The Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park, West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh, File)

City holding Veterans Day event at 10:45 a.m. Monday on Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 7, 2024 — The city and the West Haven Veterans Council will hold a Veterans Day tribute on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park at 10:45 a.m. Monday.

All veterans are invited to participate in the annual ceremony, which will feature remarks by Mayor Dorinda Borer and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci.

The public is also invited.

Rick Spreyer, Borer’s chief of staff, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The event will commence with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and a flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard.

It will include the national anthem and “God Bless America,” a wreath-laying, and opening and closing prayers.

The tribute will also include a poetry reading, a bell-ringing at 11 a.m. and a performance of taps.

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

To coincide with the solemn ceremony, the Veterans Council will officially launch the 17th phase of its popular Brick Campaign.

In November 2006, the council began the first of 17 campaigns selling bricks to memorialize veterans on the 100-yard Walk of Honor between the William A. Soderman and Vietnam Veterans memorials.

The bricks, which cost $75, have charcoal lettering for personalized messages.

About 3,000 bricks have been installed to date, including 47 for Phase 16, which was dedicated May 25.

Applications, due March 14, 2025, are available here and in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St. For details, call 203-937-3510.

City issues notice for leaf bags

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 7, 2024 — Leaf bag pickup will end the week of Dec. 9 on residents’ regular trash pickup days.

West Haven residents are asked to put leaves and grass clippings in separate biodegradable paper bags for curbside pickup. Plastic bags are prohibited.

Crews will not pick up leaf/grass bags after the week of Dec. 9. After that, residents must bring all bags — paper, no plastic — to the city’s compost site, 1 Kimberly Ave., from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Proof of residence is required.

Leaf bag pickup will resume in mid-April 2025.

Also, per city ordinance, blowing leaves into city streets is prohibited, and violators are subject to a $60 fine for each offense.

Mayor Dorinda Borer launches new marketing video showcase, ‘West Haven: A Home for All Veterans’

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 1, 2024 — Mayor Dorinda Borer has launched “West Haven: A Home for All Veterans,” the latest video showcase in the city’s new promotional series, “Discover West Haven.”

Check out the video.

West Haven residents warned of ‘continued elevated fire risk’; Borer declares ‘burn ban’

‘Continued elevated fire risk,’ ‘burn ban’ declared in the city

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 31, 2024 — With no significant rainfall expected, the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and three fire departments are warning residents of a continued elevated fire risk, including brush fires.

Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana and chiefs of the West Haven, West Shore and City of West Haven Allingtown fire departments have convened and prepared a mutual response plan in the event of a brush fire.

To bolster the plan and safeguard the public, Mayor Dorinda Borer has issued an emergency declaration ordering “a burn ban prohibiting the use of all outdoor firepits, campfires, or the kindling or use of any flame out of doors until further notice.”

“This small bit of rain we recently received does not provide for a relief from threat,” Borer said. “With high winds expected, unusual warm weather and little precipitation, risk of fires continues to be a great threat. Please continue to work with us over the next few weeks and abide by the state and city restrictions in order to protect life and property.”

To avoid accidentally starting a fire, Fontana said residents should heed the following tips:

— Do not operate a vehicle off-road in brush or high grass. The hot exhaust system can ignite grass or brush.

— No bonfires or firepit or open flame activity.

— Do not discard any burning items outdoors. Hot embers, cigarettes and matches can ignite dry grass or brush.

— Faulty brakes or dragging metal under or behind a vehicle can also send sparks into roadside grass.

Read Borer’s emergency declaration .

Also, the city has secured a grant for smoke detectors. Starting next week, residents can call their local West Haven fire department to schedule an installation of the new detectors, which are free while supplies last.

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is led by pops conductor Chelsea Tipton II. (Contributed Photo/NHSO)

New Haven Symphony performing ‘Holiday Extravaganza’ concert at WHHS on Dec. 13

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 25, 2024 — The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is performing a special “Holiday Extravaganza: Joy to the World!” concert at West Haven High School on Dec. 13, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

The 7 p.m. concert is presented by the city and will take place in the school auditorium at 1 McDonough Plaza.

Tickets cost $20 for orchestra seating and $15 for mezzanine seating.

Tickets are sold only in advance on the GoFan website or the NHSO website.

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit West Haven Public Schools’ music department.

“I am overjoyed to bring this special holiday concert by the world-renowned New Haven Symphony Orchestra to West Haven as part of our efforts to revitalize arts and entertainment across the city,” Borer said. “This spirited performance for all ages will also serve as a way to support our school district’s music department as we recognize the value and importance of the arts among our youth. It enriches lives no matter the age.”

According to its website, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s Pops Series, conducted by Chelsea Tipton II, will bring the music and magic of the holiday season to West Haven for a special concert benefiting the arts in the city’s public schools.

“Families and friends will come together to experience the joy of holiday music from around the world in Connecticut’s favorite festive tradition!” according to the NHSO website.

The New Haven Symphony is America’s fourth-oldest orchestra, founded in 1894.

For more than a century, the NHSO has continued the traditions of performance and education by supporting programs in schools and communities and presenting classical repertoire and pops concerts.

The orchestra has performed regularly in New Haven and toured throughout Connecticut and beyond, including concerts at New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. It has also given numerous radio broadcasts.

The Whiffenpoofs performing concert at West Haven Veterans Museum on Nov. 16

The Whiffenpoofs of Yale University. (Contributed Photo/Whiffenpoofs)

The Whiffenpoofs of Yale performing Nov. 16 concert at West Haven Veterans Museum, 30 Hood Terrace

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 25, 2024 — Yale University’s Whiffenpoofs, the nation’s best-known collegiate a cappella group, are performing a concert at the West Haven Veterans Museum on Nov. 16, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

The concert is presented by the city and will take place at 30 Hood Terrace.

Tickets are $5 and sold at the door, which opens at 3:30 p.m. The concert starts at 4 p.m.

Because seating is limited, people are encouraged to preregister by emailing whveteransmuseum@gmail.com or calling 203-934-1111.

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the museum, a living history of America at war.

The Whiffenpoofs are America’s oldest collegiate a cappella group, founded in 1909, and have become one of Yale’s most celebrated traditions.

Singing a mixture of old Yale tunes, jazz standards and other hits from across the decades, the Whiffenpoofs perform more than 200 concerts across six continents each year, according to its website.

Residents’ input sought for community development, housing needs survey; deadline is Dec. 20

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 16, 2024 — Residents can share their opinions as the city updates its five-year Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A brief survey of needs and priorities is available to residents on the West Haven Community Development Administration webpage. Residents can also take the survey by scanning the QR code below.

Residents must return the survey to rosa@westhaven-ct.gov by Dec. 20.

The goal is to prepare a plan that describes West Haven’s housing and community development needs and implement a strategy for 2025-29.

The seven-question survey can be completed in a few minutes. Information will be from the survey, workshops and other sources.

Energy assistance offered in West Haven starting Oct. 3

Energy assistance offered in city

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 4, 2024 — The city is accepting applications for the federally funded Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.

Appointments for all heating sources can be made by calling 203-937-3572.

Applications will be processed via phone by appointment Monday through Thursday. No walk-ins will be accepted.

Applicants who have difficulty speaking English are asked to have a translator.

Eligibility for assistance is based on the income of an applicant’s household. To qualify, applicants must provide pay stubs, including monthly Social Security benefits and pension incomes, for all household members 18 and older.

Applicants must also provide SNAP benefits, Social Security numbers and birthdates for all household members, as well as current utility bills for the household.