Firefighter Jake Gannon rings the West Haven Fire Department’s chrome bell 11 times at 11 a.m. in observance of Veterans Day in West Haven’s Bradley Point Park on Monday as master of ceremonies Rick Spreyer bows his head and West Haven police and fire officials stand at attention. 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. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer delivers poignant remarks honoring the city’s soldiers, sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and airmen as West Haven fire chiefs, officers and firefighters stand at attention. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Veterans Day observed, 17th phase of Veterans Council’s Brick Campaign launched in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 12, 2024 — An array of veterans and their families, together with city and state leaders and members of West Haven’s Veterans Council and Surfside Veterans, gathered on the Veterans Walk of Honor to pay reverence to Veterans Day on Monday.

Mayor Dorinda Borer, standing on the Walk of Honor in the heart of Bradley Point Park, delivered poignant remarks to the patriotic crowd of mostly veterans, many wearing black baseball caps referencing their military assignments in gold lettering.

“The American tapestry is woven with the stories of patriots who have answered our country’s call, and we are grateful for their service and their immeasurable contributions to protecting and defending the red, white and blue,” said Borer, speaking in front of a black granite memorial in commemoration of Army Pfc. William A. Soderman, who received the Medal of Honor in World War II.

Read the full story and see the photo gallery here.

West Haven veteran Moe Armstrong receives ‘Quilt of Valor’

City veteran Moe Armstrong receives ‘Quilt of Valor’

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 12, 2024 — (Pictured): Sisters Aili McKeen and Rebecca Perrone of Quilts of Valor hold up and present their handmade “log cabin” quilt to West Haven Vietnam veteran Moe Armstrong, left, at City Hall on Friday.

With Armstrong for the presentation is, from left, wife Heidi Peternell Armstrong, West Haven Municipal Veterans Rep. Rich Deso, the president of Surfside Veterans, and Mayor Dorinda Borer.

McKeen, Perrone and members of the Wallingford Grange group of Quilts of Valor meet in the grange hall every other Monday to make queen-size quilts for combat veterans, said McKeen, the group’s leader.

The eight-member Wallingford group was established in January and is part of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, an Iowa-based nonprofit organization that provides handmade quilts to service members and veterans affected by war as a symbol of gratitude. The quilts meet specific criteria and are awarded, not gifted, according to the foundation.

Since Quilts of Valor’s founding 21 years ago, nearly 400,000 service members and veterans have received comforting and healing quilts, lovingly made by local quilters.

Armstrong served as a Marine Corps corpsman in the Vietnam War. During his two-year deployment starting in June 1963, he carried out several acts of valor, for which he has been decorated.

Years later, Armstrong’s commitment to his fellow veterans brought him to serve once again, this time working in peer support for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, crisscrossing the country to help veterans in wellness and recovery.

“For this and more, I am proud to wrap this quilt around Moe’s shoulders — shoulders that have carried more than their fair share — and hope that it brings him comfort and healing,” McKeen said.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Vietnam veteran Moe Armstrong, joined by wife Heidi Peternell Armstrong, is wrapped in a queen-size “log cabin” quilt made by the eight-member Wallingford Grange group of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, an Iowa-based nonprofit organization that provides handmade quilts to service members and veterans affected by war as a symbol of gratitude. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

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.

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, Nov. 1, 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.

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.

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.