Borer officiates Valentine’s Day wedding

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 15, 2024 — (Pictured): Mayor and longtime Justice of the Peace Dorinda Borer, holding a marriage certificate, officiates the marriage of Christine Gonda and Mickey Kross in the Harriet C. North Community Room at City Hall on Wednesday.

Gonda and Kross, who live on West Walk, were among five West Haven couples united in matrimony on Valentine’s Day as part of an annual service sponsored by the city clerk’s office, which offers free weddings to couples who apply for a marriage license at City Hall.

Kross, a retired New York City Fire Department lieutenant, responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the twin towers in Manhattan’s World Trade Center complex and survived the collapse of the north tower. He later donated the black FDNY lieutenant helmet he wore on 9/11 to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at ground zero.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Happy 100th birthday, Helen Norman!

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 15, 2024 — (Pictured): City resident Helen Norman receives a citation in honor of her 100th birthday from Mayor Dorinda Borer during a celebration with family and friends at Apple Rehab West Haven on Friday.

With them are, from left, Norman’s children, John Norman Jr., Nancy Marsh and Gary Norman.

Borer recognized the centenarian and lover of word search books for “leading an extraordinary life.”

Reading the citation, Borer said, “As a lifelong resident of our beautiful shoreline, you have witnessed tremendous milestones in our city’s history, and your life represents an important part of the story of West Haven.”

The former Helen Lutz is a 1942 graduate of West Haven High School and was an avid swimmer and tole painter, the folk art of decorative painting on tin and wooden utensils, objects and furniture.

She has four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, several of whom attended the celebration.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Borer requires city employees to attend ethics training

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 15, 2024 — City employees attended mandatory ethics training led by officials from the Office of State Ethics in the Harriet C. North Community Room at City Hall.

Mayor Dorinda Borer required all city employees to attend one of three training sessions Feb. 1 “as part of our ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.”

The training centered on the West Haven Code of Ethics and other governmental ethics best practices and was taught by Peter Lewandowski, the state office’s executive director, and Sarah R. Clark, the office’s director of education and communications.

The training was based in part on the new Code of Ethics implemented in 2023.

Lewandowski and Clark presented a number of scenarios showing common unethical practices in government and educated employees on avoiding them.

Borer greeted employees at each of the hourlong sessions throughout the day, which included a Q&A session, and stressed the importance of the training and adhering to the high standard of government employees.

Employees of City Hall and satellite offices attended the training, with a session recorded for makeup purposes and new employees.

Borer suggested that the next phase include elected officials and board and commission members.

“From our longtime employees to our new employees, I’m grateful that everyone was eager to demonstrate our collective commitment to restoring trust,” Borer said. “The employees engaged in the sessions and asked good questions. We want everyone involved in the delivery of West Haven’s government services to be apprised of the Code of Ethics.”

“Between the IT security training and now the ethics training, I appreciate all of the valuable input we’re receiving as employees,” said Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics Elaine Antosca, a new employee of the city clerk’s office. “The more informed we are, the better we’re able to serve the public.”

West Haven’s Board of Ethics is the governing body that handles all ethical matters concerning city employees. The five-member board is approved by the City Council.

The state ethics office encourages accountability and integrity throughout state government by providing legal advice, guidance and education to public officials, state employees, and lobbyists, according to its website.

West Haven Fire Department promotes 2 career firefighters, swears in recruit firefighter

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 8, 2024 — Two career firefighters were promoted and a recruit firefighter was sworn in during a ceremony at the West Haven Fire Department of the First Fire Taxation District on Feb. 7.

Bruce E. Sweeney, the chairman of the district’s Board of Fire Commissioners, administered the oath promoting Lt. Andrew Bennett to captain and firefighter Joseph Wendland to lieutenant.

Bennett, 38, of Old Saybrook, was hired in 2009 as a firefighter/paramedic, and Wendland, 35, of Watertown, was hired in 2018 as a firefighter/paramedic.

Sweeney also swore in recruit firefighter Deerick Arzola-Torres, 22, of Windsor.

