Borer reopens Beach Street in grand style with ribbon-cutting and community walk

WEST HAVEN, June 3, 2024 — With more than 100 people looking on, Mayor Dorinda Borer cut a “Westie blue” ribbon suspended across Beach Street on Friday evening to mark the grand reopening of the shoreline road after a yearlong state-bonded road-raising project.

A half-hour before the ribbon-cutting, a slate of speakers, including Borer, Gov. Ned Lamont’s chief of staff, Jonathan Dach, and members of the Sandy Point Neighborhood Association, commemorated the occasion at the Sandy Point Beach & Bird Sanctuary near Second Avenue with testimonials praising the many people who helped bring the years-in-the-making project to fruition.

In her opening remarks, Borer told those gathered that the road raising spanned three administrations and thanked former Mayors Nancy R. Rossi and Edward M. O’Brien for helping to shepherd the project. Borer also thanked the city’s state and federal delegations for securing the funding.

“In addition to coastal resiliency, building a beautiful corridor, we also took the opportunity with the funding to build a platform that not only provides vehicle safety but pedestrian safety, cycling safety as well,” said Borer, who was joined by West Haven state representatives, City Council members and other city leaders, along with Board of Education, police and fire officials.

Borer continued: “We’ve added speed humps, signs, widened the bike lane, and put in aesthetics to make the project something that those from around the state would want to visit.

“Today we’re standing in a section that we can all be very, very proud of. And in West Haven, we are a very proud community. I want to take the opportunity to thank all the residents for your patience during this project, and I know that all good things come to those who wait.”

Deputy Chief William S. Johnson IV of the West Haven Fire Department followed by speaking about the hazards first responders faced on Beach Street during Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

Councilwoman Michelle Coletti, D-2, a co-founder of the nonprofit Sandy Point association who served as its inaugural president in 2021-23, talked about her positive working relationship with the city to solve the neighborhood’s coastal challenges and improve its quality of life.

Read the full story and see the photo gallery at Beach Street Reopening.

West Haven rolling out new recycling carts citywide

WEST HAVEN, May 30, 2024 — The city is rolling out new recycling carts for residents.

The free 65-gallon carts will begin arriving at residents’ homes in mid-June. Residents do not have to go to City Hall to pick up their new cart.

Mayor Dorinda Borer said residents should start using their new carts as soon as they receive them. The collection schedule will remain the same, she said.

The carts will replace the smaller bins currently used for residential recycling.

Borer said the new carts have wheels for easy maneuvering and attached lids to keep recyclables dry and secure. They will also keep city streets safer and cleaner as scattered debris will be limited, she said.

According to city officials, residents can keep their old bins for home use but will no longer be able to use them for the recycling program. The smaller bins cannot accommodate a potential new automated process.

Residents who want to discard their old smaller bins can do so by placing the old smaller bins on the curb on their regular trash day starting July 8.

“This is a great opportunity to modernize our waste hauling system,” Borer said. “In addition to increasing our recycling capacity, there are aesthetic and safety benefits. The carts have lids, meaning we will no longer have litter and debris blowing around our streets.”

In combination with American Rescue Plan Act funding, the city has received a grant from The Recycling Partnership, a national nongovernmental organization that advances the circular economy by building a better recycling system in communities nationwide.

Borer said West Haven was selected to receive grant support because of its dedication to advancing recycling in the community.

The mayor asks that residents continue to do their part by placing only recyclable materials in their carts, including glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, food and beverage cartons, paper products, such as newspapers and flattened cardboard, and empty plastic bottles and containers.

To help limit contamination, give food and drink containers a quick rinse and place them directly into the recycling cart. No sorting is needed.

Residents can find their recycling day and answers to other frequently asked questions by visiting Recycling Info & Carts or calling the Department of Public Works at 203-937-3585.

Business Alliance donates beach wheelchair to city

WEST HAVEN, May 30, 2024 — (Pictured): West Haven Business Alliance owner Michelle Caprio, left, joined by member David Tammaro, second from left, donates a beach wheelchair on behalf of the alliance to the Department of Parks and Recreation on Wednesday.

Shown with Caprio and Tammaro are, from left, Park-Rec Director Mark E. Paine Jr. and Pool and Waterfront Coordinator Margaret Ruggiero and West Shore Deputy Fire Chief Raphael Zayas.

Caprio, a lifelong Westie who started the alliance as a way of giving back to the community, said the new wheelchair will support the independent mobility of disabled beachgoers at West Shore’s Dawson Avenue Beach.

The $1,100 wheelchair has four 12-inch wheels that allow it to roll on beach sand and was the idea of Tammaro, a West Haven resident and business owner.

The wheelchair is accessible at the beach’s lifeguard stand from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., said Ruggiero, who supervises Park-Rec’s lifeguards. It is stored after beach hours at West Shore fire headquarters, just across the street on Ocean Avenue.

The mission of the West Haven Business Alliance “is to promote, provide, network, and collaborate West Haven businesses and their owners. This will allow for the betterment and development of business, fostering services for enhancing consumers and the business community.”

(City Photo/James Asmus)

Bailey students learn about city government

WEST HAVEN, May 30, 2024 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, right, talks local government with members of Bailey Middle School’s Student Council and Interact Club at City Hall on May 24.

The seventh and eighth graders were accompanied by council advisers Dina Jones, Tara Oliwa and Jess D’Amato and club adviser Molly Deptulski, all of whom are teachers at Bailey.

The students learned how they can impact their community and make it a better place, said Jones, who also advises the Interact Club.

