited to the celebration, which will feature a three-piece band.
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Allingtown FD swearing in first female firefighter Tuesday
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 6, 2023 — The City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown will hold a swearing-in ceremony for three recently hired firefighters, Chief Michael R. Terenzio announced.
Terenzio said the department will swear in its first female, full-time career firefighter in Allingtown fire service history.
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, the department will open the ceremony to the public, which is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Minor Park Station, 318 Fairfax St.
“We are proud and excited to officially welcome our new first female firefighter, Samantha Trayer, upon her successful completion of the 14-week state of Connecticut Fire Academy program, where she is finishing near the top of the class,” Terenzio said.
Terenzio said the Allingtown department will also welcome two firefighters who have laterally transferred from Virginia and Arizona after completing the department’s application process.
“We look forward to them working with us as they bring with them additional training and experiences from these divergent areas of the country,” Terenzio said.
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Borer ushers in new era at City Hall
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2023 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer opens the front door to City Hall on Main Street for fellow Westies Dalky Morfe and her daughter, Mia, 3, on Monday morning.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Borer was administered the oath of office by state Attorney General William Tong as West Haven’s 13th and second female mayor during the inauguration of elected city officials in the West Haven High School auditorium.
Borer, who was elected for change, opened City Hall’s front and side entrances to the public for the first time since March 2020, when the entrances other than the Savin Avenue entrance were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Borer said the opening of all City Hall entrances signifies that West Haven is back open for business.
(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) |
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 Dorinda Borer, accompanied by son Drew Borer, 22, right, shakes hands with state Attorney General William Tong after being sworn in as West Haven’s second female mayor during an inauguration of elected city officials in the West Haven High School auditorium Sunday morning. (City Photo) |
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‘A Bridge Forward’:
Borer sworn in as city’s 13th and 2nd female mayor
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2023 — Dorinda Borer formally began her inaugural two-year term as West Haven’s second female mayor after being sworn in during a ceremony at West Haven High School on Sunday morning.
Borer, a former three-term state representative, was administered the oath of office by state Attorney General William Tong in front of a spirited crowd of more than 500 well-wishers in the school auditorium at the inauguration of elected city officials.
She was joined onstage by her son, Drew Borer, 22, and West Haven Democratic state Rep. Treneé McGee, the master of ceremonies.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were former West Haven Mayors Nancy R. Rossi and Edward M. O’Brien, along with East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora, Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett and North Haven First Selectman Michael J. Freda.
Watch the inauguration on West Haven YouTube.
Borer, a Democrat, defeated Republican candidate Barry Lee Cohen and write-in candidate Steven R. Mullins in the Nov. 7 general election, earning one of the highest vote totals for mayor in decades. Rossi, a Democrat, did not seek a fourth term.
Borer is West Haven’s 13th mayor since the city’s incorporation in 1961.
In her inaugural address, “A Bridge Forward,” she congratulated her fellow elected officials, thanked her son, family and supporters, and outlined a number of goals for the next two years.
“Our story has been a frustrating one to say the least recently, but that’s not the story that we are going to let define us,” Borer said. “I am reminded of the words of Victor Hugo, who said, ‘Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.’ Our sun is rising, West Haven!
“We may have faced challenges, but it is the resilience of our people that has always prevailed. Our story is going to be about our strengths. Our story is going to be about our successes. And we will celebrate and leverage everything West Haven has to offer.”
Borer pledged to celebrate the city’s shoreline, restaurants, school system, public safety departments, business owners, train station, West Haven VA Medical Center, University of New Haven, youth sports, older residents, diversity, history and development opportunities.
Lastly, she pledged to celebrate all residents, affectionately known as Westies.
“You demonstrate pride and passion, and you are the heart and soul of this city,” Borer said. “Let’s not imagine, let’s reimagine. Let’s write our next chapter by turning the page. And when all is said and done, we will promote West Haven to the world, because we know what an amazing city we really are, and it’s time the rest of the world knew it as well.
“The best is yet to come, West Haven!”
The inauguration commenced with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard, followed by a procession of elected officials and police and fire chiefs led by bagpiper Coreyanne Armstrong.
