West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer, left, meets with officials of the city’s three fire departments during their first monthly meeting at City Hall on Monday. Borer organized the inaugural meeting “to bring together all the principal players — fire chiefs, commissioners, union representatives — to one table for the first time to continue to look for opportunities for synergy.” (City Photo)

Borer improving government communication

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2024 — Since taking office in early December, Mayor Dorinda Borer has made it a priority to significantly improve communication across the city, both internally with department heads and externally with residents.

To that end, Borer has created a series of meetings in each of West Haven’s 10 districts and is hosting them along with the respective City Council members, at-large council members and Board of Education members, as well as with a representative from the Department of Public Works.

The meeting sessions will begin in mid-January and run through early February.

For details, see the district meeting schedule.

“Each forum will be a one-stop shop for questions and input,” Borer said. “Residents are hungry to connect with their elected officials, and the goal is to be an accessible administration. I pride myself on having an open line of communication, which should be a two-way street — both listening to our residents but providing updates so that trust in transparency can be rebuilt.”

Additionally, Borer will host periodic Saturday morning office hours for those unable to visit City Hall during regular business hours.

Continuing along the external communication ramp-up, Borer has worked with Police Chief Joseph S. Perno to set up quarterly community forums similar to the late-summer event that was well received by the public.

“As a result of the excellent citizen participation and interaction at our last meeting, the Police Department has discussed with the mayor scheduling quarterly meetings,” Perno said. “The Police Department with the city will be posting the dates soon.”

Internal communication is important as well, and Borer has implemented a weekly Cabinet and department head meeting.

“Cabinet meetings may sound basic, but they are a great way to not only collaborate across city agencies but also an opportunity to brainstorm together as our city leaders and employees have a lot of great ideas,” the mayor said.

Finally, Borer this week organized the inaugural meeting of stakeholders from West Haven’s three fire departments “to bring together all the principal players — fire chiefs, commissioners, union representatives — to one table for the first time to continue to look for opportunities for synergy.”

The first monthly meeting was held Monday.

Jimmies files appeal against city, brewery developer

Jimmies files appeal against city, NEBCO brewery developer

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2024 — The owners of a seafood restaurant on the West Haven shoreline have filed an appeal against the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and Rock Street Brewery LLC, the developer of a taproom proposed by New England Brewing Co. at the city-owned site of the former Savin Rock Conference Center at 6 Rock St.

The appeal, filed recently by Jimmies Inc. at Superior Court in Milford, claims that despite developer Doug Gray’s modification of the original plan to scale back the brewery project, the new plan will encroach on an existing easement.

“It is very disappointing that after the groundwork, accommodations and public feedback, Jimmies decided to move forward with an appeal of the most recent zoning decision,” Mayor Dorinda Borer said. “It was particularly surprising as they had recently issued a public statement indicating their willingness to work with the city.”

Borer said upon receiving the appeal, she subsequently met with Jimmies of Savin Rock owners James and Paul Gagliardi to determine the prospect of a collaborative path forward for the project, which would include a taproom for Woodbridge craft brewery NEBCO in the 22,000-square-foot conference center building.

“Unfortunately, their appeal remains in effect, and the city will put its best foot forward in defending the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision that allowed the latest brewery plan to go forward,” Borer said. “We continue to be committed to bringing NEBCO to West Haven.”

An Important Message From Mayor Dorinda Borer

While the numbers have dipped a bit this week, COVID, the flu and RSV continue to be prevalent in our community. You can order free test kits and find the latest guidance at Respiratory Viral Disease Surveillance.

— Get Four Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests.

— See the Latest Weekly Viral Respiratory Disease Case Summary.

West Haven issues snow rules for parking

West Haven DPW issues snow parking rules

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 5, 2024 — To help crews expedite snow removal, acting Public Works Commissioner Robert Sandella is reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after storms.

Per the “Severe Weather” parking ordinance under Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code, police can ticket and tow vehicles violating the ordinance at the owner’s expense. Violators are subject to a $100 fine.

