Picasso Parties celebrates 10 years in business on West Haven shoreline

Picasso Parties celebrates 10 years in business on the West Haven shoreline

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 26, 2024 — (Pictured): Picasso Parties owner Darcee LoPresti receives a citation in recognition of her business’s 10th anniversary from Mayor Dorinda Borer, left, on Thursday.

With them are, from left, Picasso artists Ashley Gibbs, Crystal Betham and Gillian Murray.

Borer congratulated LoPresti and her “thriving” arts and crafts business at 944 Ocean Ave. for “providing a wide variety of services that encourage people to be expressive and imaginative.”

Reading the citation, the mayor said, “These services have inspired your clients to be the best version of themselves by helping them create memories that last a lifetime.”

The woman-owned business, located in the heart of West Shore’s Prospect Beach neighborhood, is nestled in a historic red brick building with a pair of established small businesses: Tom & Pat’s Pizza and Prospect Beach House Deli & Market.

Picasso specializes in painting parties for kids and adults. It also offers face painting and body art, including airbrush and glitter tattoos, as well as “take and make” crafts, after-school programs and photo booth rentals.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

‘Get Well Soon,’ Mayor Borer!

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 26, 2024 — (Pictured, from right): Mayor Dorinda Borer on Thursday thanks third graders of teacher Amy Warren’s class at St. Lawrence School for making “Get Well Soon” cards for the mayor, who is recovering from an injury.

With them is, left, Warren’s daughter, paraprofessional and art teacher Emma Warren.

A grateful Borer, who was joined by Principal Jim Messina, engaged with students of the private Catholic school at 231 Main St. and answered questions on what it’s like being mayor.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven launches program to recoup lost motor vehicle tax revenue

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 26, 2024 — The city has launched a program to identify and recoup lost tax revenue from out-of-state and unregistered motor vehicles, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

Borer said the city has contracted with Capital Tax Recovery of Berlin to scan license plates throughout West Haven to determine if residents have their vehicles registered with the state and have West Haven as their tax city.

The mayor said CTR is working with the assessor’s office to identify potential vehicles and personal property that have been missing from the city’s tax rolls for the past three years.

Assessor Ann Marie Gradoia, who is overseeing the new program, said CTR will send out notifications to motor vehicle owners who have been identified and will give them an opportunity to resolve any issues.

Borer said the number of people driving with out-of-state license plates and without current motor vehicle registrations has increased dramatically in recent years, most notably from surrounding states during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Residents who are paying taxes to another city are not contributing their fair share to the cost of the services West Haven provides, such as education, trash hauling and public safety, to name a few,” Borer said. “That means those who are properly registered here are footing the bill.

“The bottom line is we welcome new residents to our great city and want them to live, work and enjoy everything we have to offer, but you need to pitch in.”

Gradoia said the program is provided at no cost to West Haven, but CTR will receive a percentage of all taxes and interest collected by the city through the company’s contracted investigation. CTR will also receive a $50 fee per vehicle paid by the owner, she said.

The assessment year runs from Oct. 1-Sept. 30.

According to Gradoia, residents who live in West Haven on or before Oct. 1 of each year must have their vehicles registered in the city. Residents have 90 days to transfer vehicles once establishing residency in Connecticut.

Residents should check vehicle registrations to ensure they are up to date, they have the correct address and the tax town code is 156 for West Haven. If any of the information is incorrect, fill out a change of address form for an individual registration.

For business vehicles, residents must fill out and return a commercial vehicle change of address form, which is available on the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ website.

Residents who have received a notice from Capital Tax Recovery must contact the company directly by calling 860-826-1100 or visiting the website. The assessor’s office does not have information why a vehicle was added — please do not call the office.

Residents who can provide proof of residency in another state would be exempt. Anyone who believes a vehicle was added in error must provide CTR with sufficient proof by the deadline on the letter or a bill will be generated.

West Haven receives $250K downtown planning grant from state Community Investment Fund

Mayor Dorinda Borer. (City Photo)

City receives $250K downtown planning grant from the state

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 24, 2024 — The state Community Investment Fund 2030 Board on Tuesday approved a $250,000 grant for development planning in the city’s downtown Village Improvement District, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

The board vote gives the green light for the State Bond Commission to consider the next step of approval.

Borer, who initiated the grant, said the city will use the funding to hire a consultant to conduct feasibility and market studies to support a renewed and vibrant West Haven Center.

To support the mayor’s vision for the district, the proposed project will include consulting fees, comprehensive community engagement, environmental assessments and renderings of the downtown area reimagined, Borer said.

Planning consultants hired with the funding will evaluate the district focusing on the Main Street and Campbell Avenue corridor.

“The Downtown District has been an area of focus for us, and in order to properly address significant changes, a professional plan is required,” Borer said. “This will consist of evaluating potential traffic impacts, the remediation of brownfield concerns and an overall comprehensive plan of smart development. This will allow us to be better positioned to request large-scale grants to help lift up the area.”

The mayor added, “I want to thank our entire General Assembly delegation for their unwavering support of this initiative.”

State Rep. Bill Heffernan, a Democrat representing West Haven’s 115th District, said: “I’m happy that the CIF Board has approved the request for $250,000 for the city of West Haven for the West Haven Revitalization Planning. The development planning for the West Haven Village Improvement District moves the city in the right direction.

“I want to thank Mayor Dorinda Borer for her vision for the future of West Haven. The next step for this funding is approval by the State Bond Commission.”

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)

National Senior Center Month declared in West Haven

Borer declares National Senior Center Month in city

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 24, 2024 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer on Sept. 19 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)

West Haven Senior Center hosting veterinary wellness clinic Oct. 11

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 18, 2024 — The West Haven Senior Center is hosting a Veterinary Care Everywhere Wellness Clinic for dogs and cats.

The wellness clinic is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at 201 Noble St.

The clinic will include a wellness check, rabies vaccines, a distemper vaccine, basic deworming and heartworm testing (dogs only).

For complete details, including fees and registration, read the WHSC news release.

Councilwoman Tucker, D-7. (Contributed Photo)

Lamont appoints Councilwoman Tucker to opioid settlement panel

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 18, 2024 — Gov. Ned Lamont has appointed Councilwoman Katherine Tucker to serve on the state’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee.

Tucker, a Democrat representing West Haven’s 7th District, is a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse and the clinical program director of outpatient programs at Yale New Haven Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Center.

She was notified of her gubernatorial appointment in a Sept. 6 letter from Lamont.

“I have the honor and privilege to appoint you to the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, as an individual representing municipalities, to serve a term ending on September 5, 2026, and until a successor is appointed and has qualified,” Lamont said in the one-page letter.

Tucker was recommended for the appointment by Mayor Dorinda Borer.

“I want to congratulate Councilwoman Tucker on her appointment by Governor Lamont,” Borer said. “Kathy has what it takes to properly advise this committee to ensure that Connecticut’s opioid settlement money flows to the communities that need it most. I know she will serve our state and our city well.”

Borer said the state and its municipal health departments are receiving the settlement money as part of a nationwide settlement reached with drugmakers and pharmaceutical companies for their roles in the national opioid crisis.

West Haven Health Director Maureen B. Lillis said her department will use its portion of the settlement money to fund the city’s overdose awareness campaign and to help stop opioid addiction in West Haven.

Tucker has been a nurse for three decades. She earned a doctorate in nursing practice from Sacred Heart University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Quinnipiac University.

A lifelong Westie, Tucker began her inaugural term on the City Council in March 2022 and has been a champion for health, education, social justice and equality.

Tucker was named West Haven’s African American Citizen of the Year in 2023 and is a former member of the city’s Board of Health.

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.