Borer talked about her love of West Haven, the job of mayor and the many facets of city government.

After a Q&A session with Borer, the spirited group of students rolled up their sleeves and cleaned up the nearby Green.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Library kicks off Capital Campaign

WEST HAVEN, May 30, 2024 — The West Haven Library kicked off its Capital Campaign on May 17 with a $100,000 donation from the Heffernan family for the Allingtown library project.

In attendance were Friends of the Library members, Village Improvement Association board members and West Haven Library staff members.

Pictured, from left, are West Haven Library Director Colleen Bailie, VIA board President Bill Heffernan, and Heffernan family members Katie Farrell, Betsy Davis and Nancy Skerritt.

The West Haven Library hopes to raise $2 million to assist with the building of a new Allingtown library after closing the Piantino Library when the city sold the building in September 2020. Be on the lookout for more programs and fundraisers for the project.

The Friends of the Library were also presented with their proceeds of $2,000 from the Rotary Club of West Haven’s auction event last month by President-elect Alan Olenick to Friends President Michael Invernale. All proceeds from the Rotary’s Paddle Raise will benefit the summer reading programming at the West Haven Library.

The Capital Campaign kickoff also included a viewing event to showcase a documentary featuring the West Haven Library, which will air on PBS during the year. Watch the documentary on PBS or the library’s website.

Parade memorializes America’s fallen heroes

WEST HAVEN, May 28, 2024 — Grand Marshal Gerald “Jerry” Cafferty steered West Haven’s Memorial Day parade May 27 while riding shotgun in a black Mustang driven by city resident Kevin Gardner.

Cafferty, a decorated Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War in 1970-71, led the more than 40-unit procession of veterans, bands and dignitaries, including Mayor Dorinda Borer and state Attorney General William Tong, along Campbell Avenue.

Despite damp conditions, the parade soldiered on, stepping from Captain Thomas Boulevard north to Center Street, where hundreds of revelers lined the 1 ½-mile route, American flags waving, for the annual patriotic march.

Cafferty, 75, was tapped by the West Haven Veterans Council, which helps the city organize the parade, for his years of service to the military, his fellow vets and his community.

The 90-minute event, in memory of the deceased members of the U.S. armed forces of all wars, is the oldest parade of its kind in southern Connecticut.

The parade featured the Connecticut Army National Guard’s 102nd Army Band, the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums, the East Rock Brass Band, the West Haven High School Band and the Harry M. Bailey Middle School Band.

Read the full story and see the photo gallery at Memorial Day Parade.

47 bricks dedicated at Vets Walk of Honor ceremony

WEST HAVEN, May 28, 2024 — A legion of veterans and their families from across Connecticut, joined by city and state leaders and members of West Haven’s Veterans Council and three fire departments, turned out May 25 to help dedicate 47 bricks as part of Phase 16 of the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park.

The patriotic crowd, many wearing red, white and blue, gathered along the Walk of Honor on Long Island Sound as Mayor Dorinda Borer delivered poignant remarks dedicating the new bricks.

“I know you agree with me when I say it feels really good to stand under that American flag,” said Borer, speaking in front of a black granite memorial in commemoration of World War II Army Pfc. William A. Soderman. “And we do so because of all of you, all of our veterans here — and all that we’re honoring here tonight. You’ve made this possible for us.”

The mayor continued: “I’m deeply humbled by the presence of so many veterans and their families who have come to these hallowed grounds from all corners of Connecticut and beyond to participate in the solemn dedication of Phase 16 of the Veterans Walk of Honor.

“Thank you all for your service — our Army, our Navy, our Air Force, our Marines, our Coast Guard. Thanks to each and every one of you.”

Borer then gave a shoutout to retired city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, who is now a volunteer in the mayor’s office.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Beth Sabo for overseeing the construction of all phases of the Walk of Honor since its dedication in May of 2007,” Borer said.

Read the full story and see the photo gallery at Veterans Walk of Honor.

Kickoff Dinner raises funds, recognizes honorees for Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Fest

WEST HAVEN, May 22, 2024 — (Pictured, from left): Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Committee Treasurer Sal Decola, committee member Mike Luzzi, Mayor Dorinda Borer, and newly sashed honorees Celia Pinzi and Mark Consorte are all smiles at the committee’s Kickoff Dinner at Cielo Banquet Hall on May 15.

The fundraising dinner recognized Consorte, a longtime social studies teacher and department head at West Haven High School, as the grand marshal of the 2024 Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Festival and Pinzi, the owner of West Haven Funeral Home, as the recipient of the committee’s Laura Luzzi Award for outstanding public service.

West Haven is the host community for the festival, which is scheduled from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, on the West Haven Green.

The cultural event will include live music and family-friendly activities to celebrate the region’s deep-rooted Italian heritage.

In addition to West Haven, the host community rotates annually among New Haven, North Haven, Branford, East Haven and Hamden, the host of last year’s festival.

(Contributed Photo)

Craft, farm, food truck vendors sought for Tony Inzero Farmers Market; 2024 season starts July 6

WEST HAVEN, May 17, 2024 — The city is seeking craft, farm and food truck vendors to participate in the Tony Inzero Farmers Market, which will open its 2024 season July 6 next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market, nestled on the right side of the beach lot, will include state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling homemade wares from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday through Oct. 12.

It will also include food trucks.

To participate in the semiweekly market, download an Application.

Applications are also available for pickup in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due June 17.

Completed applications must be emailed to Tracie Slater, the market’s manager, at tslater@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.

For more information, call Slater at 203-937-3510.