Westie Barbara Keyes celebrates 100th birthday

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 18, 2024 — (Pictured): Longtime Westie Barbara Keyes receives a citation in honor of her 100th birthday from Mayor Dorinda Borer during a celebration at her Milton Avenue home with her children, David Keyes and Rosemary Uppvall, on Wednesday.

Borer recognized the centenarian and “lover of music and nature” for “leading an extraordinary life that is great in accomplishments.”

Reading the citation, the mayor said: “As a longtime resident of our beautiful city, you have witnessed tremendous milestones in our history. Your life represents an important part of West Haven.”

The former Barbara Gaetano is a 1943 graduate of West Haven High School.

She proudly noted that her uncle John Prete, a Democrat, served as West Haven’s first selectman in 1953-55. The John Prete public housing complex at 1187 Campbell Ave. is named in his honor.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Chris Skeens and Joe LaDore acoustic set scheduled for Oak Street pier Sunday

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 18, 2024 — Chris Skeens and Joe LaDore will perform from 9:30-11 a.m. Sept. 22 at the Oak Street pier, off Captain Thomas Boulevard, as part of the city's Acoustic Sunday Morning Concert Series.

Grab a coffee and a beach chair and chill out to covers of all genres — with the unique sound of a custom-made cajon drum! — played by West Haven’s favorite smooth-sailing duo.

Join us!

148 vets of Vietnam War era honored at West Haven High School ceremony

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 17, 2024 — Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, state Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ronald M. Welch and Mayor Dorinda Borer rolled out the red carpet for the city’s Vietnam War-era veterans during a ceremony at West Haven High School on Monday night.

In front of a patriotic crowd in the school auditorium, the “West Haven Vietnam-era Veterans Awards Ceremony” honored 148 West Haven veterans, men and women, who served in the U.S. armed forces from 1961 to 1975.

Hundreds of family members applauded as the veterans — some wearing military uniforms, some fighting back tears — received a citation for their service from Bysiewicz and Welch and a certificate of appreciation from Borer for “your contributions to the nation in the U.S. armed forces and your bravery during the Vietnam War era.”

Vets also received a commemorative “Vietnam Veteran” pin from the lieutenant governor and the commissioner.

The more than two-hour ceremony included poignant remarks by Bysiewicz, Welch, Borer, and West Haven Democratic state Reps. Treneé McGee and Bill Heffernan.

“We are here to recognize and celebrate West Haven’s Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans,” Bysiewicz said. “Please give them a round of applause!”

The lieutenant governor continued: “We are so honored to be here in the company of a generation of men and women who had to go through a very difficult and challenging period in our country’s history and in the presence of people who actually served in Vietnam, who had to endure some very big challenges, like pounding monsoon rains, very intense urban combat, stifling jungle heat and exposure to toxic chemicals, like Agent Orange.

“Also, it was a very difficult time in our country’s history because, sadly, the American people were divided in their opinions about the war, and sadly and wrongly, they often took their displeasure with the war out on the people who were sacrificing and risking their lives to guard the very precious freedoms that we are so blessed to have in our country.”

Bysiewicz, who thanked Borer and City Hall employees for organizing and hosting the event, also underscored the two qualities of Vietnam veterans: resilience in the face of great difficulty and danger and a continued commitment to service.

The ceremony commenced with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and followed with the singing of the national anthem by West Haven High sophomore Paige Kenny.

Army veteran Edward Wolkovitz led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and read “My Guardian,” a poem he wrote two years ago about his experience in Vietnam. The specialist first class served in the 9th Infantry Division in southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta during the Tet Offensive.

Borer thanked Bysiewicz and Welch, as well as McGee and Heffernan, for the good work they do for Connecticut’s veterans.

The mayor also thanked West Haven Municipal Veterans Rep. Rich Deso and the members of West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc., which was represented by President Dave Ricci, who served in the Marine Corps, and Treasurer Steve Carney, who served in the Army.

“Tonight, with great reverence, we celebrate you, our Vietnam veterans, and commemorate the valor of a generation of men and women who served with honor,” Borer said. “I join the residents of our great city in paying solemn tribute to you, our proud veterans — men and women who left their families to serve courageously in the era of the Vietnam War. Today and every day, we strive to be worthy of your sacrifice.”

The mayor continued: “The Vietnam War is a story of patriots. Through more than a decade of combat over air, land and sea, they upheld the highest traditions of the armed forces, and more than 58,000 sacrificed all they had and all they would ever know in service to their country.