Once snow begins to fall, a parking ban is in effect on the even-numbered side of most roads, unless one is posted with a “No Parking” sign on the odd side.

The ban is in effect for 36 hours after a storm. Residents are urged to park in driveways or designated private lots.

However, during an official snow emergency declared by Mayor Dorinda Borer, a parking ban will run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on both sides of Campbell and Savin avenues, Morgan Lane, Elm Street, Meloy Road, Second Avenue from Elm to Beach streets, and Main Street from Savin to Washington avenues.

Sandella is also reminding residents and businesses to shovel their sidewalks within 24 hours after a storm or face a $25 fine “for each day that the violation persists.”

According to the “Removal of Snow and Ice” ordinance under Chapter 195 of the West Haven Code, people are given 24 hours to remove snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Violators are subject to the $25-per-day fine, which is enforced by the Police Department, the ordinance states.

To report a complaint, call the department’s nonemergency line at 203-937-3900. Complaints are kept confidential.

Sandella also pointed out that plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited and violators are subject to a $60 fine for each offense, per the ordinance.

Also, residents and businesses with mailboxes damaged by snow thrown from a plow are the responsibility of the property owner. The city will only repair mailboxes damaged by the striking of a plow blade if there is visible evidence, such as paint or tire tracks.

Snow removal around mailboxes is the property owner’s responsibility.

Residents are also urged to help firefighters keep hydrants clear of snow.

For more information, call the Highway Department at 203-937-3644.

Schedule announced for bulk trash pickup, e-waste drop-off in 2024

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 5, 2024 — The 2024 bulk trash pickup weeks are April 22-26 and Sept. 16-20.

West Haven residents are reminded to separate metals, recyclables and regular trash from bulk trash and put them out no more than 24 hours before pickup. Violations carry a $100 fine per daily offense, acting Public Works Commissioner Robert Sandella said.

Residents are also reminded to “Put a Lid on It!” and use lids on all trash cans. Rain-soaked trash costs West Haven 10 times more at the dump, according to Sandella, adding that using trash can lids will save the city money by reducing the weight of trash and cost of tipping fees.

Bulk items include couches, chairs, tables, carpeting, padding and fencing, which may not exceed 6 feet in length. No building materials, tires, mattresses, propane tanks or hazardous waste are accepted.

Options for disposing of building materials include renting a dumpster or bringing the materials to a disposal facility for a fee.

Tires and mattresses are not considered bulk trash and will not be collected.

Tires can be brought to Town Fair Tire, 63 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $2.75 per tire.

To dispose of mattresses, residents must buy mattress bags from the Department of Public Works and put them out for pickup on their weekly curbside collection day from April 1-Oct. 4. The bags cost $30 each.

Hazardous waste can be dropped off for free at HazWaste Central, 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven. HazWaste is open Saturday mornings from mid-May through October.

Propane tanks can be brought to Taylor Rental, 304 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $10.60 per tank.

The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash about 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 ½ feet high.

Homeowners are required to rent a dumpster or hire a junk removal service at their expense if trash exceeds 6 cubic yards. Otherwise, trash exceeding 6 cubic yards will be left at the curb, and a $100 fine per daily offense will be imposed, Sandella said.

To prevent a potential fine, property owners should familiarize themselves with the city’s trash guidelines at Bulk Trash Pickup & Other Services.

Bulk trash must be generated by the customer at the residential unit where it is collected. Trash will not be collected if it is generated by anyone other than the resident of the home.

Bulk items must be separated and orderly. Do not place them next to a mailbox or utility pole or close to a fence, Sandella said.

Also, do not place bulk items in front of a vacant lot or home — they will not be collected, he said.

Details at Bulk Trash Pickup & Other Services.

In addition to bulk trash, the city picks up metals, including household appliances, also known as white goods, and toilets. To schedule a pickup on their curbside collection day, residents must call the Highway Department at 203-937-3644 or 203-937-3585. Appliance doors must be removed.

The 2024 leaf bag pickup schedule is April 15-Dec. 13. The bags are picked up on residents’ weekly collection days. Leaves and grass clippings must be in separate biodegradable paper bags and will not be accepted if they are in plastic bags.