The hourlong ceremony featured the keynote speech by interim UNH President Sheahon Zenger and a patriotic performance of “America the Beautiful” by 2019 West Haven High graduates Hannah and Olivia Coppola, accompanied by Phyllis Silver. The rendition was highlighted by attendees waving their cellphone flashlights in a display of unity.
West Haven Veterans Council President Dave Ricci led the Pledge of Allegiance, and 2023 West Haven High graduate Madelyn Roche sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
First Congregational Church Senior Pastor E. Carl Howard and Vertical Church Outreach Pastor Paul Bronson gave opening and closing prayers, respectively.
A public reception was held after the ceremony in the school cafeteria.
The West Haven Charter mandates that all elected officials take the oath of office on the first Sunday in December.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz administered the oath of office to elected Democratic City Clerk John W. Lewis, who she noted is West Haven’s first Black city clerk.
Bysiewicz also swore in elected Democratic Treasurer Ronald M. Quagliani and elected Democratic Tax Collector Eric Murillo.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., swore in the five incumbents and eight newcomers on the City Council.
Returning council members are Sarah J. Ackbarali, D-3; Gary Donovan, D-4; Katherine Tucker, D-7; Steven J. Johnstone, R-10; and Meli Garthwait, R-at large.
New to the council are Anne Heffernan, D-1; Michelle Coletti, D-2; Mackie McMillian, D-5; Dawn Callahan, D-6; Christopher E. Vargo Jr., D-8; Katie Mueller, D-9; Brian Laucks, D-at large; and Nicholas A. Pascale, D-at large.
State Treasurer Erick Russell administered the oath of office to members of the Board of Education, including incumbent Democrat Caryll “Cebi” Waterfield, incumbent Republicans Robert J. Guthrie and Patricia B. Libero, and elected Democrats Heather Shea and Jonathan E. Jones.
Russell also swore in incumbent Democrat Joseph W. Harvey III, incumbent Republican David Riccio Jr. and elected Democrat Suzanne Mink to the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Borer, a lifelong Westie, has devoted much of her life to public service.
She was elected to represent West Haven’s 115th General Assembly District in a special election in February 2017.
She was a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairwoman of the General Bonding Subcommittee of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.
Borer was also the chairwoman of the Veterans Affairs Committee and a member of the Environment and Public Health committees.
In 2009-13, Borer served on the city’s Board of Education. She also served a stint as Bailey Middle School’s PTA president.
Her work in the thriving Irish American community includes serving as the grand marshal of the 2003 Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade and West Haven’s Irishwoman of the Year in 2014.
Borer has also been honored by the West Haven Black Coalition and the West Haven Hispanic Society for her contributions to build better communities through diversity.
For 10 years, she worked in municipal government as the personnel director of the town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport.
She also worked in banking as an auditing manager and a branch administrator for seven years.
Borer, a 1981 graduate of West Haven High, earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration and management from Southern Connecticut State University and a Master of Business Administration from UNH.
A longtime resident of the 8th District, she is the former wife of former seven-term West Haven Democratic Mayor H. Richard Borer Jr., who served from 1991 to 2005. |
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Dubel’s Cafe tees off for breast cancer fund
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2023 — (Pictured): Dubel’s Cafe owner Fred Hugendubel, a co-chairman of the annual Dubel’s Golf Tournament, presents an $8,200 check for the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program to Beth A. Sabo, the program’s chairwoman and the city’s commissioner of human resources, at City Hall on Monday.
The money raised at the October tournament will benefit the program’s Susan A. Ruickoldt Scholarship Fund.
The fund was founded in March 2003 to raise breast cancer awareness in honor of Ruickoldt, who taught third grade at Savin Rock Community School before dying of breast cancer in 1997.
Each spring since 2003, scholarship organizers have awarded $2,000 in Ruickoldt’s memory to a female high school senior from West Haven who plans to continue her education.
(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) |
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City issues notice for leaf bags
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2023 — The last day of this year’s pickup service for leaf bags is Dec. 15.
West Haven residents are asked to put leaves and grass clippings in separate biodegradable paper bags for pickup on their weekly curbside collection days. Plastic bags are prohibited.
Crews will not pick up leaf/grass bags after Dec. 15. After that, residents must bring all bags — paper, no plastic — to the compost site, 1 Kimberly Ave., from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Proof of residence is required.
