New floodgates at Campbell Avenue underpass will protect drivers from flood-prone area in downtown

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 24, 2024 — (Pictured, from right): West Haven Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana demonstrates the newly installed floodgate on the north side of the Campbell Avenue underpass Thursday as police traffic Sgt. Charles Young and Mayor Dorinda Borer discuss the city’s emergency action plan for the flood-prone area.

After decades of using wooden sawhorses to block reoccurring flood areas and having public safety personnel parked at the sites, Borer requested the installation of floodgates to safeguard motorists from the dangerous areas.

As part of a pilot program, the metal gates have been installed on both sides of the railroad underpass and have flashing orange lights and yellow-and-black “Road Closed” signs.

Fontana said police will close the gates during rainstorms to prevent vehicles from driving through the low-lying area. A “Detour” sign set up by police on the north side of the underpass will reroute traffic up York Street, he said.

“We want to make sure we’re doing everything in West Haven to mitigate flash flooding and save lives,” Fontana said.

About a block northeast, the city is also installing floodgates on both sides of the Washington Avenue underpass.

Fontana said the city plans to install cameras to monitor the underpasses during storms.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Borer declares National Senior Center Month in city

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 24, 2024 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer on Thursday reads a proclamation to West Haven Senior Center members declaring September as National Senior Center Month. With Borer is Elderly Services Director Alyssa Maddern, who oversees the center at 201 Noble St.

Over cake bites and refreshments, Borer chatted with West Haven’s older residents about their “immeasurable contributions to enriching the fabric of our community.”

Reading the proclamation, the mayor said: “The West Haven Senior Center has acted as a catalyst for mobilizing the creativity, energy, vitality and commitment of the older residents of the city of West Haven. Through a wide array of services, programs and activities, the West Haven Senior Center empowers our city’s older residents to contribute to their own health and well-being and to the health and well-being of their fellow residents of all ages.”

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

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)

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 Sept. 16.

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. 

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.