The city also picks up brush that is cut into 3-to-6-foot lengths and tied in small bundles, no more than 70 pounds. Logs and stumps are prohibited.

Residents can bring grass clippings as well as bagged leaves and untied brush to the compost site, 1 Kimberly Ave., from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and, starting in June, from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays. The first cubic yard of compost is free with proof of residence. Additional compost costs $25 per cubic yard. Residents must bring buckets and shovels.

For a $50 fee, the Public Works Department will deliver up to 2 cubic yards of compost to homes in West Haven. Prior to the pickup or delivery of compost, residents must make a cash payment in the public works office on the third floor of City Hall, 355 Main St. No credit cards or personal checks are accepted.

For electronic items, including TVs, the 2024 e-waste drop-off days are Feb. 3, April 20, June 15 and Sept. 28.

Residents can drop off electronic recyclables — typically anything that contains a circuit board or needs a battery — from 8 a.m.-noon at the city garage, 1 Collis St.

West Haven is partnering with Take 2 Inc. of Waterbury, a state-approved recycler and collector of universal e-waste devices, to collect residential electronic items on a quarterly basis.

The collection is free for residents who have such items as computers, monitors, printers, keyboards, modems, computer mice, tablet computers, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, photocopiers, fax machines, scanners, video game machines, digital media players, personal digital assistants, stereo equipment, telephones, cellphones, cameras, microwaves and other small appliances.

Anything that has refrigerant, including air conditioners and dehumidifiers, is not accepted. Those items are considered white goods, and residents are asked to schedule a pickup on their curbside collection day by calling the Highway Department.

Details at E-waste Drop-off.

For the e-waste drop-off, residents are asked to heed the following guidelines:

— Stay in your vehicle.

— Vehicles will be spaced out. Event workers will remove electronics from your vehicle. There should be no interaction between residents and workers.

— No mattresses or box springs will be disposed of at the moment.

— No smoke detectors, ballasts or hazardous waste — lighter fluid, liquids, paint — will be accepted.

— Electronic items left curbside will be tagged with information on the e-waste schedule and must be removed, or face a potential fine.

For the latest news and information, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at West Haven City Hall.

Reminders about Christmas trees, holiday trash pickup

Reminders issued for Christmas trees, holiday trash pickup

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 5, 2024 — The Department of Public Works reminds residents not to put Christmas trees in plastic bags or stands for curbside pickup.

Lights must also be removed from Christmas trees. Plastic bags and other items can become tangled in the machine that grinds the trees into compost.

Christmas trees will be picked up in January and February only. City residents needing a pickup after Feb. 29 will be charged a $25 fee. Christmas trees can also be brought to the compost site at 1 Kimberly Ave.

Also, residents are reminded that five 2024 holidays will delay curbside pickup one day.

Affordable Waste Systems LLC of East Haven, West Haven’s private contractor for rubbish and recyclables, will not pick up rubbish, recyclables or metals on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If a holiday falls on a weekday, pickup for that week will move ahead one day. But when a holiday like Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, only Thursday and Friday’s collections will move up a day.

Thanksgiving is also the only holiday that excludes metal pickup in those affected districts.

Separate metals and recyclables from regular trash.

Detailed information about the city’s trash and recycling guidelines is available at Bulk Trash Pickup & Other Services.

City offers free radon test kits for National Radon Action Month

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 5, 2024 — January is National Radon Action Month, and the city Health Department is encouraging residents to protect their health by testing their home for radon.

Radon, the second-leading cause of lung cancer, is a colorless, odorless and naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium. It is found in rock, water and soil.

While radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes from the surrounding soil and become a health hazard inside buildings, Health Director Maureen B. Lillis said.

Lillis said testing for radon is recommended every two years.

The Health Department has received a limited number of free radon test kits from the state Department of Public Health.

To receive a test kit, West Haven residents can call the Health Department at 203-937-3660. A sanitarian from the department will help place the kit in the home, Lillis said.

To learn more about radon, visit the DPH Radon Program.