The 2024 pickup schedule for leaf bags is April 15-Dec. 13.
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Three Kings Day event Jan. 7 at Tropical Caribbean
WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2023 — West Haven’s 2024 celebration of Three Kings Day is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 7 at Tropical Caribbean restaurant, 701-703 Campbell Ave.
The free event is presented by the city, Budget Transmission Center and Car Wash, Tropical Caribbean and the West Haven Hispanic American of the Year Alumni Association.
Festivities will include music, refreshments and toys — and a visit by the three kings, of course.
Toys are distributed to West Haven children on a first-come, first-served basis.
Three Kings Day is a tradition in Spanish-speaking countries.
The holiday, observed on Jan. 6, marks the arrival of the three kings — Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar — in Bethlehem. The Magi, or wise men, brought gifts to the infant Jesus at Epiphany. |
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 Members of the West Haven Shoreline Restoration Committee and officials of GEI Consultants Inc. of Glastonbury conduct a site visit at the West Haven Boardwalk Resilience and Eco-Restoration Project on Oct. 23. From left, project co-lead Mark E. Paine Jr., the director of the West Haven Department of Parks and Recreation; Jane Whelan of the Menunkatuck Audubon Society; Ron Walters of the Native Plant Initiative; Kathy Hebert of the Land Trust of West Haven; Robin Parsons of the Native Plant Initiative; and Michael Koontz, GEI’s senior urban design/waterfront planning practice leader, and Laura Schwanof, GEI’s landscape architect/ecological practice leader. Missing from photo is project co-lead Marilyn Wilkes, the Land Trust’s vice president. (SRC Photo/Marilyn Wilkes)
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Consultant chosen for Boardwalk Eco-Restoration
WEST HAVEN, Oct. 24, 2023 — The West Haven Shoreline Restoration Committee has chosen GEI Consultants Inc. for Phase 2 of the West Haven Boardwalk Resilience and Eco-Restoration Project. Over the next four months, the committee will collaborate with the Glastonbury consulting company to complete the coastal resilience and ecological restoration of a 1 ½-acre portion of the West Haven shoreline adjacent to Old Grove Park. The committee, also known as the SRC, will announce its final plans to the public in February 2024. “The project addresses challenges associated with restoring and preserving native coastal habitat in a densely populated urban area and in response to climate change,” said project co-leads Marilyn Wilkes, the vice president of the Land Trust of West Haven, and Mark E. Paine Jr., the director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation. “It will help the community understand the connection between robust ecosystems and coastal resilience, will provide accessible and healthy green spaces to systemically marginalized and vulnerable populations, and will manage the shoreline space so that wildlife and people can thrive.” The project’s target outcomes and impacts include: — The restoration of 1 ½ acres of native coastal habitat and improved habitat connectivity to adjacent public green spaces. — A long-term plan for invasive plant control and restoration maintenance at the site. — A living classroom for public school and public use that includes interpretive signage linking by QR code to in-depth information on the Land Trust’s website. — Free educational events on-site designed to appeal to a range of audiences and ages. — Improvements to public amenities, including benches and walking paths at the site. — Access for residents under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including access mats to the beach area. — The creation of a replicable model for use by similar coastal restoration efforts in other communities. — More site visitors equating to more economic opportunity in the area. In August 2022, Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, secured $200,000 in state funding for the project’s design phase. Additional funding is needed for the construction phase, and the committee is applying to a number of state and local environmental agencies. GEI, a full-service ecological firm, provides geotechnical, environmental, water resources, civil design and construction services throughout the project’s delivery lifecycle, from conceptual planning to permitting, design, engineering and construction management. The committee chose GEI from a competitive pool of request-for-proposal applications because of its innovative strategies, extensive experience with successful shoreline projects and team approach. The SRC is composed of members of the Land Trust, the city and the City Council, as well as residents who volunteer with local environmental groups. Extensive community outreach contributed to Phase 1’s completion of preliminary engineering plans to 30% design. Phase 1 plans and community surveys can be viewed on the project’s website. Shoreline Restoration Project updates can be found on the Land Trust’s website or the city’s website. |
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