“Our hearts break and continue to break for the mothers, the fathers, the siblings and the friends of all that did not see their loved one return.”

According to Bysiewicz, 612 state residents died in the Vietnam War, including three from West Haven.

Borer also paid tribute to those who were prisoners of war and those who served and never returned home. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed annually on the third Friday of September, “and that’s why we chose this week to honor you,” the mayor said.

Before the award presentation, Bysiewicz invited veterans to share their stories. The lieutenant governor walked up and down the aisles and passed the microphone to several vets, including Daniel Durham, who talked about the “brotherhood” of the Navy, and Paul W. Bauer, who served in the Army and noted that there were no front lines in Vietnam, which forced soldiers to maintain constant vigilance, he said.

See the ceremony photo gallery. 

Bulk pickup week underway, e-waste drop-off Sept. 28

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 17, 2024 — The final bulk trash pickup week of 2024 is underway.

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 $3.75 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 through Nov. 1. Mattress pickup will resume June 1, 2025. Mattress bags cost $30 for the first one and $20 each after that. They are payable by cash and available in the public works office on the third floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

Hazardous waste can be dropped off for free at HazWaste Central, 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven. HazWaste is open Saturday mornings 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 Public Works.

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.

Leaf bags are picked up through 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 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.

Prior to picking up compost, residents must make a cash payment in the public works office on the third floor of City Hall. No credit cards or personal checks are accepted.

For electronic items, including TVs, the final e-waste drop-off day of the year is 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.

Special Olympics Connecticut bocce competition returns to West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 16, 2024 — More than 150 athletes competed in the Special Olympics Connecticut Fall Festival bocce competition at the city’s Old Grove Park courts Saturday and Sunday.

The 2024 Unified Sports Fall Festival tournament, presented by Mohegan Sun, showcased Special Olympians from several teams statewide, including West Haven, Hamden, North Haven, Westport and New Milford.

The opening ceremony, held on the grounds of the historic shoreline park Saturday morning, included a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthem by West Haven High School sophomore Barrett Welch.

It also included remarks by Mayor Dorinda Borer, master of ceremonies Lisa Kovlakas, a member of the Special Olympics Connecticut board of directors, and Katie Dennett, Special Olympics’ director of partnerships and corporate relations. Kovlakas is ESPN’s manager of strategic partnerships and corporate citizenship.

Borer thanked Special Olympics Connecticut for choosing West Haven as the host site and organizing the bocce competition. The mayor also welcomed the hundreds of athletes and their families to the city.

“We’re going to be cheering you on!” said Borer, who received a framed certificate of thanks from Kovlakas on behalf of Special Olympics Connecticut President and CEO Michael B. Mason.

The ceremony was attended by state Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, and Councilmen Gary Donovan, D-4, and Mackie McMillian, D-5.

As DJ Steve Gourdier played Tina Turner’s “The Best,” bocce competitor Carly Schwartz of Team West Haven Inc. carried the Special Olympics torch into the venue with West Haven Police Chief Joseph S. Perno. The torchbearers received a police escort by Capt. Joseph Romano and Officers Rozimara Ramos and Abdoul Aremu.

“Let the Games begin,” Kovlakas proclaimed.

The city last hosted the bocce competition nine years ago. The courts, six in all, were donated and constructed by Special Olympics Connecticut for the Special Olympics World Games bocce competition in July 1995.

In addition to the bocce competition in West Haven, sailing took place at The Wadawanuck Club in Stonington, softball at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club in East Hartford and golf at Sleeping Giant Golf Course in Hamden.

On Sept. 28-29, the croquet competition will take place at the Ocean House in Rhode Island.

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports partners — their teammates without disabilities.

Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities statewide and in 190 countries worldwide by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field.

See the opening ceremony photo gallery.

Tony Inzero Farmers Market every Thursday on West Haven Green, every Saturday at Oak Street Beach

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 27, 2024 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday on the Green, at Campbell Avenue and Main Street, and every Saturday next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot, off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market will include state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling homemade wares through Oct. 12.

Parking is available on Campbell Avenue and in the City Hall municipal lot, 355 Main St., as well as 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 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 with Betty DelVecchio for many years. Inzero was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association who spearheaded a variety of events and programs to drum up business for fellow merchants, including the first farmers market in 2000.

Inzero, who lived in Hamden, died in 2009 at age 59.