Arzola-Torres is gearing up to begin the Connecticut Fire Academy’s 15-week Recruit Firefighter Program on Monday, an intensive journey to fulfill his status as the newest career firefighter of the district, also known as the Center.

The half-hour ceremony was held on the apparatus floor of fire headquarters, 366 Elm St., before a standing room-only crowd that included Mayor Dorinda Borer, state Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, and several dozen commissioners, chiefs, officers, firefighters and union stewards from the 136-year-old department and the city’s other two fire departments.

Read the full story and see the photo gallery at WHFD.

Rick Fontana sworn in as West Haven’s new EMD

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 8, 2024 — Mayor Dorinda Borer on Feb. 6 swore in Rick Fontana as the city’s new emergency management director.

Borer administered the oath of appointment to Fontana, 65, of West Haven, in the mayor’s office at City Hall. He succeeds Joseph Soto, who held the EMD position for four years.

Fontana previously served as New Haven’s emergency operations director for 16 years.

Borer said Fontana, who earned a Master of Science in national security and public safety from the University of New Haven, is widely regarded as an expert in the field of emergency management.

“Rick’s network crosses local, regional, state and federal governments, and he has had great success in securing grants and creating state and federally required plans,” Borer said. “His working knowledge of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is needed and will be an essential benefit for West Haven’s emergency preparedness.”

Fontana is a retired West Haven firefighter/paramedic. He is a commissioner of the state Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, representing the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and is the federal operations section chief for the state Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Library relaunches bookmobile, mobile services

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 8, 2024 — State Librarian Deborah Schander and Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, joined Mayor Dorinda Borer and West Haven Public Library officials Feb. 5 to relaunch the library’s bookmobile and mobile services.

At the morning event, Borer commended and congratulated the library for receiving a grant from the State Library in partnership with the nonprofit Libraries Without Borders US to enhance its mobile presence and outreach services.

The relaunch was held in the parking lot of the West Haven Community House and was attended by Libraries Without Borders Executive Director Nina Safane, library Executive Director Colleen Bailie, outreach librarian Melissa Marguy and Community House Executive Director Amy Guay-Macfarlane.

The library is a partner of the Community House and is governed by the Village Improvement Association, of which Heffernan serves as its president.

The Pauline Z. Smith Bookmobile is 10 years old and has been equipped with new books, decorations and shelves, along with Wi-Fi connectivity.

Bailie said the traveling public library aims to reach as many residents as possible with improved services, such as offering library cards “on the fly.”

“We look forward to expanding our outreach further with more items being held in our bookmobile, mobile hot spot access and the capability of pop-up library services all throughout West Haven, especially in Allingtown while we strive to build a new location,” Bailie said. “Stay tuned for more locations to find our van and Melissa providing the best in library services.”

Schander said: “Utilizing the bookmobile allows the library to expand its existing community partnerships and connect West Haven residents to library offerings. The relaunch involved mapping community partners and key locations for service around the city and outfitting the van to provide easy access to a wide range of books, internet capacity and other library services.

“The van can both bring resources to new locations around the city and can serve on its own as a temporary satellite location wherever it goes.”

The Village Improvement Association plays a critical role in guiding the city’s library system in “providing unlimited access to opportunities and resources for self-improvement, cultural awareness and pure enjoyment for patrons.”

West Haven DPW issues snow parking rules

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 18, 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.

In the event of a parking ban, the following public lots are available for off-street parking:

—    All schools.

—    Campbell Avenue and Captain Thomas Boulevard, next to Biagetti’s Restaurant, 77 Campbell Ave., and Scoreboards Cafe, 100 Campbell Ave.

—    Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

—    Campbell Avenue, across from Duffy’s Tavern, 241 Campbell Ave.

—    Curtiss Place, behind 473 Campbell Ave.

—    Campbell Avenue, behind 519 Campbell Ave.

—    City Hall, 355 Main St.

—    Former Stiles School, 575 Main St.

—    First Avenue commuter lot.

—    Quigley Stadium, 362 Front Ave.

—    Sawmill Road commuter lot, across from Econo Lodge, 370 Highland St.

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.